JP2006215413A - Map display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the search for a desired target spot by scrolling a map. <P>SOLUTION: When any point of the map on a screen is touched with a screen touch type input part 4C, a general control unit 17 is switched to a map scroll mode. The map image having the center at the touched position is drawn by a map display control unit 13, and is displayed on a screen 4A of a display unit 4 so that an 8-direction scroll key drawn by the control unit 17 is superposed thereon. For example, when a user continues touching the scroll key in the east direction of the screen touch type input part 4C to continue instructing the map scroll in the east direction, the general control unit 17 first provides the map display control unit 13 with a map scroll start instruction in the east direction so that the map on the screen is quickly shifted to the west, and provides a suspension instruction when a prescribed continuous shift time has passed so that the shift of the map is suspended. After a suspension time has passed, the map on the screen is again quickly shifted to the west. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device, and more particularly to a map display device that can easily search for a target point by scrolling a map.

  In a car navigation device, a map displayed on a screen is continuously moved by a map scroll function, and a desired target point can be easily searched on a map. Since the visibility of the map information is reduced during the movement of the map, various ideas have been conventionally made to make it easier to find the target point on the map with the map scroll function. For example, immediately after the touch-type scroll key is touched and the map scroll is instructed, it is moved slowly, and the scroll key touch state continues and the speed of the map scroll increases for a long time. Move slowly when the touch pressure of the scroll key is small, and increase the speed step by step as the touch pressure increases, or move slowly when the distance from the screen center to the touch position is short. The speed is increased stepwise as the distance to the touch position increases (see FIG. 1).

  By the way, in order to avoid passing the desired target point by scrolling the map, touch the scroll key in the middle of the map scrolling to cancel the map scrolling instruction once, stop the map and see the exact map information It is necessary to check whether the desired target point is in the display map. If the desired target point is not yet on the screen, the map scroll is instructed again. For this reason, conventionally, it has been necessary to repeatedly instruct and cancel map scrolling many times, and the operation is complicated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-105148

  An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device that can easily search for a desired target point by scrolling a map in view of the above-described problems of the prior art.

The invention of claim 1 is a display means for displaying a map, a map data storage means for storing map data, a map scroll instruction operating means for a user to instruct a map scroll, and an instruction from the map scroll instruction operating means. In the map display device including the map display control means for displaying on the display means while scrolling the map image using the map data in accordance with the map display control means while the map scroll instruction is given by the map scroll instruction operation means, It is characterized in that a scroll operation for displaying a map image while scrolling and a pause for temporarily stopping scrolling for a certain period of time and alternately displaying a stationary map are alternately switched.
The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the scrolling operation is performed at a speed higher than a predetermined constant speed.
The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that a setting means is provided for the user to variably set the certain time for temporarily stopping the map scroll.
The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the number of pauses while the map scroll is instructed is limited to a maximum of n times.
The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that while the map scroll is instructed, the scroll operation and the pause are periodically switched at regular time intervals.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the temporary stop of the map scrolling is such that the geographical feature location on the scrolled map enters the display map area or enters a predetermined fixed range from the center or boundary of the display map area. It is characterized by what was done when
In the invention of claim 7, the geographical feature location includes at least one of a boundary of an administrative area, a boundary of a detailed map existence area, an interchange, a service area, a prefectural office, a terminal station, a lakeside, and a riverside, It is characterized by.
The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that there is provided a guiding means for outputting guidance information of geographical feature points during the temporary stop of the map scroll.
The invention of claim 9 comprises a designation means for the user to designate a desired point and a user designation information storage means for memorizing the position of the designated point, and the map drawing means matches the user designated point mark on the map image. When the map scroll is paused, the user-specified point on the scrolled map enters the display map area or enters a predetermined range from the center or boundary of the display map area. It is characterized by what is sometimes done.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided guide means for outputting guide information of a user designated point during the temporary stop of the map scroll.
According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a notification means for notifying the user by sound that the mode is the pause mode during the map scroll pause mode.
The invention of claim 12 includes road traffic information receiving means for receiving road traffic information from the outside, and road traffic information guidance means for guiding road traffic information related to the display map area to the user while the map scroll is temporarily stopped. It is characterized by providing.

According to the map display device of the present invention, the map scroll is automatically paused while the map scroll is instructed. Therefore, even if the user does not cancel the map scroll instruction during the map scroll, While scrolling has advanced to the map information on the screen accurately, it can be easily confirmed whether the desired target point is not in the display map, and the search operation for the desired target point can be easily performed.
According to another invention, the map scrolling is performed when a geographical feature point or a user specified point of the map being scrolled enters the display map area or enters a predetermined fixed range from the center or boundary of the display map area. Since the temporary stop is made, it is possible to immediately determine which area the paused display map is in, the position relationship with the target point can be easily grasped, and the map scroll operation to the target point can be performed more smoothly.

The map data stored in the map data storage unit of the car navigation system includes map data that is classified according to the scale (divided into the types of national map, regional map, regional map, and detailed map from the largest scale ratio). In addition to drawing data, names and positions of various facilities and places such as gas stations, convenience stores, leisure facilities, restaurants, companies, prefectural offices, municipal offices, terminal stations, highway interchanges and service areas, by prefecture Data indicating the name and boundary position of the administrative area, the name of the lake and the boundary position of the lakeside, the name of the main river and the boundary position of the riverside, and the boundary position of the detailed map existence area. The map scroll control information storage unit stores the map scroll pause condition, the operation condition during the map scroll pause, the pause time (Ts), and the maximum number of pauses (n). The user can set the map scroll pause condition, the operation condition during the pause, the pause time (Ts), and the maximum number of pauses (n). As the pause condition, (1) scroll and pause are set by the user. Perform mechanically at intervals (Ti) (2) Prefectural boundaries on the map being scrolled, boundaries of detailed maps, highway interchanges and service areas, prefectural offices, terminal stations, lakeside When one or more geographical features selected by the user from the riverside event come at a certain distance from the center of the display map area (3) The user-specified point on the scrolling map is the display map area You can select to pause when you come a certain distance from the center. When (2) or (3) or both (2) and (3) are selected, the geographical feature point or user-specified point selected by the user on the scrolling map is included in the display map area or displayed. Since the scrolling is temporarily stopped when entering a predetermined fixed range from the center or boundary of the map area, it is possible to immediately determine which area the paused display map is, and to easily grasp the positional relationship with the target point.
In addition, the operating conditions during the pause include: (a) Notifying the user with a beep sound while paused (b1) The target that is paused when the pause conditions are (2) and (3) (B2) Pause condition for displaying / not displaying the name of the geographical feature location or the user designated point, and the information on the distance and direction from the center of the display map to the target geographical feature location or user designated point When (2) or (3) is the name of the geographical feature location or user-specified point of the target that is paused, the distance and direction from the center of the display map to the geographical feature location or user-specified point of the paused target (C) Whether or not the road traffic information (VICS) is guided during the temporary stop. Any combination of (a), (b1), (b2), and (c) can be selected.
When the user touches the screen-touch type scroll key and the map scroll is instructed by the user, the map display control unit displays the map image on the display unit while scrolling the map at a predetermined speed or higher from the current position using the map data. When the map scroll is instructed and the map scroll pause condition selected in advance by the user is met while the map scroll is instructed, the map scroll is paused for the pause time Ts. If the map scroll instruction continues after Ts has passed, the map scroll is resumed.
While the map scroll is paused, the guidance information output unit pauses when the pause condition selected in advance by the user is (2), (3) and (b1) of the paused operation condition is “Yes”. The target geographic feature point or user-specified point name, and the distance and direction guidance information from the center of the display map to the target geographic feature point or user-specified point are displayed in the guide information display area at the bottom of the screen. When the pause condition is (2), (3) and (b2) of the paused operation condition is “Yes”, the name of the geographical feature point or the user designated point that is paused, the display map The distance and direction from the center of the object to the geographical feature point or the user designated point temporarily suspended are synthesized by voice and output to the speaker. This makes it easier to recognize which area the paused map is.
In addition, during the map scroll pause, the beep sound output unit outputs a beep sound and indicates that the user is in the pause state when (a) of the operation condition during pause selected by the user in advance is “Yes”. The map display control unit displays the road traffic information so as to overlap the map on the screen when the pre-selected operation condition during suspension (c) is “Yes”. Thereby, it is possible to easily grasp the road situation in the temporarily stopped display map area.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car navigation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
1 is a GPS receiving unit that periodically measures the current location and current direction of a vehicle by satellite navigation, 2 is a road traffic information receiving unit that receives road traffic information (VICS information) from a road traffic information center, and 3 is storing map data The map data storage unit includes map drawing data by scale (national, regional, regional, and detailed maps), gas stations, convenience stores, leisure facilities, restaurants, companies, cities Names and locations of various places such as prefectural offices, municipal offices, terminal stations, and highway interchanges and service areas, names and boundaries of administrative regions in prefectures and municipalities, lake names and lakeside locations, main Ancillary data indicating the name of the river and the position of the shoreline are included. Reference numeral 4 denotes a display unit that displays a map image, and has a screen 4A (the screen size here is set to horizontal × vertical = 20 cm × 10 cm). The display unit 4 includes a navigation mode key, a map scale change key, a key input unit 4B having a menu call key, etc., and a desired operation is selected from various menus displayed on the screen by operating the menu call key. An arbitrary point on the map on the screen is touched to turn on the map scroll mode, or an eight-way scroll key (also referred to as an eight-way scroll button) displayed on the screen in the map scroll mode. A screen touch type input unit 4C for touching the map scrolling instruction operation by touching 5a to 5h) is attached. Using the key input unit 4B and the screen touch input unit 4C, in addition to the navigation mode ON operation, map scale change operation, map scroll instruction operation, map scroll pause condition setting operation, map scroll pause operation condition setting operation, A user designated point (facility or place) registration operation and a road traffic information guidance mode on / off operation in the navigation mode can be performed. 6 is a map scroll pause condition setting operation, a map scroll pause operation condition setting operation, a user designated point (facility or place) registration operation, a road traffic information guidance mode on / off operation in navigation mode, a map A hand operating device that performs a scale selection operation, 7 is a remote control receiving unit that receives operation information from the hand operating device, and 8 is a map scroll condition storage unit. The operating condition during stop, the pause time (Ts), and the maximum number of pauses (n) are stored.

  The user can select and set the map scroll pause condition, the operation condition during pause, the map scroll pause time (Ts), and the maximum number of pauses (n) stored in the map scroll condition storage unit 8. (1) Scrolling and pausing mechanically at user-set time intervals (Ti) (2) Boundary of administrative regions of prefectures on the scrolled map, boundary of detailed map existence area, expressway Interchange and service area, prefectural office, terminal station, one or more geographical features selected by the user from the lakeside and riverside events come to a pause when a certain distance from the center of the displayed map area (3) Scroll It can be selected that the user-designated point on the displayed map is paused when it reaches a certain distance from the center of the display map area. When (1) is selected, (2) or (3) cannot be selected at the same time. (2) or (3) cannot be selected simultaneously with (1), but (2) and (3) can be selected simultaneously. In addition, the operating conditions during the pause include (a) whether or not the user is in a beep sound with a beep sound. (B1) The pause conditions are (2) or (3) or (2) and (3 ) In both cases, the name of the geographical feature location or the user-designated location that is paused, and the guidance information on the actual distance and direction from the center of the display map are not displayed. (B2) The pause condition is (2) Or, in the case of (3) or (2) and (3), the target geographic feature location or the name of the user-designated location, and the guidance information about the distance and direction from the center of the display map are output as voice. Do not (c) Do or do not provide road traffic information (VICS) guidance during the pause. Any combination of (a), (b1), (b2), and (c) can be selected.

  Reference numerals 9 and 10 denote first and second image storage units each having an image storage area for one screen. A map image is drawn in the first image storage unit 9, and a map image other than the map image is displayed in the second image storage unit 10. Various menu images are drawn. Reference numeral 11 denotes a synthesizing unit which normally outputs a map image in the image storage unit 9 to the display unit 4 and stores a menu image or the like in the image storage unit 10 on the map image in the image storage unit 9. The images such as the menu of the unit 10 are superimposed and output to the display unit 4. Reference numeral 12 denotes a user-specified point storage unit capable of storing a plurality of sets of user-specified point names and position coordinates. Reference numeral 13 denotes a map display control unit. In navigation mode, map data is stored based on the current location measured by the GPS receiving unit 1. A first image storage unit with a current position mark and a user-specified point mark in which a map image centered on the current location and facing north is used with map drawing data of a predetermined scale stored in the unit 3 (When the road traffic information guidance mode is on, the road traffic information received by the road traffic information receiving unit 2 includes marks such as traffic jams and closed roads entering the map area stored in the first image storage unit 9. Draw on top of each other). In the map scroll mode, if one of the scroll keys 5a to 5h displayed on the screen is touched to instruct the map scroll (in this case, the scroll instruction continues while the touch of the scroll key is continued). , The scroll instruction is stopped when the touch is released), and periodically based on a scroll start command from the overall control unit described later, a predetermined initial position (touch for the user to shift to the map scroll mode) The coordinates of the cursor moved by a certain distance (a certain distance on the screen) in the touched direction from the longitude and latitude coordinates on the map) are calculated, and the map drawing data stored in the map data storage unit 3 is used. The map image centered on the cursor coordinates (with current location mark, cursor mark, user-specified point mark) By repeating the process of drawing the image storage unit 9, (moving the screen map in the opposite direction to the touch direction) to scroll the map display unit 4 at a high speed over a certain speed. When the touch of the scroll key is released and the scroll instruction is stopped, the rewriting of the map image is stopped based on the scroll stop command from the overall control unit. Note that road traffic information is not added to the map image being scrolled even if the road traffic information guidance mode is on.

  However, even when the map scroll is instructed (while the touch of the scroll key is continued), the map display control unit 13 receives the first pause command from the overall control unit described later. The rewriting of the map image in the first image storage unit 9 is temporarily stopped, the map scroll is temporarily stopped, the stationary map is displayed on the screen, and the map scroll is resumed again when the first pause cancel command is received. To do. When the second temporary stop command is received from the overall control unit, the rewriting of the map image in the first image storage unit 9 is temporarily stopped, and the congestion mark and the traffic stop mark of the road traffic information entering the map area are overlaid and drawn. When the map stopped on the screen is displayed with road traffic information and the second temporary stop cancellation command is received, the map scrolling is resumed.

  14 is a guidance information generation unit, and in the map scroll mode, during the map scroll, the location name data of the current location, the actual distance data between the current location and the cursor coordinates, and the azimuth data of the current location viewed from the cursor coordinates are input from the overall control unit. A current location name, an actual distance between the current location and the cursor coordinates, and a direction mark that looks at the current location from the cursor coordinates are drawn in a predetermined area on the left side and a predetermined area on the right side of the second image storage unit 10, respectively. The current location name and distance / direction display frame (see symbol B in FIG. 10) are displayed on the current location name (see symbol A in FIG. 10), and the actual distance between the current location and the cursor coordinates and the orientation mark that viewed the current location from the cursor coordinates are displayed. In map scroll mode, when the map scroll is paused, the name of the geographical feature location or user-specified point of the paused target, between the geographical feature location or user-designated point of the paused target and the cursor coordinates, separately from the overall control unit When the azimuth data is viewed from the actual distance, the geographical feature location or the user specified point that is temporarily stopped from the cursor coordinates, the left predetermined area and the right predetermined area at the bottom of the second image storage unit 10 are input. The name of the geographical feature location or user-specified point of the paused target, the geographical feature location of the paused target or the actual distance between the user-specified location and the cursor coordinates, and the geographical feature of the target paused from the cursor coordinates, respectively Draw a bearing mark that looks at the location or user-specified location and display it at the bottom of the screen, or pause the geographical feature location or Voice synthesis of the name of the user-specified point, the geographical feature location of the paused target or the actual distance between the user-specified location and the cursor coordinates, and the orientation of the target geographical feature location or user-specified location paused from the cursor coordinates Then, sound is reproduced from the speaker 15.

  A beep sound generation unit 16 synthesizes a beep sound and outputs it from the speaker 15 when a beep sound output command is input from the overall control unit while the map scroll mode is temporarily stopped in the map scroll mode. Reference numeral 17 denotes an overall control unit having a microcomputer configuration. The scale selected by the user operation by the key input unit 4B and the screen touch type input unit 4C or the user operation of the hand controller 6 and the road traffic information guidance mode on / off state. Is registered in a built-in memory (not shown), the name and position coordinates of the facility and place designated by the user operation are registered in the user designated point storage unit 12, or the map scroll pause condition set by the user operation The map scrolling pause operation condition, the map scroll pause time (Ts), and the maximum number of pauses (n) are registered in the map scroll control information storage unit 8. In addition, the navigation mode is turned on immediately after the power is turned on and when the navigation mode key is operated, and the map display control unit 13 presents a map with a current position mark centered on the current location and a current direction upward, and a user-specified point mark ( If the road traffic information reception mode is on, a traffic traffic information mark such as a traffic jam or a closed road is displayed. Further, when an arbitrary point on the map on the screen is touched when the map scroll mode is off and the map scroll mode is turned on, the map scroll mode is turned on, and the screen coordinates of the touch point are given to the map display control unit 13 to display the map. While the position coordinates (longitude, latitude) of the touch point above are the initial values of the cursor coordinates, a map image centered on the cursor coordinates is drawn with the current position mark, cursor mark, and user-specified point mark, while the second image The scroll key (scroll button) of 8 directions is drawn in the center of the memory | storage part 10, the scroll part is synthesize | combined on a map image by the synthetic | combination part 11, and it displays on the screen 4A. Thereafter, when any one of the scroll keys 5a to 5h is touched to instruct map scrolling, a map scroll start command in the touch direction is given to the map display control unit 13 to cause the map display to scroll at high speed, and the touch is released. When the scroll instruction is finished, a scroll stop command is given to the map display control unit 13 to stop the map scroll.

  While the touch state of the scroll key continues and the map scroll instruction continues, the overall control unit 17 controls the map display control unit 13 according to the pause condition set by the user to repeat the map scroll and the pause alternately. Make it. When the temporary stop condition is (1), a map scroll start command is given, and after Ti has elapsed while the map scroll instruction is continued, a map scroll pause command is given to the map display control unit 13 to If Ts elapses while the scroll instruction continues, a temporary stop release command is given, and thereafter the same is repeated. When the pause condition is (2) above, after giving the map scroll start command, the map data is compared with the cursor coordinates, and the prefectures on the map being scrolled while the map scroll instruction continues The geographical features selected by the user from the boundaries of the administrative regions, the boundaries of the detailed map location, highway interchanges and service areas, prefectural offices, terminal stations, lakeside and riverside events are the cursor coordinates (in the display map area When a position that falls within a predetermined range from the center) (here, the range of the actual distance corresponding to 15 cm from the center on the map display screen, hereinafter referred to as a pause condition range) is given, a pause command is given, If Ts elapses while the map scrolling instruction continues, a temporary stop cancellation command is given, and the same is repeated thereafter. When the temporary stop condition is (3) above, a map scroll start command is given, the map data is compared with the cursor coordinates, and the user designation on the map being scrolled while the map scroll instruction continues When a position that falls within a predetermined range from the point cursor coordinates is reached, a temporary stop command is given, and when Ts elapses while the map scroll instruction continues, a temporary stop release command is given, and so on. When the pause conditions are both (2) and (3), the map data is compared with the cursor coordinates after the map scroll start command is given, and scrolling is performed while the map scroll instruction continues. Prefectural administrative boundaries on the map, detailed map location boundaries, highway interchanges and service areas, prefectural offices, terminal stations, geographical features selected by the user from lakeside and riverside events, or scrolling When a user-specified point on the map that has been placed reaches a position within a certain range from the cursor coordinates, a temporary stop command is given, and if Ts elapses while the map scrolling instruction continues, a temporary stop release command is given, Repeat in the same way.

  Further, while the map is being scrolled, the overall control unit 17 inputs the current location and the cursor coordinates from the map display control unit 13, determines the name of the current location by referring to the map data, and based on the actual distance between the current location and the cursor coordinates and the cursor coordinates. The azimuth | direction which looked at the present location is calculated, and it outputs to the guidance information production | generation part 14, and displays the present location name, the actual distance between present location-cursor coordinates, and the azimuth | direction which looked at the present location from cursor coordinates on the left and right of the lower part of the scrolling map screen. . On the other hand, during the map scroll pause, according to the operation condition during the pause, if the item (c) is “Yes”, the map display control unit 13 is controlled and the traffic jam mark and the traffic stop are displayed on the paused map. If road traffic information such as a mark is displayed in an overlapping manner and the item (a) is “YES”, the beep sound generation unit 16 is controlled to output a beep sound. When the pause condition is the above (2) or (3) or both (2) and (3) and the item of (b1) of the operation condition during pause is “Yes”, the map data or the user designated point Refer to the storage unit 12 to determine the name of the geographical feature location or user-specified point of the target paused this time, and the distance from the cursor coordinates to the geographical feature location or user-specified location of the target paused this time And the direction is calculated and output to the guidance information generation unit 14, the geographical feature location or the user-specified location of the target paused this time, the geographical feature location or the user designation of the target paused from the cursor coordinates The distance and direction to the point are displayed on the left and right at the bottom of the map screen when paused. If the pause condition is (2) or (3) or both (2) and (3) and the item of (b2) in the operating condition during pause is “Yes”, the geography of the object that has been paused this time The target feature location or the name of the user designated point, and the distance and direction to the geographical feature location or the user designated point of the target temporarily suspended as viewed from the cursor coordinates are synthesized and output.

  FIGS. 3 to 6 are flowcharts showing the control processing of the overall control unit 17, FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of display of the menu for setting the map scroll condition, and FIG. 9 is a wide-area geography including the vehicle current location and the destination. FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of screen display, and the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to these drawings. It is assumed that a scale corresponding to a regional map is pre-registered in advance in a built-in memory (not shown) of the overall control unit 17 and the road traffic information guidance mode is off. In addition, it is assumed that a plurality of sets of user-specified point information in which user-specified point names (facility names, place names, etc.) and position coordinates are paired are already registered in the user-specified point storage unit 12.

(I) Navigation mode When the power is turned on, the overall control unit 17 turns on the navigation mode and turns off the map scroll mode (step S1 in FIG. 3). Since the road traffic information guidance mode is off, the map display control unit 13 reduces the scale of the area map. Gives navigation commands without road traffic information. Then, the map display control unit 13 periodically inputs the current location and current direction data from the GPS receiving unit 1, and uses the map data of the regional map to center the current location and the map image with north facing upward as the first image. In addition to drawing in the storage unit 9 and when there is a user specified point that falls within the area of the map image in the user specified point storage unit 12, a user specified point mark is additionally drawn at the corresponding position on the map image, Draws a current location mark with the current orientation at the center of the image. The map image is output to the display unit 4 by the combining unit 11, and a map around the current location is displayed on the screen 4A (steps S2 and S3). When the current location changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the map on the screen 4A moves accordingly so that the current location is always at the center. For example, when the on / off operation of the road traffic information guidance mode is performed by operating the hand controller 6, the overall control unit 17 turns on / off the road traffic information guidance mode (steps S5 and S6), and the road traffic information guidance mode is on. Gives a navigation command with road traffic information to the map display control unit 17. When the map display control unit 17 is given a navigation command with road traffic information, when drawing a map image, the map display control unit 17 displays a traffic jam mark, a traffic stop mark, etc. that are received by the road traffic information receiving unit 2 and enters the area of the map image. The map is drawn on the map image, and a map with a road traffic information mark is displayed on the screen 4A (step S4). When the scale change operation is performed, the overall control unit 17 registers the changed scale in the built-in memory, gives a navigation command based on the changed scale to the map display control unit 13, and changes the scale of the map image (step S7). , S8).

(II) Addition of designated point When a user wants to display a desired facility or business partner company with a point mark on the map, for example, a telephone number is entered by the hand controller 6 to register the point. Then, the overall control unit 17 refers to the accompanying data of the map data and searches for the name and position coordinates of the desired facility and the supplier company, and the user who sets the desired facility and the company name and position coordinates of the supplier. The designated point information is added to the user designated point storage unit 12 (steps S9 and S10). When the current location registration operation is performed with the hand controller 6 during traveling, the overall control unit 17 refers to the accompanying data of the map data, and the user specified point information obtained by combining the location name and position coordinates of the current location with the user specified point storage unit 12. (Steps S9 and S10).

(III) Setting of Map Scroll Conditions When the user performs a call operation of the map scroll condition setting menu with the hand controller 6, the overall control unit 17 draws the map scroll condition setting menu in the second image storage unit 10, and the combining unit 11, the image is superimposed on the map image in the first image storage unit 9 and output to the display unit 4 to be displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. When the user selects “map scroll pause condition”, a map scroll pause condition setting menu is drawn and displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. From the menu, any one of (1), (2), (3) or both (2), (3) can be selected as a pause condition. When selecting (1), The continuous scroll time (Ti-Ts) can also be selected from the submenu of FIG. 7 (3) (Ts is selected separately, so Ti is eventually selected). When (2) is selected in Fig. 7 (2), the sub-menu of Fig. 7 (4) is used to select the boundaries of administrative regions in prefectures, boundaries of detailed map locations, highway interchanges and service areas, prefectures. One or more can be selected from the agency, terminal station, lakeside and riverside events. When the desired temporary stop condition is selected by the hand controller 6, the overall control unit 17 is set and registered in the map scroll condition storage unit 8. Returning to the map scroll condition setting menu shown in FIG. 7 (1), when the user selects “operating condition during map scroll pause”, the overall control unit 17 draws the operation condition setting menu during map scroll pause and displays FIG. The screen is displayed as in 1). In the menu, “Yes” or “No” can be selected independently for (a), (b1), (b2), and (c). When the desired operating condition during pause is selected by the hand controller 6 The overall control unit 17 is set and registered in the map scroll condition storage unit 8. When “map scroll pause time” is selected from the map scroll condition setting menu, the overall control unit 17 draws a map scroll pause time selection menu and displays it on the screen as shown in FIG. When the time is selected, the overall control unit 17 sets and registers it in the map scroll condition storage unit 8. When “maximum number of pauses” is selected from the map scroll condition setting menu, the overall control unit 17 draws the maximum pause number selection menu and displays it on the screen as shown in FIG. 8 (3), and when the user selects a desired number of times. The overall control unit 17 is set and registered in the map scroll condition storage unit 8. When the pause condition, the paused operation condition, the pause time and the maximum number of stops are set in this way, and the end operation is performed with the hand controller 6, the overall control unit 17 erases the menu image and restores the original navigation operation. Return to the state (steps S11 and S12).

(IV) Map scroll mode ・ ・ In the case of temporary stop condition (1) For example, in the state where the map is displayed centered on the current location using the scale map data of the regional map (navigation mode), it is approximately east of the current location. When it is desired to search on the map where the desired destination is located, first, an arbitrary point on the map on the screen is touched by the screen touch type input unit 4C. Then, the overall control unit 17 turns off the navigation mode, turns on the map scroll mode, and gives a map scroll preparation command including the screen coordinates of the touch point to the map display control unit 13 (steps S15 and S16 in FIG. 4). Upon receiving the map scroll preparation command, the map display control unit 13 obtains the position coordinates of the touch point on the map (see symbol S in FIG. 9) from the screen coordinates of the touch point and sets them as the cursor coordinates (step S17). Then, using the map data of the area map, a map image for one screen with north as the center centering on the cursor coordinates is drawn in the first image storage unit 9 together with the current location mark, the user-specified point mark, and the cursor mark (step S18). In this map scroll preparation process, if the road traffic information guidance mode is on, road traffic information marks such as a traffic jam mark and a traffic stop mark are also added). On the other hand, the overall control unit 17 draws an eight-way scroll key at the center of the second image storage unit 10, and the composition unit 11 synthesizes it on the map image and displays it on the screen (step S19). A map image centered on the cursor mark and scroll keys 5a to 5h superimposed on the image are displayed on the screen. It is assumed that the user touches the scroll key 5a in the east direction to instruct the map scroll for viewing the map in the east direction, and continues to touch the map scroll for a certain period of time. First, when the scroll key 5a is touched, the overall control unit 17 gives a map scroll start command for moving the display map area in the east direction to the map display control unit 13, and the map display control unit 13 gives a map scroll start command. The map coordinates with the cursor coordinates as the center using the map data of the regional map while changing the cursor coordinates by a predetermined unit distance ΔL periodically from the cursor coordinates at the specified time to the east, and the current location mark, center By repeating the process of drawing in the first image storage unit 9 with the cursor mark and the user-specified point mark for a period of (Ti-Ts), a map image scrolling westward at a high speed above a certain speed is displayed (steps S20 to S20). S22, S24, steps S30, S21, S22 of Fig. 5. The road traffic information guidance mode is on while the map is scrolling. Also, the traffic jam mark, road traffic information marks such as road closures mark is not added). During continuous scrolling of the map, the overall control unit 17 searches for the name of the current location from the map data, calculates the actual distance between the current location and the cursor coordinates, and the direction of viewing the current location from the cursor coordinates, to the guidance information generating unit 14. The current location name is drawn in a predetermined area on the left side of the lower part of the second image drawing unit 10, and an actual distance between the current location and the cursor coordinates and an orientation mark that looks at the current location from the cursor coordinates are displayed at the lower part of the second image drawing unit 10. The image is drawn in a predetermined area on the right side and is synthesized on the map image by the synthesis unit 11 (step S23 in FIG. 4; see FIG. 10 (1)). When the map scroll instruction by the touch of the scroll key 5a continues (Ti-Ts), the overall control unit 17 determines YES in step S30 of FIG. 5, and pauses while the map scroll instruction continues. Since the number of times has not reached n (NO in step S31), if (c) is “Yes” as the operation condition during the temporary stop, a second temporary stop command is given to the map display control unit 13, and the map is displayed according to the command. The display control unit 13 stops rewriting the map image, adds a traffic jam mark, a traffic stop mark, etc. included in the map image area, and displays a stationary map image with road traffic information (steps S32 and S33). If (c) is “No” as the operation condition during the temporary stop, a first temporary stop command is given to the map display control unit 13, and the map display control unit 13 stops rewriting the map image according to the command and performs the map scroll. It is temporarily stopped (step S34). When the map scroll is paused, the overall control unit 17 causes the beep sound generation unit 16 to synthesize and output a beep sound when the operation condition during suspension is “Yes”, and the user is temporarily stopped. (Steps S35 and S36). The user knows that the map scrolling is paused even if he keeps an eye from the beep, sees the still map on the screen, how far the scroll has progressed, the positional relationship with the desired destination, etc. Can be grasped accurately.

  When the desired destination is still in the east and the user continues to touch the scroll key 5a and continues to instruct the map scroll, the overall control unit 17 issues a temporary stop release command when Ts elapses after the temporary stop starts. It is given to the map display control unit 13 to restart high-speed map scrolling in which the map on the screen moves to the west. The beep sound is stopped (steps S37 to S39, S40, step S21 in FIG. 4). Hereinafter, similarly, while the map scroll instruction for moving the display map area in the east direction is continued, the map scroll is temporarily stopped by Ts every time Ti elapses. However, the suspension is up to n times (step S31 in FIG. 5). Thus, periodically, the user can accurately grasp how far the scroll has progressed with the stationary map image, the positional relationship between the desired destination and the map image, and whether or not the desired destination appears on the map image. Easy to distinguish. When the desired destination appears on the map image, when the touch of the scroll key 5a is released and the map scrolling instruction is stopped, the overall control unit 17 gives a scroll stop command to the map display control unit 13 to stop the map scrolling. (Step S25 in FIG. 4; see FIG. 10 (3)). As a result, a map around the desired destination can be viewed. If the user wants to see the map on the north side, touch the scroll key 5c to scroll the map so that the map on the screen moves to the south while periodically stopping in the same manner as described above.

(V) Map scroll mode ・ ・ In case of temporary stop condition (2), (3) When (2) terminal station and (3) are set as the temporary stop condition, the scroll key 5a In response to a map scrolling instruction to move the displayed map area to the east by touching the map, the overall control unit 17 compares the attached data of the map data with the cursor coordinates while the map scrolls to move to the west. Whether the terminal station has come within an actual distance range (hereinafter referred to as a temporary stop condition range) corresponding to 15 cm on the screen, or whether any user designated point stored in the user designated point storage unit 12 has come to the temporary stop condition range For example, when terminal station A comes to the temporary stop condition range while the map scrolling instruction is continued (see symbol Q in FIG. 9). The overall control unit 17 gives a second temporary stop command to the map display control unit 13 if (c) is “Yes” as the operating condition during the temporary stop, and the map display control unit 13 follows the command to display the map image. Is stopped, a traffic jam mark, a traffic stop mark, and the like in the map image area are added, and a stationary map image with road traffic information is displayed (steps S32 and S33). If (c) is “No” as the operation condition during the temporary stop, a first temporary stop command is given to the map display control unit 13, and the map display control unit 13 stops rewriting the map image according to the command and performs the map scroll. It is temporarily stopped (step S34). When the map scroll is paused, the overall control unit 17 causes the beep sound generation unit 16 to synthesize and output a beep sound when the operation condition during suspension is “Yes”, and the user is temporarily stopped. (Steps S35 and S36). When the map scrolling is temporarily stopped, the overall control unit 17 refers to the attached data of the map data and refers to the terminal data of the target terminal station that is temporarily stopped if (b1) is “Yes” as the operation condition during the pause. In addition to discriminating the name of A, the distance and direction from the cursor coordinates to the terminal station A are calculated and output to the guidance information generating unit 14, and the name of the terminal station A is displayed on the left predetermined area below the second image drawing unit 10. , And the direction mark of the terminal station A viewed from the cursor coordinates and the actual distance between the terminal coordinates and the cursor coordinates is drawn in a predetermined area on the right side of the second image drawing unit 10. (Step S36, steps S50 and S51 in FIG. 6; see symbol Y in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 (2)). Further, if (b2) is “Yes” as the operation condition during the temporary stop, the name of the target terminal station A that is temporarily stopped, the distance and direction from the cursor coordinates to the terminal station A are output to the guidance information generation unit 14. Then, the name of the terminal station A, the cursor coordinates-the actual distance between the terminal stations, and the direction of the terminal station A viewed from the cursor coordinates are synthesized and output (steps S52 and S53). The user knows that the map scrolling has been paused even if he / she keeps an eye on the screen due to the beep sound, and the area around the terminal station is often known by the user, so it is easy to see where the area is by looking at the paused map image It is possible to easily recognize the positional relationship with the desired destination. In particular, the display information on the name, distance, and direction of the target station that has been paused this time makes it possible to immediately understand the location of the map image that was paused and the location of the desired destination. With voice information, even if you keep an eye on the screen, you can immediately understand the location of the temporarily stopped map image and the desired destination.

  If Ts elapses while the user touches the scroll key 5a after the pause, the overall control unit 17 gives a beep sound stop command to the beep sound generation unit 16 to stop if the beep sound is output. If the target station name, distance, and direction are output as voice, the guidance information generating unit 15 is stopped by giving a voice output stop command (steps S37 and S39 in FIG. 5), and the temporary stop cancellation command is sent to the map display control unit. 13 resumes map scrolling in which the map on the screen moves to the west (transition to step S21), but the user knows that the desired destination is northeast of terminal station A and releases the touch of scroll key 5a. Then, when the scroll key 5b is touched, once the map scrolling is stopped, the map scrolling in which the map on the screen moves to the southwest is started (stepping). S24, S25, S20, S21, S22). When the desired destination appears in the map image, if the scroll key 5b is released, the map scrolling stops and the map around the destination can be confirmed (see reference sign Z in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 (3)). To cancel the map scroll mode, if the navigation key of the key input unit 4B is pressed, the overall control unit 17 turns off the map scroll mode (in this case, the display of the scroll key on the screen is turned off), and turns on the navigation mode. Then, the original navigation mode is restored (steps S26 and S27).

In addition, (2) the temporary stop conditions include the boundaries of administrative regions in prefectures, boundaries of detailed map existing areas, interchanges and service areas of expressways, prefectural offices, terminal stations, lakeside and riverside events. One or more can be selected. For example, when the boundary of the detailed map existing area is selected in addition to the terminal station, when the boundary of the detailed map existing area is suspended during the map scrolling, The detailed map name applied to the temporary stop condition range as the name may be displayed as, for example, “XX city area detailed map” (see FIG. 11). As a result, the user knows the presence of the detailed map, and if there is a destination in the detailed map existence area, the user may scroll the map to the detailed map area while keeping the scale of the area map, and change the scale to display the detailed map.
In addition, the key input unit 4B and the screen touch input unit 4C are used to change the map scale, set the map scroll pause condition, set the operation condition during map scroll pause, and register the user-specified point (facility or place). The on / off operation of the road traffic information guidance mode during operation and navigation mode may be performed.

According to this embodiment, when the map is continuously scrolled based on the map scrolling instruction by touching the scroll keys 5a to 5h in the map scrolling mode, the state automatically matches the pre-selected pause condition of the user. Since the map scrolling is temporarily stopped, the user can see the map information on the stationary map screen accurately and how far the scrolling progresses without releasing the touch of the scroll key during the map scrolling and releasing the map scrolling instruction. Thus, it is possible to easily and correctly confirm whether or not the desired target point is in the display map, and the search operation for the desired target point can be easily performed.
In addition, the suspension conditions include the boundaries of administrative regions in prefectures, boundaries of detailed map locations, highway interchanges and service areas, prefectural offices, terminal stations, geographical features on lakes and rivers, or user-specified points. The map image can be paused when it enters a certain range from the center of the displayed map area, and the map image can be paused in the user's well-known area. It is possible to more easily grasp whether it has advanced or the desired target point is not in the display map. In addition, when the map scrolling is temporarily stopped when the geographical feature location or the user designated location falls within a predetermined fixed range from the center of the display map area, the guidance information generation unit 14 causes the geographic feature location or the user designated location to be designated. It is possible to display or voice output the name of the point, the distance and direction guidance information from the current location, so it is easier to recognize which area the map is paused, the name of the geographical feature point or user specified point, Since the guidance information on the distance and direction from the current location can be output as a voice, it is possible to easily grasp how far the scroll has progressed without the user looking at the screen.
In addition, since the beep sound is generated by the beep sound generation unit 16 during the pause of the map scroll and the user can be notified by the sound that the beep is being stopped, the user can know the timing of the pause even when the user is not looking at the screen. . Further, the road traffic information can be displayed together during the temporary stop of the map scroll, so that the road condition in the temporarily stopped display map area can be easily grasped.
Further, since the user can freely set the pause time Ts, the pause period Ti, and the maximum number of pauses n, the convenience is high.

In the above-described embodiment, in the pause conditions (2) and (3), the geographical feature location or the user designated location selected by the user as viewed on the map being scrolled has a radius of 15 cm on the screen from the cursor coordinates. Although the pause is made when entering the range corresponding to the circle, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pause is made when entering the range of the radius of 10 cm or the radius of 20 cm on the screen from the cursor coordinates. It is also possible to temporarily stop when entering the map display area, or when entering a range outside a certain distance such as 10 cm or 15 cm from the boundary of the map display area.
In addition, the movement during the map scrolling is performed at a speed higher than a certain speed, but it may be a variable speed. For example, after the first map scrolling is started and after the pause is stopped and the map scrolling is resumed, the scrolling is performed. The distance from the center of the screen to the touch position is increased continuously or stepwise over time, the speed is increased or decreased continuously or stepwise depending on the touch pressure. The height may be changed continuously or stepwise depending on the magnitude of the.
In addition, although the pause time of each time is the same, when outputting the name of the geographical feature location or the user designated location by voice, the time required for completing the voice output may be used.

  The present invention can be applied to a marine navigation device, a map search device, and the like in addition to a car navigation device.

It is explanatory drawing of the conventional map scroll method. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car navigation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (first embodiment). It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the whole control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the whole control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the whole control part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control processing of the whole control part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display of the various menu for map scroll condition setting. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display of the various menu for map scroll condition setting. It is explanatory drawing of map scroll operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen display example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 GPS receiving part 2 Road traffic information receiving part 3 Map data memory | storage part 4 Display part 4A Screen 4B Key input part 4C Screen touch type input part 5a-5h Scroll key 8 Map scroll condition memory | storage part 9 1st image memory | storage part 10 2nd Image storage unit 11 Composition unit 12 User designated point storage unit 13 Map display control unit 14 Guide information generation unit 15 Speaker 16 Beep sound generation unit 17 Overall control unit

Claims (12)

Display means for displaying a map, map data storage means for storing map data, map scroll instruction operation means for a user to perform a map scroll instruction operation, and map data using map data in accordance with instructions from the map scroll instruction operation means In a map display device including map display control means for displaying on a display means while scrolling an image,
While the map scroll instruction operation means instructs the map scroll, the map display control means performs a scroll operation for displaying the map image while scrolling, and a temporary operation for temporarily stopping the scroll for a certain time and displaying a stationary map. Switching between stop and turn,
A map display device characterized by the above. In the scrolling operation, high-speed scrolling that exceeds a certain fixed speed was performed.
The map display device according to claim 1. Providing a setting means for the user to variably set the certain time during which scrolling is paused;
The map display device according to claim 1. The number of pauses during map scrolling is limited to a maximum of n times,
The map display device according to claim 1. While the map scroll is instructed, the scroll operation and the pause are periodically switched at regular time intervals,
The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The map scrolling is paused when the geographical feature on the scrolled map enters the display map area or enters a certain range from the center or boundary of the display map area. thing,
The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The geographical feature location includes at least one of the boundaries of administrative regions, boundaries of detailed map existing areas, interchanges, service areas, prefectural offices, terminal stations, lakesides, riversides,
The map display device according to claim 6. Provided with a guide means for outputting the guide information of the geographical features during the pause of the map scrolling,
8. The map display device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The user comprises a designation means for designating a desired point and a user designated point storage means for memorizing the position of the designated point, and the map drawing means is adapted to draw the user designated point mark on the map image,
The map scrolling is paused when the user-specified point on the scrolled map enters the display map area or enters a predetermined range from the center or boundary of the display map area. ,
The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Provided with a guide means for outputting the guide information of the user designated point during the temporary stop of the map scrolling,
The map display device according to claim 9. Provide a notification means to notify the user that the map scrolling is paused or paused,
The map display device according to claim 1. Road traffic information receiving means for receiving road traffic information from outside;
Provided road traffic information guidance means for guiding the user to road traffic information related to the display map area during the temporary stop of the map scrolling,
The map display device according to claim 1.

Images