JP2009157816A - Information display device and information display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve image display excellent in visibility when landmark icons indicating POIs such as facilities are displayed on a map. <P>SOLUTION: When the map is displayed on a display screen as a ground and icons indicating information regarding the POIs are simultaneously displayed at positions on the map corresponding to specific places of the POIs, a failure display detection part 42 determines whether the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated by displaying a plurality of icons, and when deterioration of the visibility may occur, a display change part 43 changes a display image. Specifically, when duplicate display of icons, concealment of the map on the ground by the icons, and redundant display of icons in the same genre, etc. are detected, processing such as reduction of map scale, deletion of the redundant icons, adjustment of icon density, display by polyhedral icons is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information display device and an information display method for displaying a landmark icon (icon) indicating a POI (Point of Interest) such as a facility on a map, and in particular, an in-vehicle navigation device or a PC (Personal Computer). The present invention relates to an information display device and an information display method capable of displaying a plurality of facility landmark icons on a map displayed on a display screen of a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, or the like.

  A conventional in-vehicle navigation device has a function of displaying surrounding facilities on a map, and allows a user to select a genre of a desired facility and display a corresponding facility group on the map. In the conventional vehicle-mounted car navigation device, the number of displayed icons is limited in order to maintain the visibility of the display screen. For example, the upper limit of the number of displayed icons is set to 200.

  In addition, the conventional in-vehicle navigation device has a function of displaying a landmark icon of a desired genre on a map by selecting a facility genre that the user wants to display. For example, when the user selects a convenience store, a large number of icons indicating all the convenience stores on the displayed map are displayed.

  In addition, in a map display service such as a Google (registered trademark) map, an icon indicating position information on the map and facility information existing at the position are displayed so that a large amount of facility information can be displayed on the map. A dislocation method is used to separate and display.

Also, in Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, in order to prevent the pin-type icons set at the same point from overlapping on the map from being difficult to see, the directions in which the pin-type icons extend are different. A technique for displaying on a map so that a plurality of pin-type icons pointing to the same point do not overlap by setting the direction is disclosed.
JP 2001-31626 A (paragraph 0152, FIG. 25) JP 2007-093610 A (paragraph 0155, FIG. 25)

  However, in the limitation of the number of icon displays in the conventional technology, when a large number of icons are concentrated and displayed at the same point, even if the number of icon displays is limited, the icons overlap each other. There is a problem that the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated by being hidden under the icon or being hidden by a large number of icon displays (see FIG. 3).

  Moreover, in the in-vehicle navigation device according to the conventional technology, a user selects a facility genre that the user wants to display, and a large number of landmark icons of the desired genre are displayed. However, only a few landmark icons are useful for the user. In addition, among the displayed landmark icons, only one facility is actually visited by the user.

  In addition, according to the rearrangement method in the prior art, it is possible to make each icon small, and even if the number of icon display is limited, it may be hidden under other icons by overlapping icons, Although the problem that the map is hidden due to the display of a large number of icons can be avoided to some extent, if a large number of icons are concentrated and displayed at the same point, the above problem still occurs. Become. Similarly, with respect to the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a large number of icons are concentrated and displayed at the same point, the above-described problem still occurs.

  The problems related to the conventional technology will be summarized below. In the conventional technology, there are three problems: an icon superposition display problem, a map concealment problem, and a similar icon overlap display problem.

  The icon overlay display problem that occurs in the prior art is that a landmark icon indicating a plurality of facilities is superimposed on the same coordinates on the map screen and displayed, so that some or all landmark icons become invisible. It is.

  This icon overlay problem is likely to occur when there are many search results (when there are many landmark icons to be displayed) or when the scale of the map is enlarged. For example, when displaying maps and facilities in the city center This is a frequent problem. As described above, the icon superimposed display problem can occur even when the rearrangement method in the prior art is adopted.

  Also, the map concealment problem that occurs in the prior art is a problem that when a landmark icon is concentrated and displayed locally on a map screen, the local map becomes invisible due to the landmark icon. In this map concealment problem, the number of landmark icons to be displayed is enormous, and when the landmark icons are concentrated locally, the map underlying the local area becomes invisible, and the positional relationship indicated by the landmark icons There arises a problem that a map serving as a reference for grasping the situation becomes unrecognizable.

  In addition, the same type icon overlap display problem is caused when a landmark icon of a desired genre is displayed on a map by selecting a facility genre to be displayed and a search result of facilities of the desired genre becomes a huge number. , A large number of search results are displayed (for example, when a convenience store is selected, icons indicating all the convenience stores in the vicinity are displayed). Normally, even if a large number of search results are displayed, the user usually goes to only one place or a few places among a plurality of displayed facilities. Therefore, it is redundant to display all the many search results. In the present specification, it is difficult for the user to see an image displayed on the display screen due to any one or more of the above-described icon overlay display problem, map concealment problem, and similar icon overlap display problem. When it is felt (or when it is difficult for the user to acquire necessary information from the image displayed on the display screen), the visibility of the display screen may be expressed as degraded.

  In order to solve the above-described problems related to the conventional technology, the present invention provides an information display device that realizes an image display with excellent visibility when a landmark icon indicating a POI such as a facility is displayed on a map, and An object is to provide an information display method.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a map is displayed on a display screen, and an icon indicating information on a specific place is displayed at a position on the map corresponding to the specific place. Display means;
When the visibility of the display screen deteriorates below a predetermined level, display change means for preventing deterioration of the visibility of the display screen by changing the display method of the icon,
An information display device is provided.
With the above configuration, when a landmark icon indicating a POI such as a facility is displayed on a map, it is possible to realize an image display with excellent visibility.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, a user viewing the display screen may deteriorate visibility of the display screen due to a plurality of the icons being displayed on the display screen. An information display device having user input means for inputting information indicating that the visibility of the display screen has deteriorated to a predetermined level or less when felt is provided.
With the configuration described above, the user can input an instruction for solving the display defect when the display screen becomes difficult to view due to the display of a large number of icons.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, visibility deterioration determining means for determining whether the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less by displaying a plurality of icons. An information display device is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to determine the deterioration of the visibility of the display screen based on a predetermined criterion.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the visibility deterioration determining unit displays a plurality of icons in duplicate on the display screen so that more than a predetermined upper limit number of icons are displayed on the display screen. When it is determined whether or not it is impossible to visually recognize the icon on the display screen, and the state in which the icons exceeding the predetermined upper limit number cannot be visually recognized on the display screen occurs, the visibility of the display screen is below a predetermined level. There is provided an information display device configured to determine that it will deteriorate.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the icon superimposed display problem.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the visibility deterioration determining unit may not be able to visually recognize the map displayed as the background because a plurality of icons are displayed on the display screen. A ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map that is visible on the display screen without being hidden by a plurality of icons and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen There is provided an information display device configured to determine that the visibility of the display screen deteriorates to a predetermined level or less when the value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit value.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a map concealment problem.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the visibility deterioration determining means determines whether or not the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than a predetermined upper limit number. There is provided an information display device configured to determine that the visibility of the display screen deteriorates to a predetermined level or lower when the icons belonging to the display are displayed more than the predetermined upper limit number.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the same type icon overlap display problem.

Moreover, according to this invention, in addition to said structure, the said display change means provides the information display apparatus comprised so that the reduced scale of the said map might be reduced.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the display changing unit includes the display total area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the display total area Si of a plurality of icons on the display screen. There is provided an information display device configured to reduce the scale of the map so that the ratio Si / Sm to be smaller than a predetermined value.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the display changing unit is configured to limit the display of the icons so that the number of the icons displayed on the display screen is less than a predetermined number. An information display device is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the display changing unit includes the display total area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the display total area Si of a plurality of icons on the display screen. An information display device is provided that is configured to limit the number of displayed icons so that the ratio Si / Sm to be smaller than a predetermined value.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the display changing unit limits the display of the icon so that a display density of the icon displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. A configured information display device is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons for each unit area on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the display changing unit may change the display of the icons so that the display density of the icons belonging to the same genre displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. An information display device configured to limit display is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons belonging to the same genre for each unit area on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above configuration, the display changing unit is configured to display a plurality of overlapping icons displayed by polyhedral icons pasted on each surface. A display device is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to display information related to a plurality of POIs with one polyhedral icon.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a map is displayed on a display screen as a base, and an icon indicating information on a specific place is displayed at a position on the map corresponding to the specific place. A display step to display;
When the visibility of the display screen deteriorates below a predetermined level, a display change step for preventing deterioration of the visibility of the display screen by changing the display method of the icon,
An information display method is provided.
With the above configuration, when a landmark icon indicating a POI such as a facility is displayed on a map, it is possible to realize an image display with excellent visibility.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, a user viewing the display screen may deteriorate visibility of the display screen due to a plurality of icons displayed on the display screen. An information display method having a user input step of inputting information indicating that the visibility of the display screen has deteriorated to a predetermined level or less when felt is provided.
With the configuration described above, the user can input an instruction for solving the display defect when the display screen becomes difficult to view due to the display of a large number of icons.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, a visibility deterioration determination step for determining whether the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less by displaying a plurality of icons. An information display method is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to determine the deterioration of the visibility of the display screen based on a predetermined criterion.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the visibility deterioration determining step, a plurality of icons are displayed on the display screen in an overlapping manner, so that more than a predetermined upper limit number of icons are displayed on the display screen. When it is determined whether or not it is impossible to visually recognize the icon on the display screen, and the state in which the icons exceeding the predetermined upper limit number cannot be visually recognized on the display screen occurs, the visibility of the display screen is below a predetermined level. There is provided an information display method for determining that it will deteriorate.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the icon superimposed display problem.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the visibility deterioration determining step, a plurality of icons are displayed on the display screen, so that the map displayed as the background cannot be visually recognized. A ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map that is visible on the display screen without being hidden by a plurality of icons and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen An information display method is provided for determining that the visibility of the display screen deteriorates to a predetermined level or less when the value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of a map concealment problem.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the visibility deterioration determining step, it is determined whether or not the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than a predetermined upper limit number. There is provided an information display method for determining that the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or lower when the icons to which the icons belong are displayed more than the predetermined upper limit number.
With the above configuration, it is possible to detect the occurrence of the same type icon overlap display problem.

Moreover, according to this invention, in addition to said process, the information display method which reduces the scale of the said map in the said display change step is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the display change step, the display total area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the display total area Si of a plurality of icons on the display screen. An information display method for reducing the scale of the map is provided so that the ratio Si / Sm of the map becomes smaller than a predetermined value.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the display change step, the information display for limiting the display of the icons so that the number of the icons displayed on the display screen is less than a predetermined number. A method is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the display change step, the display total area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the display total area Si of a plurality of icons on the display screen. There is provided an information display method for limiting the number of displayed icons so that the ratio Si / Sm is smaller than a predetermined value.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the display change step, the information for limiting the display of the icons so that the display density of the icons displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. A display method is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons for each unit area on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above processing, in the display changing step, the icon of the icon belonging to the same genre displayed on the display screen is set to be smaller than a predetermined value. An information display method for limiting display is provided.
With the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the relative display area of icons belonging to the same genre for each unit area on the display screen and increase the display area of the map.

Moreover, according to this invention, in addition to said process, the information display method which displays in the said display change step by the polyhedral icon by which the several icon displayed redundantly was affixed on each surface is provided. .
With the above configuration, it is possible to display information related to a plurality of POIs with one polyhedral icon.

  The present invention has the above-described configuration and processing, and can display an image with excellent visibility when a landmark icon indicating a POI such as a facility is displayed on a map.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a configuration example in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device including an information display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present specification, a case where the information display device according to the present invention is incorporated in an in-vehicle navigation device will be described, but a POI icon that displays a map as a background (base or lower layer diagram) and indicates the position of the POI The present invention can be applied to an arbitrary display device (for example, a PC, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, etc.) that displays the image on the map.

  1 includes a vehicle state detection unit 10, an information acquisition unit 20, an external output unit 30, a control unit 40, an operation input unit 51, and a map data storage unit 52.

  The vehicle state detection unit 10 has a function of detecting the current position and movement state of the vehicle, and includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a movement direction sensor 13, and the like. The

  The GPS receiver 11 has a function of receiving a GPS signal from a GPS satellite and specifying the current position of the vehicle from the received GPS signal. Further, the vehicle speed sensor 12 has a function of detecting the speed at which the vehicle moves based on, for example, the number of wheel rotations or the transition of vehicle position information. The moving direction sensor 13 has a function of detecting the moving direction of the vehicle based on the detection results of, for example, a gyro that measures the rotation angle of the moving body and a geomagnetic sensor that detects the earth's magnetic field. .

  The configuration of the vehicle state detection unit 10 is not limited to each of the above-described devices, and can be configured by a device for detecting the state of the vehicle using any technique.

  The information acquisition unit 20 has a function of acquiring information from the outside of the in-vehicle navigation device. For example, the information acquisition unit 20 includes an FM (Frequency Modulation) wave reception unit 21, a beacon reception unit 22, and a network connection unit 23. Composed.

  The FM wave receiving unit 21 has a function of receiving VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) information transmitted by FM multiplex broadcasting and extracting VICS information. The beacon receiving unit 22 has a function of receiving VICS information transmitted by radio wave beacons and optical beacons and extracting VICS information. The network connection unit 23 has a function of connecting to a network provided by a vehicle manufacturer, the Internet, or the like via wireless communication and acquiring information from a database on the network.

  In addition, the structure of the information acquisition part 20 is not limited to said each apparatus, It is possible to comprise with the apparatus for acquiring required information using arbitrary techniques. In addition, the information acquisition unit 20 has an interface for reading and writing information to and from the portable storage medium, for example, and can also acquire information stored in the portable storage medium through this interface.

  The external output unit 30 has a function of providing information to a user (particularly, a driver or a passenger riding in the vehicle), and includes, for example, a monitor 31 and a speaker 32. .

  The monitor 31 is a display device for displaying images and videos. For example, the monitor 31 can display a vehicle guidance map, a guide route, information on a facility (POI), and the like on a display screen. The speaker 32 is a sound output device for outputting sound, and can output sound guidance information, a warning sound for promoting safe driving, and the like.

  Note that the configuration of the external output unit 30 is not limited to each of the above-described devices, and can be configured by a device for providing information to the user using an arbitrary technique.

  Further, the control unit 40 performs main processing and control of the in-vehicle navigation device, and realizes various functions in the in-vehicle navigation device, for example, by executing a program by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Is possible. The control unit 40 can realize various functions such as a vehicle guide unit 41, a defect display detection unit 42, and a display change unit 43, for example. As described above, the functions of the vehicle guide unit 41, the malfunction display detection unit 42, and the display change unit 43 in the control unit 40 can be described by a program that can be executed by the CPU. A process to be executed (for example, an operation illustrated in FIG. 2 described later) can be realized by a program.

  The vehicle guide unit 41 has a function for providing various navigation information such as information on the current location and destination of the vehicle, route information to the destination, information on facilities around an arbitrary point, and the like. For example, the vehicle guide unit 41 displays a map as a base on the display screen, and displays an icon indicating information on a specific place at a position on the map corresponding to the specific place, so that the facility exists. It is possible to visually provide information about a place (or a facility existing at a specific place).

  In addition, the defect display detection unit 42 detects a deterioration in visibility when detecting a state in which a display defect occurs when a plurality of icons are displayed, resulting in a display screen that is difficult for the user to view (a display screen with degraded visibility). It has a function. In addition, after displaying an image on the display screen, the defect display detection unit 42 may detect whether or not a defect due to icon display has occurred with respect to the displayed image. An image to be obtained may be acquired before being displayed on the display screen, and it may be detected whether or not a defect due to icon display has occurred regarding the image to be displayed.

  The faulty display detected by the fault display detection unit 42 means that, for example, the icons on the front face are hidden by the icons existing in the front by overlapping the icons as described in the problem to be solved by the above-described invention. As a result of displaying many icons on the map, map concealment that makes the underlying map invisible, icons that are rarely necessary in practice are displayed (for example, POIs of the same genre) The defect display detection unit 42 quantifies the visibility (easy to see / not easy to see) regarding each of these defective displays, and displays a predetermined number. When a deterioration in visibility equal to or higher than the level (reference value) is detected, an instruction is sent to the display changing unit 43 so as to eliminate the display defect.

  In addition, the display changing unit 43 eliminates display defects that cause deterioration in the visibility of the display screen (difficulty in viewing due to superimposed display, map concealment, overlapping display, etc.) based on an instruction from the defect display detection unit 42. In addition, it has a function of reconfiguring the display screen by changing the display method related to icon display. As described later, for example, a method for automatically reducing the map scale, a method for reducing the number of icons (particularly, a redundant icon indicating a POI of the same genre), a map, etc. A method of automatically adjusting the icon density above, a method of adopting a polyhedral icon, and the like can be mentioned.

  The operation input unit 51 is an input interface such as a remote controller (remote controller) or an operation panel for a user to input an instruction to the in-vehicle navigation device. The map data storage unit 52 is a recording medium in which map data and icon data used when the vehicle guide unit 41 displays a map and an icon on the display screen, and information regarding various POIs are stored.

  Here, the in-vehicle navigation device includes the defect display detection unit 42 and is configured to automatically detect the occurrence of a display defect. For example, the vehicle-mounted navigation device is displayed on the display screen. A user who feels that it is difficult to see a map or an icon may be able to send an instruction to the display change unit 43 via the operation input unit 51 so as to eliminate the display defect. In other words, for example, an input by a user who is browsing the display screen may be used as a trigger to solve a problem related to icon display. In this case, a user who feels a display defect may be allowed to specify a method for improving the display method together with an input for instructing the resolution of the display defect.

  Next, an operation example in the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation of the information display device in the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, when a display event for displaying on the display screen a POI or the like indicated by an icon on the map as a background (step S <b> 101), the defect display detection unit 42 determines whether a defect due to icon display has occurred. Is detected (step S102). If there is no defect due to the icon display, the defect display detection unit 42 does not send an instruction to eliminate the display defect to the display change unit 43, and the display is performed as it is (step S104).

  On the other hand, when the defect display detection unit 42 determines that a defect due to icon display has occurred, an instruction is sent to the display change unit 43 to eliminate the display defect, and the display change unit 43 displays the defect display. Based on the instruction from the detection unit 42, the display method is changed so as to eliminate the problem caused by the icon display, and the image displayed on the display screen is recreated (step S103). Then, an image in which the trouble due to the icon display is eliminated by the display changing unit 43 is displayed on the display screen (step S104).

  Next, a specific method when the defect display detection unit 42 determines that a defect due to icon display has occurred will be described.

  The defect display detection unit 42 regards, for example, a state in which an icon on the front side is hidden by an icon existing in front as a result of superimposing icons as a defective display, and an icon present on the front surface by an icon existing in front by overlapping of icons. Can be sent to the display changing unit 43 to eliminate the display defect.

  Note that a detection criterion that is considered to be a display defect due to the superimposed display of icons can be arbitrarily set. For example, icons that are more than a predetermined upper limit among icons to be displayed are not visually recognized on the display screen. When it becomes possible (becomes hidden), it may be determined that a display defect (visibility degradation) has occurred. The predetermined upper limit value may be set by the user himself / herself based on a level at which the user feels difficult to see.

  In addition, the defect display detection unit 42 regards a map concealment state in which a map displayed as a background cannot be grasped as a result of displaying many icons on the map as a defective display, for example. When the occurrence of the concealment state is detected, an instruction can be sent to the display change unit 43 so as to eliminate the display defect.

  In addition, the detection reference considered that the malfunction of the display by concealment of the map has occurred can be arbitrarily set, for example, the total display area Sm of the map that can be visually recognized on the display screen without being hidden by a plurality of icons, When the ratio Si / Sm with the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is equal to or higher than a predetermined upper limit value (for example, 20/80), a display defect (visibility degradation) occurs. You may decide that The predetermined upper limit value may be set by the user himself / herself based on a level at which the user feels difficult to see.

  The calculation method of the total display area Sm of the map and the total display area Si of the icon may be performed according to an arbitrary algorithm. For example, in the case of a 2D map (two-dimensional display map), a plane (X axis and Y axis) In the case of a 3D map (three-dimensional display map), the area may be calculated in consideration of the depth (Z-axis).

  In addition, for example, the defect display detection unit 42 regards a state where a large number of POIs related to the same type (same genre) are displayed as a defective display, and instructs the display change unit 43 to eliminate the display defect. It can be sent out.

  It should be noted that a detection criterion that is considered to be a display defect caused by the display of a large number of POIs related to the same genre can be arbitrarily set, for example, when icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than a predetermined upper limit Alternatively, it may be determined that a display defect (visibility degradation) has occurred. The predetermined upper limit value may be set by the user himself / herself based on a level at which the user feels difficult to see.

  Next, a specific method for the display changing unit 43 to solve the problem caused by the icon display will be described.

  When the display change unit 43 receives an instruction from the defect display detection unit 42 to eliminate the display defect, for example, the display change unit 43 may eliminate the display defect by creating a new display image with a reduced map scale. Is possible. For example, when the display as illustrated in FIG. 3 is about to be performed, the display changing unit 43 reduces the map as illustrated in FIG. 5 in order to eliminate the display defect. Create a display image. The original image region shown in FIG. 3 is a region surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  According to this method of reducing the scale of the map, the map area to be displayed becomes wide, so the peripheral information of the area hidden by the icon is displayed by the map, and the information of the hidden map is grasped from the peripheral information (Guessing) is possible, so it is particularly effective for the map concealment problem. The display changing unit 43 has a predetermined value (for example, 20), for example, the ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen. / 80), the scale of the map may be reduced so as to be smaller (or to coincide with a predetermined value 20/80).

  Further, by reducing the map, for example, an area for displaying icons can be increased, so that the icon superimposed display problem can be solved.

  In addition, when the display change unit 43 receives an instruction from the defect display detection unit 42 to resolve the display defect, the display change unit 43 reduces the number of icons (particularly, icons indicating POIs of the same genre), thereby reducing the display defect. It can be resolved.

  The display changing unit 43 may limit the display of icons so that the number of icons displayed on the display screen is less than a predetermined number (for example, about 10), or the display changing unit 43 may be visually recognized on the display screen. The number of icons to be displayed is set so that the ratio Si / Sm between the possible total display area Sm of the map and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value (for example, 20/80). You may restrict.

  Further, paying attention to icons of the same genre, the number of icons of the same genre is reduced from a predetermined number (for example, about 5), or the ratio Si / Sm related to the total display area Si of icons of the same genre is set from a predetermined value. By reducing the size, icons of the same genre can be prevented from being displayed redundantly, which is particularly effective for the problem of overlapping display of similar icons.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of types of icons, it is necessary to prevent a display defect from occurring when all icons obtained by integrating the icons of each genre are displayed. For example, there are N types of icons. If it exists, the reference value of the icon of each genre is limited to a value divided by N, and the upper limit value of the number of icons in each genre is set to (total upper limit value / N), or the icon display in each genre is displayed. The upper limit value of the area ratio Si / Sm can be set to (total upper limit value / N).

  Also, instead of allocating an upper limit value averaged for each genre, for example, a genre that should be set with a higher upper limit value or a lower upper limit value should be set in consideration of learning results of user preferences and general trends. For example, an upper limit value of each genre may be weighted, for example, a genre may be determined. For a genre that does not need to display a plurality of icons, for example, the upper limit value of the number of displayed icons may be set to 1.

  In addition, by reducing the number of icons, for example, the possibility of overlapping icons being displayed is reduced, or the area of a map that is hidden is reduced. It can also be eliminated.

  Further, when the display change unit 43 receives an instruction from the defect display detection unit 42 to eliminate the display defect, the display change unit 43 eliminates the display defect by adjusting (that is, reducing) the icon density on the map, for example. It is possible. The icon density can be defined as, for example, the number of icons per unit area (or unit space) (or icon occupation area). In order to reduce the icon density, the unit area (or unit) on the display screen can be reduced. The number of icons per space) (or the area occupied by the icons) may be reduced. The icon density may be calculated in a local area on the display screen or may be calculated by the number of icons displayed on the entire display screen.

  For example, the display changing unit 43 reduces the number of icons to be displayed locally or uses icons with a small area in an area where icon display is concentrated, so that the display density of the icon density is predetermined. It is possible to make it smaller than the value. As a result, the number of icons and the area occupied by icons are reduced. For example, the possibility of overlapping icons being displayed is reduced, and the area of a map that is hidden is reduced. This is effective for display problems and map concealment problems.

  In addition, when the icon density is adjusted independently for each genre icon, the number of icons belonging to the same genre can be reduced, and the same type icon overlapping display problem can be solved. Become.

  Further, when the display change unit 43 receives an instruction from the defect display detection unit 42 to resolve the display defect, the display change unit 43 collects a plurality of POIs indicating the same point (or a neighboring area of a certain point) on the map into a plurality of points. By displaying the icon as a polyhedron icon pasted on each surface, it is possible to solve the display defect.

  For example, by pasting a plurality of icons indicating the POI of the same spot or neighboring area on each face of the polyhedron icon as shown in FIG. 6 and displaying the polyhedron icon, the display area of one icon ( A plurality of POIs can be indicated by the display area of the polyhedron icon.

  FIG. 6 shows polyhedral icons in which icons are pasted on the respective faces of (a) regular tetrahedron, (b) cube, and (c) regular octahedron. As can be seen from FIG. 6, it is desirable to rotate the polyhedron icon so that each surface is displayed evenly.

  Note that the display change unit 43 can also eliminate display defects by simultaneously performing the above-described reduction of the map scale, deletion of redundant icons, adjustment of icon density, and display processing using polyhedral icons.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when a landmark icon indicating a POI such as a facility is displayed on a map, it is possible to realize an image display with excellent visibility. . Thereby, time until a user acquires information comes to be shortened. In addition, since the number of displayed icons and the display area can be controlled, it is possible to design a large icon with higher visibility.

  According to the present invention, when a landmark icon indicating a POI of a facility or the like is displayed on a map, an image display with excellent visibility can be realized, and the icon indicating the POI of a facility or the like is displayed on the map. In particular, the present invention is applicable to a technique for displaying a plurality of facility landmark icons on a map displayed on a display screen of an in-vehicle navigation device, a PC, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, or the like. .

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus containing the information display apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information display apparatus in embodiment of this invention. In a prior art, it is a figure which shows an example in which many icons are displayed on a display screen, icons overlap, and the background map is hidden by the icons. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a display defect is eliminated by reducing the scale of a map of a display image having a defect as illustrated in FIG. 3 in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a display defect is eliminated by limiting the number of display of the same type icon of a display image having a defect as illustrated in FIG. 3 in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the polyhedron icon which the information display apparatus in embodiment of this invention uses as an icon, (A) is a regular tetrahedron icon, (B) is a cube icon, (C) is a regular octahedron icon. It is a figure which shows an example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle state detection part 11 GPS receiver 12 Vehicle speed sensor 13 Movement direction sensor 20 Information acquisition part 21 FM wave reception part 22 Beacon reception part 23 Network connection part 30 External output part 31 Monitor 32 Speaker 40 Control part 41 Vehicle guide part 42 Trouble Display detection unit 43 Display change unit 51 Operation input unit 52 Map data storage unit

Claims (26)

A display means for displaying a map as a base on a display screen and an icon indicating information on a specific place at a position on the map corresponding to the specific place;
When the visibility of the display screen deteriorates below a predetermined level, display change means for preventing deterioration of the visibility of the display screen by changing the display method of the icon,
An information display device.   When the user who is browsing the display screen feels that the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated due to a plurality of the icons being displayed on the display screen, the visibility of the display screen is a predetermined level. The information display device according to claim 1, further comprising user input means for inputting information indicating that the deterioration has occurred.   The information display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a visibility deterioration determining unit that determines whether the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less by displaying a plurality of icons.   The visibility deterioration determining means determines whether or not a plurality of icons are displayed on the display screen in a duplicated manner so that icons exceeding a predetermined upper limit number are not visible on the display screen. The display screen is configured to determine that the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less when a state occurs in which icons exceeding the upper limit of the number cannot be viewed on the display screen. 3. The information display device according to 3.   The visibility deterioration determining means determines whether or not the map displayed as the background is not visible by displaying a plurality of icons on the display screen, and is not hidden by the plurality of icons. When the ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit, the display screen The information display device according to claim 3, wherein the information display device is configured to determine that the visibility of the display device deteriorates to a predetermined level or less.   The visibility deterioration determining means determines whether or not the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than a predetermined upper limit, and the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than the predetermined upper limit. The information display device according to claim 3, further configured to determine that the visibility of the display screen deteriorates to a predetermined level or less.   The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the display change unit is configured to reduce a scale of the map.   The display changing means is configured so that a ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display device according to claim 1, configured to reduce a scale of the map.   The said display change means is comprised so that the display of the said icon may be restrict | limited so that the number of the said icons displayed on the said display screen may become less than predetermined number. Information display device.   The display changing means is configured so that a ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display device according to claim 1, wherein the information display device is configured to limit a display number of the icons.   The display change means is configured to limit display of the icons so that a display density of the icons displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display device described.   11. The display change unit according to claim 1, wherein the display change unit is configured to limit display of the icons so that a display density of the icons belonging to the same genre displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display apparatus as described in any one.   The information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the display change unit is configured to display a plurality of overlapping icons displayed by polyhedral icons pasted on each surface. . A display step of displaying a map as a base on the display screen and displaying an icon indicating information on a specific place at a position on the map corresponding to the specific place;
When the visibility of the display screen deteriorates below a predetermined level, a display change step for preventing deterioration of the visibility of the display screen by changing the display method of the icon,
An information display method.   When the user who is browsing the display screen feels that the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated due to a plurality of the icons being displayed on the display screen, the visibility of the display screen is a predetermined level. The information display method according to claim 14, further comprising a user input step of inputting information indicating that the deterioration has occurred.   The information display method according to claim 14, further comprising: a visibility deterioration determination step of determining whether the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less by displaying a plurality of icons.   In the visibility deterioration determining step, it is determined whether or not a plurality of icons are displayed on the display screen in a duplicated manner so that more than a predetermined upper limit number of icons may not be visible on the display screen. The information according to claim 16, wherein the visibility of the display screen is determined to be deteriorated to a predetermined level or less when a state in which icons exceeding the upper limit number of the icons cannot be visually recognized on the display screen occurs. Display method.   In the visibility deterioration determining step, it is determined whether or not the map displayed as the base is not visible by displaying a plurality of icons on the display screen, and is not hidden by the plurality of icons. When the ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit, the display screen The information display method according to claim 16, wherein it is determined that the visibility of the image quality deteriorates below a predetermined level.   In the visibility deterioration determining step, it is determined whether or not the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than a predetermined upper limit number, and the icons belonging to the same genre are displayed more than the predetermined upper limit number The information display method according to claim 16, wherein the visibility of the display screen is deteriorated to a predetermined level or less.   The information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein, in the display change step, a scale of the map is reduced.   In the display changing step, a ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display method according to claim 14, wherein the scale of the map is reduced.   The information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein in the display change step, the display of the icons is limited so that the number of the icons displayed on the display screen is less than a predetermined number.   In the display changing step, a ratio Si / Sm between the total display area Sm of the map visible on the display screen and the total display area Si of the plurality of icons on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein the number of displayed icons is limited.   The information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein in the display change step, the display of the icon is limited so that a display density of the icon displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. .   24. The display change step according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein in the display change step, the display of the icons is limited so that a display density of the icons belonging to the same genre displayed on the display screen is smaller than a predetermined value. The information display method described.   The information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein in the display changing step, a plurality of icons displayed in duplicate are displayed by a polyhedral icon pasted on each surface.

Images