JP2004177148A - Navigation system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation apparatus, a method, and a program for reflecting a difference between daytime and nighttime on the earth on a display. <P>SOLUTION: A relative bearing detection part 6 and an absolute location detection part 7 measure the location of a motor vehicle. A main CPU 1 reads a map in the vicinity of the location of the motor vehicle from a storage means 5 on the basis of the measured location of the motor vehicle. A display control part 3 superposes the location of the motor vehicle on the map and displays on a display 12. The main CPU 1 computes the boundary between daytime and nighttime on the earth on the basis of the present day and time and receives the operation of altering the display scale of the map from an input part 14 and a remote-control light receiving part 15. In the case that the scale altered by this exceeds a prescribed scale, the display control part 3 differently draws a daytime part and a nighttime part in the map on the basis of the computed boundary between daytime and nighttime. The main CPU 1 alters at least either the color or luminance of the map to be displayed on the display 12 through the use of the display control part 3 according to whether the present location of the motor vehicle is located in the daytime side or in the nighttime side of the computed boundary between the daytime and nighttime. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device, a method, and a program for reflecting the difference between day and night on the earth.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of automobiles and digital technology, car navigation technology has rapidly advanced. Car navigation is implemented in the form of car navigation systems and navigation software for in-vehicle computing systems.The basic functions of these systems are to display a map and to detect the position of the vehicle in real time and display it on the map. It is to display.
[0003]
In addition, as an auxiliary function, using the road map data, it calculates and sets the optimal guidance route to the specified destination, and outputs route guidance such as right / left turn instructions and real-time traffic on the map. There are functions such as displaying information, and car navigation has been developed while adding these functions. Among the added functions is a function of displaying a world map in a plane or a globe.
[0004]
An example of such a navigation system is shown. In this example, the normal scale of the map display such as at the time of route guidance is, for example, 25 m to 300 km per centimeter on the screen. On the 300 km scale, which is the widest area display, about half of Japan is displayed. You.
[0005]
In the state of the wide area display of the widest area as described above, a part of the world map is displayed when the switch button for wide area is pressed, and the world map like a globe when the switch button for wide area is pressed further Is displayed. If the joystick is tilted to the right or left in this state, the globe will appear to rotate accordingly.
[0006]
In addition, as an example of changing the display mode of a map when the display range is widened by enlarging the scale by navigation, there has been proposed an example in which satellite photograph data is displayed on a screen as a map and the map has realism. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0007]
In addition, regarding the map display as described above, the surrounding brightness is significantly different between daytime and nighttime.Therefore, a technology for changing the color or lowering the brightness of the display at nighttime compared to the daytime display has been proposed. The determination of ON / OFF of the ILL signal taken from the vehicle signal interface circuit is used for the determination. The ILL signal indicates a state of the vehicle such as a small lamp or an instrument panel illumination.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-283784
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the conventional technology, when a world map is displayed on a plane or a globe, the display color of the land and the sea is the same for every region on the earth, and it is possible to know the actual day and night on the earth. I couldn't do that.
[0010]
Also, conventionally, when the color and the brightness of the display in the map display are automatically switched between daytime and nighttime based on the ON / OFF of the ILL signal, when the switching is unrelated to the actual time and the surrounding brightness, it is difficult to see. was there. For example, if a small lamp or a fog lamp is turned on other than at night due to running on a snowy road due to a snowstorm, there is an inconvenience that the surroundings are bright but the map screen is automatically darkened.
[0011]
There is also a proposal to use the time as the reference for switching between day and night use.However, since the time of sunrise and sunset changes depending on the season, there is a problem that the daylight / nighttime of the screen does not match the actual surrounding brightness. Was.
[0012]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program that reflect the display of day and night on the earth on a display. is there.
[0013]
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to display day and night on the earth on a world map. Another object of the present invention is to automatically switch between day and night map display in accordance with actual sunrise and sunset.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device according to claim 1 includes a storage unit that stores a map, a unit that measures a vehicle position, a display unit that displays information, and a display unit that displays information. Means for reading a map around the vehicle position from the storage means, superimposing the vehicle position on the map and displaying the map on the display unit, means for calculating the day / night boundary of the earth based on the current date and time, and display scale of the map Wherein the computer is provided with means for accepting the change operation of (i) and means for drawing the day and night portions on the map based on the calculated day / night boundary when the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale. And
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the navigation method, wherein the invention according to the first aspect is grasped from the viewpoint of a method. A computer which stores a map in a storage unit in advance measures a vehicle position, and performs a measurement based on the measured vehicle position. A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage means, the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit, the day / night boundary of the earth is calculated based on the current date and time, and the display scale of the map is changed. And if the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale, day and night portions are separately drawn on the map based on the calculated day / night boundary.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the navigation program captures the first and third aspects of the present invention from the viewpoint of a computer program. By controlling a computer that stores a map in a storage unit in advance, the vehicle position can be measured and measured. A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage means based on the vehicle position, and the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the day / night boundary of the earth is determined based on the current date and time. Calculating, accepting a change operation of the display scale of the map, and when the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale, the map is drawn on the basis of the calculated day / night boundary to separate day and night portions. And
[0017]
In these embodiments, the day / night boundary on the earth is calculated based on the positional relationship between the earth and the sun at the current date and time, and the day / night boundary is displayed by color coding on a world map of a predetermined scale or more. At a glance, it is possible to grasp the difference, and an interesting display effect can be obtained. The world map to be applied may be either a planar display or a globe-like sphere.
[0018]
3. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein: a storage unit that stores a map; a unit that measures a vehicle position; a display unit that displays information; and a map around the vehicle position from the storage unit based on the measured vehicle position. Means for reading the vehicle position on the map and displaying it on the display unit; means for calculating the day / night boundary of the earth based on the current date and time; and the day / night boundary where the current vehicle position is calculated. Means for changing at least one of the color and the brightness of the map displayed on the display unit according to the day side or the night side of the computer.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the navigation method according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein a computer that stores a map in a storage unit measures a vehicle position and stores the map based on the measured vehicle position. A map around the vehicle position is read from the means, the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the day / night boundary of the earth is calculated based on the current date and time, and the current vehicle position is calculated. According to another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the color and brightness of the map displayed on the display unit is changed according to whether the day / night boundary is the day side or the night side.
[0020]
The navigation program according to claim 6 captures the invention according to claims 2 and 4 from the viewpoint of a computer program, and controls a computer that stores a map in a storage unit to measure a vehicle position. A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage unit based on the vehicle position, the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit, and the day / night boundary of the earth is calculated based on the current date and time. Then, at least one of the color and the brightness of the map displayed on the display unit is changed according to whether the current vehicle position is the day side or the night side of the calculated day / night boundary.
[0021]
In these embodiments, the day / night boundary on the earth is calculated based on the positional relationship between the earth and the sun at the current date and time, etc., and depending on which side the vehicle is, the color and the brightness of the display in the normal detailed map display are set to daytime. Automatically switch to night use. Thereby, automatic switching according to the actual sunrise and sunset for each season is realized.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “embodiments”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present embodiment can be realized by controlling a computer with a program. However, in this case, the way of realizing the hardware and the program can be variously changed, and therefore, in the following description, each of the present invention and the present embodiment will be described. A virtual circuit block that realizes a function is used.
[0023]
[1. Constitution〕
The present embodiment shows a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as “the present system”) of the present invention, and can be grasped as a method, a program, and a recording medium on which such a program is recorded. It is also an aspect of the present invention to download and execute the navigation system of each vehicle via a communication network such as a telephone network.
[0024]
First, the present system is a navigation device for guiding a vehicle to a destination, and includes a main unit C and a display unit D as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. That is, in the main body C, 1 is a main CPU that controls the entire system. Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage unit such as a DRAM that provides a system work area and stores programs. Reference numeral 3 denotes a display control unit that draws a map, a menu, and the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a CPU peripheral circuit such as each device interface. Reference numeral 5 denotes a storage unit such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM drive, or a hard disk, which stores a map represented as data. Reference numeral 6 denotes a relative azimuth detecting unit using a gyro sensor or the like, and reference numeral 7 denotes an absolute position detecting unit using a GPS or the like.
[0025]
Reference numeral 8 denotes a voice (synthesis) unit for performing voice guidance, 9 denotes an output unit such as an amplifier for driving a guidance speaker, and 10 denotes a vehicle interface unit for taking in information about the vehicle such as a vehicle speed signal and a back signal. Reference numeral 11 denotes a VICS broadcast receiving unit that captures VICS information such as FM multiplex broadcast waves and roadside beacons.
[0026]
In the display unit D, reference numeral 12 denotes a display such as an LCD and a cathode ray tube for displaying a map, a menu, and the like, and reference numeral 13 denotes a video signal processing unit for displaying a video signal on the display 12. Reference numeral 14 denotes an input unit such as a touch panel and operation keys. Reference numeral 15 denotes a remote control light receiving unit that receives an infrared signal from a remote control unit.
[0027]
A storage means 5 such as a CD-ROM stores a map database, a search database, and the like when performing a navigation function, as in the related art. In the present embodiment, in addition to these information, the position of the sun in space coordinates is stored. Information, information about the orbit of the earth, the rotation period, and the direction of the earth axis is also stored.
[0028]
[2. Action)
[2-1. Outline)
In the present embodiment configured as described above, the relative azimuth detecting unit 6 and the absolute position detecting unit 7 measure the vehicle position, and the main CPU 1 stores the vehicle position around the vehicle position from the storage unit 5 based on the measured vehicle position. The map is read, and the display control unit 3 causes the display 12 to display the vehicle position over the map.
[0029]
Further, the main CPU 1 calculates the day / night boundary of the earth based on the current date and time, and accepts the operation of changing the display scale of the map from the input unit 14 or the remote control light receiving unit 15, and the display control unit 3 is changed accordingly. If the scale is larger than the predetermined scale, the day and night portions are separately drawn on the map based on the calculated day / night boundary.
[0030]
Further, the main CPU 1 determines the color or brightness of the map to be displayed on the display 12 through the display control unit 3 according to whether the current vehicle position is the day side or night side of the day / night boundary calculated as described above. Change at least one of
[0031]
[2-2. Display example of day / night boundary)
Here, FIG. 2 shows an example of a processing procedure relating to day / night boundary display on a world map. For example, when the user has selected the normal 25 m to 300 km scale, a normal map display as shown in FIG. 3 is performed, and a “wide area” button or a “detail” button is used to step-by-step between different display scales. (Steps 21 to 24). Then, consider the case where the user presses the "wide area" button during the display of such a normal map to perform scale-up, and a display as shown in FIG. 4, which is the maximum scale of the normal map, is obtained (step 24). When the user further presses the wide area button during the display at the maximum scale (step 25), the screen shifts to the world map screen of FIG.
[0032]
When displaying such a world map, an arithmetic operation is performed using the stored positional relationship between the sun and the earth and the position information of the position of the vehicle (step 26). The color or pattern is changed to a color or pattern different from the daytime portion to express the nighttime portion (step 27).
[0033]
When the user further presses the wide area button, the screen shifts to a globe screen as illustrated in FIG. 6 (step 28). On this globe screen, the position of the sun and the day and night on the earth are displayed three-dimensionally, and portions corresponding to the night are also color-coded (step 28). By moving a predetermined scroll button on the operation panel or the like, the globe and the sun can be rotated.
[0034]
As described above, by scrolling or rotating the display of the world map on a plane or a globe, it is possible to instantaneously identify which part of the earth is at night.
[0035]
[2-3. Switching between color and brightness)
By the way, whether the colors and brightness in the normal map display of FIGS. 3 and 4 are for daytime or nighttime, the night screen may be used when ON and the day screen may be used when OFF based on the ILL signal, as in the related art. However, automatic switching may be selectable. FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure in this case. That is, when the user has selected automatic switching in a menu or the like (step 72), the relative positional relationship between the earth and the sun is calculated (step 73), and the own vehicle is displayed as shown by the symbol (1) in FIG. When the position is behind the sun (step 74), the display is automatically switched to the night screen (step 75), and when the position is opposite to the day screen (step 76), the display mode is switched by switching the color palette.
[0036]
In this case, since the inclination of the rotation axis of the earth is also considered in the determination of the day and night, the change in the sunrise and sunset due to the season is accurately reflected, and the day and night color switching of the normal map is performed more than before. You will be able to do more advanced. Further, when the vehicle position is located near the midpoint between day and night as indicated by the symbol (2) in FIG. 8, the map color may be switched stepwise.
[0037]
[3. effect〕
As described above, in the present embodiment, the day / night boundary on the earth is calculated based on the positional relationship between the earth and the sun at the current date and time, and the day / night boundary is displayed in a world map of a predetermined scale or more by color coding or the like. It is possible to see at a glance the day and night of each region, and an interesting display effect can be obtained. It should be noted that the world map may be displayed in a two-dimensional manner or as a globe.
[0038]
Further, in the present embodiment, the day / night boundary on the earth is calculated based on the positional relationship between the earth and the sun at the current date and time, and the color and the luminance of the display in the normal detailed map display are calculated based on which side the vehicle is. Automatically switch between night and night use. Thereby, automatic switching according to the actual sunrise and sunset for each season is realized.
[0039]
[4. Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but includes other embodiments as exemplified below. For example, only one of the process of drawing the day portion and the night portion on the world map and the process of switching the color and brightness of the normal map display between day and night may be performed.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a navigation device, a method, and a program that reflect the difference between day and night on the earth.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for displaying a day / night boundary on a world map in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a normal display in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a case of a maximum scale among normal displays in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example of a world map according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a globe-type display example of a world map according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for switching between day and night display in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which a day / night boundary is calculated from the positional relationship between the earth and the sun in the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Main CPU
2 storage unit 3 display control unit 4 CPU peripheral circuit 5 storage unit 6 relative azimuth detection unit 7 absolute position detection unit 8 audio unit 9 output unit 10 vehicle interface unit 11 VICS broadcast reception unit 12 ... Display unit 13 ... Video signal processing unit 14 ... Input unit 15 ... Remote control light receiving unit

Claims (6)

Storage means for storing the map,
Means for measuring the vehicle position;
A display unit for displaying information;
Means for reading a map around the vehicle position from the storage means based on the measured vehicle position, and superimposing the vehicle position on the map and displaying it on the display unit;
Means for calculating the day / night boundary of the earth based on the current date and time;
Means for receiving a change operation of the display scale of the map,
Means for drawing the day and night portions on the map based on the calculated day / night boundary, if the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale;
A navigation device comprising a computer. Storage means for storing the map,
Means for measuring the vehicle position;
A display unit for displaying information;
Means for reading a map around the vehicle position from the storage means based on the measured vehicle position, and superimposing the vehicle position on the map and displaying it on the display unit;
Means for calculating the day / night boundary of the earth based on the current date and time;
Means for changing at least one of the color or luminance of the map displayed on the display unit, according to whether the current vehicle position is the dayside or nightside of the calculated day / night boundary,
A navigation device comprising a computer. A computer in which the map is stored in the storage means in advance,
Measure the vehicle position,
A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage unit based on the measured vehicle position, and the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Calculates the Earth day / night boundary based on the current date and time,
Accepting a change operation of the display scale of the map,
When the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale, a day and night part is drawn on the map based on the calculated day / night boundary. The computer storing the map in the storage means,
Measure the vehicle position,
A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage unit based on the measured vehicle position, and the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Calculates the Earth day / night boundary based on the current date and time,
A navigation method, wherein at least one of a color and a brightness of a map displayed on the display unit is changed according to whether the current vehicle position is the day side or the night side of the calculated day / night boundary. By controlling a computer that stores a map in the storage means in advance,
Measure the vehicle position,
A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage unit based on the measured vehicle position, and the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Calculate the day / night boundaries of the earth based on the current date and time,
A change operation of the display scale of the map is accepted,
If the changed scale is larger than a predetermined scale, the navigation program causes the map to draw the day and night portions based on the calculated day / night boundary. By controlling the computer that stores the map in the storage means,
Measure the vehicle position,
A map around the vehicle position is read from the storage unit based on the measured vehicle position, and the vehicle position is superimposed on the map and displayed on a predetermined display unit,
Calculate the day / night boundaries of the earth based on the current date and time,
A navigation program for changing at least one of a color and a brightness of a map displayed on the display unit in accordance with whether the current vehicle position is the day side or the night side of the calculated day / night boundary.

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