JP2002350155A - Car navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car navigation device of which the reliability is heightened by improving the visual recognizability of set via points, etc. SOLUTION: Characters, symbols, and location names indicating passage order 811 and locational information 812 are displayed in flag marks 81 superposed and displayed on map images 800 each corresponding to a set starting point, the via points, and a destination. Therefore, it is possible to improve visual recognizability and reliability at the setting of the via points, etc., and during traveling.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car navigation system, and more particularly to a car navigation system having improved visibility of a set point such as a transit point on a search route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this kind of navigation device has
For example, there is one disclosed in JP-A-2000-10475. In this type of conventional car navigation device, a route searched based on search conditions including a waypoint and the like is displayed on a display together with the waypoint and the like. Since it is only displayed with a flag, there is a problem that the exact location and the building name are often not known, and the visibility is poor. This problem will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a display image by a conventional car navigation device. As shown in FIG. 6, a map image 800 generated based on the map image information acquired from the map database is displayed on the display device, and the route R searched based on the search condition is superimposed on the map image 800. Is also displayed. Then, when setting each set point such as a transit point as one of the search conditions, the user looks at the road and place name information included in the map image 800, and operates the key switch operation or the like near the desired point. The pointer is moved, and when it is determined that the pointer has reached a desired point, this position is determined again as a set point by operating a key switch or the like.
After this setting is completed, the flags 90, 91, 92, 93, and 99 corresponding to the respective set points are displayed on the map image 80.
0 is superimposed and displayed. Here, the flag 90 is displayed at a position corresponding to the set departure point, and a character character “S” indicating that it is the departure point is drawn there. Further, the flag 99 is displayed at a position corresponding to the set destination, which is designed and drawn as a checkered flag indicating the destination. Furthermore, the flags 91, 92, and 93 are displayed at positions corresponding to the set waypoints, respectively, and include a numeral “1” indicating the passing order 91, 92, and 93,
“2” and “3” are drawn.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional car navigation device, the map image 800
The desired point is set with reference to the road and the place name information included in the above, and only the above-mentioned flags 90, 91, 92, 93 and 94 of simplified numbers and designs are displayed at this set point. . Therefore, the user of this car navigation device could not immediately and accurately recognize the points where the flags 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94 are displayed.

[0005] That is, when setting a waypoint or the like, an approximate point can be set by referring to the road and place name information included in the map image 800, but it is necessary to determine whether a desired intersection or building is specified accurately. I didn't know. Even after the setting, the above-mentioned flags 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94 of simplified numbers and designs are merely arranged at this set point, so that the visibility of the intersections and building names which are the points is reduced. When traveling along the route that was actually searched, it was sometimes uneasy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a car navigation device having improved reliability by improving the visibility of a set waypoint or the like in view of the above-mentioned situation.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus.
As shown in the basic configuration diagram of FIG.
, A map image display control means 101 for generating a map image based on the acquired map image information and displaying the map image on the display unit 3, and a route search condition including the set departure point, waypoint, and destination point And a search route display control means 102 for displaying a route searched based on the above, and each mark corresponding to the set departure point, waypoint, and destination point on the map image, respectively. A pass-through order display means for displaying, in each of the landmarks, a character character indicating a pass order based on the set departure point, waypoint, and destination point; and the set departure point, waypoint. A position information acquisition unit 104 for acquiring position information corresponding to a destination point from the map database 51; It said starting point that has been acquired at 4,
It is characterized by including at least position information display means 105 for displaying position information corresponding to a waypoint and a destination point, and displaying at least a character character in each of the landmarks.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the passing order and the position information are included in the respective marks superimposed and displayed on the map image corresponding to the set departure point, waypoint and destination point. Is displayed. Therefore, visibility and reliability are improved when setting a waypoint or the like or during traveling.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation device, wherein the position information includes a character character. It is a landmark name represented by.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the landmark name of the character character as indicated by reference numeral 812 in FIG. 4 is displayed in the mark, the set point can be more reliably recognized.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus as set forth in FIG. 1, wherein the position information is a character character. And a landmark name represented by a combination of a symbol and a symbol mark.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a landmark name represented by a combination of a character character and a symbol mark as indicated by reference numeral 822 in FIG. You can see the setting point. In particular, landmarks can be efficiently displayed in a limited display space by using symbol marks.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation apparatus as set forth in the first embodiment, wherein the position information is a character character. It is characterized by a place name represented by.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the place name represented by the character character indicated by reference numeral 832 in FIG. 4 is displayed in the mark, so that the set point can be more reliably visually recognized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation system as set forth in the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein: The starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point are displayed in different colors.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the marks are displayed in different colors at the departure point, the transit point, and the destination point. The synergistic effect of the above greatly improves the visibility of the waypoint while traveling.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a car navigation system as set forth in the first or second aspect. The waypoint is displayed in a different shape from the other points.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the marks are displayed in different shapes at the departure point, the transit point, and the destination point. The synergistic effect of the above greatly improves the visibility of the waypoint while traveling.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a hardware configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the present car navigation device includes a microcomputer 1, a key switch 2, a display device 3, a storage unit 4, a DVD-ROM or the like 5, a speed sensor or the like 6, a speed sensor 6 and the like connected to the microcomputer 1, respectively.
It is configured to include the receiver 7.

The microcomputer 1 includes a ROM 11 in which basic programs and application programs are installed in advance, and a RAM mainly functioning as a work area.
12 is included. The microcomputer 1 performs a predetermined operation according to a program stored in the ROM 11. The application program is a DVD-RO described later.
A map image is generated based on the map database 51 stored in the M and the like 5 and a display process according to the present embodiment is performed. This application program is assumed to be pre-installed in the ROM 11 for the sake of simplicity, but is stored in a storage unit 4 or a DVD-ROM 5 to be described later. You may make it.

The key switch 2 is a command input device used when setting search conditions and routes. More specifically,
An arrow key for moving an instruction pointer to a desired position on the map image displayed on the display device 3, an enter key for confirming or confirming input, a menu selection key, and the like. In addition, if it has the same function as these,
Other types of command input devices and voice input devices may be used.

The display device 3 is, for example, a known display device such as a color LCD with a backlight (corresponding to a display unit in the claims). The display device 3 displays a map image, a search route displayed by being superimposed on the map image, and each flag mark such as a transit point to be described later.

The storage unit 4 stores a graphic file 41 in which a set point, a searched route, and the like to be described later are stored. In addition, SRAM, HD, etc. are assumed.

The DVD-ROM 5 is a recording medium in which the map database 51 is stored in advance. The map database 51 includes map image information as base data for generating a map image, and position information corresponding to the map image. The position information is, for example, a table to which representative place names, landmarks, and the like are assigned corresponding to each latitude and longitude. This DVD-ROM 5 is a known DVD.
(Digital Versatile Disc) or CD (Compact Disc).

Although the speed sensor 6 and the GPS receiver 7 are not particularly necessary for understanding the present invention, they are used for detecting the current position of the own vehicle which is normally provided in this type of car navigation device. It is a position detecting device. The current position calculated using the speed sensor 6 and the GPS receiver 7 is displayed by being superimposed on a map image of the display device 3 by a predetermined pointer so that the driver can recognize the current position of the own vehicle. Is done.

The microcomputer 1 and reference numerals 2 to 7
Are connected via their interface circuits, driver circuits and the like, but they are omitted in FIG. Although not shown, a speaker for guiding the searched route by voice may be connected to the microcomputer 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a processing procedure and a display image relating to the car navigation apparatus having such a configuration.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 3 (A), (B) and (C)
6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating an example of a display image according to the present embodiment.

In step S1 of FIG. 3A, map image information is obtained from the map database 51, and based on this, a map image is generated by the application program. Then, for example, a map image 800 as shown in FIG. This step S1 corresponds to a map image display control means in the claims, and a known technique is used for this.

In step S2, a route setting point setting process is performed. This setting process is performed as shown in FIG.
As described later, the starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point are basically performed using the key switch 2. At the positions of the map image 800 corresponding to the set departure point, route point, and destination point, a flag 81 including a passing order and position information is displayed. The flag 81 or the like corresponds to a mark in the claim, and this will be described again.

In step S3, other search conditions such as a road type and a road width are set. Then, in step S4, in response to a search start trigger by the key switch 2, a route search is performed by a simulation calculation such as a known horizontal search method or Dijkstra method. Further, in step S5, the line segment indicating the searched route R is displayed so as to be superimposed on the map image 800. At the same time, each flag corresponding to the route set point set in step S2 is also displayed so as to be superimposed on the map image 800. Steps S4 and S5 correspond to the search route display control means in the claims.

Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the key switch 2 has been instructed to save the search result screen as shown in FIG. Here, if there is no save instruction, the series of processing ends as it is (step S6).
N), if there is a save instruction, step S to perform a save process
The process proceeds to 7.

In step S7, the search screen is stored in the storage unit 4 as a graphic file 41. The stored search result screen is used, for example, when the search processing in steps S2 to S5 is performed based on another search condition, and is read out again and displayed on the display device 3. . In this way,
A series of processes according to the present embodiment ends.

FIG. 3B is a subroutine showing the process of setting the route setting point in the above step S2.
In step S101, a starting point is set.
In this setting, the key switch 2 is operated, for example,
The position of the instruction pointer is controlled to a position corresponding to “Daiwa Building” shown in FIG. Then, the key switch 2 is operated, and this position is determined as the starting point.

Next, in step S102, a set point drawing process is performed. Although this process will be described later with reference to FIG. 3C, basically, position information 802 corresponding to the set point is acquired from the map database 51, and the character character “Yamato Building” indicating the position information 802 is flagged with a flag. It is displayed in 80. In addition, a character letter “S” indicating the passing order 801 of the set points is also displayed in the flag 80.

If there is a waypoint setting, the process proceeds to step S104 to set a waypoint to set a waypoint (Y in step S103). If no waypoint is set, a destination point is set. The process moves to step S106 (N in step S103).

In step S104, a waypoint is set. Also at this time, the key switch 2 is operated, and for example, the position of the instruction pointer is controlled to a position corresponding to "Yaesu Hotel" shown in FIG. Then, the key switch 2 is operated, and this position is determined as a waypoint. Then, in step S105, a set point drawing process is performed. This processing is performed in step S102.
Basically, the position information 812 corresponding to the set point is obtained from the map database 51, and the character character “Yaesu H” indicating the position information 812 is displayed in the flag 81. In addition, a character character “1” indicating the passing order 811 of the set points is also displayed in the flag 81.

The waypoint setting in steps S104 and S105 is performed as long as there is a waypoint to be set (Y in step S103). In the example of FIG. 4, “Nihonbashi Post Office” and “Treasure Town Intersection” are further set in this order as the waypoints, and the character character “2” as the passing order 821 and the character character and symbol “Nihonbashi と し て” and the character character “3” as the passing order 831 and the character character “Takaracho intersection” as the position information 832 are displayed in the flag 83.

Next, in step S106, a destination is set. Also during this setting, the key switch 2 is operated, for example, the position of the instruction pointer is controlled to a position corresponding to "Hatchobori Station" shown in FIG. Then, the key switch 2 is operated, and this position is determined as the destination point. Then, in step S107, a set point drawing process is performed. This processing is performed in step S102.
Basically, the position information 892 corresponding to the set point is obtained from the map database 51, and a character character “Hatchobori Station” indicating the position information 892 is displayed in the flag 89. In addition, a character character “G” indicating the passing order 891 of the set points is also displayed in the flag 89. In this way, the subroutine for the process of setting the route set point ends, and returns.

FIG. 3C is a subroutine showing the set point drawing process in steps S102, S105, and S107.
In FIG. 4A, a flag (for example, reference numerals 80, 81, and 8) is superimposed on the map image 800 shown in FIG.
2, 83 and 89) are displayed. Step S1
At 02b, the passing order (for example, reference numerals 801, 811, 821, 831 and 891) is displayed in the flag. This step S102b corresponds to a passing order display means in the claims.

Next, in step S102c, the DVD
-Location information is acquired from the map database 51 stored in the ROM 5 or the like, and in step S102d, a place name, a landmark name, and the like are displayed in the flag. This place name,
Landmark names and the like are indicated by reference numerals 802 and 812 in FIG.
822, 832, and 892. Character characters are alphanumeric characters such as "Yamato Building", "Yaesu H", "Takarocho Intersection", kanji, hiragana, and katakana, and the symbol is "@" indicating a post office. The display of the place name, the landmark name, and the like is displayed by the character characters, the symbols, or a combination thereof. This step S1
02c corresponds to a position information acquisition unit in the claims, and step S102d corresponds to a position information display unit.

As described above, since the landmark names of character characters such as "Yamato Building" and "Yaesu H" are displayed in the flag, the point where the flag is displayed can be more reliably recognized. become. In addition, since the landmark name represented by a combination of character characters and symbol marks such as "Nihonbashi 〒" is displayed in the flag,
More reliably, the point where the flag is displayed can be visually recognized. In particular, by using a symbol mark such as “〒” together, a landmark can be efficiently displayed in a limited display space. Further, since the place name expressed by character characters such as "Takarocho intersection" is also displayed in the flag, the point where the flag is displayed can be more reliably recognized.

Then, in order to clearly identify the starting point, the waypoint, and the destination point, the flags are color-coded in steps S102e to S102h. For example,
The flag 80 displayed at the departure point is painted red as shown in step S102f, and the flag 8 displayed at the waypoint is displayed.
1, 82, and 83 are painted green as shown in step S102g, and the flag 89 displayed at the destination is painted yellow as shown in step S102h.

As described above, since the flags corresponding to the departure point, the waypoint, and the destination point are displayed in different colors, a synergistic effect with the character display and the symbol display of the passing order and the position information is used. Thus, the visibility of the waypoints during traveling is greatly improved. Note that these color classifications are not limited to the combinations described above, and may be changed as appropriate. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the shapes of the flags of the departure point, the waypoint, and the destination point may be changed. Further, the shape and the color may be displayed in combination. Thus, the subroutine relating to the set point drawing processing returns.

Although the above-described processing procedure has been described with reference to FIG. 4, it is similarly applied when a display image as shown in FIG. 5 is generated. FIG. 5 is a front view showing another example of the display image according to the present embodiment.

In the display image shown in FIG. 5, rectangular flags 81, 82 and 83 corresponding to the waypoints of the display image shown in FIG.
It is displayed in place of 2a and 83a. Each flag 81
a, 82a and position information 80 displayed in 83a
1, 811, 821, 831 and 891, and the passing order 80
2, 812, 822, 832 and 892 are the same as those shown in FIG.

The processing procedure relating to the display image as shown in FIG. 5 is basically the same as the processing procedure described with reference to FIG. 4, except that step S1 in FIG.
In the flag display process of 02a, semi-elliptical flag 81a, 82a and 8
3a is displayed. However, the flag corresponding to the departure point or the destination point is formed in a rectangular shape so that it can be easily distinguished from the waypoint.

As described above, the flags are displayed in different shapes at the departure point, the transit point, and the destination point, so that the travel order and the positional information are displayed in synergy with the character character display and the symbol display. The visibility of the waypoint inside is greatly improved.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the passing order is included in each of the flags displayed superimposed on the map image 800 corresponding to the set departure point, waypoint, and destination point, respectively. And character characters and symbols indicating the position information are displayed. Therefore, the visibility and the reliability are remarkably improved at the time of setting a waypoint or the like or during traveling along a search route including the set point.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the shapes and colors of the flags described in the above embodiments, but can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the gist of the present invention.

[0050]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the landmarks superimposed on the map image and displayed corresponding to the set departure point, waypoint, and destination point, respectively. , Character characters indicating the passing order and the position information are displayed. Therefore, visibility and reliability are improved when setting a waypoint or the like or during traveling.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the landmark name of the character character as indicated by reference numeral 812 in FIG. 4 is displayed in the mark, the set point can be visually recognized more reliably. .

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a landmark name represented by a combination of a character character and a symbol mark as indicated by reference numeral 822 in FIG. The set point can be visually recognized. In particular, landmarks can be efficiently displayed in a limited display space by using symbol marks.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the place name represented by the character character as shown by reference numeral 832 in FIG. 4 is displayed in the mark, so that the set point can be more reliably recognized. Become.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the marks are displayed in different colors at the departure point, the transit point, and the destination point. The synergistic effect of the above greatly improves the visibility of the waypoint while traveling.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the marks are displayed in different shapes at the departure point, the transit point, and the destination point. The synergistic effect of the above greatly improves the visibility of the waypoint while traveling.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a car navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are flowcharts illustrating a processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an example of a display image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing another example of the display image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an example of a display image by a conventional car navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Microcomputer 2 Key switch 3 Display device (display part) 4 Storage part 5 DVD-ROM etc. 6 Speed sensor etc. 7 GPS receiver 80-83, 89 Flags (marks) 81a-83a Flags (marks)

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB02 HB22 HC16 HC22 HC26 HC27 HD21 2F029 AA02 AB01 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 AC18 AC19 5H180 AA01 BB12 EE02 FF04 FF05 FF22 FF25 FF27 FF35 FF40

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A map image display control means for acquiring map image information stored in a map database, generating a map image based on the information, and displaying the map image on a display unit; Search route display control means for displaying the route searched based on the route search condition including, and the set departure point, the waypoint, and each landmark corresponding to the destination point in a manner superimposed on the map image, A car navigation device comprising: a passing order display means for displaying, in each of the landmarks, character characters indicating a passing order based on the set starting point, waypoint, and destination point; A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information corresponding to a point, a waypoint, and a destination point from the map database; And a position information display means for displaying at least a character character in each of the landmarks, respectively indicating position information corresponding to the departure point, waypoint, and destination point acquired at Navigation device. 2. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the position information is a landmark name represented by character characters. 3. The car navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the position information is a landmark name represented by a combination of a character and a symbol mark. 4. The car navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the position information is a place name represented by character characters. 5. The car navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the mark is displayed in a different color for each of the departure point, the waypoint, and the destination point. 6. The car navigation device according to claim 2, wherein at least the mark is displayed in a different shape from the other points.