JP2009210586A - Map display, map display method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily know a residual distance from an optional point on a guide route up to a destination point, and to surely recognize a point of a fixed remaining travel distance at a time point when reaching thereto. <P>SOLUTION: The map display is provided with a CD block 8 attached with a map CD-ROM 7 for storing map data, a key block 6 having a key for specifying a start point and the destination point, and a CPU 13 for calculating a route from the start point to the destination point by using the map data, and for imparting point marks with a fixed interval on the obtained route depending on a distance up to the destination point to be displayed by a monitor block 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device, a map display method, and a recording medium that are applied to an automobile navigation device or the like.

  Conventionally, automobile navigation devices using GPS (Global Positioning System) have been widely used. In this type of navigation apparatus, latitude information and longitude information of the current position are calculated based on signals from a plurality of artificial satellites received by a GPS antenna, and roads around the current position read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Map data consisting of information and place name information is developed and displayed on a monitor display.

  One of the basic functions of this type of navigation apparatus is a route guidance function. This route guidance function calculates the shortest distance route from the starting point to the destination point by inputting only the destination point with the starting point and the destination point or the current point as the starting point, and the calculated route is transferred to other roads. When the function is executed, the remaining travel distance from the current position on the route to the destination point is always displayed on the screen in units of 0.1 km, for example.

  However, the remaining travel distance displayed by the route guidance function is a distance value from the current position on the route to the destination as described above, and the remaining travel distance from any point on the route to the destination is displayed. In order to know the remaining travel distance from an arbitrary point, it is necessary to search the route again after setting the point as a stop-by designation condition.

  Further, in order to know whether or not the user has reached a point of a certain remaining traveling distance desired, it is necessary to constantly check the display of the remaining traveling distance that changes every moment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to be able to easily know the remaining travel distance from any point on the guidance route to the destination point, and to use it. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device, a map display method, and a recording medium capable of reliably recognizing a point of a certain remaining travel distance desired by a person.

  The invention described in claim 1 uses the map storage means for storing the map data, the designation means for designating the starting point and the destination point in the map data, and the map data stored in the map storage means, and the designation A route calculation means for calculating a route from the starting point designated by the means to the destination point, and a display means for displaying the route obtained by the route calculation means with point symbols at regular intervals. And

With such a configuration, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display means further comprises setting means for variably setting a predetermined interval of point symbols displayed on the route.

  With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention described in claim 1 above, the interval between the displayed point symbols can be variably set so that the user can easily see, so that the usability can be further improved. it can.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positioning means for positioning the current position of the self and the current position obtained by the positioning means coincide with the position of the point symbol. It further has a notifying means for notifying of the above.

  With such a configuration, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 1 or 2, since the notification is made at a point where the predetermined remaining distance to the destination point is given, the user is not burdened with an unnecessary burden. The arrival at the point can be notified.

  The invention according to claim 4 uses the map storage means for storing the map data, the specifying means for specifying the starting point and the destination point in the map data, and the map data stored in the map storage means, Route calculation means for calculating the route from the starting point designated by the means to the destination point, positioning means for positioning the current position of the self, input means for inputting arbitrary distance data, and the current position obtained by the positioning means An informing means for informing when the position coincides with a position corresponding to the distance data obtained by the input means on the route is provided.

  With such a configuration, since the notification is made at the point where the predetermined remaining distance input by the user to the destination point is reached, it is possible to notify the user of arrival at the point without imposing an extra burden.

  The invention according to claim 5 uses the map storage means for storing the map data, the designation means for designating the starting point and the destination point in the map data, and the map data stored in the map storage means, A route calculation means for calculating the route from the departure point specified by the means to the destination point, an input means for inputting arbitrary distance data, and a point symbol at a position on the route according to the distance data obtained by this input means And a display means for displaying.

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily visually recognize the position on the guide route of the point that is the predetermined remaining distance input by the user up to the destination point.
The invention described in claim 6 is a map display method applied to a map display device that reads map data from a storage medium and displays it in a developed manner, wherein a departure point and a destination point are designated, and the designated departure point is changed to the destination point. The route to reach is calculated by reading the map data from the medium storing the map data and displaying the obtained route with point symbols at regular intervals.

With such a method, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.
The invention according to claim 7 is a recording medium in which a program for a map display device for expanding and displaying map data is recorded, and the map display device reaches a destination from a starting point calculated based on the map data. A program for displaying a route with point symbols at regular intervals is recorded.
With such recorded contents, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.
According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 above, the interval of the point symbols to be displayed can be variably set so that the user can easily see, so that the usability is further improved. be able to.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2 above, since the notification is made at the point where the predetermined remaining distance is reached to the destination point, an extra burden is imposed on the user. It is possible to notify the arrival to the point without any problem.

  According to invention of Claim 4, since it alert | reports at the point which became the predetermined | prescribed remaining distance which the user input to the destination point, the arrival to the said point can be notified without forcing an extra burden to a user. it can.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily visually recognize the position on the guide route at the point that is the predetermined remaining distance input by the user up to the destination point.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the remaining distance from an arbitrary point on the guidance route to the destination point can be recognized at a glance.

1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the operation | movement which concerns on the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the operation | movement which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which illustrates the display screen which concerns on the same embodiment. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the operation | movement which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the operation | movement which concerns on the same embodiment. The figure which illustrates the display screen which concerns on the same embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment when the present invention is applied to an automobile navigation device using GPS will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of the entire apparatus. As a GPS reception function, a GPS antenna 1 installed on a roof of a vehicle body and an L1 band (1.57542 GHz) from a plurality of GPS satellites received by the GPS antenna 1 are shown. ) C / A code data is demodulated and decoded by a despreading LSI, and the latitude, longitude, height, time, and time and traveling direction of the current location are calculated.

  The GPS block 2 is connected to a graphic block 3. The graphic block 3 includes an FM antenna 4, a beacon antenna 5, a key block 6 having various input keys including cursor keys and numerical keys, road information, and road information. CD block 8 having a map CD-ROM 7 as a recording medium on which map data including place name information is recorded, for example, a monitor block 9 having a display device composed of a color LCD panel and its drive circuit, and guide audio data Are respectively connected to the D / A converter 10.

  The graphic block 3 is provided with a CPU 13 that controls the entire apparatus based on an operation program read from the ROM 11 and various data stored in the RAM 12.

  Also, in the graphic block 3, an FM multiplex receiver that demodulates the FM radio wave received by the FM antenna 4 to obtain an FM demodulated signal of a desired broadcast station and decodes the data multiplexed on the obtained FM demodulated signal. 14. A beacon receiver 15 that obtains data by demodulating a beacon radio wave received by the beacon antenna 5; receives traffic information by performing tuning control at the FM multiplex receiver 14 and reception control at the beacon receiver 15; The traffic information processing controller 16, mainly the GPS block 2, the key block 6, the CD block 8, the traffic information processing controller 16, and the data input / output control between the timer unit 17 for measuring the current time and the CPU 13 are performed. CPU peripheral circuit gate array (G / A) 18 and graphic controller 19 It provided the bus connection with the ROM 11, RAM 12 and CPU 13, even more graphic controller 19 is connected to the video RAM 20.

  When the CPU 4 is traveling on the road, when the latitude and longitude data of the current location, that is, position data is sent from the GPS block 2 together with other height, time and traveling direction data, the CPU 4 Map data at an arbitrary scale around the current location is called from the CD block 8 via the circuit G / A 18 and sent as display data to the graphic controller 19 to which the video RAM 20 is connected. Similarly, the FM multiplex receiver 14 and the beacon receiver 15 When traffic information based on FMICS multiplex broadcasting and radio beacon VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) is sent via the traffic information processing controller 16, it is displayed at that time. That if the scale of the map what scale range corresponding to the VICS, expand the traffic information transmitted sent to the graphic controller 19, is linked to the display data in the video RAM 20.

  The graphic controller 19 develops map data sent from the CPU 13 linked to traffic information on the video RAM 20 to create display data for each screen, and sends the created display data to the monitor block 9. Display traffic information and map.

  Also, the voice data necessary for the guide message in the state set in advance by the position data of the current location and the map data in the vicinity of the current location, for example, the state approaching the corner in the set guide route, is stored in the ROM 11. Are combined and read out and sent to the D / A converter 10. The audio data analogized by the D / A converter 10 is appropriately amplified by an amplifier 21 and then amplified by a speaker unit 22. By outputting a loud voice, a guide message by a voice of the navigation operation is issued to the user of this apparatus together with the display on the monitor block 9.

  Further, when the route guidance function is executed, the graphic controller 19 also displays a guidance route in which point marks are arranged at regular intervals according to the remaining travel distance to the destination point in the map data.

  In addition to the operation program of the CPU 13 and the audio data, the ROM 11 provides the frequency of the broadcasting stations in various locations that provide the VICS traffic information data multiplexed on the FM broadcast radio wave and the service target. It is assumed that the position information of the area to be registered is set in advance.

Next, the operation according to the above embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 mainly shows the contents of processing by the CPU 13 when setting the guidance route after selecting the route guidance function. At first, map data including roads in an arbitrary area is first CD-stored by key operation in the key block 6. It is called from the block 8 and sent to the graphic controller 19, expanded and stored in the video RAM 20 and displayed on the monitor block 9 (step A 1).

  With the map including the road displayed on the monitor block 9 in this manner, the starting point and the destination point of the guide route are key-blocked while appropriately scrolling the screen or changing the scale to be displayed. The input is set by operating the key 6 (step A2). At this time, when the current position is set as the departure point, the input can be omitted.

  Next, after inputting and setting search conditions such as input of a waypoint and priority of toll roads (step A3), whether or not to set display of the remaining travel distance guidance to the destination point on the guidance route is determined. Judgment is made based on the presence or absence of key operation (step A4).

  If it is determined that the remaining travel distance guidance display setting is to be performed, the remaining travel distance guidance interval is then set (step A5). In this case, as an interval to be set, for example, it is selected from five types of “1 km”, “5 km”, “10 km”, “50 km”, and “100 km”.

  When the remaining travel distance guidance interval is thus selected and set, a plurality of guide routes are calculated based on the departure and destination points input and set in step A2 and the search conditions input and set in step A3. The one with the shortest travel distance or planned travel time is calculated as a search result (step A6).

  Then, map data in a range including the calculated guidance route is called from the CD block 8 and sent to the graphic controller 19, and other guidance routes to which point marks corresponding to the remaining travel distance guidance interval set in step A5 are added. The road is developed and stored in the video RAM 20 so as to be displayed separately from the road, and then displayed on the monitor block 9 (step A7), and the guide route setting process of FIG.

  If it is determined in step A4 that the display setting of the remaining mileage guidance is not performed, a plurality of points are set based on the starting point and destination point input and set in step A2 and the search condition input and set in step A3. Is calculated as a search result (step A8).

  Then, the map data in a range including the calculated guide route is called from the CD block 8 and sent to the graphic controller 19, and the calculated guide route is expanded and stored in the video RAM 20 so as to be displayed separately from other roads, and then monitored. Displayed in block 9 (step A9), the guidance route setting process in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the contents of processing by the CPU 13 in the case of actually traveling according to the displayed guidance route calculated based on the display setting of the remaining travel distance guidance in FIG. 2 will be described.

  At the beginning, display data including map data is developed and stored in the video RAM 20 so that the guidance route to which the point mark corresponding to the remaining travel distance guidance interval is added is displayed separately from other roads, and then the monitor block 9 (Step B1), and the vehicle position mark is displayed on the road position corresponding to the display data based on the latitude and longitude data of the current position obtained from the GPS block 2 and the traveling direction data obtained from the traveling. Are displayed (step B2).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a map screen including the guidance route displayed on the monitor block 9 at this time. As shown in the figure, the display screen displays a number of roads RD and a guide route GR from the vehicle mark SC indicating the current position to the destination point FP.

  Further, in this guidance route GR, for example, point marks PM, PM,... As the remaining travel distance guidance to the destination are displayed using, for example, white circle symbols, and are displayed at predetermined intervals, for example, every 1 km in the map. A plurality of marks PM, PM,..., For example, one out of 10 are set and displayed as voice guidance point marks VM, VM,.

  In addition, the voice guidance point mark VM displays a numerical value of the distance to the destination point FP, such as “10 km” and “20 km”, specifically as the remaining travel distance guidance, in addition to the black circle symbol described above. For example, in the figure, it can be seen in a short time that the vehicle mark SC is located at a point of about 23 km to the destination point FP.

  In a state where such a display is being performed, it is determined whether or not any point mark PM or voice guidance point mark VM on the guidance route GR has been selected and designated by the cursor key of the key block 6 and a predetermined key (step B3). Only when it is determined that it has been selected and specified, the exact remaining distance in 1 km units, for example, at a predetermined position on the screen edge of the monitor block 9 is displayed as a display message, for example, “23 km to the destination point”. Informs by text (step B4). In this case, only the remaining travel distance number portion “23 km” in the display message is displayed in a color that is easily visible, for example, red, which is different from other character portions.

  Thereafter, whether or not the current position displayed by the vehicle mark SC has passed over the position corresponding to the voice guidance point mark VM, regardless of whether or not there is a notification by the display message of the remaining mileage in the step B4. Is determined (step B5).

  Here, when it is determined that the current position does not pass over the position of the mark VM, the process returns to the process from the above step B1 again. Read out from the ROM 11 and output the remaining mileage as a voice message by the speaker unit 22 via the D / A converter 10 and the amplifier 21 as a voice message, for example, “It is 23 km to the destination” and notify it (step B6 ), And then returns to the process from step B1.

  In the first embodiment, in step A5 of the guidance route setting process in FIG. 2, an interval for setting the display of the remaining travel distance guidance starting from the destination point is set. Instead of the destination point, a point mark for remaining travel distance guidance may be additionally displayed on the guidance route from the starting point or the current position to the destination point.

  Here, especially when the current position is set as the starting point, the starting point moves on the guide route as the user moves, so when performing the route guide function shown in FIG. It is not possible to make a notification by a voice message in step B6 at a point as indicated by the point mark VM.

  In the first embodiment, point marks are additionally displayed on the guidance route. Instead, point symbols such as scales and distance numbers are additionally displayed at regular intervals. Good.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an automobile navigation device using GPS will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Note that the circuit configuration of the entire apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 mainly shows the contents of processing performed by the CPU 13 when setting the guidance route after selecting the route guidance function. At first, map data including roads in an arbitrary area is first read by CD operation by the key block 6. It is called from the block 8 and sent to the graphic controller 19 and is stored in the video RAM 20 and displayed on the monitor block 9 (step C1).

  With the map including the road displayed on the monitor block 9 in this way, the starting point, the destination point, and the key block 6 of the guidance route are changed while appropriately scrolling the screen or changing the displayed range by changing the scale. The input is set by operating the key (step C2). At this time, when the current position is set as the departure point, the input can be omitted.

  Next, after entering and setting search conditions such as entry of waypoints and priority of toll roads (step C3), a plurality of guidance routes are calculated based on the input and set departure and destination points and each search condition. Then, the shortest travel distance or the planned travel time is calculated as the search result (step C4).

  Then, the map data in the range including the calculated guide route is called from the CD block 8 and sent to the graphic controller 19, and the guide route is developed and stored in the video RAM 20 so as to be displayed separately from other roads, and then the monitor block. 9 is displayed (step C5).

  After the guidance route is displayed on the monitor block 9 in this way, whether or not to set guidance by voice message is determined based on the presence or absence of a predetermined key operation (step C6).

  If it is determined that the guidance setting by voice message is not to be performed, the guidance route setting process of FIG. 5 is terminated at that time. If it is determined that the guidance setting by voice message is to be set, the key block is further set. An input of a desired remaining travel distance value by numerical key operation No. 6 is accepted (step C7).

  Then, when an input is made, a point corresponding to the input remaining travel distance value is calculated based on the input remaining travel distance value on the guidance route calculated in step C4. In step C8), the display data of the point mark corresponding to the calculated point is superimposed and stored in the video RAM 20 and displayed on the monitor block 9 (step C9), and the guidance route setting process in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the processing contents by the CPU 13 in the case of actually traveling according to the displayed guidance route, which is calculated assuming that the display of the remaining travel distance guidance in FIG. 5 is performed, will be described.

  Initially, the latitude, longitude, height, time, and traveling direction data of the current location are acquired from the GPS block 2 as the vehicle position information (step D1). Map data is read from the map CD-ROM 7 of the CD block 8 in accordance with the longitude data and the scale information set at that time, and is developed and stored as display data including the vehicle position on the video RAM 20 by the graphic controller 19. The display is output on the monitor block 9 (step D2). At this time, when the guidance by voice message is set in the process of FIG. 5, a point mark is displayed at the remaining travel distance position arbitrarily input together with the map data.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a map screen including a guidance route displayed on the monitor block 9 at this time. As shown in the figure, the display screen displays a number of roads RD and a guide route GR from the vehicle mark SC indicating the current position to the destination point FP.

  Further, on this guidance route GR, the position corresponding to the arbitrarily input remaining travel distance is displayed as a point mark PT using a black circle symbol, for example, and the input remaining travel distance value together with the black circle symbol described above. Specifically, for example, “15 km” is displayed.

  In a state where such display is performed, it is determined whether or not the current position displayed by the vehicle mark SC has passed over the position corresponding to the point mark PT (step D3).

  Here, if it is determined that the current position does not pass over the position of the mark PT, then whether or not the current position displayed by the vehicle mark SC has reached a position corresponding to the destination point FP. That is, it is determined whether or not the execution of the route guidance function is finished (step D5). If it is determined that the current position has not reached the position of the destination point FP, the processing from step D1 is performed again. Return.

  However, when the current position moves in accordance with the travel and it is determined in step D3 that the current position has passed over the position of the point mark PT, necessary audio data is read from the ROM 11 and the D / A converter 10 The remaining number of mileage set by the speaker unit 22 via the amplifier 21 is output as a voice message, for example, “15 km to the destination”, and then notified (step D4). Return to the process.

  Thereafter, when it is determined in step D5 that the current position has reached the position of the destination point FP, it is determined that the execution of the route guidance function has been completed, and the processing of FIG.

  In the second embodiment, in step C8 of the guide route setting process of FIG. 5, a point corresponding to the remaining travel distance value on which the distance to the destination point is input on the guide route is calculated. However, without performing such calculation, when the route guidance function of FIG. 6 is executed, for example, the actual travel distance is sequentially subtracted from the travel distance of the entire route of the guidance route, and the difference is input. It may be determined that the current position has passed over the position of the point corresponding to the remaining travel distance value when the remaining travel distance value matches.

  In this case, the point on the guidance route GR as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed because the point on the guidance route corresponding to the inputted remaining travel distance value cannot be obtained by calculation. Is not done.

  Further, in step D4 in FIG. 6, when it is determined that the current position has passed a point on the guidance route corresponding to the input remaining travel distance value, a notification message is output by voice message using the input remaining travel distance number. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be notified as a display message using characters at one end of the monitor block 9, or only a simple alarm sound may be emitted.

In addition, the number of travel distances from the departure point may be input and set instead of the number of remaining travel distances.
In addition, although the method described in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment demonstrated as what was memorize | stored fixedly in ROM11 as a program for making a navigation apparatus perform, it is not restricted to this, For example, CD block 8 is stored as an operating system in a part of the map CD-ROM 7 mounted in the memory 8 and may be operated after being written in an electrically rewritable memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory in place of the RAM 12. Further, the medium on which the operation program is recorded is not limited to a CD-ROM, but other recording media such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (DVD, data MD, etc.), a semiconductor, etc. Write to memory etc. and apply to various devices, or transmit via communication media It is also possible to apply to the seed device, but also includes a navigation system for a motor vehicle equipped assumed can be applied to a data processing apparatus such as a personal computer by mounting these various devices.
In addition, the present invention can be variously modified and implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... GPS antenna 2 ... GPS block 3 ... Graphic block 4 ... FM antenna 5 ... Beacon antenna 6 ... Key block 7 ... Map CD-ROM
8 ... CD block 9 ... monitor block 10 ... D / A converter 11 ... ROM
12 ... RAM
13 ... CPU
14 ... FM multiplex receiver 15 ... Beacon receiver 16 ... Traffic information processing controller 17 ... Timer unit 18 ... CPU peripheral circuit gate array (G / A)
19 ... Graphic controller 20 ... Video RAM
21 ... Amplifier 22 ... Speaker unit FP ... Destination point GR ... Guidance route PM ... Point mark PT ... Point mark RD ... Road SC ... Own vehicle mark VM ... Voice guidance point mark

Claims (7)

Map storage means for storing map data;
A designation means for designating a starting point and a destination point in the map data;
Route calculation means for calculating a route from the departure point designated by the designation means to the destination point using the map data stored in the map storage means;
A map display apparatus, comprising: a display means for displaying a route obtained by the route calculation means with point symbols at regular intervals.   2. The map display device according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for variably setting a predetermined interval of point symbols displayed on the route by the display means. Positioning means for positioning the current position of the self,
3. The map display device according to claim 1, further comprising notifying means for notifying when the current position obtained by the positioning means coincides with the position of the point symbol. Map storage means for storing map data;
A designation means for designating a starting point and a destination point in the map data;
Route calculation means for calculating a route from the departure point designated by the designation means to the destination point using the map data stored in the map storage means;
Positioning means for positioning the current position of the self,
An input means for inputting arbitrary distance data;
A map display device comprising: an informing means for informing when the current position obtained by the positioning means coincides with a position corresponding to the distance data obtained by the input means on the route. Map storage means for storing map data;
A designation means for designating a starting point and a destination point in the map data;
Route calculation means for calculating a route from the departure point designated by the designation means to the destination point using the map data stored in the map storage means;
An input means for inputting arbitrary distance data;
A map display apparatus, comprising: a display means for displaying a point symbol at a position on a route corresponding to the distance data obtained by the input means. A map display method that is applied to a map display device that reads map data from a storage medium and displays the map data.
Specify the starting point and destination point,
The route from the designated departure point to the destination point is calculated by reading the map data from the medium storing the map data,
A map display method, wherein the obtained route is displayed with point symbols at regular intervals. A recording medium recording a program for a map display device that displays and displays map data, the map display device,
A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for displaying a route from a departure point to a destination point calculated based on map data with a point symbol at regular intervals.

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