JP2001159529A - Portable map display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress decline of visibility of a map, and simultaneously to display a route plainly, when the route is overlapped with the map and displayed on a display part. SOLUTION: When map display and route retrieval from the present position A to a destination B are required by a user's operation, data communication to/from an information center is executed through a portable telephone, and present position data, map data, route guide data or the like are provided. The map is displayed on the display part 3 based on the data, and the route is overlapped with the map and displayed. In this case, such animation display is executed on the screen of the display part 3 that an arrowed dotted line D showing the route from the present position A to the destination B is flashed sequentially on and off so as to advance to the destination B.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable map display device capable of displaying a map on a display unit and displaying a route to a destination by superimposing the map on the map.

[0002]

Conventionally, there has been provided a portable navigation device which can be used for mountain climbing, hiking, walking around town, etc. This device requires a dedicated large-capacity storage device for storing a map database. Since it has a built-in basic configuration, there is a problem in that miniaturization is limited and sufficient portability cannot be obtained. Also, it is desirable to always use the latest map data,
Updating outdated map data has the disadvantage of increasing the user's labor and financial burden.

Therefore, in recent years, a portable main body is provided with a large-sized display device such as a monochrome type LCD, an input device such as a touch panel, a control device including a GPS receiver, a microcomputer, and a communication interface. A portable map display device provided with the above has been considered. This is based on, for example, performing data communication with an information center (server) via a mobile phone and transmitting GPS data to the information center. It receives data (and town information) and displays the latest map on the display device.

[0004] In addition, by specifying a destination, map data around the destination can be obtained. This eliminates the need for a map database in the device itself, so that the device can be reduced in size and weight and can be excellent in portability. Moreover, at this time, the information center can measure the current position with high accuracy.

[0005] Incidentally, as a service on the information center side, in addition to providing map data (and town information) around the current position of the portable map display device or around a designated destination as described above, It is also considered to search (calculate) an appropriate route (for example, a route arriving at the shortest distance) from the current position to a designated destination, and provide the route guidance data. As a result, the searched route is superimposed on the map and displayed on the display device of the portable map display device, and route guidance is performed.

In this case, when displaying the acquired route guidance data on the display device, as shown in FIG. 4, a thick line with an arrow indicating the route from the current position A to the destination B is displayed on the screen V of the display device. C is displayed superimposed on the map. However, in the case of simply displaying a route with a thick line C, the route display is confusing with a road on a map or the like, and it is difficult for the user to understand the route.
There is a problem that the route display erases lines indicating roads and buildings on the map, thereby reducing the visibility of the map. This is particularly noticeable on a screen of a display device for monochrome display.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to display a route on a display unit so as to be superimposed on a map. Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable map display device capable of displaying a route easily.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a portable map display device according to the present invention is capable of displaying a route superimposed on a map on a display unit. This is displayed as a moving image (the invention of claim 1). According to this, since the route is displayed by a moving image, it can be displayed in a manner that is easy to understand as compared with a fixed route display, and does not become confused with the roads and the like that constitute the map. Further, even if the route display temporarily erases some lines on the map, it is possible to prevent the line from being constantly superimposed on the line, and to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the map.

In this case, more specifically, it is possible to perform a moving image display in which a dotted line representing a route blinks in order so as to progress toward a destination (the invention of claim 2). According to this, the route can be displayed by simple display control, but the route can be displayed in an easily understandable manner. Note that the present invention is particularly effective in a display unit for monochrome display. However, even in a display unit for color display, a route is displayed more easily than when a route is simply displayed in a different color from a road or the like. It can be displayed clearly.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 2 shows an external configuration of an information terminal device 1 as a portable map display device according to the present embodiment, and FIG.
1 schematically shows the electrical configuration of the present embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body 2 of the information terminal device 1 has a slightly vertically long thin rectangular box shape of a size that a user can carry with one hand.
A large-sized (for example, 320 × 240 dots) display unit 3 having a size substantially covering the entirety is provided on the front surface (front surface).

The display unit 3 is composed of, for example, an LCD of a 16-gradation monochrome display type, and displays a map, a town information, a menu screen, etc., which will be described later, on its screen so that various functions are realized. Has become. A touch panel 4 is provided on the surface of the display unit 3. As is well known, the touch panel 4 performs selection and selection by performing a touch operation with a user's finger or a touch pen (not shown) in a state where various keys and icons are displayed on the screen of the display unit 3. It functions as an input key.

At this time, seven keys 5 to 11 are fixedly set on the lowermost side of the touch panel 4 so as to be always operable. Specifically, from left to right
A menu key 5 for calling a menu screen, a map key 6 for instructing execution of a map display function, a mail key 7 for instructing execution of an e-mail function, "moper"
a), an Internet key 9 for instructing connection to the Internet, a schedule key 10 for instructing execution of a schedule book function, power-off Is provided.

Up and down cursor keys 12 and 1 formed of mechanical switches are provided on the left side upper portion of the main body 2.
3 and an enter key 14 located therebetween. These cursor keys 12 and 13 and confirm key 1
Reference numeral 4 is used for instructing selection and confirmation of a menu, and is also used for instructing enlargement and reduction of the map displayed on the display unit 3. A power key 15 is also provided on the upper surface of the main body 2. Thus, the input device (see FIG. 3) is constituted by the touch panel 4 and the keys 5 to 15 described above. Further, on the lower surface of the main body 2, as shown in FIG. 3, a connector section 18 to which a PDC type mobile phone 16 is detachably connected via a cable 17 is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a GPS receiving unit 19, a CPU 20 for overall control, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, and a nonvolatile memory 23 such as a flash memory are provided in the main body 2 of the information terminal device 1. ,
They are connected to each other by a bus 24. The display unit 3 and the input devices 4 to 1 are connected to the bus 24.
5 are connected to each other, and a data communication interface 25 for performing data communication by the mobile phone 16 and an RS232C interface 26 for enabling connection to a personal computer (not shown) are also provided.
Although not shown, a battery serving as a power supply for driving is also provided in the main body 2.

The GPS receiving unit 19 includes a GPS antenna 19a for receiving radio waves from a GPS artificial satellite.
And acquire GPS data. The ROM 21 stores control programs, data, and the like necessary to realize a map display function and the like of the information terminal device 1 described later. Although not shown in detail, the RAM 22 is provided with a data storage area for temporarily storing map data for display downloaded by data communication, data of town information, and the like, together with a working area. Furthermore, in the nonvolatile memory 23,
Data for implementing a PDA function such as a schedule function or an electronic address book function is stored.

The data communication interface 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a mobile phone 16 which can be connected via the connector section 18 and which is connected to an external information center 27.
Wireless data communication is performed between them. Therefore, the data communication means is constituted by the data communication interface 25, the mobile phone 16, and the like. At this time, although not shown in detail, the information center 27 is provided with a database or a server storing the latest map data and town information, and responds to a service request from the information terminal device 1 in response to the map data and the position measurement results. ,
The route guidance data and the like are supplied to the information terminal device 1. Although not shown, the information terminal device 1
Is connected to the Internet or “m” via the mobile phone 16.
connection (communication) with an information system called "opera"
Is also possible.

Such a hardware configuration and the CPU 2
The information terminal device 1 realizes the following map display function by the software configuration centering on the processing operation of the processing No. 0. That is, when the user operates the input device of the information terminal device 1 and instructs, for example, to display a map around the current position of the user, the information terminal device 1 instructs the information center 27 to measure the current position and the map around the current position. Send a signal requesting data. Then, first, the information center 27 notifies the information terminal device 1 of usable GPS satellites, for example, by specifying the area of the communication base station using the mobile phone 16.

Next, the information terminal device 1 transmits the designated G
The GPS data received from the PS satellite is transmitted to the information center 27. Then, the information center 27 operates the information terminal device 1
Is measured with high accuracy, and data of the measured current position and map data (including town information) around the measured current position are transmitted to the information terminal device 1. The information terminal device 1 stores the data downloaded from the information center 27 in the RAM 22, and displays the current position and a map of the surrounding area on the display unit 2 based on the data. Therefore, CP
The map display means is composed of U20 and the like.

Here, the map data includes data on road shapes, buildings, facilities, etc. (vector data) for displaying the map on the display unit 3 and data such as place names and intersection names superimposed thereon. . The data of the town information includes various types of information on facilities such as leisure facilities, accommodation facilities, and public facilities, and stores such as retail stores and restaurants included in the map area. Also, by requesting the information center 27 to provide map data around the designated destination from the information terminal device 1, the map data around the destination is provided from the information center 27. A map around the destination can also be displayed.

Further, a request for a route search from the current position to the designated destination can be made to the information center 27. In this case, the information center 27 can appropriately request the route from the current position to the destination. A suitable route (for example, a route arriving at the shortest distance) is searched (calculated), and the route guidance data (vector data indicating a road serving as a route) is provided. Thus, the route from the current position to the destination can be displayed on the display unit 3 while being superimposed on the map. Therefore, the CPU 20 also functions as a route display unit.

This route search request is made by selecting a route search menu (icon) from the submenus in the map display function mode. At this time, the destination is specified by, for example, directly specifying the destination on a map (on the touch panel 4) displayed on the display unit 3 with a touch pen or the like, or by inputting a place name or a building name. It can also be done by inputting. In addition, it is possible to request a route search from the current position to the destination via one or more transit points. In this case, too, by specifying the transit point and the destination, an appropriate route is similarly searched. It is displayed on the display unit 3.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 20
With the software configuration, when the route is displayed on the display unit 3 on the map based on the provided route guidance data, the route is displayed as a moving image. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the screen of the display unit 3 displays the current position A to the destination B
A moving image display is performed in which a dotted line D with an arrow indicating a route to is blinked in order so as to progress toward a destination B. At this time, the route (dotted line D) is, of course, set along the road on the map.

Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, the range (scale) of the map that can be displayed on one screen on the display unit 3 is limited, so that the distance from the current position to the destination is long and one map is required. If it does not fit, the display unit 3 will display a part of the route (the direction to go), and if a screen switching operation or the like is performed, the display unit 3 will display the subsequent map. And the route are displayed.

In the information terminal device 1 having the above-described configuration, as described above, when the user requests the information center 27 to display a map and search for a route, the map data is downloaded from the information center 27. At the same time, data on the current position and route guidance data are provided. The CPU 20 displays the display unit 3 based on the data.
Then, a map is displayed, and a route is displayed by superimposing the map on the map. At this time, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the screen in a moving image display in which a dotted line D with an arrow indicating a route from the current position A to the destination B blinks in order so as to progress toward the destination B.

By displaying a moving image of the route in this way, the user can easily understand the route to the destination B (the direction to go). In this case, unlike a conventional case where a fixed route is displayed by a thick line C (see FIG. 4), even in a monochrome display, the route display may be confused with a road or the like forming a map. Disappears. In addition, even though the route display may temporarily erase some lines on the map, the display of the dotted line D does not always overlap the line because of the moving image. Can be reduced.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the route can be displayed on the display unit 3 by being superimposed on the map. Since the route is displayed as a moving image, the visibility of the map is improved. It is possible to obtain an excellent effect that the route can be displayed in an easily recognizable manner while suppressing the decrease. Also, in the present embodiment, in particular, the moving image display is performed in which the dotted line D representing the route blinks in order so as to progress toward the destination B, so that the route display can be performed by simple display control. Also, the advantage that the route can be displayed in an easily understandable manner can be obtained, which is more effective.

In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the information terminal device 1 having the monochrome display type display unit 3. However, the present invention is also applicable to an information terminal device having a color display unit. Can be applied, and again,
The moving image display makes it possible to display the route more easily than in the case where the route display is simply changed in color from the display color of the road.

The route display method using a moving image is not limited to the dotted line moving image display, and various methods such as displaying a character (a person, an animal, or the like) traveling along a route while walking can be used. Can be considered. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the one in which the mobile phone 16 is connected to the main body 2 to perform data communication, and may be a configuration in which a communication function is built in the main body. Can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which route guidance is displayed on a display unit.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an external configuration of the information terminal device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of the information terminal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is an information terminal device (portable map display device), 2
Is a main body, 3 is a display unit, 4 is a touch panel, 16 is a mobile phone, 19 is a GPS receiving unit, 20 is a CPU (map display means, route display means), 25 is a data communication interface, 27 is an information center, and D is a route. Is indicated by a dotted line.

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Yamamori 2-10-1, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. No. F-term in NTT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd. (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB25 HC11 HC14 HC21 HC22 HD13 HD16 2F029 AA02 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 5H180 AA01 BB05 FF05 FF23 FF24 FF27 FF33 FF35

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A map display unit for displaying a map on a display unit, and a route display unit for displaying a route to a destination on the display unit by superimposing the route on the map, the route display unit comprising: A portable map display device for displaying the route as a moving image. 2. The portable map display device according to claim 1, wherein the route display means performs a moving image display in which a dotted line representing the route blinks in order so as to progress toward a destination.