JP2003302227A - Map display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map display device that reduces a user's stress in scrolling operation. <P>SOLUTION: This map display device includes a display means 3 for displaying map information containing a designated spot designated by a pointer in the map information including a plurality of spots, an input means 1 for inputting a scroll instruction from the user, a scroll control means 3 for scrolling the map information on the basis of the designated spot according to the scroll instruction, and a storage means 4 for storing attribute information related to the attribute of each spot vicinity on the map information. The scroll control means 2 has a determination part 21 for reading the attribute information of the designated spot to make determination, a scroll speed deciding part 22 for deciding the scroll speed according to the input attribute information, and a scroll speed change instruction part 23 for outputting an instruction for changing the scroll speed to the decided speed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map display device for displaying map information, and more particularly to a map display device for scrolling the map information displayed according to an instruction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a map display device having a scroll function, there is known a map display device in which the scroll speed is changed according to the time for which a joystick or a button is kept pressed. In this type of map display device, the scroll speed can be increased by the user holding the button for a long time.

[0003]

However, when scrolling a map of an area where there is no sense of land, the user performs a scroll operation according to his or her own sense, but in some areas the scroll speed becomes too fast, and it was desired to display it. The situation occurs where you scroll past a point. In this case, in order to reduce the speed, it is necessary to press a button again, and the destination point that has passed has to be searched again by scrolling. It was difficult to grasp the distance to the destination point that was overlooked, and even if the user repeatedly scrolled in the opposite direction, he or she overlooked it again, and the user's stress on the scroll operation was high. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device and a program that improve the operability of the user in the scroll operation of map information.

[0004]

According to the invention described in claim 1, a display means for displaying map information, a point designating means for designating an arbitrary point on the map by using a cursor, and a user input. And a scroll control unit for scrolling the map information on the display unit according to the scroll command, wherein the scroll control unit scrolls the map information according to the map information of a point pointed by the cursor. There is provided a map display device that changes the speed of the. In the present invention, it is preferable that the scroll control unit slows the scroll speed when the point pointed by the cursor is a characteristic point on a predetermined map (claim 2). Although not particularly limited,
It is preferable that the characteristic point on the map is at least one of a road periphery, an urban area, a landmark, a building, a facility, and an event venue (claim 3). Further, the scroll control means calculates the scroll speed by referring to the correspondence information between the types of the characteristic points on the map and the scroll speed that are associated in advance, based on the map information of the point pointed by the cursor. It is preferable to do so (claim 4). Further, it is preferable that the scroll control unit increases the scroll speed when the point pointed by the cursor is other than the characteristic point on the map (claim 5).

According to the invention described in claim 6 from a different point of view, the step of instructing a vehicle-mounted computer having a map display function with an arbitrary point on the map using a cursor, and a scroll input by the user. Receiving an instruction to scroll the map information, reading the map information of the point pointed by the cursor, and changing the scrolling speed according to the read map information of the point pointed by the cursor A program is provided for performing the steps. In the present invention, it is preferable that the step of changing the scroll speed slows the scroll speed when the point pointed by the cursor is a characteristic point on a predetermined map. Although not particularly limited, it is preferable that the characteristic point on this map is at least one of a road periphery, a city area, a landmark, a building, a facility, and an event venue (claim 8). Further, the step of changing the scroll speed includes a step of reading correspondence information between types of feature points on the map and a scroll speed that are associated in advance, and map information of a point pointed by the read cursor. And a step of calculating the scroll speed from the read correspondence information (claim 9).

In the present invention, since the scroll speed changes according to the map information of the point pointed by the cursor,
The scroll operability for the user can be improved.

[0007]

According to the inventions of claims 1 to 9, it is possible to provide a map display device and a program in which the operability of the user in the scroll operation of map information is improved.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The map display device 100 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a display command from the user or the display control means of the map display device 100,
An input means 1 for inputting a scroll command, a display means 3 for displaying map information, a scroll control means 2 for controlling scrolling and scrolling speed, a RAM, a ROM for storing map information and other information, Or a storage means 4 which is a portable storage medium.

The input unit 1 is a unit that can be moved on the map information to specify and point an arbitrary point such as a cursor or a pointer that can point to an arbitrary point. The input unit 1 can also accept an input from the display control unit 31 that controls the display of map information on the map display device 100. For example, it is possible to automatically detect the position of the own vehicle by GPS (Global Positioning System) and input the position of the own vehicle via the cursor (input means) 1.

The cursor 1 indicates an arbitrary point in the map information on the display means 3. Here, the display means 3 for displaying the map information is the display 3, and the display 3 of the map display device 100 is used. Since the map information that can be displayed on the display 3 at one time is limited, the map information is moved (scrolled) relative to the display 3 to display the map information that the user wants to display.

This map information is stored in the storage information storage area 41 of the storage means 4. The map information is a representation of part or all of the earth's surface on a plane at a fixed scale using symbols, characters, colors, etc. Has been done.
Absolute position information such as the longitude and latitude of the point, for each or all points included in this map information,
Relative position information on the map (with respect to the road periphery and landmarks), attributes of the point, and any other map information regarding the point are stored in association with the point. Therefore, if the point is specified, all map information associated with the point can be read.

The "point" in this map information includes the concept of an area including the point. That is, when the map information is associated with each area defined by a predetermined mesh, or when the information is associated with each area defined by a predetermined range, there is a certain point. When it is pointed out as the "point", it is determined that the area including the point is pointed out, and the map information associated with the area is read.

In the map information of this embodiment, the "attribute information" indicating the point and what kind of place the point is.
Are associated with. According to this “attribute information”, it is possible to know the characteristics of the point (characteristic points on the map), such as what kind of purpose, use and state the place is. As this "attribute information", it is possible to use what is generally provided as map data for map display.

In the present embodiment, although not particularly limited, a "driving candidate point" will be defined and described as an example of the "characteristic point on the map". Specifically, of the "map information" or the "attribute information", predetermined information that can be a candidate for a vehicle to travel may be defined in advance, and a point associated with the map information including the predetermined information. "Candidate point"
Define as. The “driving candidate points” include at least points associated with map information for recognizing road periphery, urban area, landmarks, buildings, facilities, and event venues. There is a possibility that the vehicle will travel in the vicinity of the road, there is a possibility that the vehicle will travel in the urban area, and the landmark is also a mark on the travel route,
There is a high possibility that vehicles will travel, and vehicles should be secured for buildings and facilities.If the venue is an event, even if vehicles are not normally allowed to enter during the event, This is because it is considered possible for vehicles to enter. Here, the representative examples of the map information that defines the "candidate points" are given as general names, but the concepts included in these (for example, buildings include schools, hospitals, libraries, houses, buildings, etc.) and these Also includes information similar to.
The information that defines these "driving candidate points" and other characteristic points on the map is stored in the storage area 42 of the driving candidate point information of the storage means 4.
Remembered in.

Further, contrary to this "running candidate point",
Of the "map information" or "attribute information", the information that can be determined as a candidate for the vehicle to travel is not defined as a candidate in advance, and the point associated with the map information including that information is defined. It is defined as "non-running candidate point". The “non-driving candidate points” include at least points associated with map information that recognizes mountainous areas, rivers, lakes, seas, forests, and parks. Mountain areas, rivers, lakes, seas, etc. are unlikely to be accessible by vehicles, and users are unlikely to display detailed map information on lake areas, for example, so lake areas may be candidates for travel. Is low. In addition, even in forests and parks, vehicles that are designated as national parks or national parks are often prohibited from entering, and users can display maps on the premises of vast forests and parks. This is because the sex is considered to be low. However, it is necessary to display the route because vehicles can travel on forest roads even in mountainous areas, and even in parks where vehicle entry is restricted, routes to designated parking lots near Display is required. In such a case, since there is always a road, the "surrounding point" is changed to the "driving candidate point".
By defining as, the user's request is satisfied.

The information defining these "running candidate points" and "non-running candidate points" is "running candidate point information and / or
Alternatively, it is stored in the storage area 42 for non-traveling candidate point information.

This "running candidate point" or "non-running candidate point"
Whether or not it can be derived from map information such as attribute information associated with a point that is a "point" on the map,
It can also be derived from map information such as attribute information associated with an "area" including the point. That is,
The map information may be specified for each point or each area.

In this embodiment, the running candidate points 42, the non-running candidate points 42, and the scroll speed correspondence 42 are stored in the storage means 4, but these are arithmetic circuits of the scroll control means 2 for controlling the scroll speed. May be implemented in.

Next, the scroll control means 2 for controlling the scroll speed based on the above-mentioned "traveling candidate points" and / or "non-traveling candidate points" will be described. The scroll control unit 2 determines whether the point pointed by the cursor 1 is a "running candidate point" or a "non-running candidate point", and controls the scroll speed according to the determination.

In particular, in the present embodiment, the scroll speed is associated with each of the points included in the "running candidate points" and the "non-running candidate points" in the scroll speed correspondence storage area 43 of the storage means 4. I remember.

The scroll control means includes a map information reading section 21 for reading the map information in the storage means 4, and a scroll speed determining section 22 for determining the scroll speed according to the map information.
And a scroll speed change command unit 23 that outputs a scroll speed change command based on the determined speed.

The map information reading section 21 reads the map information on the point pointed by the cursor 1. The map information reading unit 21 has a travel candidate point determination unit 211. The traveling candidate point determination unit 211 determines, based on the read map information, whether or not the point pointed by the cursor is a “traveling candidate point” or a “non-driving candidate point”.

The scroll speed determination unit 22 uses the cursor 1
The scrolling speed is determined based on the determination by the traveling candidate point determining unit 211 regarding whether the point pointed to by is a “driving candidate point” or a “non-driving candidate point”.

The scroll speed change command section 23 generates a command for scrolling based on the speed determined by the scroll speed determination section 22, and the display control section 3 of the display means 3 is generated.
Output to 1.

2 and 3 based on such a configuration.
The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of this embodiment.
Upon activation (S101), the map display device 100 displays the map information of the area including the point pointed by the cursor 1 via the display 3 (S102). Then, when a scroll command is input from the input unit 1 including the cursor (S103), the map information reading unit 21 of the scroll control unit 2 reads the map information of the point pointed to by the cursor 1 (S104). Since the map information includes attribute information indicating what kind of place each point is, the map information reading unit 21 reads the attribute information in the map information regarding the point indicated by the cursor 1. (S10
5).

The scroll speed determination unit 22 uses the cursor 1
The scroll speed is determined based on the attribute information (map information) of the point indicated by (S106). The scroll speed is determined by referring to the scroll speed correspondence 43 stored in the storage means 4 based on the attribute information (map information) of the spot.

The scroll speed change command section 23 generates a command for changing the scroll speed based on the determined scroll speed and sends it to the display control section 31 of the display means 3. The display unit 3 scrolls after changing the scroll speed to the determined scroll speed (S10).
7). The point pointed by the cursor 1 is also changed by scrolling. The map information displayed is changed with the change of the point pointed by the cursor 1 (S10).
8) Wait for the input of the next scroll command.

The operation of determining the scroll speed based on the map information (including the attribute information) has been described above. Next, the operation of determining the scroll speed based on the determination as to whether or not the point pointed by the cursor 1 is the "traveling candidate point" or the "non-traveling candidate point" will be described with reference to FIG. The operation shown in FIG. 3 can be positioned in the subroutine of step 106 in FIG.

When the map information of the point pointed by the cursor 1 is read (S202), it is determined whether or not the point pointed by the cursor 1 is a travel candidate point based on the read map information (S203). . In the present embodiment, the “driving candidate points” are defined as at least the road periphery, urban area, landmarks, buildings, facilities, and event venues. Therefore, the traveling candidate point determination unit 211 determines whether or not the point corresponds to at least a road periphery, a city area, a landmark, a building, a facility, and an event venue from the read attribute information (map information). When it is determined that the point pointed by the cursor 1 is the “travel candidate point”, the scroll speed determination unit 22 determines the scroll speed to be a slower speed (it may be determined by referring to the scroll speed correspondence 43). (Available), and a scroll speed change command corresponding to this is generated in the scroll speed change command unit 23 and output to the display means 3. As a result, the scrolling speed is reduced (slower).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the point pointed by the cursor 1 is not the "running candidate point", the running candidate point determination unit 211 further determines that the point pointed by the cursor 1 corresponds to the "non-running candidate point". It is determined whether or not (S20
5). In this embodiment, the “non-driving candidate points” are defined as at least mountainous areas, rivers, lakes, seas, forests, and parks. Therefore, the traveling candidate point determination unit 211 determines whether or not the point corresponds to at least a mountainous area, a river, a lake, a sea, a forest, and a park from the read attribute information (map information). When the point pointed by the cursor 1 is a “non-running candidate point”, the scroll speed determination unit 22 determines the scroll speed to be a higher speed (it can also be determined by referring to the scroll speed correspondence 43), A scroll speed change command corresponding to this is generated in the scroll speed change command unit 23 and output to the display means 3.
As a result, the scroll speed increases (becomes faster)
(S206).

If it is determined in step 205 that the point pointed by the cursor 1 is not the "non-running candidate point", the scroll speed is maintained (S).
207).

When the scroll is performed at the changed speed, the point pointed by the cursor 1 is changed (S2
08). When the input of the scroll command is continued, this operation is repeated and the scroll is performed at the speed according to the point.

Thus, at the timing when the scroll command is input, the scroll speed is determined according to the map information of the point pointed by the cursor 1,
The user does not have to adjust the scrolling speed himself.

That is, while the user is looking at the map information,
Considering the necessity of display for each point and the scrolling speed, it is not necessary to perform a troublesome operation such as scrolling quickly at this point (area) and slowly displaying at this point. Such an operation requires paying attention to the displayed map information, but the user who is driving the vehicle can be relieved of such an operation.

Even when scrolling to a distant point, the appropriate scroll speed at the scroll start point and the appropriate scroll speed near the destination are naturally different. In this regard, in the present embodiment, since the scroll speed is controlled according to landmarks, urban areas, facilities, buildings, road periphery and other travel candidate points that are conscious of the destination, the user may become the destination or the destination. There is no need for a scroll operation that takes into consideration.

Therefore, the user can reduce the stress that the scrolling speed is slow even though it is difficult to be the destination such as a mountainous area or a vast lake, and the operation is slow. On the contrary, it is possible to reduce the user's stress that the scroll speed in the city area including the destination is too fast and the user passes the destination point and searches for the destination point and moves the cursor 1 forward and backward.

Thus, the map display device 1 of this embodiment
00 can reduce the user's stress in the scroll operation.

The basic structure and operation of the map display device 100 have been described above. Then, this map display device 100
An operation example of this embodiment will be described from the viewpoint of a user who operates. Here, "candidate running points" and "non-running candidate points"
An example of operation in which the scroll speed is controlled stepwise according to the above will be described. FIG. 4 shows map information displayed on the display 3. Now, it is assumed that the user scrolls the map information from the point A toward the point B and from the point A toward the point B.

In explaining the present example, some of the "driving candidate points" and "non-driving candidate points" used in the operation will be explained. In this example, the vicinity of the main road and the urban area are defined as the "driving candidate points". , A river is defined as a "non-driving candidate point". With respect to the running candidate points or the non-running candidate points, scroll speeds corresponding to these are defined.
The scroll speed is defined in 5 stages of 1 to 5. The speed 1 has the slowest scroll speed, the corresponding scroll speed becomes faster as the number increases, and the speed 5 has the fastest scroll speed.

The information used in this example will be specifically described. The scroll speed associated with the city area is "1 (slowest)". The scroll speed associated with a point on the main road around the main road is “2”, and a point (area) around the main road other than the main road
The scroll speed associated with is "3". The scroll speed associated with the river is "5 (fastest)". Here, only the parts necessary for the explanation of this example were introduced, but the "running candidate points" and "non-running candidate points" can be set arbitrarily, and the scroll speed can be set at any point at any stage. Can be specified in.

At the start of the operation, the cursor 1 is at the point A.
Pointing to. Scrolling starts from this point A. The cursor 1 advances from the point A to the area A. Area A
Has attribute information (map information) around the main road. In the area A, points on the highway are distinguished from points on the highway, and scroll speeds are associated with each other. In particular,
Speed "3" is associated with a point on the main road,
The speed "2" is associated with points around the main road but not on the main road. Therefore, in area A, in principle, scrolling is performed at a scroll speed "3" in the area around the main road, and at a scroll speed "2" only where the vehicle crosses the main road.

Subsequently, the point pointed by the cursor 1 goes from the area A to the area B. On the map information, the part indicated by a thin strip of black ink from the upper right to the lower left is a river. It is recognized from the map information that Area B is a river. Area B is to be scrolled at the scroll speed "5" associated with the "non-running candidate point" called the river.

The point pointed by the cursor 1 goes to the area C. Area C is an urban area including point B, which is the destination. In urban areas, detailed display is required, and scrolling is also required to be performed at a fine pitch. For this reason, the slowest scroll speed is associated with "1". Therefore, in area C, the scroll speed is "1".
To scroll.

In this way, when the user scrolls from the point A to the point B, in the present embodiment, the area A has a scroll speed of "2" or "3", the area B has a scroll speed of "5", and the area C. Scrolls at a scroll speed corresponding to each point, such as "1". At this time, the user may simply input a scroll command "scrolling" without controlling the speed by himself. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately display the necessary map information while reducing the stress when the user scrolls the map information.

The above-described embodiments are described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above-described embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents within the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram for explaining another operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displayed map information.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... Map display device 1. Input means, map instruction means (cursor, pointer) 2 ... Scroll control means (CPU) 21 ... Map information reading section 211 ... Candidate running point determination unit 22 ... Scroll speed determination unit 23 ... Scroll speed change command section 3 ... Display means (display) 4 ... storage means 41 ... Map information (including attribute information and travel candidate point information) 42 ... Driving candidate point information, non-driving candidate point information 43 ... Scroll speed correspondence

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A display unit for displaying map information, a point designating unit for designating a point on an arbitrary map by using a cursor, and the map information on the display unit according to a scroll command inputted by a user. A map display device comprising scroll control means for scrolling, wherein the scroll control means changes the scroll speed in accordance with map information of a point pointed by the cursor. 2. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the scroll control means slows down the scroll speed when the point pointed by the cursor is a characteristic point on a predetermined map. 3. The map display device according to claim 2, wherein the characteristic point on the map is at least one of a road periphery, a city area, a landmark, a building, a facility, and an event venue. 4. The scroll control means refers to pre-corresponding correspondence information between the types of characteristic points on the map and the scroll speed on the basis of the map information of the point pointed by the cursor, and the scroll control means The map display device according to claim 3, wherein speed is calculated. 5. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the scroll control means increases the speed of the scroll when the point pointed by the cursor is other than the characteristic point on the map. 6. A vehicle-mounted computer having a map display function, which uses a cursor to indicate a point on an arbitrary map, and which receives a scroll command input by a user to scroll the map information. A program for executing the step of reading the map information of the point pointed by the cursor, and the step of changing the scroll speed according to the read map information of the point pointed by the cursor. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein in the step of changing the scroll speed, the scroll speed is reduced when the point pointed by the cursor is a characteristic point on a predetermined map. 8. The program according to claim 7, wherein the characteristic point on the map is at least one of a road periphery, a city area, a landmark, a building, a facility, and an event venue. 9. The step of changing the scroll speed includes the step of reading the correspondence information between the types of feature points on the map and the scroll speed that are associated in advance, and the step of changing the point indicated by the read cursor. 9. The program according to claim 8, comprising a step of calculating the scroll speed from map information and the read correspondence information.