JP2002333831A - Map information display device and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information display device, capable of discriminating a map display on a specific map information display device on another map information display device and thereby improving the convenience of communication or the like by specifying a map range being displayed on a display section, that displays the map information and transmitting the specified map range signals to an external communication device. SOLUTION: The map information display device 1 is provided with communication function, and the device is also provided with a display section 18, which displays map information and a control means 10 which specifies a map range being displayed on the section 18 and transmits the map range signals which are specified to an external communication device C.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map information display device and an information processing device having a communication function and a map information display function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mobile terminal having a communication function and a display function of map information, a car navigation (vehicle navigation device), a mobile terminal, a PDA (personal d
igitalassistants), mobile phones and other mobile devices.

When the above-mentioned mobile terminal is owned and moved by, for example, family members or friends (particularly, in the case of a vehicle-mounted navigation device, when a group travel is performed by a plurality of vehicles), a map of each mobile terminal is displayed. On the information display screen, the current position of the terminal and the map around it are displayed, but because the display screen range (map display range) of the mobile terminal owned by the other party can not be determined by its own terminal, There is a problem that it is not possible to sufficiently improve the convenience such as communication, and the problem becomes more remarkable especially when the distance between the mobile terminal of the user and the mobile terminal of the partner is large. .

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-59533 discloses a means for inputting information to be notified to a mobile station in a fixed station in an information notification system for notifying information by wireless or wired communication. Means for holding the information, means for notifying the mobile station of the information, including means for receiving information from the fixed station at the mobile station, and means for displaying the received information, which are input to the fixed station in advance. An information notification system configured to acquire information by a user carrying a mobile station terminal approaching or touching a fixed station is disclosed. However, this conventional system solves the above-described problems. It is impossible.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention specifies a map area displayed on a display unit for displaying map information,
By transmitting the specified map range signal to the external communication device, the map display device in the specific map information display device can be distinguished by another map information display device, thereby improving the convenience of communication and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a map information display device that can be designed.

According to the present invention, based on a map range signal received by a receiving means for receiving a map range signal transmitted from an external communication device, a range indicated by the signal is displayed on a map displayed on a display unit. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a map information display device capable of distinguishing a map display range of a specific map information display device by another map information display device and improving convenience such as communication. And

The present invention further detects a map range displayed by a specific map information display device, and transmits the detected map range signal to another map information display device, whereby the specific map information display device is displayed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus which can determine the map display range in another map information display apparatus and can improve convenience such as communication.

[0008]

A map information display device according to the present invention is a map information display device having a communication function, comprising: a display section for displaying map information; and a map area displayed on the display section. And a control means for transmitting the specified map range signal to the external communication device.

The map information display device having the above-mentioned configuration can be set in a vehicle-mounted navigation device, a mobile device, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a mobile phone, and the like, or a transmission side map information display device of a mobile terminal. The display unit having the above configuration can be constituted by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a CRT, a DVD, and the like.
It can be composed of a PU or the like.

According to the above configuration, the display unit displays the map information, the control unit specifies the map range displayed on the display unit, and transmits the specified map range signal to the external communication device. I do.

As a result, the map display range on a specific map information display device (map information display device on the transmission side) can be determined by another map information display device (map information display device on the reception side). Etc. can be improved.

[0012] The map information display device according to the present invention also includes:
A map information display device having a communication function, a display unit for displaying map information, a receiving unit for receiving a map range signal transmitted from an external communication device, and a map unit based on a map range signal received by the receiving unit. And control means for displaying a range indicated by the map range signal on a map displayed on the display section.

The map information display device having the above-mentioned configuration can be set in a vehicle-mounted navigation device, a mobile device, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, and the like, and a reception-side map information display device of a mobile terminal. In addition, the display unit having the above configuration can be configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal display, the receiving unit can be configured by a communication device, and the control unit can be configured by a CPU or the like.

According to the above configuration, the display unit displays the map information, the receiving unit receives the map range signal transmitted from the external communication device, and the control unit performs the map based on the map range signal received by the receiving unit. The range indicated by the map range signal is displayed on the map displayed on the display unit.

The map display range of the specific map information display device (map information display means on the transmitting side) can be determined by another map information display device (map information display device on the receiving side). Etc. can be improved.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus having communication means for communicating with a plurality of map information display devices, and detects a map range displayed by a specific map information display device. And a control means for transmitting the detected map range signal to another map information display device.

The plurality of map information display devices having the above configuration can be set as a map information display device on the transmitting side and a map information display device on the receiving side. The information processing apparatus having the above configuration can be set in an information center, and the control means
U or the like.

According to the above arrangement, the communication means performs communication (transmission / reception) with a plurality of map information display devices, but the control means detects a map range displayed by a specific map information display device, The detected map range signal is transmitted to another map information display device.

As a result, the map display range on a specific map information display device (transmitting map display device) can be determined by another map information display device (receiving side map information display device). Can be improved.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means in the map information display device on the transmitting side simultaneously transmits a signal indicating a specific direction on the screen of the display unit to the external communication device. It is desirable that the signal indicating the specific direction in the above configuration is set to a signal indicating the north direction of north, south, east and west.

That is, there are two cases, ie, north-up and heading-up, when indicating the upward direction on the screen of the display unit. Therefore, when matching the map data on the transmitting side with the map data on the receiving side, It is desired to set the specific direction to the north direction. According to the above configuration, when the map range is signalized and transmitted / received, matching between the two map information display devices can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means in the map information display device on the receiving side displays its own position information on a map on the screen of the display unit. According to the above configuration, both the range indicated by the specific map range signal and its own position information can be displayed on the display unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means in the map information display device on the receiving side corrects and displays the map range or the scale of the map with respect to the range indicated by the map range signal received by the receiving means. The section displays map information. According to the above configuration, the map range or the scale of the map is corrected and displayed on the display unit as necessary.
Appropriate display can be performed.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means in the information processing device transmits the map information of the detected map range signal to another map information display device. According to the above configuration, the map range can be converted into image data and transmitted together with the map information. Therefore, for example, the configuration in which the position coordinate data of the four corners of the map range is transmitted to specify the map range can be easily processed. Can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the control means in the information processing device stores a map range previously displayed by a specific map information display device, and stores the past map range stored on demand. This is transmitted to another map information display device.

According to the above arrangement, the map information display device stores the map range displayed in the past, reads out the map range displayed in the past in response to a request, and transmits the read map range to another map information display device. Communication can be performed using map information older than before, and the convenience can be further improved.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Although the drawings show a map information display device and an information processing device, in the following embodiments, for convenience of explanation, a vehicle A as a transmission-side moving body including a car navigation device 1 as a transmission-side map information display device, A vehicle B as a receiving-side moving body including a car navigation device 2 as a side map information display device and an information center C as an information processing device will be described by way of example.

The navigation device 1 on the side of the vehicle A includes a positioning sensor 3 for positioning the current position α (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle,
Switch 4 (or switch group) for performing various input operations
A microphone 5 and a speaker 6 for communication, a communication device 7 having a transmission / reception function for communicating with the external devices B and C, and a display unit 8 such as a display device for displaying at least map information; A memory 9 comprising a hard disk or the like storing map data (road map information).

The CPU 10 as a control means is based on various necessary inputs from the positioning sensor 3, the switch 4, the microphone 5, and the communication device 7, and according to a program stored in the ROM 11, the display unit 8, the speaker 6, the communication device 7 and read the map from the memory 9 and
M12 stores necessary data such as an ID code (authentication code) for identifying the vehicle A.

Here, the above-mentioned display section 8 displays both the map information and the current position α (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle A which has been located, and the above-mentioned CPU 10 displays the map area displayed on the display section 8. And transmits the specified map range signal (for example, the position coordinate data of the four corners a, b, c, and d of the map display range shown in FIG. 5) to the information center C as an external communication device via the communication device 7. Send.

Further, the CPU 10 transmits a signal indicating a specific direction (upward) on the screen 8a (see FIG. 5) of the display unit 8 when transmitting the map range signal (preferably, which direction is north on the screen 8a). At the same time) to the information center C.

The navigation device 2 on the side of the vehicle B has a positioning sensor 13 for positioning the current position β of the host vehicle B (see FIG. 8).
, A switch 14 (or switch group) for performing various input operations, a microphone 15 and a speaker 16 for a call.
A communication device 17 having a transmission / reception function for communicating with the external devices A and C; a display unit 18 such as a display device for displaying at least map information;
(Road map information) and a memory 19 such as a hard disk.

The CPU 20 as a control means is based on various necessary inputs from the positioning sensor 13, the switch 14, the microphone 15, and the communication device 17, and according to the program stored in the ROM 21, the display unit 18, the speaker 16, the communication device 17 and reads a map from the memory 19, and the RAM 22 stores an I / O for identifying the vehicle B.
Necessary data such as a D code (authentication code) is stored.

Here, the above-mentioned display section 18 displays map information,
The measured position and the current position β of the vehicle B (see FIG. 8) are displayed together, and the communication device 17 as a receiving means receives the map range signal transmitted from the external communication device (see the information center C). Based on the map range signal received by the communication device 17, the range indicated by the map range signal is displayed on the map displayed on the screen 18a of the display unit 18 at the four corners a ′,
It is displayed as a frame F surrounded by b ', c', and d '.

The above-described CPU 20 determines the range indicated by the map range signal received by the communication device 17 (see the frame F in FIG. 8).
In response to this, the map range or the scale of the map is corrected and changed as shown in FIGS.

On the other hand, the information center C comprises a communication device 23 having a transmission / reception function as a communication means for communicating with the navigation devices 1 and 2, and a memory 24 comprising a hard disk or the like in which the latest road map information is stored in an updatable manner.
And a database 25 storing data necessary for grouping the vehicles A and B.

The CPU 30 as a control means, based on the input from the communication device 23, according to the program stored in the ROM 31 and the memory 24 and the database 25
And reads the necessary information from the communication device 23 and controls the drive of the communication device 23. The RAM 32 stores the IDs of the vehicles A and B registered in advance.
Necessary data such as codes are stored.

Here, the CPU 30 detects the map range (refer to the four corners a, b, c, and d in FIG. 5) displayed by the transmission-side navigation device 1 as a specific map information display device. The received map range signal is transmitted to the navigation device 2 on the receiving side as another map information display device.

The CPU 30 can also transmit the map information of the detected map range signal to the navigation device 2 on the receiving side. Further, the above-mentioned CPU 30
The navigation device 1 is stored in the RAM 32 connected to the U30.
Stores the map range displayed in the past in a readable manner, and can transmit the past map range stored in the RMA 32 to the navigation devices 1 and 2 in response to a request.

The operation of the map information display device and the information processing device thus configured will be described in detail below with reference to the respective flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG.
Indicates processing on the information center C side as an information processing apparatus,
FIG. 3 shows a process of the navigation device 1 of the vehicle A as a map information display device on the transmission side, and FIG. 4 shows a process of the navigation device 2 of the vehicle B as a map information display device on the reception side.

First, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The processing on the information center C side will be described. Step J1
The CPU 30 determines the vehicle A based on the output of the communication device 23.
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not there has been a connection from B via the network, and the process proceeds to the next step J2 only at the time of connection (when YES is determined).

At the time of connection from the vehicle A or B, an ID code for identifying the own vehicle is transmitted from any vehicle to the information center C. In the next step J2, the CPU 30 stores the transmitted ID code in the RAM 32 in advance. It is determined whether or not the ID code is registered in step S4. If YES, the process proceeds to step J4, and if NO, the process proceeds to step J3.

In step J3, in response to the transmission of the unregistered ID code, the CPU 30 transmits the fact that the ID code is a non-registered ID code to the corresponding vehicle via the communication device 23. Then, the process returns to step J1.

On the other hand, in step J4, in response to the transmission of the registered ID code,
0 groups the corresponding vehicles based on the information content of the database 25 stored in advance.

For example, when the occupants of the vehicles A and B are family members, friends and acquaintances, the vehicles A and B are grouped. In this embodiment, only two vehicles A and B are shown for convenience of explanation, but it is needless to say that two or more vehicles can be grouped.

Next, at step J5, the CPU 30 detects each mode between the grouped vehicles A and B. The above-mentioned modes include a position communication mode for mutually communicating the positions between the vehicles A and B, and a display range on the vehicle A side from the vehicle A to the vehicle B (a, b, c, and d in FIG. 5). (Refer to the range shown in the figure.) And reject (or prohibit) the map display range of the vehicle A from being changed from the state of FIG. 5 to the state of FIG. 6 by remote control from the vehicle B. The remote control refusal mode and the map range or map displayed on the screen 18a corresponding to the display range shown in FIG. 8 (see a frame F surrounded by four corners a ', b', c ', and d' on the map) Is a display range change mode in which the above-mentioned frame F is changed to the frame F ′ shown in FIG. 9 or the frame F ″ shown in FIG.

Next, at step J6, the CPU 30 converts the received various data into the corresponding vehicle (vehicle) in accordance with each of the detected modes (position communication mode, display range transmission mode, remote operation rejection mode, display range correspondence change mode). A or vehicle B).

Next, at step J7, the CPU 30
Alternatively, it is determined whether or not there is a request from B to download a map around the current position or a map of the display area of the selected vehicle, and if there is a request (YES determination), the process proceeds to the next step J8, If there is no request (N
At the time of "O" determination), the process returns to step J1.

In step J8 described above, the CPU 30 reads out from the memory 24 a map around the current position requested by the vehicle A or B or a map of the display area of the selected vehicle. Send.

Next, the processing of the navigation device 1 on the transmitting side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S1, the CPU 10 measures the current position α (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle A based on the input from the positioning sensor 3. Note that a GPS sensor may be used in combination for this positioning.

Next, in step S 2, the CPU 10 reads out the map around the current position α measured from the memory 9. Next, in step S3, the CPU 10 determines the presence or absence of the peripheral map or the level of reliability. When there is a peripheral map or when the reliability is high (YES determination), the process proceeds to step S4, while there is no peripheral map. Or when reliability is low (NO judgment)
Moves to another step S5. The determination of the reliability of the map can be made based on the passage of date and time.

In step S4, the CPU 10 controls the driving of the display unit 8 to display the above-described peripheral map together with the current position α (see FIG. 5). FIG. 5 shows an example of the display in step S4. The display screen 8a of the display unit 8 displays the surrounding map and the current position α of the moving object (see the vehicle A).

On the other hand, in step S5, the CPU 10 downloads the latest map information from the information center C in response to the absence of the peripheral map or the low reliability of the read map. Next, in step S6, the CPU 10 drives and controls the display unit 8 to display the downloaded map together with the current position α. The display contents in this case are also the same as those in FIG.

After the above-described step S4 or step S6 is completed, the process moves to the next step S7. In this step S7, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the navigation device 1 has been connected to the information center C via the network (including connecting). When the determination is NO, the process returns to step S1. Move to S8.

In the above-described step S8, the CPU 10
Own vehicle ID code read from M12 and setting mode
(The setting modes of the vehicle A include a position communication mode, a display range transmission mode, and a remote operation rejection mode).

Next, in step S9, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the mode is the position communication mode between the vehicles A and B. When the determination is NO, the process returns to step S1, while when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step S10.

In this step S10, a call with the other party (see the occupant of the vehicle B) using the speaker 6 and the microphone 5 is permitted. Next, in step S11, the CPU 10 calculates the current position α and the traveling direction of the host vehicle A and temporarily stores them in the RAM 12.

Next, in step S12, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the display range transmission mode for the other vehicle B is set, and NO
At the time of determination, skip to step S17, while YES
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to the next step S13.

In step S13, the CPU 10 refers to the frame information, that is, the identification data for determining the display area shown in FIG. 5 at the present time, and more specifically, the four corners a, b, and c of the map display range shown in FIG. , D, and the upward determination data of the display area (preferably, data for determining the north direction on the screen 8 a) are temporarily stored in the RAM 12.

Next, in step S14, the CPU 10 determines whether or not its own mode is the remote operation refusal mode.
When the determination is made, the process proceeds to step S15, and when the determination is NO, the process proceeds to another step S16.

In the above step S15, when the communication device 7 receives the remote operation signal from the vehicle B via the information center C, the CPU 10 sends the remote operation signal to the information center C via the communication device 7 in response to the remote operation rejection mode. Returns a reject signal.

On the other hand, in step S16, when the communication device 7 receives a remote operation signal from the vehicle B via the information center C, the CPU 10 changes the map display range from the state shown in FIG. The state is changed to the state shown in FIG. 6 and the state shown in FIG. 6 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 7 so that the current position α of the vehicle A is positioned at the center of the screen.
6 and 7, reference symbol P indicates a common destination when the vehicles A and B travel in a group. After completion of the processing in steps S15 and S16, the next step S15
Move to 17.

In step S 17, the CPU 10 stores the temporarily stored data (the current position data, the traveling direction data, the data indicating the map display range, and the upward discrimination data) of the own vehicle A via the communication device 7 in a predetermined manner. The information is transmitted to the information center C at the timing. Next, the processing of the navigation device 2 on the receiving side will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In step Q1, the CPU 20 determines the current position β of the vehicle B based on the input from the positioning sensor 13 (FIG. 8).
Position). Note that a GPS sensor may be used in combination for this positioning.

Next, in step Q 2, the CPU 20 reads a map around the current position β measured from the memory 19. Next, in step Q3, the CPU 20 determines the presence or absence of the peripheral map or the degree of reliability. When the peripheral map is present or the reliability is high (YES determination), the process proceeds to step Q4, while there is no peripheral map. Or when reliability is low (NO judgment)
Then, the process proceeds to another step Q5. The determination of the reliability of the map can be made based on the passage of date and time.

In step Q4 described above, the CPU 20 controls the driving of the display unit 18 to display the above-mentioned peripheral map together with the current position β as shown in FIG. 8 (however, at this point, the transfer data from the information center C is Since it has not been received, the position α and the bottom of the frame of the opponent vehicle A are not displayed yet). FIG. 8 shows an example of the display in step Q4. The display screen 18a of the display unit 18 displays the surrounding map and the current position β of the moving object (see the vehicle B).

On the other hand, in step Q5, the CPU 20 downloads the latest map information from the information center C in response to the absence of the peripheral map or the low reliability of the read map. Next, in step Q6, the CPU 20 drives and controls the display unit 18 to display the downloaded map together with the current position β. The display contents in this case are also the same as those in FIG.

After the above step Q4 or step Q6 is completed, the process moves to the next step Q7. In this step Q7, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the navigation device 2 has been connected (including being connected) to the information center C via the network. When the determination is NO, the process returns to step Q1. Move to Q8.

In step Q8, the CPU 20 sets the RA
Own vehicle ID code read from M22 and setting mode
(The setting mode on the vehicle B side includes a position communication mode and a display range correspondence change mode).

Next, in step Q9, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the mode is the position communication mode between the vehicles A and B. When the determination is NO, the process returns to step Q1, while when the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step Q10.

In this step Q10, a call with the other party (see the occupant of the vehicle A) using the speaker 16 and the microphone 15 is permitted. Next, in step Q11, the CPU 20 calculates the current position β and the traveling direction of the vehicle B and temporarily stores them in the RAM 22.

At the next step Q12, the CPU 20 transmits the temporarily stored data (current position data and traveling direction data of the own vehicle B) to the information center C via the communication device 17 at a predetermined timing. In the next step Q13, C
The PU 20 determines whether or not the transfer data from the information center C has been received. This transfer data is data transmitted from the vehicle A as a partner vehicle to the information center C, and data transmitted from the information center C to the vehicle B further.
Data indicating the current position α of the vehicle A, data indicating the traveling direction of the vehicle A, position coordinate data of the four corners a, b, c, and d of the map display range on the display unit 8 of the vehicle A, and indicating an upward direction on the map. The upward discrimination data corresponds to the transfer data. Then, if a negative determination is made in step Q13, the process returns to step Q1, while if a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to the next step Q14.

In step Q14, the CPU 20 displays the current position α, the traveling direction, and the upward direction of the display area of the other vehicle A received on the screen 18a of the display unit 18 on the road map in response to the reception of the transfer data. (See FIG. 8).

In the next step Q15, the CPU 20 determines whether or not there is display range data, that is, position coordinate data of the four corners a, b, c, d of the map display range in the transfer data. While returning
When the determination is YES, the process proceeds to the next step Q16.

In step Q16, the CPU 20 determines whether or not its own mode is the display range correspondence change mode.
When the determination is NO, the process skips to step Q18, while Y
When the ES is determined, the process proceeds to the next step Q17.

In step Q17, the CPU 20 corresponds to the position coordinate data of the four corners a ', b', c ', and d' as shown in FIG. 8 corresponding to the presence of the map display range data in the transfer data. In addition to displaying the display area, that is, the frame F, and corresponding to the display range change mode, the display range is moved, changed, or corrected as necessary so that the frame F is entirely displayed on the screen 18a ( Including automatically changing the scale of the map).

That is, in this embodiment, the frame F shown in FIG.
The frame F in FIG. 8 is first enlarged and moved to a frame F ′ shown in FIG. 9 so that the current position β of the own vehicle B, the current position α of the opponent vehicle A, and the destination P are all displayed in the display area inside After that, the frame F ′ in FIG. 9 is enlarged to the frame F ″ shown in FIG. 10 so that the frame F ′ shown in FIG. 9 matches the entire display screen 18a.

Such an operation can be executed by a cursor operation or the like. Also, from the display state shown in FIG.
Since the display mode is changed to the display mode shown in FIG. 0, in order to make the display screen of the opponent vehicle A a display screen equivalent to FIG.
At 8, the CPU 20 transmits a remote control signal to the information center C via the communication device 17.

Since the remote control signal is transferred from the information center C to the opponent vehicle A, if the mode of the opponent vehicle A is not the remote control rejection mode, the display contents on the opponent vehicle A side are shown in FIG. Is remotely operated from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 6 (see step S16).

At the next step Q19, when the CPU 20 receives the remote control rejection signal transmitted from the partner vehicle A via the information center C, the CPU 20 drives the display unit 18 of the own vehicle B to display the display screen 18a. To indicate that the rejection signal has been received.

The map area displayed on the screen 8a of the opponent vehicle A in step S4 or S6 of FIG. 3 is wider than that of FIG. 5 and is displayed on the screen 18a of the own vehicle B as shown in FIG. If the map area being displayed is a narrow area as shown in FIG. 12 as compared with that of FIG. 8, step Q1 in FIG.
In FIG. 7, the display area corresponding to the position coordinate data of the four corners a ′, b ′, c ′, and d ′, that is, the frame F protrudes from the screen 18a. In this case, in step Q17, the entire frame F
The frame F may be reduced so that the positions α, β, and P coincide with the entire screen 18a in which the positions are displayed.

In short, the transmitting-side map information display device (see the navigation device 1) of the above embodiment is a map information display device having a communication function, and includes a display unit 8 for displaying map information, Control means (CPU 10) for specifying the map range displayed on section 8 and transmitting the specified map range signal to an external communication device (see information center C)
Reference).

According to this configuration, the display unit 8 displays the map information, and the control means (see the CPU 10) specifies the map range displayed on the display unit 8 and also specifies the map range signal (information (See center C) to the external communication device.

As a result, the map display range of a specific map information display device (see the navigation device 1 on the transmission side) can be determined by another map information display device (see the navigation device 2 on the reception side), and communication and the like can be performed. Can be improved.

The receiving-side map information display device (see the navigation device 2) is a map information display device having a communication function, and includes a display unit 18 for displaying map information, and a map transmitted from an external communication device. A receiving unit (see the communication device 17) for receiving the range signal (see the information center C) and a range indicated by the map range signal are displayed on the display unit 18 based on the map range signal received by the receiving unit. Control means (see CPU 20) for displaying on a map.

According to this configuration, the display section 18 displays the map information, and the receiving means (see the communication device 17) is connected to the external communication device.
Upon receiving the map range signal transmitted from the information center C (see the information center C), the control means (see CPU 20) displays the range indicated by the map range signal on the display unit 18 based on the map range signal received by the receiving means. On the map.

As a result, the map display range on the specific map information display device (see the navigation device 1 on the transmission side) can be determined by another map information display device (see the navigation device 2 on the reception side). Etc. can be improved.

Further, the information processing apparatus (see information center C) of this embodiment includes communication means (see communication apparatus 23) for communicating with a plurality of map information display apparatuses (see navigation apparatuses 1 and 2). The information processing device detects a map range displayed by a specific map information display device (see the navigation device 1), and outputs the detected map range signal to another map information display device (see the navigation device 2). (See CPU 30).

According to this configuration, the communication means (the communication device 2
3) communicates (transmits and receives) with a plurality of map information display devices (see navigation devices 1 and 2), but the control means (see CPU 30) is a specific map information display device (see navigation device 1). Detects the displayed map range and displays the detected map range signal on another map information display device
(See the navigation device 2).

As a result, the map display range on a specific map information display device (see the navigation device 1 on the transmission side) can be determined by another map information display device (see the navigation device 2 on the reception side), and communication can be performed. Etc. can be improved.

In addition, the control means (CPU 1) in the map information display device (see the navigation device 1) on the transmitting side.
0) is a signal for simultaneously transmitting a signal indicating a specific direction (refer to the upward direction) on the screen of the display unit 8 to the external communication device (refer to the information center C). Here, it is desirable that the signal indicating the specific direction is set to a signal indicating the north direction of east, west, south and north.

In other words, when indicating the upward direction on the screen of the display unit 8, since there are two types, north-up and heading-up, matching is performed between the map data on the transmitting side and the map data on the receiving side. In such a case, it is desired to set the specific direction to the north direction. According to this configuration, when transmitting and receiving the map area as a signal, matching can be achieved between the two map information display devices (see the navigation devices 1 and 2).

The control means (CPU 20) in the map information display device on the receiving side (see the navigation device 2).
) Displays its own position information (see current position β) on the map on the screen 18a of the display unit 18. According to this configuration, the range indicated by the specific map range signal
(See frames F, F ′, F ″) and the own location information can be displayed on the display unit 18.

Further, the control means (CPU 2) in the map information display device on the receiving side (see navigation device 2).
0) is for correcting the map range or the scale of the map with respect to the range indicated by the map range signal received by the receiving means (see the communication device 17) and displaying the map information on the display unit 18 (step Q17). reference). According to this configuration, the map range or the scale of the map is corrected and displayed on the display unit 8 as necessary, so that appropriate display can be performed. In addition, when the area displayed by the change of the scale becomes excessive, the automatic scale change may be prohibited and the alarm output may be performed.

On the other hand, the control means (see CPU 30) in the information processing apparatus on the receiving side (see information center C) displays the map information of the detected map range signal on another map information display apparatus.
(See the navigation device 2). According to this configuration, the map range can be converted into image data and transmitted together with the map information. Therefore, for example, the configuration in which the position coordinate data of the four corners of the map range is transmitted to specify the map range is easier to process. Can be achieved.

The control means (see CPU 30) in the information processing device (see information center C) on the receiving side stores the map range previously displayed by a specific map information display device (see navigation device 1), and Is transmitted to another map information display device (see the navigation device 2).

According to this configuration, the map information display device (see the navigation device 1) stores the map range displayed in the past, reads out the map range displayed in the past in response to a request, and reads another map information display device. (See navigation device 2)
, The communication can be performed using the map information before the present time, and the convenience can be further improved.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the map information display device (specific map information display device) on the transmitting side of the present invention corresponds to the navigation device 1, and likewise the receiving device The map information display device on the side (other map information display device) corresponds to the navigation device 2, the information processing device corresponds to the information center C, the external communication device corresponds to the information processing device C, Is CPU1
Although the receiving means corresponds to the communication device 17 corresponding to 0, 20, and 30, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

That is, in the above-described embodiment, one navigation device 1 is configured to communicate with the other navigation device 2 via the information center C.
In this case, the communication between the vehicles A and B is performed directly without passing through the information center C, and a map distribution center for downloading map information may be provided separately. The above-described map information display device is not limited to a navigation device, but may be a mobile device or a PDA.
(A personal digital assistant), a mobile phone or other mobile terminal.

[0100]

According to the present invention, the map area displayed on the display unit for displaying the map information is specified, and the specified map range signal is transmitted to the external communication device. The map display device in the display device can be determined by another map information display device, and there is an effect that convenience such as communication can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, based on the map range signal received by the receiving means for receiving the map range signal transmitted from the external communication device, the range indicated by the signal is displayed on the display unit. Since the map information is displayed on the map, the map display range of a specific map information display device can be determined by another map information display device, and the convenience of communication and the like can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the map area displayed by the specific map information display device is detected, and the detected map range signal is transmitted to another map information display device. The map display range on the display device can be determined by another map information display device, and there is an effect that convenience such as communication can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a map information display device and an information processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing on the information processing apparatus side.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of a map information display device on the transmission side.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the map information display device on the receiving side.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a current position display on a vehicle A side.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on a remotely operated vehicle A side.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display of a vehicle A whose current position has moved to the center.

FIG. 8 shows a vehicle B displaying a range based on a map range signal.
Explanatory drawing showing the display on the side.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a display on the vehicle B side when the range is enlarged and the vehicle is moved.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on the vehicle B side when the range is enlarged.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a current position display on the vehicle A side.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display on the vehicle B side in which a range based on a map range signal is displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,2 ... Navigation device (map information display device) 7,17,23 ... Communication device 8,18 ... Display unit 10,20,30 ... CPU (control means) C ... Information center

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB05 HB11 HB22 HB25 HB31 HC08 HC13 HC24 HD03 HD13 2F029 AA02 AC02 AC14 AC16 5H180 AA01 BB05 BB13 CC12 FF05 FF22 FF27 FF33

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A map information display device having a communication function, comprising: a display unit for displaying map information; a map range displayed on the display unit; A map information display device comprising: a control unit that transmits the map information to the device. 2. A map information display device having a communication function, comprising: a display unit for displaying map information; a receiving means for receiving a map range signal transmitted from an external communication device; Control means for displaying a range indicated by the map range signal on a map displayed on the display unit based on the map range signal. 3. An information processing apparatus having communication means for communicating with a plurality of map information display apparatuses, wherein a map area displayed by a specific map information display apparatus is detected, and the detected map is displayed. An information processing device comprising a control unit for transmitting a range signal to another map information display device. 4. The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein said control means simultaneously transmits a signal indicating a specific direction on a screen of a display unit to an external communication device. 5. The map information display device according to claim 2, wherein said control means displays its own position information on a map on a screen of a display unit. 6. The map information display according to claim 2, wherein said control means corrects the map range or the scale of the map with respect to the range indicated by the map range signal received by the receiving means, and displays the map information on the display unit. apparatus. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means transmits the map information of the detected map range signal to another map information display device. 8. The control means stores a past map range displayed by a specific map information display device and transmits the stored past map range to another map information display device in response to a request. 3. The information processing apparatus according to 3.