JP2001330449A - Automobile navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an ease of use of an automobile navigation system. SOLUTION: The automobile navigation system 1 to which information from a computer network can be inputted stores data on URLs and icons and data on positions on maps correspondingly to each other. Shapes of part of the icons respectively related to the plurality of URLs are made mutually uniform. At least part of the map is displayed to a display part 7 and the icon related to the URL related to a point inside the part being displayed of the map is directly displayed overlapping on the point inside the part being displayed of the map. Moreover, a display form or the like of parts uniformed in a total shape of icons or a shape in the icons being displayed is further processed to make the part being displayed of the map easy to see. Since the part being displayed of the map with which the icon related to the URL is overlapped becomes easy to see, the ease of use of the navigation apparatus 1 is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device capable of obtaining information from a computer network such as the Internet, and a source for providing information to the navigation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, navigation devices have been provided with a function of connecting to the Internet. For example, in a navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-325919, data of a map used for navigation and information of a store indicated by a landmark on the map are transmitted from a server to a terminal by communication via the Internet. And used for navigation.

In a conventional navigation apparatus having a function of connecting to the Internet, a screen relating to the use of the Internet is provided separately from a screen displaying information relating to a map and navigation, and these two types of screens are appropriately switched. Is displayed. Internet URL
(Uniform Resource Locator) is described on a screen related to the use of the Internet, and information is obtained from the Internet while the screen is being displayed. JP-A-11-
In the navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 283183, the URL of the Internet is stored in a state associated with information on a point related to the URL, and when the current position of the vehicle approaches a point associated with the URL, The information of the homepage identified by the URL is automatically obtained from the Internet, and the obtained information of the homepage itself is displayed. JP Hei 10
In the navigation system disclosed in JP-A-89976, when information is provided from an information providing device to an information display device through communication via a network, the information display device places the information on a map position related to the provided information. The icon corresponding to the attribute is displayed. In the conventional navigation device as described above, it is difficult for the user to confirm the URL of a point around the current position while confirming the current position of the moving object equipped with the navigation device on a map.

[0004] In the navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-161534, the Internet UR is used.
L is stored in a state of being associated with the information of the location related to the URL, and a URL mark is displayed at the location related to the URL on the map. The current location of the vehicle is URL
When the user approaches the point associated with the URL, the information identified by the URL is automatically obtained from the Internet, and the color or shape of the URL mark for which information has been obtained is changed from the state before the information was obtained.

[0005]

In many cases, not only URL marks but also icons related to navigation such as landmarks indicating facilities on the map are superimposed on a navigation map. In this case, JP-A-10-161
In the navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 534, the URL mark and the icon related to navigation are not considered, so that when the URL mark and the icon related to navigation are mixed on a map, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Further, in the navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-161534, the URL marks of a plurality of URLs have the same shape, regardless of the URL. therefore,
When there are two or more points related to a plurality of URLs on a map, it is difficult for the user to determine which URL mark corresponds to which URL by simply looking at the map on which the URL mark is superimposed. It is. Furthermore, URL
If the mark and the information obtained from the Internet are displayed in an unlimited number on the map, the URL mark and the information hide the map.
It becomes difficult to see the map.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-325919, 10-89976, and 11-283183.
In the gazette and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-161534, before acquiring information from the Internet, only icons such as URL marks are presented to the user of the navigation device. For this reason, there is little material for the user to determine which URL should obtain the information identified. Further, in order to confirm the contents of the information, it is necessary to sequentially obtain the information from the Internet, so that the communication load tends to increase.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly navigation device capable of obtaining information from a computer network realized by the Internet or the like, and a providing source for further improving the usability of the navigation device. It is to be.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display means capable of displaying a map, a control means for controlling display of a map on the display means, and a URL for identifying information stored on a computer network. URL storage means for storing data of a point in a map and data of an icon in association with each other, wherein the control means causes at least a part of the map to be displayed on the display means, and based on the stored contents of the URL storage means. An icon associated with a URL associated with a point in the displayed portion of the map is displayed so as to be superimposed on the point in the displayed portion of the map, and an icon of the icon associated with the URL is displayed. A navigation device characterized in that a part of the shape is unified to a predetermined shape specific to an icon associated with a URL.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, when a URL is associated with a point on the map, an icon associated with the URL is displayed on a portion of the map being displayed at a point associated with the URL. , Directly superimposed. As a result, the user of the navigation device can check the map and the icon at the same time, thereby improving the usability of the navigation device. In addition, since the shape of a part of the icon individually associated with a plurality of URLs is unified, it is possible to easily view the map on which the icon is superimposed, while maintaining a high degree of freedom in creating the icon. As a result, the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

[0010] The navigation device of the present invention further includes input means used for inputting an instruction, and communication means for communication with a computer network, wherein the control means outputs an input result from the input means. In response, it is displayed over the displayed portion of the map,
And selectively designating an icon associated with the URL, establishing a communication line with the computer network using communication means, and transmitting information identified by the URL associated with the designated icon, It is obtained through the communication line from within a computer network.

According to the present invention, in a navigation device, in a situation where a URL-related icon is superimposed on a displayed portion of a map and one of the icons is selectively designated, the designation is performed. Information identified by the URL associated with the icon being viewed is obtained from within the computer network. In the above situation, if the URL-related icon shapes are unified, the user can easily specify the icon associated with the URL from which information is to be obtained, so that the usability of the navigation device is improved.

In the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, the control means measures an unspecified period of the icon associated with the URL, and the outline of the icon corresponds to the unspecified period. The data of the icon is processed so as to have a shape, the icon is superimposed on the displayed portion of the map based on the data of the processed icon, and the unspecified icon associated with the URL is displayed. The icon is processed so that the longer the period, the more the portion of the map overlapping the icon is exposed.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the outer shape of the URL-related icon is processed into an outer shape corresponding to the unspecified period of the icon. Further, the icon is processed such that the longer the unspecified period is, the greater the degree of exposure of the portion overlapping the icon in the map is. As a result, the displayed portion itself of the map can be more easily seen while indicating that there is a URL-related point. As a result, the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, in the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, the control means measures an unspecified period of the icon associated with the URL, and associates the unspecified period with a URL having a predetermined reference time or more. Processing the icon data so that the shape of the icon to be displayed has a shape indicating only the outline of the icon, and displaying the icon on the displayed portion of the map based on the processed icon data. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the URL-related icon whose unspecified period is equal to or longer than the predetermined reference time is processed into a shape showing only the outline of the icon. As a result, it is possible to halt the increase in the occupation amount of the memory related to the icon display, and to reduce the UR.
Since it is possible to make it easier to see the portion of the map being displayed while indicating that there is an L-related point, the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, in the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, the control means assigns a display priority to all URLs associated with points in the displayed portion of the map, and a part of the URLs having a higher priority is displayed. Are displayed in such a manner that only the icons respectively corresponding to the icons are superimposed on the displayed portion of the map.

According to the present invention, in the navigation apparatus, only the icons associated with the points in the portion of the map being displayed and corresponding to some of the URLs having a higher priority are displayed during the display of the map. Is displayed over the part. As a result, it is possible to halt the increase in the occupation amount of the memory related to the icon display, and to make it easier to see the portion of the map being displayed, thereby further improving the usability of the navigation device.

Further, the navigation device of the present invention further includes input means used for inputting an instruction,
An icon in a form different from the icon related to the RL is
The URL storage means is further stored in the URL storage means, and the control means comprises:
(2) When the icon of the different form is designated in response to an input result from the input means, the icon of the different form is displayed at one point where L is associated. An icon associated with a plurality of URLs associated with a point where the icon is displayed is displayed so as to be superimposed on a displayed portion of the map.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, at a point where a plurality of URLs are associated in a portion of the map being displayed, one icon having a form different from the icon related to the plurality of URLs is provided. Only displayed. As a result, the number of icons that are initially superimposed and displayed on the displayed portion of the map is limited, so that the map itself can be easily viewed. In addition, since the form of the icon to be displayed at a point where a plurality of URLs are associated is different from the icon related to the URL, the user can easily grasp whether or not a plurality of URLs are associated with one point. It is possible. This makes the navigation device easier to use.

Further, in the navigation device according to the present invention, the control means may determine whether or not a display mode of a part of the icon associated with the URL whose shape is unified designates the icon in the past. The data of the icon in the URL storage means is processed so as to be in a display mode, and the data of the processed icon is stored in the URL storage means.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the display mode of the portion where the URL-related icons are unified in shape is processed into a display mode corresponding to whether or not the icon has been designated in the past. As a result, when newly specifying a URL-related icon, re-designation of an icon that has been specified in the past can be prevented beforehand, so that usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, in the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, the control means may change a display mode of a part of the icon associated with the URL in which the shape of the icon is unified to an elapsed time from a point in time when the icon was designated in the past. The data of the icon in the URL storage means is processed so as to be in a display mode corresponding to the URL.
It is stored in the L storage means.

According to the present invention, in the navigation apparatus, a part of the display mode in which the URL-related icons have the same shape is processed into a display mode corresponding to the elapsed time from the past designation of the icon. I have. As a result, UR
When a new L-related icon is designated, it is possible to determine whether or not to re-designate an already designated icon according to the elapsed time, so that the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, in the navigation apparatus according to the present invention, the control means may determine whether or not the display mode of a part in which the shape of the icon associated with the URL is unified can be obtained by identifying the URL. The icon data in the URL storage means is processed so that the display mode according to the
It is stored in an RL storage means.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, a part of the display mode in which the URL-related icons have the same shape is changed to a display mode corresponding to whether or not the information identified by the URL is available. It has been processed. As a result, it is possible to prevent an icon related to a URL for which information cannot be obtained from being specified at the time of specifying an icon, so that the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

[0026] The navigation apparatus of the present invention further includes an input means used for inputting an instruction, wherein the icon data is superimposed on image data indicating a portion and background of the icon having a uniform shape. The control means responds to an input result from the input means and transmits the URL.
It is characterized in that the text data in the icon data in the storage means is rewritten.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the icon data includes image data and text data, and only the text data is rewritten in response to an input result from the input means. As a result, an original icon can be easily created for each user of the navigation device.

[0028] The navigation device of the present invention further includes an input means used for inputting an instruction.
RL storage means stores data of a plurality of icons in association with a single URL, and the control means comprises:
In response to an input result from the input means, one of all icons associated with a single URL is selected, and the selected result is added to the icon data, and
(2) At the time of displaying the icon, one of the icons associated with the URL associated with the point in the displayed portion of the map and selected in advance is It is characterized in that the map is superimposed and displayed in the displayed portion.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, when data of a plurality of icons is associated with a single URL, any one of the plurality of icons selected in advance is used for display. . As a result, the user can select a favorite icon for each URL, thereby improving the usability of the navigation device.

[0030] The navigation device of the present invention further includes communication means for executing communication, wherein the control means establishes a communication line with a computer network using the communication means, and transmits icon data to the computer. Obtained from the network via the communication line,
Is stored in the URL storage means in association with the URL.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the icon data in the URL storage means is obtained from the providing source via the communication line and stored. As a result, the types of icons associated with a single URL easily increase, so that the user can easily select a favorite icon, and a display full of originality can be provided.

Further, the navigation device of the present invention further includes position measuring means for measuring a current position of the navigation device, wherein the URL storage means associates an outline of information identified by the URL with the URL. Further, the control means compares the measured current position with a point associated with the URL in the map, and determines a point whose distance from the current position is less than a predetermined first reference distance. The summary of the information identified by the related URL is displayed so as to be further superimposed on a part of the map being displayed.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the outline of the information identified by the URL is
If the current position of the navigation device approaches a point associated with the URL on the map under a condition stored further in association with the URL, the current position of the navigation device is identified by the URL associated with the point. The summary of the information is further superimposed on a part of the map being displayed. As a result, even if the user does not specify an icon related to a point whose distance from the current position is less than a predetermined reference distance, an outline of information identified by the URL related to the point is automatically displayed. Therefore, the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

The navigation apparatus according to the present invention further includes an input unit used for inputting an instruction, wherein the control unit sets a destination to be reached on a map in advance based on an input result from the input unit. The control means further compares a point whose measured distance from the current position is less than the first reference distance with a set destination, and determines a second predetermined distance from the destination. The display of the summary of the information related to a point that is less than the reference distance and far from the destination is stopped.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, when displaying the information summary, even if the distance from the current position of the navigation device is less than the first reference distance, it does not coincide with the destination, At a point whose distance from the destination is less than the second reference distance, the summary display of the information is stopped. This makes it easier to see the portion of the map being displayed, thereby improving the usability of the navigation device.

[0036] The navigation device of the present invention further comprises an input means used for inputting an instruction, wherein the control means presets a destination to be reached on a map based on an input result from the input means. The control means compares the set destination with a point associated with the URL, and if any of the points coincides with the destination, the current location being measured is When the position and the destination are included in a part of the map being displayed, a summary of information identified by a URL associated with a point that matches the destination is displayed.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, in a situation where any point associated with the URL matches the destination, the current position of the navigation device and the destination are simultaneously displayed on the display means. When displayed, an overview display is performed on a point that matches the destination. This simplifies the operation of the user of the navigation device, thereby further improving the usability of the navigation device.

Further, the navigation device of the present invention further comprises a notifying means for executing a notification and a communication means for executing a communication, wherein the control means (1) outlines information identified by the URL. Is displayed, and whether or not to obtain the information from the computer network is notified by using the notification means. Only in such a case, a communication line with the computer network is established using communication means, and information identified by a URL associated with a point coinciding with the destination is transmitted from the computer network via the communication line. It is characterized by obtaining.

According to the present invention, in the navigation device, the user is asked whether or not to obtain the information itself, together with the display of the outline of the information identified by the URL. The information is obtained only when instructed by the person. As a result, the information required by the user can be obtained with good timing, so that the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

The navigation device according to the present invention further comprises communication means for communication with the navigation device.
A providing source storing means for storing data to be provided to the navigation apparatus; and a control means for controlling provision of data to the navigation apparatus, wherein the control means comprises: (1) a URL from within a computer network;
And the information identified by the URL,
The data of the location related to L, the data of the icon related to the URL, and the outline of the information are stored in the providing source storage means in association with the URL, and (2) a communication line with the navigation device is established using And providing at least a portion of the data in the providing source storage means to the navigation device via the communication line.

According to the present invention, the URL used in the above navigation device and various data associated with the URL are created by the providing source, and are provided from the providing source to the navigation device via the communication line. Can be As a result, the navigation device can easily obtain information on the latest URL, and
Updating of information related to L is facilitated.

[0042]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information system 3 including a navigation device 1 and a providing source 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information system 3 includes one or more navigation devices 1 and a URL (Uniform Resource L
ocator). Both the navigation device 1 and the providing source 2 are configured to be connectable to a computer network including the Internet. The navigation device 1 is movable, and is preferably mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle. The providing source 2 is preferably installed in a communication center.

The navigation device 1 includes a control unit 5, a storage unit 6, a display unit 7, a communication unit 8, a position measurement unit 9, and an input unit 1.
0 and the notification unit 11. The storage unit 6 stores a control program for processing related to navigation, map data used for navigation, and information related to a URL described later. The control program is read from the storage unit 6 by the control unit 5 and executed. Thus, the control unit 5 performs at least display of a map on the display unit 7, acquisition of information from a computer network via the communication unit 8, control of a user interface between the navigation device 1 and a user, and furthermore, a route. Perform search and route guidance. In the example of FIG. 1, the storage unit 6 includes a storage medium unit 14 for reading stored contents of a storage medium 13 that is detachably mounted, and a memory unit 15 that can write and read data. Map data and one or more URL-related information are stored in the storage medium 13 in advance, and a control program is stored in the memory unit 15 in advance.

The display unit 7 responds to the control from the control unit 5 to visualize the data supplied from the control unit 5 by visualizing the data. The display unit 7 includes a cathode ray tube or a liquid crystal display device,
A display element capable of displaying an image is included. The communication unit 8
In response to the control from the control unit 5, connection and disconnection of a communication line with a computer network represented by the Internet, connection and disconnection of a communication line with a providing source 2 described later, and these communication lines And data transmission / reception via. The communication unit 8 is realized by, for example, a communication terminal serving as a mobile station of a mobile communication network.

The position measuring section 9 measures the current position of the moving body on which the navigation device 1 is mounted, that is, the current position of the navigation device 1. Position measurement unit 9
In the example of FIG. 1, GPS (Global Positioning System)
m) It includes a sensor 16, a vehicle speed pulse sensor 17, and a gyro sensor 18. The GPS sensor 16 communicates with a GPS satellite, measures the absolute current position of the moving object based on the communication result, and gives the measured position to the control unit 5. The vehicle speed pulse sensor 17 measures the amount of movement of the moving body. The gyro sensor 18 measures the current moving direction of the moving body. The measurement result of the moving amount of the moving body and the measurement result of the moving direction of the moving body are given to the control unit 5 and accumulated, and are stored in the control unit 5.
Is used for estimating the current position of a moving object based on dead reckoning. The current position is indicated by, for example, latitude and longitude.

The input unit 10 is used for inputting an instruction from the user to the navigation device 1, and an input result from the input unit 10 is given to the control unit 5. The input unit 10 includes, for example, a switch that can be manually operated and a part related to a microphone in the audio input / output unit 19. The notification unit is used for notification from the navigation device to the user. The notification unit 11 includes a portion related to a speaker in the audio input / output unit 19. The voice input / output unit 19 obtains an instruction from the user by voice using a microphone, converts the instruction into a sound signal, and provides the sound signal to the control unit 5. Further, the audio input / output unit 19 includes the control unit 5
From the notification from the speaker and output.

The providing source 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The storage unit 21 of the source 2 stores U
A control program related to creation of information related to the RL and provision of the information related to the URL to the navigation device 1 and information related to the created URL itself are stored. The above control program is read out from the storage unit 6 of the providing source 2 by the control unit 21 of the providing source 2 and executed.
Thereby, the control unit 21 of the providing source 2 creates information related to the URL, stores it in its own storage unit 22, and provides the information related to the URL to the navigation device 1. In response to the control from the control unit 21 of the providing source 2, the communication unit 23 of the providing source 2 connects and disconnects a communication line with a computer network represented by the Internet, and connects with the navigation device 1. Specifically, connection and disconnection of communication lines and transmission and reception of data via these communication lines are executed. Source 2 is preferably implemented on a server computer in a computer network. This makes it possible to obtain information from the providing source in the same procedure as obtaining information from the client computer network.

[0048]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1.
2 shows the storage state of the information related to the URL. Storage unit 6
Stores information on one or more URLs. The information relating to a single URL includes the URL itself, the data of the icon associated with the URL, and the URL in the map.
And at least a point data associated with the URL, and preferably further includes a summary of information identified by the URL. As a result, the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 stores U
It also serves as a URL storage unit that stores at least the RL, the data of the point in the map, and the data of the icon in association with each other.

URL is WWW which is an information service.
(World Wide Web) is identification information for identifying information stored on a computer network. The data of a point is indicated, for example, by the latitude and longitude of the point. The locations associated with the URL include the location of the source of the information identified by the URL and the location of the server computer that holds the information in the computer network. The summary of the information identified by the URL includes, for example, the title of the information identified by the URL or the name of the provider of the information, and a brief description of the information or the location. The summary of the information may include real-time information relating to the provider of the information, or may include advertising content of the provider of the information. Preferably, a single URL is associated with data of a plurality of icons, and for each icon, a flag indicating a selection result of whether or not to use the icon is attached.

The information on the URL is, for example, the source 2
Is provided to the navigation device 1 via a communication line. For this purpose, the control unit 21 of the providing source 2 transmits the URL and the U
The information identified by the RL is collected from within the computer network, and the data of the point on the map related to the URL, the data of the icon related to the URL, the outline of the information identified by the URL, and the URL itself are exchanged. And the information on the URL generated as a result is provided by the source 2
Is stored in the storage unit 22. That is, the storage unit 22 of the providing source 2 also serves as a providing source storage unit for storing data to be provided to the navigation device 1. Further, the control unit 21 of the providing source 2 establishes a communication line with the navigation device 1 using its own communication unit 23, and transfers at least a part of the data in its own storage unit 23 to the communication line. Provided to the navigation device 1 via the Internet. The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 obtains information related to the URL provided via the communication line using its own communication unit 8 and stores it in its own storage unit 6. As a result, the navigation device 1 can easily obtain the information on the latest URL, so that the information on the latest URL in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 can be easily updated. In the example of FIG. 1, information on the URL provided from the providing source 2 is stored in the memory unit 15. The transmission and reception of the information on the URL between the navigation device 1 and the providing source 2 may be started by either request, for example, started in response to a request from the navigation device 1.

Further, the information relating to the URL may be stored in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in advance. In the example of FIG. 1, the storage medium 13 storing the map data
Information related to the URL in the map and having the same configuration as that created by the providing source 2 is further stored. In the example of FIG. 1, both the information about the URL stored in the storage medium 13 in advance and the information about the URL provided from the providing source 2 and stored in the memory unit 15 are:
Used for the control unit 5. As a result, there is no need to replace the storage medium 13 storing the information relating to the URL.

The navigation apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is characterized by a method for displaying information related to a URL. Basically, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 displays at least a part of the map on the display unit 7 and, based on the storage content of its own storage unit 6, associates the map with a point in the displayed part of the map. An icon associated with the URL being displayed is displayed directly over the point in the displayed portion of the map. FIG.
It is a figure which shows the part 32 under display of the map of the state on which the RL related icon 31 was superimposed. As a result, the user of the navigation device 1 can simultaneously check the map and the icon 31, so that it is possible to easily grasp whether or not there is a point associated with the URL in the map. Thereby, the usability of the navigation device 1 is improved. In the example of FIG. 2, an icon 33 indicating the current position of the moving object on which the navigation device 1 is mounted is further superimposed and displayed on the portion 32 on which the map is being displayed.

When it is desired to obtain the information identified by the URL corresponding to the point in the portion 32 of the map being displayed, the user of the navigation device 1 uses the URL-related icon 31 displayed superimposed on the point. Is input from the input unit 10. In response to the input result from the input unit 10, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 selectively designates the URL-related icon 31 displayed on the map display portion 32 in a superimposed manner. The communication line between is established using the communication unit 8,
The information identified by the URL associated with the designated icon 31 is obtained from within the computer network via the communication line. If the URL-related icon 31 is directly superimposed on the displayed portion 32 of the map as described above, the user of the navigation device 1 can check the map and the icon 31 at the same time. The user can easily specify the icon 31 related to the URL. Thereby, the usability of the navigation device 1 is improved.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the URL-related icon 31. The URL-related icon 31 includes a specific portion 35 having a shape unique to the URL-related icon 31, a background portion 36 unique to the icon 31, and a character string 37. In the example of the navigation device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the URL-related icons 31 are basically unified in a quadrangular shape, and a specific portion 35 of a triangle is arranged at the upper left corner, the lower left corner, and the center of the right end. Have been. Thus, FIG.
In the navigation device 1, the design of the icons 31 individually associated with a plurality of URLs is not completely different from each other, and the shape of a part of the icons 31 is a predetermined shape specific to the URL-related icons 31. There is a feature in the unified configuration. If a URL-related icon 31 having a uniform shape as shown in FIG. 3 is directly superimposed on a portion 32 of the map being displayed, the user can use the map and the icon 3.
Since it is possible to easily identify the URL-related icon 31 while simultaneously confirming the URLs of the URLs 1 and 2,
The user can more easily specify the L-related icon 31. Thereby, the usability of the navigation device 1 is further improved.

If a part of the shape of the URL-related icon 31 is unified, icons other than the URL-related icon 31, which are navigation-related icons, are further superimposed on the map. Even under the circumstances, the user can reliably identify the URL-related icon 31 without mistaken for other icons. This makes it easier to see the map on which the icons are superimposed, so that the usability of the navigation device 1 is further improved. Navigation-related icons include a facility icon on the map, a destination icon on the map,
An icon 33 indicating the current position of the moving object on the map is given.

Further, in the URL-related icon 31, the specific portion 35 whose shape is unified is only a part of the entire icon 31, and the design of the remaining portions 36 and 37 other than the specific portion 35 in the icon 31 is the icon. 31 can be set individually. As a result, while unifying the general appearance of the entire URL-related icon 31,
Since it is possible to adopt a unique design for each icon 31, the degree of freedom in icon creation is expanded. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the design of the background portion 36 and the character string 37 of the URL-related icon 31 may be used for advertisement of a provider of information identified by the URL.

Specific part 35 in URL-related icon 31
Is preferably used to present a situation related to the designation of the icon 31. When presenting the situation, the display mode of the specific part 35 is changed according to the situation while the shape of the specific part 35 is maintained. Display modes include, for example, color and brightness. In order to reflect the status related to the icon designation on the display mode of the specific portion 35, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 sets the display mode of the specific portion 35 of the URL-related icon 31 to a display corresponding to the status related to the icon specification. The data of the icon 31 in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 is processed so that
The data after processing 1 is updated and stored in the storage unit 6. U
The processing of the data of the RL-related icon 31 is executed each time the situation related to the designation of the icon 31 changes or periodically. The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1
At the time of displaying the map, the icon 31 is superimposed on the displayed portion 32 of the map based on the latest data of the URL-related icon 31 in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1. As a result, the icon 31 displayed on the map is displayed.
The latest status related to the icon designation is always reflected in the display mode of the specific portion 35. This allows the user to grasp the latest status related to the designation of the icon 31 simply by looking at the URL-related icon 31 being displayed.
The usability of the navigation device 1 is improved.

One of the situations to be presented is whether or not the URL-related icon 31 has been designated in the past. In the example of FIG. 3, the color of the specific portion 35 at the upper left corner is set to yellow if specified, and set to white if not specified, according to whether or not the icon is specified. As a result, it is possible to judge whether or not the icon 31 related to the URL has been specified in the past simply by looking at the icon 31 related to the URL being displayed. Designation of 31 again can be prevented beforehand.

Another situation to be presented is the elapsed time from the time when the URL-related icon 31 was designated in the past. In the example of FIG. 3, the basic color of the specific portion 35 at the lower left corner is set to blue, and the specific portion 3 at the lower left corner is set according to the elapsed time.
The brightness of 5 is set to five levels of brightness, and the shorter the elapsed time, the higher the brightness. As a result, the URL
Since the elapsed time from the past designation of the icon 31 can be determined only by the user visually observing the related icon 31, when the URL related icon 31 is newly designated, it is determined whether or not the designated icon 31 is designated again. Can be determined according to the elapsed time from the past designation time.

The URL-related icons 3 such as whether or not the URL-related icons 31 are designated and the elapsed time since the designation.
When presenting the designated state of No. 1, it is not merely determined that the icon 31 has been designated, but it is further determined whether or not the information identified by the URL associated with the designated icon 31 has been obtained. You may decide. That is, only when the URL-related icon 31 is specified and the information identified by the URL related to the icon 31 is successfully obtained from the computer network, it is determined that the icon 31 is specified or the icon 31 The elapsed time from the specified time is measured. This allows the user to grasp the information acquisition status only by looking at the URL-related icon 31 being displayed, so that the usability of the navigation device 1 is further improved.

Specific part 35 of URL-related icon 31
Yet another situation to be presented with is whether the information identified by the URL is currently available.
The situation where the information cannot be obtained is, for example, a situation where the server computer holding the information in the computer network is down. In the example of FIG. 3, the color of the specific portion 35 at the center on the right end is set to red when possible and white when impossible when the information cannot be obtained. As a result, the displayed U
Since it is possible to determine whether or not information can be obtained simply by viewing the RL-related icon 31 by the user, it is possible to specify the icon 31 relating to the URL for which information cannot be obtained when newly specifying the URL-related icon 31. This can be prevented beforehand.

The availability of the information identified by the URL is checked by the providing source 2 and stored in the storage unit 22 of the providing source 2 together with the information on the URL. The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 establishes a communication line with the providing source 2 using its own communication unit 8 and obtains data indicating that information cannot be obtained from the providing source 2 via the communication line. Then, it is stored in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in association with the URL. Acquisition of data indicating that the information is not available is obtained when at least a part of the information on the URL is acquired from the source 2.
This is preferable because communication time is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 4 and Table 1 described above, preferably, the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 has a single U
The data of the plurality of icons 31 are stored in association with the RL. In this case, in the navigation device 1,
For each URL, a URL-related icon 31 automatically set by the navigation device 1 to be used is displayed for each URL.
It is possible to replace the plurality of icons 31 related to L with an icon arbitrarily selected by the user. To this end, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 selects one of all the icons 31 related to the single URL in response to the result of the input from the input unit 10 by the user, and selects the selected icon. The result is added to the data of the icon 31 using a flag or the like and stored in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1. When the icon 31 is displayed, the control unit 5 transmits the URL associated with the point in the portion 32 of the map being displayed.
And any one of the icons 31 selected in advance is displayed directly on the map. As a result, the user can select a favorite icon 31 from the icons 31 in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 for each URL, so that the usability of the navigation device 1 is improved.

As shown in FIG. 5, more preferably, icon data on a computer network is selectively downloaded and used as a URL-related icon 31. For this purpose, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 establishes a communication line with the computer network using its own communication unit 8, obtains icon data from the computer network via the communication line, and obtains a URL. Is stored in its own storage unit 6 in association with. By fetching the icon data from the outside of the navigation device 1 in this manner, the variations of the icons 31 associated with a single URL easily increase, so that the user of the navigation device 1 can easily select a favorite icon. , A display full of originality becomes possible. This also eliminates the need to replace the storage medium 13 for replacing the icon data.
The shape of the icon from which data is obtained from the external computer network may be arbitrary, but is preferably a shape including the specific portion 35 described with reference to FIG.

The data of the icon 31 shown in FIG. 3 preferably includes image data indicating the background portion 36 and the specific portion 35 of the icon 31, and text data indicating a character string 37 described over the background portion 36. It is comprised including. In this case, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1
May rewrite the text data in the data of the icon 31 in the storage unit 6 of the user in response to the input result from the input unit 10 by the user. As a result, it is possible to easily create an original icon 31 for each user of the navigation device 1. In particular, when only text data is rewritten, even if the navigation device 1 has a limited configuration of the input unit 10 such as an in-vehicle navigation device, the user can easily input the rewritten content.
Creation of the original icon 31 is facilitated.

At least one of the background portion 36 and the character string 37 of the URL-related icon 31 shown in FIG. 3 is used to advertise the source of the information identified by the URL and to display real-time information on the source of the information. It may be used for presentation. The information summary in the information related to the URL shown in Table 1 is used not only for the summary of the information identified by the URL but also for advertisement of the provider of the information and real-time information presentation related to the provider of the information. Is also good. For this purpose, it is preferable that the information on the URL in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 be updated as time elapses.

The process of updating the information related to the URL including the process of processing the data of the URL-related icon 31 described above is as follows.
This is a subroutine of a map display process to be described later, which is performed in parallel with the map display process and the process related to the navigation. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of updating information related to a URL in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1. The process of updating the information related to the URL is a subroutine of the map display process described later, and is performed in parallel with the map display process and the process related to the navigation. After starting the navigation device 1, the process proceeds from step A0 to step A1.

In step A1, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 determines whether or not to update the information relating to the URL. For example, when the content to be presented using the specific portion 35 in the URL-related icon 31 is changed, or when the user instructs to change or add the URL-related icon 31, the URL-related icon 31 is changed. It is determined that the information needs to be updated. In order to update the information summary and obtain information on the new URL, for example,
It is determined that the information related to the URL needs to be updated even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last time the information related to the URL was updated.
If it is determined that updating of the information related to the URL is unnecessary, the process returns to step A1. The determination in step A1 is repeated as time passes, for example, periodically. UR
If it is determined that the information on L needs to be updated,
Proceed to step A2.

In step A2, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 obtains data necessary for updating from the outside according to the reason for updating the URL. For example, the communication line with the providing source 2 is the navigation device 1
The information itself related to the URL or a part of the information related to the URL, such as data indicating that the information identified by the URL is unavailable, is established via the communication line. Obtained from 2. Further, for example, a communication line with the computer network is established using the communication unit 8 of the navigation device 1, and data necessary for updating information relating to the URL, such as the data of the icon 31, is transmitted to the outside via the communication line. Obtained from computer networks. If data from the outside is an update reason that is not necessary for updating, such as a change in the designation status of the URL-related icon, the processing in step A2 is skipped. Step A
In 3, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 appropriately rewrites the information on the URL in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 based on the update reason and the data obtained in step A2. After rewriting, the process returns to step A1.
By the above processing, the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1
The information related to the URL in is updated as appropriate.

The navigation device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is also characterized by a configuration that makes the portion 32 on which the map is displayed more visible for the purpose of improving usability. For this reason, the outer shape of the URL-related icon 31 is deformed into a shape corresponding to a period during which the icon 31 is not specified. As a result, since the user of the navigation device 1 can determine the past designation status of the icon 31 only by looking at the outer shape of the URL-related icon 31 being displayed while being superimposed on the displayed portion 32 of the map, When a new icon 31 is designated, it is determined whether or not the previously designated icon 31 is designated again.
Can be determined according to the past designation status of the user.
Since the outer shape of the icon 31 changes, the icon 31
Since the change is easy to understand even if is displayed small, it is suitable for a situation where the display unit 7 is small such as a situation where the navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle.

Particularly preferably, a URL-related icon 3
The longer the unspecified period of 1 is, the longer the portion 32 of the map being displayed
The icon 31 is processed into a shape in which a portion overlapping the icon 31 is exposed. For example, when the unspecified period of the URL-related icon 31 is longer than a predetermined period, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer shape of the icon 31 is deformed so that the shape of the icon 31 gradually collapses.
The longer the unspecified period of the URL-related icon 31 is, the deeper the notch on the outer periphery of the icon 31 is,
The display area of the icon 31 is reduced. As a result, it is possible to make the portion 32 being displayed on the map itself easier to see while directly indicating that there is a URL-related point on the portion 32 being displayed on the map.

When the unspecified period of the URL-related icon 31 is longer than a predetermined reference period, the icon 31 is deleted from the displayed portion 32 of the map. As described above, the icon 31 that is hard to be specified is erased from the portion 32 of the map being displayed, so that the icon 31 is not displayed.
Can prevent the occupation of the display memory from increasing due to the above data, and the portion 32 of the map being displayed can be more easily seen. The display memory may be shared by the storage unit 6 or may be independently provided in the display unit 7.

Preferably, the shape of the icon 31 in which the unspecified period is equal to or longer than the predetermined reference time is processed into a shape in which only the outermost contour of the icon 31 is removed and the inside is deleted. The remaining outline is described by a broken line on a map, for example, as shown in FIG. More preferably,
Not only the outermost contour of the icon 31 but also the icon 31
If the outline of at least one specific portion 35 is also left, the user can easily grasp that the icon 31 displaying only the outline is the URL-related icon 31. As a result, it is possible to halt the increase in the occupation amount of the memory related to the icon display, and to make the portion 32 being displayed on the map itself easier to see while indicating that there is a URL-related point.

In order to change the URL-related icon 31 according to the unspecified period, a plurality of threshold periods are set in advance, and the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 sends the URL to the URL.
The unspecified period of the related icon 31 is measured. The timing of the unspecified period starts from the time when the icon 31 is first displayed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed, and
Once the L-related icon 31 is designated, the timer for measuring the unspecified period is reset, and the counting of the unspecified period is started again. Further, the control unit 5 compares the threshold period with the latest unspecified period being counted, and when the unspecified period is longer than any one of the threshold periods, the icon 31 is changed to the one of the threshold periods. The original data of the icon 31 is processed so as to have a corresponding shape, and the icon 31 is superimposed and displayed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed using the processed data of the icon 31. The data of the icon 31 after processing is stored only in, for example, a display memory only, and the data of the icon 31 before processing is always stored in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1. Icon 3
The threshold time corresponding to the display of only the outline of the icon 31 is longer than the threshold time corresponding to the external shape change of 1. If the threshold time corresponding to the outer shape deformation is two or more, the threshold time becomes longer as the degree of exposure of the portion overlapping the icon 31 after deformation in the map is higher. The outer shape change of the icon 31
Not only stepwise but also continuous may be used.

The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1
The display priority is given to all the URLs associated with the points in the displayed portion 32 of the map, and only the icons 31 respectively corresponding to some of the higher priority URLs are displayed. 32 may be displayed. In this case, only a predetermined number of icons 31 from the highest-priority icon 31 may be displayed, or only the icons 31 having a higher priority than the predetermined priority may be displayed. This makes it possible to narrow down the number of icons 31 displayed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed, so that the occupancy of the display memory for displaying the icons can be suppressed, and the map can be stopped. Can be more easily viewed. The priorities include, for example, the order of designation of the icon 31, the order in which the user has registered the information on the URL in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1, the order in which the information on the URL has been updated and registered, and the navigation device. One standard order is set in the apparatus in advance by one manufacturer.

In some cases, a plurality of URLs may be associated with one point on the map. The storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 preferably displays the icon in a form different from the URL-related icon 31 by using the icon 3 for presenting a point where a plurality of URLs are redundantly associated.
8 is further stored. For example, if the URL-related icon 31 is represented as a flat plate, the icon 38 for presenting an overlap-related point is represented in a three-dimensional manner.
The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 displays the map,
First, as shown in FIG. 9, at a point where a plurality of URLs in the displayed portion 32 of the map are redundantly associated with each other, instead of the icon 31 individually associated with the plurality of URLs, Only the related point presentation icon 38 is displayed in a superimposed manner. As a result, multiple URs are added to one point on the map.
Under the situation in which L is associated, the number of icons that are initially displayed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed is limited, so that the map itself is easy to see. Further, since the form of the icon 38 for presenting the overlapping related point is different from the icon 31 related to the URL, the user only needs to look at the map on which the icon 31 is displayed, and the user can enter a plurality of URLs at one place.
It is possible to easily grasp whether or not L is associated.

After displaying the icon 38 indicating that the overlapping related point is required, only when the icon 38 for presenting the overlapping related point is specified in response to the result of the input from the input unit 10 by the user, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1. Is the icon 3
Multiple U's associated with the location where 8 is displayed
The icon 31 related to the RL is displayed on the portion 3 of the map being displayed.
2 is displayed. Or URL related icon 3
Multiple URs associated with one location instead of one
L itself may be displayed on a menu. Subsequent processing is the same as the processing under the situation where a single URL is associated with one point. If any URL itself or any URL-related icon 31 is selectively designated, the icon is displayed. Information identified by the associated URL is obtained from a computer network.

In the navigation device 1 shown in FIG.
In order to improve the usability, there is also a feature that the display of the summary of the information identified by the URL is controlled according to the current position of the moving body on which the navigation device 1 is mounted. Basically, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1
Is constantly comparing the current position of the moving object measured by the position measuring unit 9 with a point associated with the URL in a part of the map being displayed. When the distance from the current position of the moving object to any point is smaller than a predetermined first reference distance, as shown in FIG. 10, the information summary 39 identified by the URL associated with the point is changed to the Display a part of the map on the map. The URL-related point at which the outline 39 is displayed is preferably selected, for example, from the front in the traveling direction of the moving object. FIG.
In the example, a summary 39 of a “government” point ahead of the moving body in the traveling direction is displayed.

As a result, even if the user does not specify the icon 31 associated with a point whose distance from the current position of the moving object is less than the first reference distance, the moving object is identified by the URL associated with the point. The summary 39 of the information is automatically displayed. This eliminates the need for a user operation for displaying the summary, and improves the usability of the navigation device 1. Also, since the outline 39 itself is stored in the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in advance,
Since there is no need for the navigation device 1 to obtain information from the computer network each time the moving body approaches a URL-related point, an increase in the communication load of the navigation device 1 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since not only the URL-related icon 31 but also the outline 39 of the information identified by the URL is displayed, the user can easily determine whether the details of the information should be actually obtained from the computer network. Since it becomes easier, the usability of the navigation device 1 is further improved.

In the navigation device 1 shown in FIG.
Based on the result of the input from the input unit 10 by the user, the control unit 5 presets a destination to be reached by the moving object on a map. In FIG. 11, a circular icon 40 is superimposed and displayed on the destination in the portion 32 of the map being displayed. When displaying the information summary 39, the control unit 5 further compares the point at which the distance from the current position of the moving object is less than the first reference distance with the destination of the moving object. As shown in FIG. 11, if there is a point whose distance from the destination is smaller than the second reference distance which is set in advance and which is distant from the destination, the display of the information summary 39 relating to the point is stopped. In the example of FIG. 11, the outline display of the point of “government office” is stopped even if the distance from the current position of the moving object becomes less than the first reference distance. As a result, the destination in the portion 32 of the map being displayed and the portion near the destination are prevented from being hidden by the displayed outline 39, so that the state of the destination and the portion in the vicinity thereof can be easily understood. Loss is prevented. This makes it easier to see the portion 32 of the map being displayed.

If the destination has been set, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 further compares the destination of the moving object with a URL-related point on the map. As shown in FIG. 12, if any of the URL-related points and the destination match, if the current position and the destination of the moving object are included in the displayed portion 32 of the map, A summary 39 of the information identified by the URL associated with the point that matches the destination is displayed. As a result, in a situation where any one of the URL-related points matches the destination, the display of the summary 39 of the information identified by the URL associated with the destination is performed according to the current position of the moving object. Automatically, the operation of the user is simplified.

The control unit 5 of the navigation device 1
Along with the display of the summary 39 of the information identified by L, the user is informed of whether or not to obtain the information from the computer network using the notification unit 11. The inquiry for information acquisition may be made by a screen or a blinking display of an indicator. As shown in FIG. 13, an inquiry sentence such as "Do you want to connect?" The sound may be output from the unit 19. The sound output is preferable to the blinking display because the user can easily notice the sound output. The user's answer to the information acquisition question may be input by a manual operation of a switch or the like which is one of the input units 10, and the verbal answer of the user is input to the input unit 10.
The answer may be obtained by a microphone, and the contents of the answer may be grasped by voice recognition. Oral solutions are preferred over manual operations because they require less effort by the user.
In particular, when the user also serves as the driver, it is preferable to use a sound output to ask for information and obtain a verbal answer of the user.

Only when the user instructs to obtain information by answering, the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 establishes a communication line with the computer network using the communication unit 8 and sets a point corresponding to the destination. URLs related to
Is obtained from within the computer network via the communication line. As a result, UR
Whether or not to obtain the entire information identified by L is automatically asked to the user according to the current position of the moving object, so that it is possible to obtain the information required by the user in a timely manner.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the map display processing in the control section 5 of the navigation device 1 in FIG. After starting the navigation device 1, if a map display is required, the process proceeds from step B0 to step B1. In step B1, the control unit 5 causes the display unit 7 to display at least a part 32 of the map. In the navigation device 1 of FIG. 1, the scale of the displayed map is either the one set in advance in the navigation device 1 or the one set by the user, and the scale is variable. If the destination has been set and the destination is in the portion 32 on which the map is being displayed, the icon 40 indicating the destination is displayed so as to overlap the portion 32 on which the map is being displayed. In step B2, the control unit 5 detects the current position of the moving object on which the navigation device 1 is mounted. If the detected current position is within the displayed portion 32 of the map, an icon 33 indicating the current position is displayed so as to overlap the displayed portion 32 of the map.

In step B3, the control section 5 compares the display scale of the currently displayed map with a predetermined reference scale. If the scale of the currently displayed map is equal to or greater than the specified scale,
The process related to the display of the URL-related icon 31 is stopped, and the process returns from step B3 to step B1. This means that for maps above the reference scale, the UR is included in the displayed portion 32 of the map.
This is because there are so many L-related points that if the URL-related icons 31 are displayed, the icons 31 are expected to overlap each other and become difficult to see. As an example, when the map scale is increased by a power of 10, the URL-related icon 31 is displayed if the currently displayed map is 1 km or less, and the URL is displayed if the map is 10 km or more.
The display of the related icon 31 is stopped. The map displayed in αkm is a map in which the length of one side of the portion 32 being displayed on the map is equivalent to αkm of the map scale. If the scale of the currently displayed map is smaller than the predetermined scale, step B3
From step B4.

Steps B4 to B9 are processing for displaying the URL-related icon 31. In step B4, the control unit 5 determines whether there is a URL-related point centered on the current position of the moving object and having a radius within a predetermined distance. The diameter of the URL selection range to be displayed is set to be substantially the same as the map scale being displayed. If the currently displayed map is 100m, the diameter is 1
A range of 00m is chosen. The range for selecting the URL to be displayed is not limited to a circle but may be a polygon. If there is no URL-related point in the above range, the processing related to the display of the URL-related icon 31 is stopped, and the process returns from step B4 to step B1. If there is a URL-related point within the above range, the URL associated with the point is selected as a display target, and the process proceeds to step B5. When further limiting the URL-related icon 31, the URL
After selecting L, the URLs are selected based on the priority order, and only the selected URLs are displayed.

In step B5, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the icon 31 associated with the URL to be displayed is already superimposed on the map and determines whether the latest unspecified period of the URL-related icon 31 is the same. It is determined whether or not it is longer than or equal to the minimum period of the threshold period related to the outer shape deformation of the icon 31. If the URL-related icon 31 to be displayed is not displayed, or if the URL-related icon 31 to be displayed is already displayed but the unspecified period of the icon 31 is shorter than the minimum period, step B6 , The control unit 5 reads out the latest data of the icon 31 from the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 and, based on the data itself, displays the icon 31 on the portion 32 of the map being displayed.
To be superimposed.

If the URL-related icon 31 to be displayed has already been displayed and the unspecified period of the icon 31 is equal to or longer than the minimum period, the control unit 5 determines in step B7.
Compares the unspecified period of the icon 31 with each threshold period related to the outline display of the icon 31. If the unspecified period is less than the threshold time for displaying the outline, the control unit 5 reads the latest data of the icon 31 from the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in step B8, and
The data is processed so that the outer shape becomes a collapsed shape corresponding to the unspecified period, and the icon 31 is superimposed and displayed on the displayed portion 32 of the map based on the processed data. If there are two or more threshold periods related to the outer shape deformation, after the process of step B7, each threshold time is compared with an unspecified period,
A threshold time shorter than the unspecified period and closest to the unspecified period is selected, and the data of the icon 31 is processed so as to have an outer shape corresponding to the threshold time.

If the unspecified period is equal to or longer than the threshold time for displaying the contour, the control unit 5 reads the latest data of the icon 31 from the storage unit 6 of the navigation device 1 in step B9, and The data is processed so that only the outline of the specific portion 35 and the outline of the specific portion 35 remain, and the icon 31 is displayed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed based on the processed data. Steps B5 to B
The process of No. 9 is individually executed for the URL selected as the display target in Step 4.

Steps B10 to B18 are executed in the UR
This is a process related to obtaining information identified by L. UR
After displaying the L-related icon 31, in step B10, the control unit 5 determines whether there is a URL-related point around the current position of the moving object and within a first reference distance whose radius is predetermined. I do. The first reference distance, which is the radius of the range for selecting the URL to be guided, is set to about one tenth of the map scale being displayed. The currently displayed map is 1
In the case of 00m display, a range having a radius of 5 m or more and 10 m or less is selected. The range for selecting the URL to be guided is not limited to a circle, but may be a polygon. If there is no URL-related point in the above range, there is no point where the outline 39 of the information identified by the URL is to be displayed, and the process returns from step B10 to step B1. If there is a URL-related point within the above range, the URL associated with the point is selected as a guidance target, and the process proceeds to step B11. Step B1
In 2, the control unit 5 determines whether the destination is already set on the map. If the destination has not been set, the control unit 5 determines in step B12 that all the U
The outline 39 of the RL is displayed on the map, and the process returns to step B1. If the destination has been set, the control unit 5 compares the URL-related point to be guided with the destination in step B13. If the URL-related point to be guided does not match the destination, the control unit 5 proceeds to step B14.
The second is centered on the destination and has a predetermined radius.
It is determined whether there is a URL-related point to be guided within the range of the reference distance. The second reference distance, which is the radius of the range centered on the destination, is set to about one tenth of the map scale. If the map currently being displayed is 100 m, a range having a radius of 5 m or more and 10 m or less is selected. The range centered on the destination is not limited to a circle, but may be a polygon. If there are no URL-related points to be guided within the above range,
The control unit 5 determines in step B12 that the UR to be guided
The outline 39 of the information identified by L is displayed on the map, and the process returns to step B1. U to be guided within the above range
If there is an RL-related point, the display of the outline 39 of the information identified by the guidance target URL is stopped, and the process returns to step B1.

If the point related to the URL to be guided matches the destination, the process proceeds from step B13 to step B15, where the control section 5 proceeds to step B15 where the outline 39 of the information identified by the URL to be guided is obtained. Is displayed on a map, and in step B16, the user is inquired about obtaining the information itself, and in step B17, an answer from the user is waited for a predetermined period. If the user instructs to obtain the information itself by the answer from the user, step B18
The control unit 5 establishes a communication line with the computer network using the communication unit 8, and transmits the guidance target U from the computer network via the communication line.
Obtain the information identified by the RL. The display unit 7 further displays at least a part of the obtained information or the fact that the information has been obtained, and returns to step B1. If there is no answer from the user, or if it is indicated by the answer from the user that information acquisition is unnecessary, step B1
7 returns to step B1. The processes in steps B11 to B18 are individually executed for the URL selected as the guidance target in step 10. The flowchart in FIG. 14 is terminated halfway when the map display is interrupted.
By the above processing, the navigation device 1
The display of the related icon 31, the display of the summary 39 of the information identified by the URL, and the automatic acquisition of the information identified by the URL associated with the point that matches the destination,
This can be done automatically with the map display.

The navigation device 1 and the providing source 2 according to the present embodiment are examples of the navigation device and the providing source according to the present invention, and can be realized in other various forms as long as the main configurations and operations are the same. In particular, the detailed configuration and operation of each component of the navigation device 1 and the providing source 2 are not limited to the above-described configuration and operation, and may be realized by another configuration and operation as long as the same effect is obtained. The navigation device 1 includes a control unit 5 and a display unit 7
And the storage unit 6 as a minimum, the URL-related icon 31 may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the portion 32 of the map being displayed, and other components may be appropriately increased or decreased. The map data is not limited to data stored in the storage medium 13 in advance, but may be data obtained from the outside of the navigation device 1 through communication and stored in the memory unit 15. The current position of the moving object may be measured by at least one of a relative measurement method using dead reckoning and an absolute measurement method using GPS, or may be measured by a method other than GPS and dead reckoning. . The communication by the communication unit 8 is not limited to wireless communication, but may be other communication such as optical communication or wired communication.

In order to realize the navigation device 1, it is preferable to install control software including a control program for updating the information relating to the above-mentioned URL and a map display process in a computer, Central processing unit (Central-Proces)
sing-Unit: CPU). The above control program causes the CPU to perform a process of updating information relating to the URL and a process of displaying a map. This facilitates implementation of the navigation device 1. The control software of the navigation device 1 described above may be stored in a storage medium, read from the storage medium by a medium reading unit of the computer and stored in the storage unit 6 of the computer, It may be given to a computer and stored in the storage unit 6. As a storage medium, a magnetic storage medium represented by a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Me
and a magneto-optical storage medium such as an MO (Magneto-Optic Disc). Transmission media include a transmission line of a telephone line network and a LAN (Local Area Network).
k) and a transmission path of a computer network using a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like, a transmission cable for connecting a computer, and the like.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a URL is associated with a point on a map in a navigation device, the URL is associated with the URL and a part of the shape is unified. The icon is directly superimposed on the portion of the map being displayed at the location associated with the URL. Further, according to the present invention, the UR is added to the displayed portion of the map
When an icon associated with any one of the URLs is selectively specified in a situation where the L-related icons are displayed in a superimposed manner, information identified by the URL associated with the specified icon is displayed. Obtained from within a computer network. As described above, in the navigation device, as a result, the user can check the map and the icon at the same time, and the map on which the icon is superimposed is easy to see, so that the usability is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the outer shape of the icon related to the URL-related icon is processed such that the longer the unspecified period of the icon, the greater the degree of exposure of the portion overlapping the icon in the map. Further, according to the present invention, the shape of the URL-related icon whose unspecified period is equal to or longer than the predetermined reference time is processed into a shape indicating only the outline of the icon. Furthermore, according to the present invention, only the icons associated with the points in the displayed portion of the map and associated with some of the URLs having a higher priority are superimposed on the displayed portion of the map. Is displayed. Further, according to the present invention, only one icon in a form different from the icons related to the plurality of URLs is displayed at one point associated with the plurality of URLs in the displayed portion of the map. As a result, the portion being displayed on the map can be more easily seen while indicating that there is a URL-related point, so that the navigation device can be more easily used.

Further, according to the present invention, the display mode of the portion where the shapes of the URL-related icons are unified is a display mode corresponding to whether or not the icon has been specified in the past, and a past specification of the icon. It is processed into at least one of a display mode according to the elapsed time from the time and a display mode according to whether the information identified by the URL is available or not. According to the invention, the icon data includes the image data and the text data, and only the text data is rewritten in response to an input result from the input means. Still further, according to the present invention, when data of a plurality of icons is associated with a single URL, any one of the plurality of icons selected in advance is selected.
One is used for display. According to the invention, the icon data in the URL storage means is obtained from an external source via a communication line and stored. By these,
The usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, in the navigation device, under the condition that the outline of the information identified by the URL is further stored in association with the URL, the outline of the information is stored in the map on the point associated with the URL. When the current position approaches less than a predetermined first reference distance,
An overview of the information identified by the URL associated with the point is further displayed over a portion of the map being displayed.
As a result, the summary is automatically displayed, so that the usability of the navigation device is further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, when displaying the information summary, even if the distance from the current position of the moving object is less than the first reference distance, it does not coincide with the destination of the moving object, and The summary display is stopped for a point whose distance from the destination is less than the second reference distance. This makes it easier to see the portion of the map being displayed. Furthermore, according to the present invention, when any of the points associated with the URL matches the destination of the moving object, and the current position and the destination of the moving object are simultaneously displayed on the display means A summary of the information identified by the URL associated with the point matching the destination is displayed. This simplifies the operation of the navigation device by the user. Further, according to the present invention, together with the display of the summary of the information identified by the URL associated with the point corresponding to the destination, the user is inquired whether or not to obtain the information itself, The information is obtained only when the user instructs to obtain the information. As a result, it is possible to obtain information required by the user with good timing.
As a result, the usability of the navigation device is further improved. Furthermore, according to the present invention as described above,
The URL used in the above navigation device and the data related to the URL are created by a provider and are provided from the provider to the navigation device via a communication line. As a result, U
Updating of information relating to the RL is facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information system 1 including a navigation device 1 and a providing source 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a displayed portion 32 of a map displayed on the navigation device 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an icon 31 associated with a URL in the navigation device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a single U in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
It is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a plurality of icons 31 are associated with RL.

FIG. 5 shows a URL in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which data of an icon associated with the icon is downloaded from an external computer network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of updating information related to a URL in the control unit 5 of the navigation device 1 in FIG. 1;

7 is a schematic diagram showing a URL-related icon 31 whose outer shape has been changed according to an unspecified period in the navigation device 1 of FIG.

8 is a URL in which only the outline of the outer peripheral portion is left according to the unspecified period in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
It is a schematic diagram which shows the related icon 31.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a portion 32 of the map being displayed in a situation where a plurality of URLs are associated with one point in the navigation device 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows a UR in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a portion 32 of the map being displayed in a situation where an overview of information identified by L is displayed.

FIG. 11 shows a UR in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a portion 32 of the map being displayed in a situation where the point associated with L is near the destination.

FIG. 12 shows a UR in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a portion 32 of the map being displayed in a situation where the point associated with L matches the destination.

FIG. 13 shows a UR in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
Part 3 of the map being displayed in a state in which a voice inquiry is being performed along with the display of the summary of the information identified by L
FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a UR in the navigation device 1 of FIG.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a map display process that involves displaying an icon associated with L and displaying an overview of information identified by a URL.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 navigation device 2 supply source 5 navigation device control unit 6 navigation device storage unit 7 navigation device display unit 8 navigation device communication unit 9 navigation device position measurement unit 10 navigation device input unit 11 navigation device notification unit 21 Source control unit 22 Source storage unit 23 Source communication unit 31 Icon associated with URL 32 Part of map being displayed

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08G 1/09 G08G 1/09 F 1/0969 1/0969 G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 A 29/10 29/10 A F term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB25 HC08 HC16 HC21 HC27 HC30 HD03 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC18 AC19 AC20 5B075 KK07 ND20 NK02 NK44 PP02 PP03 PP13 PP22 PQ02 PQ16 PQ42 U04 U04 U04 U04 FF05 FF13 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF33 FF35 FF38

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. Display means capable of displaying a map, control means for controlling display of a map on the display means, URL for identifying information stored on a computer network, data and icons of points in the map URL storage means for storing the data of the map in association with each other, wherein the control means causes at least a part of the map to be displayed on the display means, and displays the portion of the map based on the stored contents of the URL storage means. The icon associated with the URL associated with the point in the map is displayed over the point in the displayed portion of the map, and the shape of a part of the icon associated with the URL is associated with the URL. A navigation device characterized by being unified into a predetermined shape specific to the icon being used. 2. An input means used for inputting an instruction,
And communication means for communication with a computer network, wherein the control means responds to an input result from the input means,
An icon which is superimposed on the displayed portion of the map and is associated with the URL is selectively designated, a communication line with a computer network is established using communication means, and the designated 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein information identified by a URL associated with the icon is obtained from within a computer network via the communication line. 3. The control unit measures an unspecified period of an icon associated with the URL, and controls the icon so that the icon has a shape corresponding to the unspecified period. Processing the icon data, and displaying the icon on the displayed portion of the map based on the processed icon data; the longer the unspecified period of the icon associated with the URL, the longer the The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the icon is processed into a shape in which a portion of the map overlapping with the icon is exposed. 4. The control unit measures an unspecified period of the icon associated with the URL, and the shape of the icon associated with the URL whose unspecified period is equal to or longer than a predetermined reference time. The data of the icon is processed so as to have a shape indicating only the outline of the icon, and the icon is superimposed and displayed on a portion of the map being displayed based on the data of the processed icon. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The control means assigns a display priority to all URLs associated with a point in a displayed portion of the map, and displays only icons corresponding to a part of the URLs having a higher priority. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the navigation device is displayed so as to overlap a part of the map being displayed. 6. An input device used for inputting an instruction, wherein an icon in a form different from an icon related to the URL is further stored in the URL storage device. And (2) displaying only the icon in the different form in a superimposed manner at one point associated with a plurality of URLs in the displayed portion of the map, and (2) responding to an input result from the input means. Are designated, the plurality of U associated with the point where the different form of the icon is displayed
An icon associated with an RL is displayed so as to be superimposed on a displayed portion of the map.
6. The navigation device according to claim 5, wherein 7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein a display mode of a part in which the shape of an icon associated with the URL is unified is a display mode according to whether the icon has been designated in the past. 7. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data of the icon in the URL storage unit is processed, and the data of the processed icon is stored in the URL storage unit. . 8. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the display mode of a part in which the shape of the icon associated with the URL is unified is a display mode corresponding to an elapsed time from a point in time when the icon was designated in the past. The data of the icon in the URL storage means is processed as described above, and the data of the processed icon is stored in the URL storage means. Navigation device. 9. The control means according to claim 1, wherein a display mode of a part in which the shape of an icon associated with the URL is unified is determined according to whether information identified by the URL is available. The data of the icon in the URL storage means is processed so that the processed icon data is stored in the URL storage means. A navigation device as described. 10. An input means used for inputting an instruction, wherein the icon data is a character string which is superimposed on image data indicating a portion and a background of the icon having a uniform shape and a background. The text data indicating the, the control means, in response to the input result from the input means,
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein text data in icon data in the URL storage unit is rewritten. 11. An input means used for inputting an instruction, wherein the URL storage means stores data of a plurality of icons in association with a single URL, and the control means comprises: (1) In response to the input result from the input means, a single URL
One of all the icons associated with the icon is selected, and the selection result is added to the icon data and stored in the URL storage means. (2) When the icon is displayed, the map is being displayed. And displaying any one of the icons associated with the URL associated with the point in the portion of the map and being preselected in the portion of the map being displayed. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. A communication unit for executing communication, wherein the control unit establishes a communication line with a computer network using the communication unit, and transmits icon data from the computer network to the communication line. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein the navigation device obtains the information via a URL and stores the URL in the URL storage unit while associating the URL with the URL. 13. The navigation apparatus further includes a position measurement unit that measures a current position of the navigation device, wherein the URL storage unit further stores a summary of information identified by the URL in association with the URL, The control means determines the current position being measured and the U position in the map.
Comparing a point associated with the RL with a summary of the information identified by the URL associated with the point whose distance from the current position is less than a predetermined first reference distance. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the navigation device is displayed in a superimposed manner. 14. An input unit used for inputting an instruction, the control unit presetting a destination to be reached on a map based on an input result from the input unit, Is further compared with a point whose distance from the current position being measured is less than the first reference distance and a set destination, and a distance from the destination is set to a second predetermined distance.
14. The navigation device according to claim 13, wherein the display of the summary of information relating to a point that is less than the reference distance and far from the destination is stopped. 15. An input unit used for inputting an instruction, the control unit presetting a destination to be reached on a map based on an input result from the input unit, Compares the set destination with a point associated with the URL, and if any of the points matches the destination, the measured current position and the destination are 15. The navigation device according to claim 13, wherein when included in a part of the map being displayed, an outline of information identified by a URL relating to a point coinciding with the destination is displayed. 16. A computer network, further comprising: a notifying unit for performing a notification, and a communication unit for performing a communication, wherein the control unit is configured to: (1) display a summary of information identified by the URL; (2) responding to the input result from the input means after the notification, and only when the acquisition of the information is instructed, the computer network and Establishing a communication line using a communication means, and obtaining information identified by a URL associated with a point coinciding with a destination from the computer network via the communication line. The navigation device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein: 17. Communication means for communication with the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, providing source storage means for storing data to be provided to the navigation device, And control means for controlling provision of data to the navigation device, wherein the control means comprises: (1) a URL and the UR from within a computer network;
L, and collects the data of the location related to the URL, the data of the icon related to the URL, and the outline of the information in the providing source storage unit in association with the URL, and (2) navigation Providing a communication line with the device using a communication unit, and providing at least a part of data in a storage unit of the providing source to the navigation device via the communication line. .