JP2004317222A - Navigation device, and display method of landmark in the navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation device capable of displaying a landmark in a highlighted manner so that it is easily recognized by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation device of this invention includes a judging means for judging whether a facility is used or not, a storage means for storing the use rate data of each facility, an updating means for calculating the use rate of each facility and updating the use rate data of the storing means when the judging means judges that a facility is used and a display control means for changing the level of highlight for the landmarks of the facility to be displayed on a display in accordance with the use rate data of the facility stored by the storing means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that searches for a route to a destination and guides the user to the destination according to the searched route. In particular, the present invention relates to a facility mark (hereinafter, referred to as a landmark) that reflects the preferences of a user (user). ) Display.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The navigation device reads the map data around the vehicle position from the storage medium by detecting the current position of the vehicle, draws the map on the display, and draws the vehicle mark on the map in a superimposed manner. When the current position changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the map is scrolled or the vehicle mark on the map is moved in accordance with the change to present the map information around the vehicle position to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.
[0003]
Further, the navigation device has a function of displaying landmarks on a map on a display in order to easily provide the types and positions of facilities existing around the vehicle position. However, displaying landmarks for all facilities on the display makes it rather difficult to see them. Is selectively displayed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-160088
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, displaying a landmark as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problem. In Patent Literature 1, the frequency of use of the facility is sequentially stored in the memory every time the user uses the facility, so that the memory capacity is gradually reduced. You have to retrieve the data and delete it. On the other hand, in order to eliminate such deletion processing, a considerably large-capacity memory is required. Furthermore, in Patent Literature 1, since landmarks are displayed alternatively or not depending on the frequency of use of facilities, the user knows information on facilities that have never been used in the past. For no reason, this is not always satisfactory to the user. For example, if there is only a facility that has never been used in a certain area, the user searches for a facility that has been used in another area in the past without knowing that the facility exists. It can happen.
[0006]
In view of the above, the present invention provides a navigation device that solves the above-described conventional technology and can display a landmark that reflects the user's preference in an easily understandable manner.
Further, the present invention provides a navigation device capable of efficiently storing facility use information relating to landmarks.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The navigation device according to the present invention has a function of displaying a landmark of a facility together with a map on a display, and further has the following configuration; a determination unit for determining whether or not a facility is used; A storage unit for storing usage ratio data of, and when the determination unit determines that a facility has been used, calculates a usage ratio for each facility and updates the usage ratio data of the storage unit, Display control means for changing the degree of emphasis of the landmark of the facility displayed on the display according to the facility use ratio data stored in the storage means.
[0008]
As a result, the landmarks of facilities with a high usage rate are highlighted and displayed on the other hand, while the landmarks of facilities with a low usage rate are displayed relatively weaker than others, thereby reflecting user preferences. A landmark can be displayed. Thereby, the user can recognize at a glance the facility he or she frequently uses from the landmark displayed on the display, and the convenience is improved.
[0009]
Further, the storage means of the present invention stores the use rate data for each facility, and the use rate data is updated when the facility is used, so that the storage means only needs to have a certain storage capacity. Unlike Patent Document 1 described in the conventional example, it is not necessary to check the remaining memory capacity every time a facility is used, and it is not necessary to delete old data in order. Further, according to the present invention, all landmarks can be displayed with a relative emphasis degree, which is more incomparable to a case where landmarks that are not frequently used are hidden as in Patent Document 1. Sometimes useful.
[0010]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the display device further includes highlight information storage means for storing highlight information corresponding to the usage rate for the landmark for each facility, and the display control means controls the landmark based on the highlight information stored in the storage means. The degree of emphasis of the mark display can be changed.
[0011]
Preferably, the display information includes size information on the size of the landmark, and the display control means can change the size of the landmark on the display according to the size information according to the usage ratio. For example, the size of the landmark icon is changed.
[0012]
Preferably, the display information includes information relating to the color of the landmark, and the display control means can change the resolution of the landmark on the display according to the resolution information corresponding to the usage ratio. For example, landmarks are displayed in black and white or in color. Further, the contrast may be changed.
[0013]
Further, the display information includes information on the shape of the landmark, and the display control means can change the shape of the landmark on the display according to the shape information according to the usage ratio. For example, the landmark is changed from a two-dimensional display to a three-dimensional display, or vice versa.
[0014]
A method for displaying a landmark of a navigation device according to the present invention includes the following steps: a step of obtaining a usage rate of a facility; and changing the display of the landmark of the facility in a gradation manner in accordance with the usage rate. Steps. As a result, the landmark can be displayed in a gradation corresponding to the facility use ratio, so that the user can recognize the facility use ratio at a glance and display the information reflecting the user's preference. Therefore, the convenience can be improved.
[0015]
The gradation change changes the size of the landmark in proportion to the usage rate, changes the resolution of the landmark in proportion to the usage rate, or displays the landmark three-dimensionally in proportion to the usage rate. be able to.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 10, a self-contained navigation sensor 11, a VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12, an operation panel 20, a voice input unit 21, a remote control operation unit 22, an input interface 23, and a storage device 30 for storing map data and the like. , An audio output unit 40, a speaker 41, a display control unit 50, a display 51, a program memory 60, a data memory 70, a vehicle state information source 90 including information on the state of the vehicle, a vehicle bus 91 connected thereto, And a control unit 80 for controlling the
[0017]
The GPS receiver 10 receives a radio wave from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and measures the current position and current direction of the vehicle. The measured position information includes data on the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The self-contained navigation sensor 11 includes a vehicle speed sensor for detecting a moving distance of the vehicle and an angle for detecting a rotation angle of the vehicle. Output signals of the GPS receiver 10 and the self-contained navigation sensor 11 are supplied to a control unit 80, and the control unit 80 calculates the current position and direction of the vehicle based on these output signals.
[0018]
The VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12 sequentially receives current road traffic information outside the vehicle via the antenna 13. VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) provides road traffic information in real time, and transmits information by FM multiplexing (text broadcasting), radio beacons, and optical beacons.
[0019]
The operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22 constitute an input of the navigation device 1. The user gives various instructions and settings to the navigation device 1 via these inputs, such as searching for the destination, searching for a route to the destination, and changing the settings of the display screen. The operation panel 20 can use, for example, a plurality of operation keys 52 provided below the display 51. The voice input unit 21 transmits a user's voice input from a voice input microphone (not shown) to the input interface 23, and converts a voice analog signal into a digital signal. The remote control operation unit 22 includes a plurality of input keys. When the user operates the input keys, the input operation is transmitted to the input interface 23 through wireless communication. The input interface 23 is connected to the operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22, and transmits input information input by a user to the control unit 80.
[0020]
The storage device 30 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), DVD, or CD-ROM, and stores map data, addresses, telephones, facilities, and other databases required for the navigation device, and landmarks for each facility. It stores image data and the like for drawing. Further, the storage device 30 of the present invention displays the landmarks in gradation or with a different degree of emphasis according to the facility usage ratio. And highlighting information for highlighting. Furthermore, the storage device 30 can store a program for executing various functions of the navigation device, and stores music data when the navigation device has an audio function.
[0021]
The data communication control unit 31 transmits and receives data wirelessly. The data communication control unit 31 may include a communication device for transmitting and receiving data in the navigation device, or may externally attach a mobile phone or an electronic device having a communication function to the navigation device. . The data communication control unit 31 communicates with an external server or the like via a network, and transmits / receives data on road traffic information to / from a traffic information center such as ATIS, thereby sequentially obtaining real-time dynamic information. be able to. Further, the latest road, map data, facility data, and latest music data can be downloaded from a predetermined server, and the contents of the storage device 30 can be updated. The data communication control unit 31 can also provide entertainment information and road traffic information such as facilities and restaurants held by the navigation device 1 to a mobile phone or the like.
[0022]
The audio output unit 40 includes a speaker 41, and outputs sound from the speaker 41 under the control of the control unit 80. For example, a sound that prompts the driver to pay attention to the course direction before the intersection is output as information until the user reaches the destination, or an operation input to the user is performed when the user performs an interactive input to the navigation device. Output a voice instruction. Further, the audio output unit 40 outputs music when the navigation device performs an audio function.
[0023]
The display control unit 50 is connected to the display 51, and displays a map on the display 51 based on data read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 under the control of the control unit 80, or displays a map on the map. A vehicle mark indicating a current position of the vehicle, a route to a destination, a guidance display at a branch point such as an intersection, a landmark of a facility, and the like are combined. Further, information on an instruction or operation input by the user from the operation panel 20 or the like is displayed on a map or on another screen. The display control unit 50 preferably includes a VRAM such as a FIFO, stores data relating to a map, a road, and a guidance display read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 in the VRAM, and stores the data in the map data read from the VRAM. Synthesize various data. The display 51 is, for example, a horizontally long wide screen using liquid crystal or plasma, and can display two screens under the control of the display control unit 50.
[0024]
The program memory 60 stores various programs executed in the navigation device, and these programs are executed by the control unit 80. The program memory 60 may be configured using, for example, a rewritable RAM, and may read out a program stored in the storage device 30. Alternatively, a ROM in which a program is stored in advance can be used. The contents of the program include, for example, a program 61 for searching for a route to a destination and a program 62 for setting and changing a map displayed on the display 51. Further, the present invention has a landmark display program 63 for changing the degree of emphasis of landmark display according to the usage ratio of facilities. The operation of the program 63 will be described later in detail.
[0025]
The data memory 70 stores processing results of various operations processed by the control unit 80, map data 71 read from the storage device 30, and the like. Further, the data memory 70 stores the searched guidance route data 72 and the road traffic information 73 received from the VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12 when the control unit 80 searches for a route to the destination. I do. Further, the data memory 70 stores facility use ratio data 74 read from the storage device 30 and highlight information 75 relating to landmark highlighting. Each time a facility is used, the facility use ratio is displayed. The data is updated, and the display information is used when displaying the landmark on the display 51. As the data memory 70, a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or the like can be used. After using the navigation device, the contents of the data memory 70 may be transferred to the storage device 30. Further, the external memory 76 that can be mounted on the navigation device 1 may be used in combination with the data memory 70.
[0026]
The vehicle status information source 90 includes ignition key on / off information, door opening / closing information, and fuel filler opening / closing information, and these information are supplied to the navigation device 1 via the vehicle bus 91 as necessary. .
[0027]
The navigation device according to the present invention has a function of changing the landmark display in gradation or the degree of emphasis of the display according to the usage ratio of the facility. This operation is executed by the control unit 80 that executes the landmark display program 63. Hereinafter, this operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0028]
The power is dropped, and the vehicle starts running (Step S101). Thus, the vehicle position is detected by the GPS receiver 10 or the like (step S102). The control unit 80 reads map data, facility data, and the like corresponding to the vehicle position from the storage device 30 (step S103), and controls the display control unit 50 to display a map around the vehicle, the own vehicle mark, and the like on the display 51 under the control of the display control unit 50. A landmark representing the facility is displayed (step S104). As the position of the vehicle changes, corresponding map data and the like are read from the storage device and displayed. For convenience of explanation, the display of the landmark will be described in step S109.
[0029]
Next, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has used the facility during traveling (step S105). In the present embodiment, the ignition key ON / OFF information, the door opening / closing information, and the fuel filler opening / closing information are used to determine this. These pieces of information can be obtained from the vehicle state information source 90 via the vehicle bus 91.
[0030]
For example, when the fuel filler is opened, it is determined that gas station facilities have been used regardless of whether the ignition key is on or off. Alternatively, when the ignition key is on and the door is opened for a certain period of time, it is determined that the facility has been used. This is only an example.In addition to this, it is determined that the facility has been used when the parking brake is turned on and the door is opened with the ignition key on, using the parking brake on / off information. You can also.
[0031]
When it is determined that the facility has been used, next, the used facility is specified (step S106). Facilities located within a predetermined range (for example, a radius of 5 m) from the vehicle are detected based on the vehicle position information.
[0032]
Next, the facility use ratio is calculated (step S107). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of facility data for each type of business. The facility data is classified for each different type of business. For example, the type of business A is a convenience store, the type of business B is a gas station, and the type of business C is a family restaurant. Further, facilities included in each type of business are classified. The classification is performed based on, for example, the name of the facility (○ store, △△ store) and whether or not the stores are the same affiliated store. Then, for each facility, the usage rate data of the facility and the highlight information on the landmark display of the facility are assigned.
[0033]
FIG. 4 illustrates a method of calculating the usage ratio of facilities. Here, the usage ratio for the facility of the type B is taken as an example. In the figure, “N” is the number of times of use in all facilities included in the type of business B, and N1, N2, N3... Nn are the number of times of use of facilities b1, b2, b3. The usage rate of each facility is calculated by dividing the number of times of use of each facility by the number of times of use of the entire business B. The number of uses “N” of the type of business B is such that “1” is added to the number of uses each time a facility included in the type of business B is used, and at the same time, “1” is also added to the number of uses of the used facility. Based on this, the usage ratio for each facility is updated.
[0034]
Returning to FIG. 2 again, the use ratio for each facility is calculated by the above-described processing, and all the use ratio data for each facility is updated (step S108).
[0035]
Next, the control unit 80 displays landmarks on the display 51 in accordance with the usage ratio of each facility (step S109). FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the usage ratio and the highlighted display information. Here, as an example, the use rate of the facility is divided into four stages (0 to 29%, 30 to 59%, 60 to 89%, 90 to 100%), and the highlighted display information of the landmarks corresponding thereto is shown. ing. The highlighting information includes, for example, the size, contrast, resolution, and shape of the landmark. The size is the size of the landmark displayed on the display, and is set so that the size increases as the usage rate increases. The contrast is a difference between lightness and darkness between the landmark and the background screen. As the usage ratio increases, the contrast increases. The resolution (the number of allocated bits is shown in the figure) is changed to monochrome display when the usage rate is 0 to 30%, and to monochrome display and color display when the usage rate is high. The shape of the landmark is changed from a two-dimensional planar shape to a three-dimensional solid shape as the utilization ratio increases.
[0036]
The control unit 80 may refer to the highlighting information and select a landmark corresponding to the highlighting information from the image data of the landmarks stored in the storage device 30, or The landmark image data read from 30 may be processed based on the highlighting information.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows a display example of a landmark. FIG. 9A shows an example in which a size is selected as the highlight display information. The display 51 displays the vehicle position mark 201 and landmarks b1, b2, and b3 of surrounding facilities on a map. The landmark b2 with a high usage rate is displayed large, and the landmark b3 with a low usage rate is displayed small. From the difference in size of these landmarks b1, b2, and b3, the user can identify at a glance which facility has a higher usage rate. Similarly, FIG. 6B is an example in which a shape is selected in addition to the size described above as the highlight display information. The landmark b2 with a high usage rate is displayed three-dimensionally, the landmark b3 with a low usage rate is displayed two-dimensionally, and the landmark b1 with an intermediate usage rate is displayed somewhat three-dimensionally. Further, it is also possible to add the above-described contrast and resolution to the display of these landmarks for display. Further, it is possible for the user to select which of the highlighting information is to be selected and what kind of landmark is to be highlighted.
[0038]
In this way, the highlighting is performed in accordance with the usage ratio of the landmark (step S109), and the above-described processing is repeatedly performed during traveling (step S110).
[0039]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform display according to the user's preference by highlighting the landmark in accordance with the usage ratio of the facility, and to display a highly convenient landmark. It can be carried out. Further, since the use ratio for each facility is updated sequentially, it is sufficient if the memory has a certain capacity. In addition, if the use of the facility increases, the use rate increases and the highlighted landmark is displayed. However, even if the facility is not used at all, the landmark that is relatively not highlighted is displayed. Can provide a minimal facility presence that is unobtrusive.
[0040]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims. Deformation and modification are possible. For example, the example in which the size, shape, contrast, and resolution are used as the display information of the landmark has been described. In addition, when the landmark of the facility with a high usage rate is displayed using the audio data, Alternatively, voice guidance may be provided at the same time.
[0041]
Further, the data of the usage ratio for each facility shown in FIG. 4 can be displayed on the display 51 in accordance with an instruction from the user. At the same time, the displayed usage ratio data may be changed by the user. Past preferences may be wiped out and new usage rate data may be created. In this case, for example, the values of N1, N2, N3, and Nn in FIG. 4 are all equal.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, landmarks of facilities with a high usage rate are highlighted and displayed, while landmarks of facilities with a low usage rate are displayed relatively weaker than others, reflecting the user's preferences. A landmark can be displayed. This allows the user to recognize, at a glance, the facilities he or she frequently uses from the landmarks displayed on the display, thereby improving the convenience. Furthermore, since the use ratio for each facility is stored, the memory can be used efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of displaying a landmark according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of facility data for each type of business.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the usage ratio of facilities.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between a facility use ratio and landmark display information.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example in which the degree of emphasis of landmark display is changed.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: navigation device, 10: GPS receiver, 11: self-contained navigation sensor,
12: VICS / FM multiplex receiver, 20: operation panel, 21: voice input unit,
22: remote controller, 23: input IF, 30: storage unit, 31: communication control unit,
40: audio output unit, 41: speaker, 50: display control unit, 51: display, 60: program memory, 70: data memory, 74: backup memory area, 75: music memory area, 76: external memory, 80 : Control unit, 90: vehicle status information source, 91: vehicle bus

Claims (12)

A navigation device having a function of displaying a landmark of a facility together with a map on a display,
Determining means for determining whether or not the facility has been used;
Storage means for storing usage rate data for each facility;
An updating unit that, when it is determined that the facility is used by the determining unit, calculates a usage ratio for each facility and updates the usage ratio data in the storage unit;
A display control unit configured to change a degree of emphasis of a landmark of the facility displayed on the display in accordance with the facility use ratio data stored in the storage unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device further includes highlight information storage means for storing highlight information corresponding to a usage rate of a landmark for each facility. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit changes a degree of emphasis of landmark display based on the display information stored in the emphasized display information storage unit. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the display information includes size information on a size of a landmark, and the display control unit changes the size of the landmark on the display according to the size information according to a usage ratio. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the display information includes information regarding a resolution of a landmark, and the display control unit changes a resolution of the landmark on the display based on resolution information according to a usage ratio. The navigation device according to claim 3, wherein the display information includes information on a shape of a landmark, and the display control unit changes the shape of the landmark on the display based on shape information according to a usage ratio. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit classifies the facilities for each type of business and stores usage rate data for each of the facilities included in the same type of business. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit uses the ignition key on / off information and the vehicle door opening / closing information to determine that the facility has been used when the door is opened with the ignition key on. A navigation device as described. A method for displaying a landmark in a navigation device having a function of displaying a landmark of a facility together with a map on a display,
Determining a facility usage rate;
Changing the display of the landmark of the facility in gradation in accordance with the usage rate. The display method according to claim 9, wherein the gradation change changes a landmark size in proportion to a use ratio. The display method according to claim 9, wherein the gradation change changes a landmark resolution in proportion to a usage ratio. The display method according to claim 9, wherein the gradation change causes a landmark to be displayed three-dimensionally in proportion to a use ratio.

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