JP3358583B2 - Car navigation device and its selection screen display method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car navigation apparatus for displaying a selection screen with high operability for a user and a method for displaying the selection screen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a plurality of GPs have been
GPS (Glob) is a positioning system that receives navigation radio waves transmitted from the S satellite to the ground and detects the current position.
A car navigation device that can display the position of a vehicle using an al positioning system (global positioning system) has been widely used.

[0003] In a car navigation apparatus, there are various types of functions such as free change of display method and display of traffic congestion information in addition to guidance on a route to a destination, thereby further improving user convenience. Many have been developed. With the diversification of functions of car navigation devices, when using a car navigation device, it is necessary for the user to select and set the function that he or she wants to use on a menu display screen. In order to improve operability in such a menu selection operation, developments have been made.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-271824 (hereinafter referred to as "A") discloses a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device in which the operability in the menu selection operation is improved as described above. A menu display method used in an in-vehicle navigation device, which creates and displays a menu screen for selecting an item, and combines an item name and an icon that intuitively expresses the concept of the item for each item. Menu display method, wherein an icon of an item corresponding to the currently displayed menu screen selected on the menu screen of the immediately preceding hierarchy is displayed on the index label of the menu screen. Has been disclosed.

A menu display method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H06-26205 will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a display screen according to the menu display method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.

[0009] In FIG. 9, reference numeral 50 denotes a display screen; 51, a list displaying menu item groups;
2a is an index, 53-56 are menu item display areas arranged vertically on the list 51, 53a-56
“a” is an icon displayed at the left end of the menu item display areas 53 to 56 and intuitively represents the concept of each menu item. 53b to 56b are menu item display areas 53 to 56b.
Item name of each menu item displayed on the right side of 56, 57
Is a page scroller for moving the menu item display areas 53 to 56 up and down. Menu item display area 53 ~
Among the 56 items, the menu item where the cursor indicated by the diagonal line is located is the currently selected menu item.

In this method, a user moves a cursor to a menu item desired to be selected with a joystick,
It was to select a menu item.

[0009]

However, the above-described conventional method of displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device has the following problems.

(1) When the user attempts to select a menu item displayed on the screen, the menu item at the opposite end from the state where the cursor is located in the menu item display area at the top or bottom position When the user tries to select, the number of times the input device must be operated to move the cursor increases. Therefore, the number of operations of the input device required for menu selection necessarily increases, and there is a problem that operability is poor and time is required for the operation.

(2) The selected menu item is displayed by the cursor. If the number of menus is large, the display area of the display screen is constant, so that the display area of the menu item display area becomes small, and the The selected menu item is difficult to see and lacks operability. Also, if you try to secure a large display area for the menu item display area,
The number of menu items that can be displayed on one screen must be reduced, and it is necessary to create many lower-level menus, which has a problem that operability for the user is reduced.
It is also conceivable to increase the display area of the menu item display area by enlarging the display screen. However, in the case of a car navigation device, since it is installed in a narrow car, compactness is required. There was also a certain limit to expanding the area.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. The number of operations of an input device when a user selects a menu item is small, and the selected menu item can be recognized at a glance and can be displayed on one screen. An object of the present invention is to provide a car navigation device that can increase the number of menu items and has high operability at the time of menu selection operation.

Further, the present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, in which the number of operations of the input device when the user selects a menu item is small, and the selected menu item can be recognized at a glance and displayed on one screen. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device, which can increase the number of possible menu items and can improve the operability in a menu selection operation.

[0014]

According to the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus comprising: a display screen; and a plurality of menu items displayed on the display screen. An input device for performing input, a car navigation device comprising: a menu item display means for displaying a plurality of the menu items arranged in a ring on the display screen, and a ring according to an instruction from the input device Menu item rotating means for rotating the menu item arrangement displayed in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and displaying the menu item display means on the menu item display means, wherein the menu item display means is provided on the display screen. The menu items arranged at predetermined positions are displayed as selection items , and other menu items are displayed as item names or the like.
Is displayed so that some parts other than the necessary information
It is composed of

With this configuration, the number of operations of the input device when the user selects a menu item can be reduced, and the selected menu item can be recognized at a glance, and the number of menu items that can be displayed on one screen can be increased. It is possible to provide a car navigation device which is possible and has high operability at the time of menu selection operation.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device according to the present invention displays a plurality of menu items arranged in a ring on a display screen, and is arranged at a predetermined position on the display screen. Menu items are displayed as selection items, and the selection items are switched by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise each menu item arrangement displayed in a circular arrangement according to an instruction from the input device. Become.

With this configuration, the number of operations of the input device when the user selects a menu item can be reduced, and the selected menu item can be recognized at a glance, and the number of menu items that can be displayed on one screen can be increased. It is possible to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device, which is capable of improving operability during a menu selection operation.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In order to achieve this object, a car navigation device according to a first aspect of the present invention selects an arbitrary menu item from a display screen and a plurality of menu items displayed on the display screen. An input device for performing an input for performing, a menu item display means for displaying a plurality of menu items arranged in a ring on a display screen, and a ring in response to an instruction from the input device. Menu item rotation means for rotating the menu item arrangement displayed in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to be displayed on the menu item display means, and the menu item display means is provided at a predetermined position on the display screen. The arrangement is such that the arranged menu items are displayed as selection items, and the following effects can be obtained by this configuration.

(1) The menu item display means is arranged and displayed in a ring on the display screen, and at this time, the menu items arranged at predetermined positions are displayed as selection items. When an instruction to switch the selection item is input from the input unit, the menu item rotation unit rotates the menu item arrangement displayed in a ring on the display screen clockwise or counterclockwise to display the menu item. Display on the means. The menu item display means displays a menu item that is newly positioned at a predetermined position by rotating the menu item as a selection item.

(2) Since the menu items are arranged in a ring, when another menu item B is selected from a state in which a certain menu item A is a selection item, the menu items are arranged clockwise or counterclockwise. The menu item B may be moved to a predetermined position by rotating clockwise. As a result, the number of operations of the input device in the menu selection operation can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, so that the operability is improved and the menu selection operation can be performed quickly.

(3) Since the selection item is always located at a predetermined position on the display screen, the user does not need to search for the position of the selection item, and can recognize at a glance what the current selection item is. Becomes possible, and operability is improved.

(4) As long as the entire selection item is displayed, menu items other than the selection item only need to display the minimum necessary information such as the item name. May be hidden by overlapping. Therefore, many menu items can be displayed on the display screen, and it is not necessary to create many lower-level menus, so that operability is improved.

(5) Since the menu item selected at the same time as the selection is dynamically displayed as a selection item, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection item, and can quickly recognize the position of the selection item. The performance is improved.

Here, as the input device, switches arranged on the left and right, a joystick, a mouse ball, and the like are used.

The menu items need only be arranged in a ring, and may be arranged in a circle such as a circle, an ellipse, a square, or a hexagon.

The menu item display means displays the selected item as a means of displaying the selected item by changing the display area of the selected item compared to other menu items, increasing the display area, and changing the color. Standing means are used.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the car navigation device according to the first aspect, further comprising an explanation display means for displaying an explanation of the selected item on a display screen. The following effects are obtained.

(1) The explanation display means displays the explanation of the current selection item on the display screen, so that the user can easily understand the operation content of the selection item.

(2) Since only the description of the selected item is displayed without displaying the description of other menu items, it is possible to display many menu items on the display screen.
Since there is no need to make many lower menus, the operability is improved.

(3) Since the description dynamically appears on the display screen simultaneously with the selection, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection item, can quickly recognize the position of the selection item, and the operability is improved.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
Wherein the menu item display means is configured to make the display area of the display area of the selected item larger than the display area of the display area of the other menu items. With the configuration, the following operation can be obtained.

(1) Since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the positions of the selection items, and the operability is improved.

(2) Since the selection items are large, the display contents of the selection items are easy to see and the operability is improved.

The invention described in claim 4 is the first to third aspects of the present invention.
Wherein the menu item display means displays the background color of the display area of the selected item with a higher brightness or saturation than the background color of the display area of the other menu items. With this configuration, the following operation can be obtained.

(1) Since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the positions of the selection items, and the operability is improved.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4
The car navigation device according to any one of the above, wherein the input device is a right switch for inputting an instruction to rotate each menu item arrangement displayed in a ring in a clockwise direction, and is displayed in a ring. A left switch for inputting an instruction to rotate each menu item arrangement in a counterclockwise direction; and a decision switch for inputting an instruction to execute a selection item displayed on the display screen, and the right switch is an operation panel of the input device. The left switch is arranged adjacent to the right side of the upper decision switch, and the left switch is arranged adjacent to the left side of the decision switch on the operation panel of the input device. Function can be obtained.

(1) Since the right switch and the left switch are disposed adjacent to the right and left sides of the confirmation switch, the user slides his / her finger left and right with the finger lightly placed on the confirmation switch to switch the right switch. Alternatively, since the right and left switches can be pressed and the menu can be selected by a simple blind touch operation, the operation is extremely simple and the operability is improved.

(2) Like a joystick or a mouse ball, there is little possibility of erroneous input and operability is improved.

To achieve the above object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device, wherein a plurality of menu items are arranged in a ring on a display screen and displayed. By displaying the menu items arranged at the above predetermined positions as selection items, by rotating the respective menu item arrangements displayed in a ring arrangement according to an instruction from the input device in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, The configuration is such that the selection item is switched, and the following operation is obtained by this configuration.

(1) Since the menu items are arranged in a ring, if another menu item B is to be selected from a certain menu item A being a selection item, the menu items are arranged clockwise or counterclockwise. The menu item B may be moved to a predetermined position by rotating clockwise. As a result, the number of operations of the input device in the menu selection operation can be reduced as compared with the conventional one, the operability is improved, and the quick menu selection operation can be performed in the car navigation device.

(2) Since the selection item is always located at a predetermined position on the display screen, the user does not need to search for the position of the selection item, and can recognize at a glance what the current selection item is. And the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

(3) As long as the entire selection item is displayed, menu items other than the selection item only need to display the minimum necessary information such as the item name. May be hidden by overlapping. Therefore, many menu items can be displayed on the display screen, and there is no need to create many lower-level menus, so that the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

(4) Since the menu item selected simultaneously with the selection is dynamically displayed as a selection item, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection item and can quickly recognize the position of the selection item. Operability of the navigation device can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device according to the sixth aspect, wherein a description of the selection item is displayed on the display screen. Thereby, the following operation is obtained.

(1) By displaying the description of the current selection item on the display screen, the user can easily understand the operation content of the selection item.

(2) Since only the description of the selected item is displayed without displaying the description of other menu items, it is possible to display many menu items on the display screen.
Since it is not necessary to make many lower menus, the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

(3) Since the description appears dynamically on the display screen simultaneously with the selection, the user can easily recognize the position of the selected item, can quickly recognize the position of the selected item, and can operate the car navigation device easily. Can be improved.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claims 6 and 7.
Wherein the display area of the display area of the selected item is set to be larger than the display area of the display area of another menu item. With this configuration, the following operation can be obtained.

(1) Since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the positions of the selection items, and the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

(2) Since the selection items are large, the display contents of the selection items are easy to see, and the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the present invention.
The selection screen display method of any one of the car navigation devices, wherein the color of the display area of the selected item is displayed with a higher brightness or saturation than the color of the display area of another menu item With this configuration, the following operation is obtained.

(1) Since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the positions of the selection items, and the operability of the car navigation device can be improved.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus configuration of a car navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for controlling the operation of the car navigation device, 2 is an input device for the user to input operation commands and the like to the CPU 1,
Reference numeral 3 denotes a display device on which the CPU 1 displays and outputs a processing result, 4 denotes a display control device for controlling the display operation of the display device 3, 4a
Is a graphic controller that performs screen display processing of the display device 3 based on input image information and the like, 4b is a video RAM that temporarily stores image data that is input from the graphic controller 4a and is displayed on the display device 3, and 5 is G
GP that measures the current position of a moving object such as a car by PS
S receiver 5a receives input from GPS receiver 5 by CPU 1
Interface for converting data into data that can be input and output to and from an antenna 6 for receiving navigation radio waves from GPS satellites 7
Is a CD-ROM (read-only compact disk memory) storing map information and the like, 8 is a CD-ROM 7
CD-ROM for reading and outputting information recorded in
The drive 9 is an RO that stores a program for controlling the CPU 1 and graphic data to be displayed on the display device 3.
M and 10 are RAMs for storing data and the like generated temporarily during the operation of the CPU 1, 11 is a sound output control device for controlling sound output based on a command from the CPU 1, and 12 is input from the sound output control device 11 Speaker 13 for outputting a sound in accordance with an audio signal;
Display control device 4, interface 5a, CD-ROM drive 8, ROM 9, RAM 10, audio output control device 1
1 is a bus line connected in common.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of input switches on the operation panel of the input device of FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 20 denotes a decision switch which is a switch for transmitting to the CPU 1 that the user has confirmed the input operation, and reference numerals 21 and 22 are disposed adjacent to the right and left of the decision switch 20. Reference numeral 23 denotes an end switch which is a switch for transmitting to the CPU 1 that the menu operation has been completed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a menu selection operation of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 2 denotes an input device, reference numeral 3 denotes a display device, and reference numeral 12 denotes a speaker, which are the same as those in FIG.

3a is a display screen of the display device 3, 24 is a menu item display means for displaying a plurality of menus arranged in a ring on the display screen 3a, and 25 is arranged and displayed in a ring according to an instruction from the input device. Menu item rotating means for rotating the menu item arrangement clockwise or counterclockwise and displaying the menu item display means on the menu item display means; 26, an explanation display means for displaying the explanation of the selected item on the display screen; When the switch 20 is pressed, a menu executing means for executing the operation of the selected item which is the currently selected menu item.
0, right switch 21, left switch 22, end switch 2
This is a sound generating means for generating a key reject sound by the speaker 12 when a switch other than 3 is pressed.

Menu item display means 24, menu item rotation means 25, explanation display means 26, menu execution means 2
7 is physically a CPU 1, a display controller 4, a ROM 9,
The sound generator 28 is physically formed by a combination of the CPU 1, the sound output controller 11, the ROM 9, the RAM 10, and the bus line 13.

In the car navigation apparatus of the first embodiment configured as described above, a method of displaying the selection screen will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a screen display diagram of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 4, 3a is a display screen, 31 is an information display area for displaying a map for navigation and other information, 32 is a selection item display area which is a display area of a currently selected menu, and 32a is a current item display area. A selection item name display area 32b, which is a display area for displaying the item name of the selected menu, a selection item figure display area 33b, which is a display area for displaying a diagram of the currently selected menu item as a pattern Reference numerals 3-1 to 33-4 denote non-selected item display areas which are display areas of menus which are not currently selected;
Reference numerals a to 33-4a denote non-selected item name display areas, which are display areas for displaying item names of menus not currently selected.
Reference numerals 3-1b to 33-4b denote non-selected item diagram display areas, which are display areas for displaying a diagram in which menu items not currently selected are designed, and reference numeral 34 denotes an explanation display for displaying a description of the currently selected menu. Area.

The background color of the display screen 3a is displayed in a color with low lightness or low saturation (black, dark blue, dark green, etc.), and the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4 are the background colors of the display screen 3a. The selection item display area 32 and the explanation display area 34 are displayed in colors (yellow, red, orange, etc.) with higher lightness and saturation. The display area of the selection item display area 32 is slightly larger than the display area of the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4. As a result, the user can easily identify the currently selected item, and the operability of the user is improved.

The explanation display area 34 is displayed in front of the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4, and is hidden behind the explanation display area 34.
The portion 33-4 is subjected to hidden point / hidden line / hidden surface erasure processing. At this time, the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4
Are arranged at positions where the non-selected item name display areas 33-1a to 33-4a do not overlap the explanation display area 34. Thereby, all the selectable item names are displayed on the display screen 3a, so that the user can know at a glance the list of the item names of the selectable items, and the operability is improved.

In FIG. 4, the selection item display area 32 and the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4 are represented by elliptical areas, but are represented by polygons such as squares and hexagons. It doesn't matter.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the car navigation system according to the first embodiment by the input from the input device.

First, when the power of the car navigation system is turned on and a menu item is selected, the CPU 1 reads out the image data of the initial menu selection screen stored in the ROM 9 by the menu item display means 24, and the graphic controller 4a And outputs the image data of the initial screen of the input menu selection to the video RAM.
4b and displayed on the display device 3 (S
1). At this time, an initial screen for menu selection as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3. FIG.
Here, as an example, the case where the number of menu items is five is shown, but the number of menu items is not limited to five, and may be any number as long as it can be displayed on the screen.

The display screen 3a is stored in the video RAM 4b.
The graphics data to display on the top is the background, selected item display area, non-selected item display area, description display area,
The graphic controller 4a displays the graphics data of each layer on the input device 2 in a predetermined order in accordance with the information display area and the like. It is possible to freely perform processing such as line / hidden surface removal at high speed.

At this time, the CPU 1 causes the RAM 10 to store selection flags P (0) to P (4) indicating a selection state corresponding to each menu item. For example, in the case of FIG. 4, there are five menus of “decide the destination”, “search for a place”, “use options”, “information and settings”, and “operate a mark”. Are assigned selection flags P (0) to P (4), respectively. In the initial state of FIG. 4, since the menu item "Decide destination" is in the selected state, P (0) = 1, P (0)
(1) = P (2) = P (3) = P (4) = 0, and each variable is stored in the RAM 10.

Next, the CPU 1 waits for an input from any switch of the input device 2 (S2).

If there is an input from any of the switches of the input device 2, the CPU 1 determines which switch is the input signal, and if it is the input signal from the left switch 22 (S3), the menu item By rotating means 25, CP
U1 performs a counterclockwise rotation process (described later) for displaying the menu item (S4), and returns to the operation of step S2 again.

In step S2, when the input signal of the switch is an input signal from the right switch 21 (S
5) By the menu item rotating means 25, the CPU 1 performs a clockwise rotation process (described later) for displaying the menu item (S6), and returns to the operation of step S2 again.

In step S2, when the input signal of the switch is the input signal from the decision switch 20 (S
7) The CPU 1 performs an operation corresponding to the currently selected menu item by the menu execution means 27 (S7).
8) The menu item selection operation ends. At this time,
If the currently selected menu item has a more detailed menu item (lower-level menu), a transition may be made to a state in which the lower-level menu is selected.

In step S2, when the input signal of the switch is the input signal from the end switch 23 (S
9) The menu execution means 27 causes the CPU 1 to end the menu item selection operation.

In step S2, the input signals of the switches are determined by the decision switch 20, right switch 21, left switch 2
2. If the input signal is not an input signal from any of the end switches 23, the CPU 1 outputs a command to generate a key rejection sound to the audio output control device 11 by the audio generation means 28, and the audio output control device 11 A key rejection sound is generated by the speaker 12 (S10), and step S2 is performed again.
Return to the operation of.

Next, the operation of the counterclockwise rotation processing and the clockwise rotation processing of the display of the menu items in steps S4 and S6 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the menu display rotation process. FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the display state on the display screen during the operation of the menu display rotation process.

The counterclockwise rotation process and the clockwise rotation process for displaying the menu items are the same as the operations of the CPU 1 except that the rotation direction of the menu is different. Next, the clockwise rotation process will be described.

The menu item rotating means 25 determines in step S
In 5, when it is determined that the input signal of the switch is the input signal from the right switch 21, first, the CPU 1 outputs a command to the graphic controller 4 a to delete the explanation display area 34, and the graphic controller 4 a Then, the explanation display area 34 is deleted from the display screen 3a of the display device 3 (S20). Further, the number i of the menu item whose current selection flag P (i) (i = 0 to 4) is 1 is searched, and when i is 1 or more, P (i) =
0, P (i-1) = 1, and when i is 0, P (i)
= 0, P (4) = 1 (S21) (Here, in the case of the counterclockwise rotation processing, if i is 3 or less, P (i) = 0, P (i + 1) = 1, and when i is 4, P (i) = 0 and P (0) = 1 are set.)

Next, the menu item rotating means 25 determines whether or not the rotation of the display of the menu item has been completed (S22). If the rotation has not been completed, the display screen 3a of the display device 3 is displayed. The selection item display area 32 and the non-selection item display areas 33-1 to 33-4 drawn above are deleted (S23). At this time, the display on the display screen 3a is in a state as shown in FIG.

Next, the menu item rotating means 25
Display screen 3 for displaying next menu item by PU1
The coordinates on a are calculated (S24), and the non-selected item display area display devices 33-0 to 33- corresponding to each item are calculated at that position.
The image data is transmitted to the graphic controller 4a so that the display device 4 is displayed, and the graphic controller 4a displays the display devices 33-0 to 33-4 corresponding to the respective items at predetermined positions on the display screen 3a of the display device 3. (S2
5). At this point, the selection flag P (i) (i = 0 to
Among 4), any one newly selected is 1, but a non-selected item display area is displayed on the display screen 3a for all menu items. At this time, the display screen 3a
The display at the top is as shown in FIG.

When the operations of steps S23 to S25 are completed, the menu item rotating means 25 returns to step S2.
Returning to the operation of Step 2, the operations of Steps S22 to S25 are repeated until the rotation of the display of the menu item ends. Thus, the user can display each of the display devices 33-0 to 33-33 on the display screen.
-4 looks as if it is rotating like an animation.

In the state where the rotation of the display of the menu item is completed by continuing the above operation, the display screen 3a
The upper display state is as shown in FIG.

When it is determined in step S22 that the rotation of the display of the menu item has been completed, the menu item rotation means 25 causes the CPU 1 to display a graphic for displaying the selection flag in the selection item display area corresponding to the menu item whose selection flag is 1. Command the graphics controller 4a to display the graphics data.
To display the graphics data at a predetermined position on the display screen 3a of the display device 3 (S26). Furthermore,
The menu item rotating means 25 instructs the graphic controller 4a to display graphics data (guidance image data) to be displayed in the explanation display area corresponding to the menu item whose selection flag is 1 by the CPU 1, By 4a, the graphics data is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen 3a of the display device 3 (S27), and the operation of the menu display rotation processing ends.

When the above operation is completed, FIG.
Is displayed on the display device 3 as shown in FIG. 5, the selected item rotates clockwise, and the next menu item is selected.

As described above, in the car navigation system according to the first embodiment, the two switches of the right switch 21 and the left switch 22 disposed adjacent to the right and left of the confirmation switch 20 on the panel of the input device 2 are provided. The menu display on the display screen 3a is rotated by the operation, and the menu is selected, so that a plurality of menus can be quickly selected by only two switches. Operability in operation can be improved. Further, since the right switch 21 and the left switch 22 are disposed adjacent to the right and left sides of the confirmation switch 20, the user can select the confirmation switch 20.
Slide your finger left and right with your finger on the right switch 21
Alternatively, the left switch 22 can be pressed, and the menu can be selected by a simple blind touch operation, so that the operation is extremely simple and excellent in operability.

[0089]

As described above, according to the car navigation system of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, (1) since the menu items are arranged in a ring, it is possible to reduce the number of operations of the input device in the menu selection operation as compared with the conventional one. , Excellent operability,
A car navigation device capable of quick menu selection operation can be provided.

(2) Since the selection item is always located at a predetermined position on the display screen, the user does not need to search for the position of the selection item, and can recognize at a glance what the current selection item is. Is possible, and a car navigation device excellent in operability can be provided.

(3) As long as the entire selection item is displayed, menu items other than the selection item only need to display the minimum necessary information such as the item name. , It is possible to display many menu items on the display screen, and it is not necessary to make many lower-level menus, so that it is possible to provide a car navigation device with excellent operability. .

(4) Since the menu item selected at the same time as the selection is dynamically displayed as a selection item, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection item, and can quickly recognize the position of the selection item, and can perform the operation. Thus, it is possible to provide a car navigation device having excellent performance.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, (1) the explanation display means displays the explanation of the current selection item on the display screen, so that the user can easily understand the operation content of the selection item. A car navigation device capable of performing the above can be provided.

(2) Since only the description of the selected item is displayed without displaying the description of another menu item or displaying an icon, many menu items can be displayed on the display screen. In addition, since it is not necessary to make many lower-layer menus, a car navigation device excellent in operability can be provided.

(3) Since the description dynamically appears on the display screen at the same time as the selection, the user can easily recognize the position of the selected item, can quickly recognize the position of the selected item, and has excellent operability. A navigation device can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, (1) since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection items, and the car navigation apparatus is excellent in operability. Can be provided.

(2) Since the selection items are large, the display contents of the selection items are easy to see, and a car navigation device excellent in operability can be provided.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, (1) the selection items are conspicuous, so that the user can easily recognize the position of the selection items, and the car navigation device is excellent in operability. Can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, (1) Since the right switch and the left switch are disposed adjacent to the right and left sides of the confirmation switch, the user puts his finger lightly on the confirmation switch. In this state, the user can slide the finger to the right or left to press the right switch or the right / left switch, and the menu can be selected by a simple blind touch operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a car navigation device which is extremely easy to operate and has excellent operability. it can.

(2) It is possible to provide a car navigation device which is less likely to be erroneously input and has excellent operability, such as a joystick and a mouse ball.

According to the selection screen display method for a car navigation device of the present invention, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

According to the invention described in claim 6, (1) since the menu items are arranged in a ring, it is possible to reduce the number of operations of the input device in the menu selection operation as compared with the conventional one. , Excellent operability,
It is possible to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device capable of performing a quick menu selection operation.

(2) Since the selection item is always located at a predetermined position on the display screen, the user does not need to search for the position of the selection item, and can recognize at a glance what the current selection item is. This makes it possible to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device with excellent operability.

(3) As long as the entire selection item is displayed, menu items other than the selection item only need to display the minimum necessary information such as the item name, and unnecessary portions are the other menu items. Because it is possible to hide the display on the display screen, many menu items can be displayed on the display screen, and there is no need to create many lower-level menus. Can be provided.

(4) Since the menu item selected at the same time as the selection is dynamically displayed as a selection item, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection item and can quickly recognize the position of the selection item. It is possible to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device having excellent performance.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, (1) by displaying the description of the current selection item on the display screen, the user can easily understand the operation content of the selection item. A selection screen display method for a car navigation device can be provided.

(2) Since only the description of the selected item is displayed without displaying the description of other menu items or displaying icons, many menu items can be displayed on the display screen. In addition, since there is no need to create many lower-layer menus, it is possible to provide a method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device with excellent operability.

(3) Since the description dynamically appears on the display screen at the same time as the selection, the user can easily recognize the position of the selected item, can quickly recognize the position of the selected item, and has excellent operability. A selection screen display method for a navigation device can be provided.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, (1) since the selection items are conspicuous, the user can easily recognize the position of the selection items, and the car navigation device has excellent operability. Can be provided.

(2) Since the selection items are large, it is possible to provide a method of displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device which is easy to see the display contents of the selection items and has excellent operability.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, (1) the selection items are conspicuous, so that the user can easily recognize the position of the selection items, and the car navigation device is excellent in operability. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a device configuration of a car navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of input switches on an operation panel of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a menu selection operation of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a screen display diagram of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation by an input from the input device of the car navigation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of a menu display rotation process.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display state on a display screen during a rotation operation of a menu display.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state on a display screen during a rotation operation of a menu display.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen according to the menu display method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 CPU 2 input device 3 display device 3a display screen 4 display control device 4a graphic controller 4b video RAM 5 GPS receiver 5a interface 6 antenna 7 CD-ROM 8 CD-ROM drive 9 ROM 10 RAM 11 audio output control device 12 speaker 13 Bus line 20 Confirmation switch 21 Right switch 22 Left switch 23 Exit switch 24 Menu item display means 25 Menu item rotation means 26 Explanation display means 27 Menu execution means 28 Voice generation means 31 Information display area 32 Selection item display area 32a Selection item name display Area 32b Selection item diagram display area 33-1, 33-2, 33-3, 33-4 Non-selection item display area 33-1a, 33-2a, 33-2a, 33-4a Non-selection item name display area 33- 1b, 33 -2b, 33-2b, 33-4b Non-selected item diagram display area 34 Explanation display area 50 Display screen 51 List 51a, 52a Index 53, 54, 55, 56 Menu item display area 53a, 54a, 55a, 56a Icon 53b , 54b, 55b, 56b Item name 57 Page scroller

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-10-133725 (JP, A) JP-A-9-167057 (JP, A) JP-A-9-192353 (JP, A) International publication 98/28912 (WO, A1) JAF Information Board 92 "Car Navigation Purchasing Strategy '96 -'97", (1996-7-17), JAF Publishing Co., Ltd., (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G01C 21/00 G06F 3/00 G08G 1/0969

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A car navigation system comprising: a display screen; and an input device for performing an input for selecting an arbitrary menu item from a plurality of menu items displayed on the display screen. A menu item display means for displaying the menu items arranged in a ring on the display screen, and the menu item arrangement displayed in a ring arrangement according to an instruction from the input device in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Menu item rotating means for rotating and displaying the menu item display means, wherein the menu item display means displays the menu item arranged at a predetermined position on the display screen as a selection item ,
For other menu items, some items other than necessary information such as item names
A car navigation device characterized by being displayed so as to overlap and hide . 2. The car navigation device according to claim 1, further comprising an explanation display means for displaying an explanation of the selection item on the display screen. 3. The menu item display means according to claim 1, wherein the display area of the display area of the selected item is set to be larger than the display area of the display area of the other menu items. The car navigation device according to any one of the preceding claims. 4. The menu item display means displays the background color of the display area of the selected item with a higher brightness or saturation than the background color of the display area of the other menu items. Item 4. The car navigation device according to any one of items 1 to 3. 5. An input device comprising: a right switch for inputting an instruction to rotate the menu item arrangement displayed in a ring in a clockwise direction; and the menu item arrangement displayed in a ring. A left switch for inputting an instruction to rotate counterclockwise, and a decision switch for inputting an instruction to execute the selection item displayed on the display screen, wherein the right switch is an operation panel of the input device. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the left switch is disposed adjacent to the right side of the confirmation switch, and the left switch is disposed adjacent to the left side of the confirmation switch on the operation panel of the input device. 5. The car navigation device according to claim 4. 6. annularly arranged the plurality of menu items on the display screen, along with displaying the menu items arranged in a predetermined position on the display screen as a selection item, other
Some menu items other than necessary information such as item names
The menu items are displayed in a hidden manner, and the selections are switched by rotating the respective menu item arrangements displayed in a ring shape in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction according to an instruction from the input device. Screen display method of the car navigation device to be selected. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein an explanation of the selected item is displayed on the display screen. 8. The car navigation device according to claim 6, wherein a display area of the display area of the selection item is larger than a display area of the display area of the other menu items. Selection screen display method. 9. The display device according to claim 6, wherein a color of a display area of the selected item is displayed with a higher brightness or saturation than a color of a display area of another menu item. 13. The method for displaying a selection screen of a car navigation device according to any one of the above items.