JP4230928B2 - NAVIGATION DEVICE, NAVIGATION METHOD, AND NAVIGATION PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program.

  Information handled by an information processing apparatus such as a computer is often hierarchized. When handling such layered information, it is necessary to indicate where specific information is located in the entire hierarchy. For example, a technique for displaying a hierarchical structure as in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. ing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-282087 (claims, abstract)

  By the way, in a navigation device that is an information processing device that handles hierarchical information, a small display device, for example, about 7 inches is often used because of the installation space. Therefore, in the technique shown in Patent Document 1, since all information in each layer is displayed, there is a problem that a large amount of information to be displayed becomes low in visibility and operability is lowered. is there.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and its object is to display information having a hierarchical structure in an easy-to-understand form and to improve operability, a navigation device, a navigation method, And to provide a navigation program.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a navigation apparatus that handles information having a hierarchical structure and is displayed by hierarchical information display means for displaying information belonging to the hierarchy to be selected, and hierarchical information display means. If any of the selected information is alternatively selected, the search means for displaying the information belonging to the lower hierarchy of the selected information on the hierarchy information display means, and the information alternatively selected in each hierarchy are displayed. Tab display means for continuously displaying each tab as a hierarchical order, and the tab display means displays the shape of one side of the tab as a triangle to indicate the continuity of the hierarchy between the tabs. When one of the tabs is specified, the shape of the specified tab is changed so as to be larger than the shape of the other tabs, and the information corresponding to the specified tab is changed to a lower hierarchy. And so as to display the information.

In another invention, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, the tab display means always displays the tab when a predetermined tab is designated .

Further, the present invention provides a navigation method for a navigation apparatus that handles information having a hierarchical structure, and includes a hierarchical information display step for displaying information belonging to a hierarchy to be selected and a hierarchical information display step. When the information is alternatively selected, a search step for displaying the information belonging to the lower hierarchy of the selected information in the hierarchy information display step, and the information alternatively selected in each hierarchy are displayed in the respective tabs. In order to show the continuity of the hierarchy between them, the tab display step that displays the shape of one side of the tab as a triangle, and if any of the tabs is specified, the shape of the specified tab is changed to another tab The tab change step that changes to be larger than the shape of the tab, and the information that belongs to the lower hierarchy of the information corresponding to the specified tab is displayed. So that to have the information display step.

In addition to the above-described invention, another invention has a step of always displaying a tab when a predetermined tab is designated .

Further, the present invention provides a computer-readable navigation program executed in a navigation device that handles information having a hierarchical structure, a hierarchical information display means for displaying information belonging to a hierarchy to be selected, a hierarchy When any information displayed by the information display means is alternatively selected, search means for displaying information belonging to a lower hierarchy of the selected information on the hierarchy information display means, alternatively in each hierarchy In order to indicate the continuity of the hierarchy between the tabs, the selected information is displayed as a triangle on one side of each tab, and if any of the tabs is specified, the specified tab's Change the shape so that it is larger than the shape of the other tabs, and display information that belongs to the lower hierarchy of the information corresponding to the specified tab. The tabs display means, so as to function as a.

According to another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the tab display means always displays the tab when a predetermined tab is designated .

  The present invention can provide a navigation device, a navigation method, and a navigation program capable of displaying information having a hierarchical structure in an easy-to-understand form and improving operability.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the navigation apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD (Hard). Disk Drive) 14, video circuit 15, I / F (Interface) 16, bus 17, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 18, input device 19, sensor 20, GPS (Global Positioning System) device 21, and audio output device 22 have.

  Here, the CPU 11 as search means is a central processing unit that executes various arithmetic processes according to a program stored in the HDD 14 and controls each unit of the apparatus.

  The ROM 12 is a semiconductor storage device that stores a program executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is a semiconductor storage device that temporarily stores a program executed by the CPU 11.

  The HDD 14 stores a program executed by the CPU 11 and also stores map information. The video circuit 15 executes a drawing process according to a drawing command supplied from the CPU 11, converts an image obtained as a result of the drawing process into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the LCD 18.

  The I / F 16 converts and inputs the expression format of signals output from the input device 19, the sensor 20, and the GPS device 21, and converts the expression format of signals output to the audio output device. The bus 17 is a signal line group for mutually connecting the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, HDD 14, video circuit 15, and I / F 16, and enabling exchange of information among them.

  The LCD 18 which is a hierarchy information display unit and a tab display unit is a display device for displaying a video signal output from the video circuit 15. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the details of the LCD 18. As shown in this figure, the LCD 18 has a display unit 18a disposed at the center, and hardware buttons 19b to 19g serving as an input device 19 are disposed around the display unit 18a. Moreover, since the touch panel 19a as the input device 19 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit 18a, the desired information can be obtained by pressing the touch panel 19a with reference to image information displayed on the display unit 18a. Information can be entered.

  In this example, a map around the current location of the vehicle is displayed on the display unit 18a. The hardware button 19b is a button operated when adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output device 22, for example. The hardware button 19c is, for example, a button operated when starting playback of a CD (Compact Disk (registered trademark)). The hardware button 19d is a button operated when displaying the point menu. The hardware button 19e is a button that is operated when information displayed on the display unit 18a is selected from either navigation or TV (television video). The hardware button 19f is operated to stop reproduction of a CD or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The hardware button 19g is a button operated when starting playback of a DVD.

  Returning to FIG. 1, as described above, the input device 19 has the touch panel 19 a and the hardware buttons 19 b to 19 g arranged so as to be superimposed on the display unit of the LCD 18, and according to the operation of the operator. Generate and output information.

  The sensor 20 includes a vehicle speed sensor that indicates the speed of the vehicle, an angular speed sensor that indicates the angular speed of each control axis of the vehicle, and a side brake sensor that indicates the operation state of the side brake.

  The GPS device 21 is a device that obtains the current position (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the vehicle using information transmitted from a plurality of GPS artificial satellites. The audio output device 22 performs D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion on the data supplied from the CPU 11 and outputs it as audio.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the navigation device 10 is activated, the CPU 11 executes a predetermined navigation program and performs the following processing.

  When the hardware button 19 d of the LCD 18 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, the CPU 11 reads predetermined information stored in the HDD 14 and supplies it to the video circuit 15. As a result, information as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the LCD 18.

  In the display example of FIG. 3, a substantially rectangular frame 50 along the outer edge of the display unit 18a is displayed. Under the frame 50, tabs 50a to 50e are displayed. In this example, the frame 50 corresponds to the selected tab 50a.

  Here, the tab 50a is operated when a menu related to navigation is displayed. The tab 50b is operated when displaying a menu related to the television. The tab 50c is operated when a menu related to a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) or a CD (Compact Disk (registered trademark)) is displayed. The tab 50d is operated when displaying a menu for performing various settings. The tab 50e is operated when the frame 50 is closed.

  A frame 60 corresponding to the top menu is displayed inside the frame 50, and a tab 51 corresponding to the frame 60 is displayed above the frame 50. On the upper left of the frame 60, a triangle 60a, which is an instruction image for indicating the currently selected tab 51, is displayed. Inside the frame 60, software buttons (hereinafter simply referred to as “buttons”) 60b to 60g including a button image and a touch panel 19a are displayed. The software buttons 60b to 60g belong to the lower hierarchy of the “top menu” and are items of “top menu”.

  Here, the button 60b is operated when performing a search by inputting a place where the user wants to go. The button 60c is operated when editing the route being guided. The button 60d is operated when referring to various types of information. The button 60e is operated when referring to traffic jam information. The button 60f is operated when setting navigation. The button 60g is operated when returning home.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 3, when the button 60 b for “search for a place to go to” is operated, the CPU 11 refers to information from the touch panel 19 a and detects that the button 60 b is operated. Then, the CPU 11 acquires information corresponding to the button 60 b from the HDD 14 and supplies the information to the video circuit 15. As a result, the information shown in FIG.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the tab 51 at the top of the frame 50 is changed, and instead, a tab 51 a having a triangular image at the right end indicating the continuity direction of the hierarchy (tab indicating the upper hierarchy). Is displayed. In addition, a new tab 52 (a tab indicating the currently selected hierarchy) is displayed on the right side of the tab 51a. A frame 65 is displayed at the center of the frame 50, and a triangle 65 a at the upper left of the frame 65 indicates the newly displayed tab 52.

  Inside the frame 65, buttons 65b to 65f belonging to the lower hierarchy of the items of the tab 52 are displayed. Here, the button 65b is operated in the case where the user knows about the destination and inputs a search. The button 65c is operated when inputting what is desired and searching for a corresponding destination. The button 65e is operated when searching for a destination from near the vehicle position. The button 65f is operated when searching for a destination from past places.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 4, when the button 65b for the “understand” search is operated, the CPU 11 refers to information from the touch panel 19a and detects that the button 65b is operated. Then, the CPU 11 acquires information corresponding to the button 65 b from the HDD 14 and supplies the information to the video circuit 15. As a result, the information shown in FIG.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the tab 52 at the top of the frame 50 is changed, and instead, a tab 52 a (a tab indicating a higher hierarchy) having a triangular image at the right end indicating the continuous direction of the hierarchy is displayed. It is displayed. A new tab 53 (a tab indicating the currently selected hierarchy) is displayed on the right side of the tab 52a. A frame 70 is displayed at the center of the frame 50, and a triangle 70 a at the upper left of the frame 70 indicates the newly displayed tab 53.

  Inside the frame 70, buttons 70b and 70c belonging to the lower hierarchy of the items of the tab 53 are displayed. Here, the button 70b is operated when searching for a destination by inputting a telephone number. The button 70c is operated when searching for a destination by inputting a zip code.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 5, when the button 70 b operated when searching for the destination by “phone number” is operated, the CPU 11 refers to the information from the touch panel 19 a and the button 70 b is operated. Detect that. Then, the CPU 11 acquires information corresponding to the button 70 b from the HDD 14 and supplies the information to the video circuit 15. As a result, the information shown in FIG.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 6, the shape of the tab 53 at the top of the frame 50 is changed, and instead, a tab 53a (a tab indicating a higher hierarchy) having a triangular image at the right end indicating the continuous direction of the hierarchy is displayed. Has been. In addition, a new tab 54 (a tab indicating the currently selected hierarchy) is displayed on the right side of the tab 53a. A frame 75 is displayed at the center of the frame 50, and a triangle 75 a at the center of the frame 75 indicates the newly displayed tab 54.

  Inside the frame 75, a box 75b, a button 75c, and a number button group 75d belonging to a lower hierarchy of the items of the tab 54 are displayed. Here, the box 75b displays a telephone number input by operating the number button group 75d. The number button group 75d is operated when inputting a telephone number to be searched for in the box 75b. The button 75c is operated when searching for the telephone number input in the box 75b as the destination.

  By the way, as a result of searching by inputting a predetermined telephone number on the screen shown in FIG. 6, if there is no corresponding candidate, for example, it is conceivable to search again by inputting a zip code. In such a case, first, the tab 53a belonging to the upper hierarchy is operated. As a result, the CPU 11 detects that the tab 53 a has been operated, acquires information corresponding to the tab 53 a from the HDD 14, and supplies the information to the video circuit 15. As a result, the information shown in FIG. 5 is displayed again on the LCD 18. Next, when the button 70 c is operated on the screen of FIG. 5, the CPU 11 acquires information corresponding to the button 70 c from the HDD 14 and supplies the information to the video circuit 15. As a result, information as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the LCD 18.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 7, a new tab 55 (a tab indicating the currently selected hierarchy) is displayed on the right side of the tab 53a. A frame 80 is displayed at the center of the frame 50, and a triangle 80 a near the center of the frame 80 indicates the newly displayed tab 55.

  Inside the frame 80, a box 80b, a button 80c, and a number button group 80d belonging to a lower hierarchy of the items of the tab 55 are displayed. Here, in the box 80b, the postal code entered by operating the number button group 80d is displayed. The number button group 80d is operated when inputting a postal code to be searched for in the box 80b. The button 80c is operated when searching for a postal code entered in the box 80b as a destination.

  When the button 80c is operated after inputting a predetermined zip code on such a screen, the CPU 11 searches for a corresponding candidate from the zip code database stored in the HDD 14, and displays the search result on the LCD 18. Let When an operation for performing a route search to a candidate destination is performed, the CPU 11 performs a route search from the current location to the candidate destination, and displays a list of routes.

  According to the above processing, since a series of menu items in the selection history from the highest hierarchy to the current hierarchy is displayed as a series of tabs 51a, 52a, 53a, 55, the menu currently being displayed is displayed. It becomes possible to know the position in the hierarchical structure. In addition, since a triangle is provided at the upper part of the frame to indicate the corresponding hierarchy, it is possible to easily know the hierarchy corresponding to the currently displayed frame. Furthermore, since it is possible to jump to the menu screen by operating the tab, it is possible to easily move to a desired hierarchy.

  In addition, since the tabs above the displayed menu screen and the tabs of the currently selected layer are displayed in different shapes, it is possible to easily know the currently selected layer. become.

  In the above embodiment, the tabs belonging to the hierarchy higher than the currently displayed hierarchy are changed in shape, but the shape is not changed. For example, the color, brightness, or saturation is changed. The degree or the like may be changed.

  In the above embodiment, the tab corresponding to the currently displayed menu screen is indicated by a triangle, but other shapes may be used.

  Next, a navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The configuration of the navigation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of FIG. 1, but part of the information displayed on the LCD 18 is different. FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen corresponding to FIG. 6 displayed in the second embodiment. In this display example, a button 75e is newly displayed at the upper right of the frame 75 as compared with the case of FIG. Others are the same as the case of FIG.

  Here, the button 75e is a button serving as a so-called “bookmark” for specifying the menu screen.

  Next, the operation of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the display example of FIG. 8, when the button 75e is operated, the CPU 11 refers to the output of the touch panel 19a, detects that the button 75e is operated, and displays the tab 54a, for example, the hatched tab 54b. Change to Further, the fact that the button 75e is operated in the frame 75 is stored in a predetermined area of the HDD 14.

  Next, after the tab 50e is operated and the frame 50 is closed, when the hardware button 19d is operated again because the search is necessary, the CPU 11 searches the HDD 14 for predetermined information and first. Information indicating that the button 75e is operated in the stored frame 75 is acquired, and image information is generated based on the acquired information and supplied to the video circuit 15. As a result, information as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the LCD 18. FIG. 9 shows a display example corresponding to FIG. 3, but in FIG. 9, a tab 54b is displayed. That is, when the button 75e is operated in FIG. 8, the tab 54b corresponding to the operated menu screen is always displayed. That is, the tab 54b is continuously displayed even if the currently selected hierarchy is higher than the hierarchy of the tab 54b. For this reason, by attaching a bookmark to a frequently used menu screen, a tab is always displayed, and it is possible to immediately move to the menu screen. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 9, when the tab 54b is operated, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is immediately displayed, so that a search by telephone number can be performed immediately. Therefore, operability can be improved.

  In addition, it is conceivable that only one bookmark is allowed to be attached at all levels, or only one bookmark is allowed at each level. In the former case, when a new bookmark is added, the previous bookmark is automatically deleted. In the latter case, multiple bookmarks can be set if the hierarchy is different, but if a new bookmark is added within the same hierarchy, the previous bookmark is automatically deleted. Is done.

  Also, if another menu screen belonging to the same level as the menu screen with a bookmark is displayed, the hatched tab is temporarily deleted to correspond to the selected other menu screen. Display the tabs to be displayed.

  Also, tabs with bookmarks are displayed in a different part (for example, at the top or bottom) from the part where normal tabs are displayed, so that they will not disappear even when other tabs belonging to the same hierarchy are displayed. It is also possible to make it.

  In the above embodiments, the tabs are approximately the same size. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the currently selectable tab is displayed larger than the other tabs. Also good.

  In the display example shown in FIG. 10, tabs 51a to 57a and a tab 58 are displayed. Here, the tabs 51 a to 57 a are tabs that belong to a layer above the currently displayed frame 80. The tab 58 is a tab corresponding to the currently active menu screen, and is displayed larger than the other tabs 51a to 57a to indicate that it is active.

  According to such a display method, it is possible to easily know the currently active menu screen, and even when a plurality of tabs are displayed, Visibility can be improved because the display is large.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is.

  For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the case where the navigation device is attached to the vehicle has been described as an example. Needless to say, the navigation device can be attached not only to the vehicle but also to a ship, an aircraft, and the like. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the menu screen has been described as an example of information having a hierarchical structure. However, the present invention can be applied to other information as well. For example, since many navigation devices in recent years include an audio device, it is also possible to display information (such as music information) used in the audio device as hierarchical information. For example, in an audio apparatus, hierarchical information such as artist-album-music is handled.

  In each of the above embodiments, the input device 19 has been described by taking a touch panel as an example. However, a remote controller may be used instead of the touch panel.

  In each of the above embodiments, a series of tabs are displayed along the upper edge of the screen. However, not only the upper part but also the lower edge, the left edge, and the right edge. It is also possible to display.

  Further, in each of the embodiments described above, an example tab is displayed in a line along the upper edge of the screen. For example, when the number of tabs is large, it is displayed in a line in two or more lines. It may be.

  The above processing functions are realized by a computer as shown in FIG. 1, for example. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the navigation apparatus should have is provided. By executing the program on the computer, the processing function is realized on the computer. The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic recording device include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape. Examples of the optical disk include a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), a DVD-RAM (Random Access Memory), a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), and a CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable). Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk).

  When distributing the program, for example, portable recording media such as a DVD and a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded are sold. It is also possible to store the program in a storage device of a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. In addition, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

  The present invention can be used in a navigation apparatus that handles information having a hierarchical structure.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the display screen of LCD of 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of operating the hardware button 19d shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of operating the button 60b shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of operating the button 65b shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of operating the button 70b shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a button 70c is operated on the screen of FIG. 5 displayed by operating a tab 53a on the screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen when the hardware button 19d is operated again after operating the button 75e in the screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other example of a tab in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 navigation device 11 CPU (search means)
18 LCD (layer information display means, tab display means)

Claims (6)

In a navigation device that handles information having a hierarchical structure,
Hierarchy information display means for displaying information belonging to the hierarchy to be selected;
When any information displayed by the hierarchy information display means is alternatively selected, search means for causing the hierarchy information display means to display information belonging to a lower hierarchy of the selected information;
The alternatively selected information in each layer possess a tab display means for displaying consecutively the hierarchical order as tabs, respectively, and
The tab display means displays the shape of one side of the tab as a triangle in order to indicate the continuity of the hierarchy between the tabs, and if any of the tabs is specified, the specified tab is displayed. Change the shape of the tabs to be larger than the other tabs,
A navigation apparatus characterized by displaying information belonging to a lower hierarchy of information corresponding to the designated tab . The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein when a predetermined tab is designated, the tab display means always displays the tab . In a navigation method of a navigation device that handles information having a hierarchical structure,
A hierarchy information display step for displaying information belonging to the hierarchy to be selected;
When any information displayed by the hierarchical information display step is alternatively selected, a search step for displaying information belonging to a lower hierarchy of the selected information in the hierarchical information display step;
In order to indicate the continuity of the hierarchy between the tabs for the information selected alternatively in each hierarchy, a tab display step for displaying the shape of one side of the tab as a triangle,
  When any of the tabs is designated, a tab changing step for changing the shape of the designated tab to be larger than the shape of the other tabs;
  A lower information display step for displaying information belonging to a lower hierarchy of information corresponding to the designated tab;
A navigation method characterized by comprising: The navigation method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of always displaying the tab when a predetermined tab is designated. In a computer-readable navigation program executed in a navigation device that handles information having a hierarchical structure,
Computer
Hierarchy information display means for displaying information belonging to the hierarchy to be selected;
Search means for causing the hierarchy information display means to display information belonging to a lower hierarchy of the selected information when any information displayed by the hierarchy information display means is selected alternatively;
In order to indicate the continuity of the hierarchy between the tabs for the information selected alternatively in each hierarchy, the shape of one side of the tab is displayed as a triangle, and any of the tabs is specified The tab display means for changing the shape of the designated tab to be larger than the shape of the other tabs and displaying information belonging to the lower hierarchy of the information corresponding to the designated tab,
A computer-readable navigation program that functions as a computer program. 6. The computer-readable navigation program according to claim 5, wherein when a predetermined tab is designated, the tab display means always displays the tab.

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