JP2005241558A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power consumption, reduce cost, and improve visibility. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device is equipped with a display 20 for displaying guide information mounted on the navigation device 10, an openable/closable flat member 11 mounted in front of the display, switches 15, 16 to be switched between ON and OFF states by opening/closing operation by the openable/closable flat member, a storage means for storing map information, and a central processing unit for searching for route and guiding, by using the map information stored in the storage means. In the device, a cavity 21 is formed in a part of the flat member, and the central processing unit displays guide information on the whole display surface when the flat member is opened under the condition of the ON/OFF state of the switch, and displays the guide information on a domain of the display corresponding to the cavity part, when the flat member is closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device including a main display and a sub display.

The navigation device displays a route map, remaining distance, etc. on a display, displays a road map, a guidance route, various facility guidance, etc., and further controls a TV display device, an audio system and an air conditioning system. There are various types such as those that are also used as display devices. In a navigation apparatus having various functions, usually, a single display is used, and a road map screen and a screen for a different application are switched and displayed by selection. However, in such a system, when the vehicle is traveling in an unfamiliar area by displaying a screen for a different use from the road map screen by switching the display, the current position cannot be accurately grasped. Therefore, in addition to the main display, when an interrupt for displaying information other than the road map on the main display is provided, a display for displaying the road map on the sub display is also proposed (Patent Document 1). .
JP-A-7-105493

  In a navigation apparatus that performs route guidance using a single display, a road map and a guidance route are usually displayed in many cases, even if a map screen and a screen for other uses are switched and displayed. Since the map screen changes as the process proceeds, the power consumption in the display process increases. In addition, even in the case of providing a sub display in addition to the main display, the map screen changes in the same manner as the vehicle progresses, so that power consumption in the display processing increases and costs increase. In addition, since the position of the sub display is greatly different from the position of the main display, it is necessary to change the line of sight to see both, which causes a problem in visibility.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce power consumption in display processing of a navigation device, improve cost, and improve visibility.
For this purpose, the present invention provides a navigation device that searches for a route from a departure point to a destination and provides guidance along the searched route, a display that displays guidance information attached to the navigation device, and a front attachment of the display. A path using the opened / closed flat plate member, a switch which is turned on / off by opening / closing operation of the openable / closable flat plate member, storage means for storing map information, and map information stored in the storage means A central processing unit that searches for and guides, and forms a cavity in a part of the flat plate member, and the central processing unit opens the flat plate member on condition that the switch is turned on / off Guidance information is displayed on the entire surface of the display, and guidance information is displayed only on the display area corresponding to the hollow portion when the flat plate member is closed. Characterized in that the.

According to the present invention, power consumption can be reduced, cost can be reduced, and visibility can be improved.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a navigation device according to the present embodiment.
The input device 1 is for inputting information related to route guidance such as a departure point and a destination, and includes a touch panel of the screen, an input switch provided around the screen, a remote controller, and the like.
The current position detection device 2 is for detecting the current position of the host vehicle, and includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) device, a vehicle speed sensor that generates a pulse corresponding to the rotation of the tire, a magnetic direction sensor, and the like. .
The information storage device 3 is a program for performing map data, navigation data necessary for route search, display / voice guidance data necessary for route guidance, and map guidance, route search, voice guidance, and the like ( A storage device in which applications and / or OS) are recorded.
The central processing unit 4 serves as a navigator processing means for performing map display processing, route search processing, display / voice guidance processing necessary for route guidance, and a CPU for performing various arithmetic processing to control the entire system, information storage A memory for reading and storing a program from the device 3, a ROM for storing a program (program reading means) for performing a program check and update process for the memory, and a RAM for temporarily storing searched route guidance information and data during calculation processing Etc.
The display device 5 is for displaying information on route guidance, and has a main display and a sub-display in this embodiment.
The voice guidance device 6 is for guiding information related to route guidance by voice, and includes a speaker or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the display device of this embodiment.
In the display device of this embodiment, a flat plate member 11 is provided on the front surface of a navigation device body 10 (a device incorporating the central processing unit, information storage device, etc. of FIG. 1) so as to be openable and closable. A main display 12 is provided, and a sub-display 13 is provided on the back of the main display. The openable / closable flat plate member 11 is a cover for protecting the navigation apparatus body 10, a decorative member, and other functional members. The main display 12 has a large screen to be displayed with the flat plate member open, displays a road map and a route to the destination, etc., so that the map screen changes as the current position moves. At this time, the sub-display 13 is not displayed. The sub-display 13 has a small screen for displaying the flat plate member in a closed state. For example, the advancing direction at the next branch point, the distance to the branch point, and an enlarged view when approaching the branch point Simple displays such as a simplified map with simplified location names and roads, and display of contents other than navigation information such as a clock display and audio display are performed, and the main display is not displayed at this time. Thus, in the state where the sub-display 13 is displayed, the main display is not displayed, and the sub-display performs simple display with little change on a small-size screen. Since it does not take time, it is possible to respond immediately even when there is a change in the display startup or display. The main display may be displayed with the flat plate member closed, and the sub display may be displayed with the flat plate member opened.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the flat plate member 11 is attached to the front surface of the navigation apparatus main body 10 with a hinge 14 and can be opened and closed by a user operation. The button 15 provided on the flat plate member 11 and the terminal 16 provided on the front surface of the navigation apparatus main body 10 constitute a switch that is in electrical contact with the flat plate member closed. In the state where the flat plate member 11 is opened (FIG. 2B), the button 15 and the terminal 16 are separated to open the switch, and the central processing unit of the navigation device body 10 displays the main display 12 using this as a trigger signal. Then, the sub display 13 is not displayed. When the flat plate member 11 is closed (FIG. 2 (c)), the button 15 and the terminal 16 come into contact with each other and the switch is closed. Display 13 is displayed and main display 12 is not displayed. The display may be switched by detecting the movement of the hinge 14 as a trigger signal instead of the switch by the button 15 and the terminal 16. Thus, since the protective flat plate member is also used as a display, it is advantageous in terms of cost, and the main display and the sub display are provided on the front and back surfaces of the flat plate member, so the position of each display does not change so much. Even if the display is switched, it is not necessary to change the line of sight and the visibility is not lowered. In FIG. 2, 17 is a speaker, and 18 is operation switches on the sub display screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display / non-display processing flow of the display performed in the central processing unit.
It is determined whether or not the button is pressed by opening and closing the flat plate member (step S1). If the button is pressed, the sub plate is displayed because the flat plate member is closed (step S2), and the main display is displayed. Not displayed (step S3). If the button is not pressed in step S1, the main display is displayed because the flat member is open (step S4), and the sub-display is not displayed (step S5).

Next, an example of combining display on the main display / sub-display and voice guidance will be described.
The navigation apparatus main body 10 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a speaker 17 (FIG. 2B) so that voice guidance can be performed. As mentioned above, on the sub-display, the direction of travel at the next branch point and the distance to the branch point, the enlarged view when approaching the branch point, the point name and the simplified map of the road are displayed in a simplified manner. Yes. In this simplification, a part of the display is omitted, but this omitted information can be added by voice guidance. Therefore, when the display of the main display and the sub display is switched by opening and closing the flat plate member, the content of the voice guidance is also changed so that the voice guidance in the sub display display is more specific than the voice guidance in the main display display. You just need to strengthen it.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the content of the voice guidance is also changed in conjunction with display switching between the main display and the sub display.
It is determined whether or not the button is pressed by opening and closing the flat plate member (step S11). If the button is pressed, the flat plate member is closed and displayed on the sub display (step S12), and voice guidance is given. Strengthen (step S13). The enhancement of voice guidance is to voice guidance for hidden contents that are displayed on the main display but omitted on the sub-display. For example, passing intersection names, spot names, road names, and surrounding landmark names Etc. are voice-guided. If the button is not pressed in step S11, the flat plate member is in an open state, so that it is displayed on the main display (step S14), and normal voice guidance is performed (step S15). For example, the normal voice guidance data and the voice guidance enhancement data are kept separately, and the voice guidance can be switched by deciding which data is read in response to the opening and closing of the flat plate member. .

  By the way, the input operation of the screen is performed by a touch panel or a remote controller. However, since the input operation by the remote controller is relatively troublesome, the touch operation by the touch panel is often used for a large screen. However, when a sub-display with a small screen size is used, the pressed portion is small, and the input operation using the touch panel is difficult and troublesome. Therefore, when switching the display between the main display and the sub display, the input operation means is changed. For example, the input operation menu is changed such as a touch panel when displaying on the main display and a remote controller when displaying on the sub display. This can solve this problem.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the input screen is changed between the main display and the sub display.
It is determined whether or not the button is pressed by opening and closing the flat plate member (step S21). If the button is pressed, the flat plate member is closed and displayed on the sub display (step S22). Is displayed (step S23). If the button is not pressed in step S21, the flat plate member is in an open state, so that it is displayed on the main display (step S24), and a touch panel input screen is displayed (step S25).

This change of the input screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 by taking a 50 sound input screen as an example.
For example, on the touch panel input screen on the main display having a large screen size, a 50-sound menu as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and a search for 50-sounds is performed by inputting necessary characters from these menus. The ground is set. On the other hand, a sub-display with a small screen size displays a 50-sound menu with a limited number of characters as shown in FIG. In the example of this input screen, only the first character of each line of line A, line K, line SA, etc. is displayed. And, for example, when selecting the character on that line, select each character key by remote control operation, and according to the number of times the character key is pressed, `` A '', `` I '', `` U '', `` E '', Select sequentially like “O”. For example, when inputting “Aichi”, the character key “A” is selected, this key is pressed once to select “A”, and then the character key “A” is pressed twice to select “YES”. Next, the character key “ta” is selected and pressed twice to select “Chi”. In this way, “Aichi” is input.
Thus, by inputting with the number of characters limited, it is possible to smoothly perform a remote control input operation on a small screen. Further, the contents of the remote control operation on the sub-display partway can be held in the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus body 10 and opened to the touch panel operation on the main display by opening the flat plate member 11. In the above description, the input operation is performed with the remote controller. However, if the touch panel operation can be performed even on a small-sized sub display screen due to the limitation on the number of characters, the touch panel input may be employed.

Next, an example of the input screen in the case of prefecture search will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 8 shows an example of a prefecture search on the main display with a large screen size. The key of each prefecture name is displayed on the screen. By touching this key, the prefecture and the municipality that follows it are displayed. Selectable. On the other hand, in the case of a sub-display having a small screen size, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, keys having a small area name such as Hokkaido / Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, and Kinki are displayed. And, for example, when the Kanto key is selected by remote control operation, each key of Ibaraki ticket, Chiba prefecture, Gunma prefecture, Tokyo, Saitama prefecture, Kanagawa prefecture is displayed, and by selecting these keys, the municipalities under their control Can be selected.
In this example as well, touch panel input may be employed if a touch panel operation is possible even on a small-sized sub-display screen due to the limitation on the number of characters.

  In each of the above examples, the main display and the sub display are provided on the front and back surfaces of the flat plate member. Next, the display area of the display is set using one surface by opening and closing the flat plate member of the navigation device. An example of switching will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the display area is switched by opening and closing the flat plate member.
Also in the display device of the present embodiment, the flat plate member 11 is provided so as to be opened and closed by the hinge 14 so as to protect the front surface of the navigation device main body 10, and when the flat plate member 11 is closed, the button 15 is moved to the navigation device. A switch that is in electrical contact with the terminal 16 provided on the front surface of the main body 10 is configured. In this embodiment, the front surface of the navigation device body 10 constitutes a display 20 having a large screen size ((FIG. 10A)), and when the user opens the flat plate member, the button 15 and the terminal 16 are separated from each other. Then, the switch is opened, and using this as a trigger signal, the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus body 10 displays the display section A (the entire display) of the display 20 (FIG. 10C), a road map, a route to the destination, etc. Is displayed so that the map screen changes as the current position moves.

  The flat plate member 11 is provided with a hollow portion 21 at the center. When the flat plate member 11 is closed (FIG. 10B), the button 15 and the terminal 16 come into contact with each other, and the switch is closed. As a trigger signal, the central processing unit of the navigation apparatus main body 10 displays only the small display portion B (FIG. 10C) that is a part of the display 20 corresponding to the hollow portion 21, and the other areas of the display are Not displayed and displayed on the display section B, for example, the direction of travel at the next branch point and the distance to the branch point, an enlarged view when approaching the branch point, a simplified map with simplified point names and roads, and clock display And simple display such as display of contents other than navigation information such as audio display. In this embodiment, since there is one display, it is more cost-effective, and it is not necessary to move the line of sight even when the display area is switched, and visibility can be improved. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, an operation switch 18 is provided around the hollow portion 21 of the flat plate member 11. Normally, only a small amount of operation switches around the display are provided due to space limitations, and there is a difficulty in operability. However, in the case of the display unit B with a small screen size, there is room for the space. A relatively large operation switch can be provided in the periphery, and operability can be improved.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow when the display area is switched by a flat member having a hollow portion.
It is determined whether or not the button is pressed by opening and closing the flat plate member (step S31). If the button is pressed, only the display portion B is displayed because the flat plate member is closed (step S32). Display parts other than B are not displayed (step S33). If the button is not pressed in step S31, the entire display portion A is displayed because the flat plate member is open (step S34).

  According to the present invention, power consumption in display processing of the navigation device is reduced, and the industrial utility value is great because the cost can be reduced and the visibility can be improved.

It is a conceptual diagram explaining the structural example of the navigation apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the display apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display / non-display processing flow of the display performed in a central processing unit. It is a figure which shows the processing flow in the case of switching the content of the voice guidance in response to the display switching of a main display and a sub display. It is a figure which shows the processing flow in the case of changing an input screen with a main display and a sub display. It is a figure which shows the 50 sound input screen of a main display. It is a figure which shows the 50 sound input screen of a sub display. It is a figure which shows the example of the prefecture search on a main display. It is a figure which shows the example of the prefecture search by a sub display. It is a figure explaining the example which switches a display area by opening and closing of a flat member. It is a figure which shows the processing flow in the case of switching a display area with the flat member which has a cavity part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 2 ... Current position detection device, 3 ... Information storage device, 4 ... Central processing unit, 5 ... Display device, 6 ... Voice guidance device, 10 ... Navigation device main body, 11 ... Flat plate member, 12 ... Main Display 13 Sub-display 14 Hinge 15 Button 16 Terminal 17 Speaker 18 Operation switches

Claims (3)

In a navigation device that searches for a route from a departure place to a destination and performs guidance along the searched route,
A display for displaying guidance information attached to the navigation device;
An openable and closable flat member attached to the front of the display;
A switch that is turned on / off by an opening / closing operation of the openable / closable flat plate member;
Storage means for storing map information;
A central processing unit for searching and guiding a route using the map information stored in the storage means,
A hollow is formed in a part of the flat plate member, and the central processing unit displays guide information on the entire display surface when the flat plate member is opened on condition that the switch is turned on / off. A navigation apparatus characterized in that guidance information is displayed only in a display area corresponding to the hollow portion when closed. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a map screen and a guide route are displayed on the entire display of the display, and a simple display of the guide route is performed in a display corresponding to the hollow portion of the flat plate member. 3. The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the simplified display of the guide route is a display of a traveling direction at a branch point on the route and a remaining distance to the next branch point.

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