JP2010038620A - Navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation screen which appropriately reflects the operation results of a user. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation apparatus, in the operation screen which includes a plurality of hierarchies and in which a plurality types of operation buttons are arranged for each hierarchy, records the selection number of an operation button when the operation button selected by a user has been reflected in the execution of processing. At the start of operation, frequency of usage for each operation button is calculated on the basis of the selection number recorded in the past (Step S40) and the display mode of the operation buttons on the operation screen is changed on the basis of the calculated frequency of usage (Step S60). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device for a vehicle.

  Conventionally, if the frequency calculated based on the operation history information is a predetermined value or more so that a series of operations involving switching of menu screens frequently used by the user can be performed with one click, the series of operations is performed. An information processing apparatus that registers a shortcut to be performed with one click is known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-309618 A

  In the information processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the frequency is calculated based on the history information of the operation, the frequency of the operation increases even when the user cancels the operation after halfway. End up. Therefore, in the vehicle navigation apparatus, it is not possible to obtain an operation screen that appropriately reflects the user operation result.

  The navigation device according to the present invention displays on the display monitor an operation screen that is configured by a plurality of layers and in which a plurality of types of operation buttons are arranged for each layer, and is selected when any of the operation buttons is selected by the user. The navigation device sequentially shifts the hierarchy of the operation screen according to the selected operation button and executes the process according to the operation button selected on the lowest-level operation screen, and the operation button selected by the user on the operation screen Recording means for recording the number of selections of the operation button when the process is reflected in the execution of the process, calculation means for calculating the use frequency for each operation button based on the number of selections recorded by the recording means, and a calculation means Display changing means for changing the display form of the operation buttons on the operation screen based on the calculated use frequency. .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can be set as the operation screen which reflected the user's operation result appropriately.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 includes a control unit 10, a vibration gyro 11, a vehicle speed sensor 12, a GPS receiving unit 13, a hard disk (HDD) 14, a display monitor 15, a speaker 16, and an input device 17.

  The control unit 10 includes a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, RAM, ROM, and the like, and executes various processes and controls based on programs and data recorded in the ROM or HDD 13. The vibration gyro 11 is a sensor for detecting the angular velocity of the vehicle. The vehicle speed sensor 12 is a sensor for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle. The angular velocity of the vehicle detected by the vibration gyro 11 and the traveling speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed sensor 12 are output to the control unit 10.

  The GPS receiver 13 receives a GPS signal transmitted from a GPS satellite and outputs it to the controller 10. The GPS signal includes information for obtaining the position of the vehicle and the current time. The current position of the vehicle is determined by the control unit 10 based on the angular velocity of the vehicle output from the vibration gyro 11, the traveling speed of the vehicle output from the vehicle speed sensor 12, and the GPS signal output from the GPS receiver 13 for a predetermined time. Required every time.

  The HDD 14 is a non-volatile recording medium that can hold recorded data. Various data including map data is recorded in the HDD 14. Data recorded in the HDD 14 is read out under the control of the control unit 10 as necessary, and is used for various processes and controls executed by the control unit 10. The map data recorded on the HDD 14 includes route calculation data, road data, and background data. The route calculation data is data used when the control unit 10 performs a process of searching for a recommended route to the destination, and represents the time required for passing for each road. The road data represents a road shape or the like when displaying a map. The background data represents the shape of map elements other than roads, such as rivers, railways, and various facilities (landmarks).

  The display monitor 15 displays various operation screens, map screens, and the like under the control of the control unit 10. The display monitor 15 is installed at a position that is easy to see from the driver's seat, for example, on the dashboard of the host vehicle or in the instrument panel. For example, a liquid crystal display is used as the display monitor 15. The speaker 16 outputs voice for route guidance and the like under the control of the control unit 10.

  The input device 17 is a device for a user to perform various input operations for operating the navigation device 1 and includes various input switches. The user can select one of the operation buttons on the operation screen displayed on the display monitor 15 by operating the input device 17. When the operation button is selected by the user in this way, the navigation device 1 executes various processes according to the selected operation button. For example, a destination can be set and a route to the destination can be searched, or a facility existing around the host vehicle can be searched. The input device 17 is realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. Alternatively, the input device 17 may be a touch panel integrated with the display monitor 15.

  Next, an operation method of the navigation device 1 will be described. The operation screen displayed on the display monitor 15 in the navigation device 1 is composed of a plurality of layers, and a plurality of types of operation buttons are arranged for each layer. When the user operates the input device 17 and selects any one of the operation buttons, the navigation device 1 sequentially changes the operation screen from the upper layer to the lower layer corresponding to the operation button. And the process according to the operation button selected on the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy is performed. In this way, the navigation device 1 is operated.

  During the operation as described above, the navigation device 1 changes the display form of the operation button based on the use frequency of the operation button on each operation screen. For example, an operation button that is frequently used is displayed larger than other operation buttons, or is moved to a position that can be easily selected by the user. In addition, operation buttons that are frequently used on the operation screen of a certain level are displayed on other levels so that the operation buttons can be selected with a small number of procedures. Thereby, the user can easily select operation buttons that are frequently used, and the operability is improved.

  The frequency of use of the operation buttons on each operation screen is calculated based on the number of past user selections. That is, the navigation device 1 records the number of times the user has selected each operation button in the past as operation history information in the HDD 14. When displaying the operation screen on the display monitor 15, the operation history information is read from the HDD 14, the use frequency is calculated for each operation button, and the operation screen corresponding to the calculation result is displayed. The display content of the operation screen at this time can be changed for each user. That is, in the navigation device 1, a plurality of users can be registered, and operation history information is recorded in the HDD 14 for each registered user. When any user uses the navigation device 1, the usage frequency is calculated based on the operation history information of the user, and the operation screen is displayed.

  When the number of selections of each operation button is recorded as operation history information, the number of selections when the selected operation button is truly used to execute the processing of the navigation device 1 is recorded. That is, the navigation device 1 counts the number of operation button selections that are finally reflected in the execution of the process, and records it in the operation history information. On the other hand, when the selected operation button is not reflected in the execution of the process, for example, when the user cancels the operation halfway before the process is executed, the number of selections of the operation button is not recorded. . Thereby, the reliability of the calculated use frequency is improved, and an operation screen that appropriately reflects the user's operation result is obtained.

  Examples of operation screens displayed on the display monitor 15 in the navigation device 1 are shown in FIGS. The operation screen shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a main menu screen that is initially displayed as the operation screen of the highest hierarchy. A screen 20a in FIG. 2A is an example of a main menu screen in an initial state in which the display form of the operation buttons is not changed. A screen 20b in FIG. It is an example of a main menu screen when a display form is changed.

  On the main menu screens 20a and 20b, a destination button 21, a peripheral search button 22, a route button 23, an information button 24, and a setting button 25 are arranged. The destination button 21 is an operation button for transitioning to a destination menu screen that is an operation screen for selecting a destination setting method. The peripheral search button 22 is an operation button for transitioning to a peripheral search menu screen that is an operation screen for selecting a type of peripheral facility to be searched. The route button 23 is an operation button for changing the route set up to the destination. The information button 24 is an operation button for confirming various information. The setting button 25 is an operation button for confirming or changing the state of various settings in the navigation device 1. When any one of these operation buttons is selected by the user, the screen shifts to a lower-level operation screen corresponding to the selected operation button.

  Comparing the main menu screen 20a before the change with the main menu screen 20b after the change, the destination button 21 and the peripheral search button 22 are displayed large on the screen 20b after the change, and the display position is near the center of the screen. It has changed. Further, the color of the destination button 21 is changed in addition to the size. On the other hand, the route button 23, the information button 24, and the setting button 25 are displayed in a small size on the screen 20b after the change, and their display positions are changed to the lower side of the screen. For example, in this way, the display form of each of the operation buttons 21 to 25 can be changed. Of the operation buttons 21 to 25, the destination button 21 is most frequently used, and the vicinity search button 22 is next frequently used. Compared to these, the route button 23, the information button 24, and the setting button 25 are used. The frequency of use shall be low.

  As described above, two frequently used operation buttons on the main menu screen 20a, that is, the destination button 21 and the peripheral search button 22 are enlarged and displayed near the center of the screen as shown in the main menu screen 20b. In addition, the color of the destination button 21 having the highest use frequency is changed. As a result, it is possible to make it easier for the user to select operation buttons that are frequently used. In addition to the example described with reference to FIG. 2, the display form of the operation buttons can be variously changed. For example, an operation button whose use frequency is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value may be displayed in a large size, or an operation button whose use frequency is less than the threshold value may be displayed in a small size.

  Furthermore, a telephone number button 32 and a convenience store button 42 are also displayed on the main menu screen 20b after the change. The telephone number button 32 is an operation button that is originally displayed on the destination menu screen 30 shown in FIG. 3, and the convenience store button 42 is an operation button that is originally displayed on the peripheral search menu screen 40 shown in FIG. is there. Here, the telephone number button 32 is most frequently used among the operation buttons on the destination menu screen 30, and the convenience store button 42 is most frequently used among the operation buttons on the peripheral search menu screen 40. Shall. As described above, the operation buttons on the operation screens having different levels are also displayed on the main menu screen 20b according to the usage frequency, so that when the user selects the operation button with the high usage frequency, the number of transitions of the operation screen can be set. Can be reduced. Note that, here, one operation button with the highest use frequency is displayed on the destination menu screen 30 and the peripheral search menu screen 40, respectively, and a total of two operation buttons are also displayed on the main menu screen 20b. Two or more operation buttons may be displayed, or operation buttons on other operation screens may be displayed.

  In the main menu screen 20a of FIG. 2A or the main menu screen 20b of FIG. 2B, for example, when the destination button 21 is selected by the user, a destination menu screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed. . On the destination menu screen 30 in FIG. 3, an address button 31, a telephone number button 32, a name button 33, a genre button 34, and a return button 35 are arranged. The address button 31 is an operation button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting an address. When this button is selected, a transition is made to an address input screen that is an operation screen for inputting an address of the destination. The telephone number button 32 is an operation button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a telephone number. When this button is selected, a telephone number input screen that is an operation screen for inputting a destination telephone number is selected. Transition to. The name button 33 is an operation button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a name. When this button is selected, the name input screen is an operation screen for inputting the name of a facility or the like as the destination. Transition to. The genre button 34 is an operation button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a genre. When this is selected, a genre input screen is an operation screen for selecting a genre such as a facility as a destination. Transition to. The return button 35 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the main menu screen 20a or 20b.

  In addition, when the peripheral search button 22 is selected by the user on the main menu screen 20a in FIG. 2A or the main menu screen 20b in FIG. 2B, a peripheral search menu screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. Is done. In the neighborhood search menu screen 40 of FIG. 4, a gas station button 41, a convenience store button 42, a restaurant button 43, other buttons 44 and a return button 45 are arranged. The gas station button 41, the convenience store button 42, the restaurant button 43, and the other buttons 44 are all operation buttons for selecting the type of peripheral facility to be searched, and each corresponds to a different type of facility. Yes. That is, when the gas station button 41 is selected, a gas station existing around the own vehicle is searched, and when a convenience store button 42 is selected, a convenience store existing around the own vehicle is searched, When the restaurant button 43 is selected, restaurants that are present in the vicinity of the host vehicle are searched. When the other button 44 is selected, an operation screen for designating the type of facility is further displayed. The return button 45 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the main menu screen 20a or 20b, similarly to the return button 35 of FIG.

  When the telephone number button 32 is selected by the user on the destination menu screen 30 in FIG. 3, for example, a telephone number input screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In the telephone number input screen 50 of FIG. 5, a telephone number input field 51, a confirmation button 52 and a return button 53 are arranged. The telephone number input field 51 includes an input number display part and a numeric keypad, and a telephone number input by the user selecting the numeric keypad is displayed on the input number display part. The confirmation button 52 is an operation button for confirming the input telephone number. When this button is selected, the telephone number input in the telephone number input field 51 is confirmed and the facility corresponding to the telephone number is determined. Search based on map data. Then, the found facility is set as a destination, and a route to the destination is searched. When the destination is set in this way and the route search is performed, the navigation apparatus 1 truly uses the operation buttons selected so far on the operation screen of the upper hierarchy, that is, the destination button 21 and the telephone number button 32. The number of selections is counted up one by one and recorded in the operation history information. The return button 53 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the destination menu screen 30 as described above.

  The telephone number input screen 50 in FIG. 5 also displays an address button 31 similar to the destination menu screen 30 in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the telephone number button 32 is used most frequently among the operation buttons on the destination menu screen 30 as described above, and the address button 31 is used next. In this way, the operation buttons on the operation screens having different levels are also displayed on the telephone number input screen 50 according to the frequency of use, so that the address input screen can be accessed from the telephone number input screen 50 without returning to the destination menu screen 30. You can switch to Although the address button 31 is displayed on the telephone number input screen 50, it is preferable to display the telephone number button 32 having the highest frequency of use on other operation screens transitioned from the destination menu screen 30. Alternatively, two or more operation buttons that are frequently used may be displayed.

  On the other hand, in the vicinity search menu screen 40 of FIG. 4, when the gas station button 41 is selected by the user, for example, a gas station existing around the host vehicle is searched, and a periphery search result screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Is done. A search result list 61 and a return button 62 are arranged on the peripheral search result screen 60 in FIG. The search result list 61 displays a list of searched gas stations. When one of the lists is selected, a map screen near the gas station is displayed. When the peripheral facility type is selected and searched in this way, the navigation device 1 truly uses the operation buttons selected so far, that is, the peripheral search button 22 and the gas station button 41 on the upper-level operation screen. The number of selections is counted up one by one and recorded in the operation history information. The return button 62 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the peripheral search menu screen 40 as described above.

  Note that a convenience store button 42 similar to that of the peripheral search menu screen 40 of FIG. 4 is also displayed on the peripheral search result screen 60 of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the convenience store button 42 is used most frequently among the operation buttons on the peripheral search menu screen 40 as described above. In this way, by displaying the operation buttons on the operation screens having different levels on the peripheral search result screen 60 according to the frequency of use, the search target is changed from the gas station to the convenience store without returning to the peripheral search menu screen 40. You can switch to search for nearby facilities. It should be noted that it is preferable to display an operation button having the highest use frequency next to the convenience store button 42 on the peripheral search result screen 60 when the convenience store is searched. Alternatively, two or more operation buttons that are frequently used may be displayed.

  When, for example, the setting button 25 is selected on the main menu screen 20a of FIG. 2A or the main menu screen 20b of FIG. 2B, a setting menu screen as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the setting menu screen 70 of FIG. 7, a map display setting button 71, a landmark display setting button 72, a locus display setting button 73, a guide setting button 74, and a return button 75 are arranged. The map display setting button 71 is an operation button for setting a map display method. The landmark display setting button 72 is an operation button for setting the type of landmark (facility) for displaying an icon on the map. The locus display setting button 73 is an operation button for setting a method for displaying a traveling locus of a vehicle on a map. The guide setting button 74 is an operation button for setting a vehicle guidance method. The return button 75 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the main menu screen 20a or 20b, as described above.

  In the setting menu screen 70 of FIG. 7, for example, when the landmark display setting button 72 is selected by the user, a landmark display setting screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. In the landmark display setting screen 80 of FIG. 8, a landmark selection field 81, a map display button 82, and a return button 83 are arranged. The landmark selection field 81 is a part for selecting the type of landmark for displaying an icon on the map. When the user selects any landmark type in the landmark selection field 81, a check mark is added to the landmark type and an icon is displayed on the map screen. In the example of FIG. 8, check marks are attached to the gas station and the convenience store, and these icons are displayed on the map screen. The map display button 82 is an operation button for ending the display of the landmark display setting screen and returning to the map screen. When the map display button 82 is selected after the type of landmark for displaying an icon on the map is selected in the landmark selection field 81, the map screen is immediately displayed on the display monitor 15 without changing to another operation screen. Is displayed. When the map display button 82 is thus selected by the user and the map screen is displayed again, the navigation device 1 displays the operation buttons selected so far on the operation screen of the upper hierarchy, that is, the setting button 25 and the landmark display setting button 72. Is actually used, and each selection count is counted up one by one and recorded in the operation history information. The return button 83 is an operation button for returning to the operation screen one level higher, that is, the setting menu screen 70 as described above.

  FIG. 9 shows a screen transition diagram between the operation screens shown in FIGS. In this screen transition diagram, a frame denoted by reference numeral 91 represents main menu screens 20a and 20b, and frames denoted by reference numerals 92 and 93 represent destination menu screen 30 and peripheral search menu screen 40, respectively. A frame indicated by reference numeral 94 represents a screen when the root button 23 is selected, and a frame indicated by reference numeral 95 represents a screen when the information button 24 is selected. A frame indicated by reference numeral 96 represents the setting menu screen 70.

  Further, the frames indicated by reference numerals 97 to 100 respectively represent input screens displayed when the address button 31, the telephone number button 32, the name button 33, or the genre button 34 is selected on the destination menu screen 30. . Frames denoted by reference numerals 101 to 104 represent the peripheral search result screens displayed when the gas station button 41, the convenience store button 42, the restaurant button 43, or the other button 44 is selected on the peripheral search menu screen 40, respectively. ing.

  In the screen transition diagram of FIG. 9, the arrow pointing from the frame 98 to the frame 97 indicates that when the address button 31 is selected on the telephone number input screen 50, the telephone number can be input without returning to the destination menu screen 30 one level above. It shows that the screen 50 transits directly to the address input screen. Further, the arrow from the frame 101 to the frame 102 indicates that when the convenience store button 42 is selected on the gas station vicinity search result screen 60, the convenience store button 42 is directly returned from the screen without returning to the surrounding search menu screen 40 on the first level. It shows that the screen changes to a screen showing the search result of the neighborhood of the store. Further, the arrows directed from the frame 91 to the frames 98 and 102 indicate that the destination menu screen 30 or the peripheral search menu screen one level below when the telephone number button 32 or the convenience store button 42 is selected on the main menu screen 20b. 40 is skipped and the screen is changed to a telephone number input screen 50 or a convenience store peripheral search result screen. The navigation device 1 simplifies the operation procedure in this way.

  Each of the operation screens shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 described above is an example. Therefore, other operation screens may be used. For example, in the destination menu screen 30 in FIG. 3, the peripheral search menu screen 40 in FIG. 4, and the setting menu screen 70 in FIG. 7, as with the main menu screen 20b in FIG. The display form of each operation button may be changed. The types of operation buttons on each operation screen are not limited to those shown in FIGS. Various types of operation buttons can be displayed on each operation screen according to the content of the processing executed by the navigation device 1.

  FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 10 in order to realize the operation method described above in the navigation device 1. This flowchart will be described below.

  In step S10, user authentication information for performing user authentication is acquired. Here, for example, the user authentication information is acquired by allowing the user to input an ID number and a password. In step S20, based on the user authentication information acquired in step S10, it is determined whether or not the current user is a registered user. If it is a registered user, the process proceeds to step S30, and if it is an unregistered user, the process proceeds to step S50. Note that the user authentication information once acquired in step S10 is preferably temporarily stored in the navigation device 1. Thus, the next time step S20 is executed, step S10 can be omitted and the user can be prevented from entering an ID number or password. When the navigation apparatus 1 is turned off and a predetermined time elapses, the temporarily stored user authentication information is deleted.

  In step S30, user operation history information corresponding to the user authentication information acquired in step S10 is read from the HDD. In this operation history information, the number of selections for each operation button selected by the user in the past is recorded. Note that the number of selections for each operation button is obtained in the operation process of step S80 described later.

  In step S40, the use frequency is calculated for each operation button based on the operation history information read in step S30. At this time, in order to exclude selection results that are too old to be suitable for calculating the usage frequency, the usage frequency may be calculated based only on the number of selections recorded in the past predetermined period of the operation history information. Good. In this case, it is preferable to include information for determining the recording date / time of the number of selections in the operation history information. If step S40 is performed, it will progress to step S60.

  In step S50, a new user is registered. Here, for example, a new user is registered by newly registering the user ID number and password. By registering unregistered users as new users in this way, a plurality of users are registered in the navigation device 1. If step S50 is performed, it will progress to step S60.

  In step S60, the operation screen is set. Here, for registered users, the display form of the operation buttons in each layer of the operation screen is changed based on the use frequency calculated in step S40. In other words, as described above, the position, size, color, etc. of each operation button can be changed according to the frequency of use, or operation buttons with a high frequency of use can be displayed on the operation screens of different levels. To improve. On the other hand, since the operation history information has not yet been recorded for the user newly registered in step S50, the operation screen is set to the initial setting state.

  In step S70, an operation process for realizing the operation of the navigation device 1 is executed. The specific contents of this operation process will be described later. If the operation process of step S70 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 10 will be complete | finished.

  Next, the contents of the operation process executed in step S70 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation process executed by the control unit 10. In step S <b> 71, a main menu screen that is an operation screen of the highest hierarchy is displayed on the display monitor 15. Here, the main menu screen is displayed in the display form set in step S60 of FIG. Thereby, for example, the main menu screen 20a of FIG. 2A or the main menu screen 20b of FIG. 2B is displayed.

  In step S72, it is determined whether or not any operation button has been selected by the user on the main menu screen displayed in step S71. If any one of the operation buttons is selected, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the count value of the operation button selected by the user in step S72 is incremented by one. This count value is set for each operation button, and an initial value is set based on the operation history information read from the HDD 14 in step S30 of FIG. When new user registration is performed in step S50, 0 is set as the initial value. In step S74, an operation screen corresponding to the operation button selected by the user in step S72 is displayed on the display monitor 15. Thus, for example, when the destination button 21 is selected on the main menu screen 20a or 20b, the destination menu screen 30 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, and when the vicinity search button 22 is selected, the periphery as shown in FIG. In the search menu screen 40, when the setting button 25 is selected, a setting menu screen 70 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  In step S75, it is determined whether or not any operation button has been selected by the user on the operation screen displayed in step S74. When any operation button is selected, the process proceeds to step S76.

  In step S76, it is determined whether or not the operation button selected by the user in step S75 is a return button. If it is a return button, the process proceeds to step S77, and if it is an operation button other than the return button, the process proceeds to step S79.

  In step S77, an operation screen one level higher than the current operation screen is displayed on the display monitor 15, and the operation screen is returned to. In the next step S78, the count value of the operation button selected on the operation screen immediately before the return button is selected in step S76 is decreased by one. For example, when the return button 35 is selected when the destination menu screen 30 is displayed and the screen returns to the main menu screen 20a or 20b, the operation button selected on the main menu screen 20a or 20b immediately before that, that is, Decreases the count value of the destination button 21 by one. Further, when the return button 45 is selected when the peripheral search menu screen 40 is displayed and the screen returns to the main menu screen 20a or 20b, the operation button selected on the main menu screen 20a or 20b immediately before that, that is, The count value of the peripheral search button 22 is decreased by one. When the return button 75 is selected and the main menu screen 20a or 20b is selected when the setting menu screen 70 is displayed, the operation button selected on the main menu screen 20a or 20b immediately before that, that is, the setting button 25 is displayed. Decrease the count value by 1. As a result, the increment of step S73 for the count value of the operation button is canceled. As a result, the number of times the operation button is selected is excluded from the recording target when the operation history information is updated in step S82 described later. If step S78 is performed, it will return to step S75 and will repeat the above processes. In this way, when the user selects the return button and returns to the upper-level operation screen, the operation history information target that records the number of selections of the operation button selected by the user immediately before on the operation screen in the HDD 14 Exclude from

  In step S79, it is determined whether or not the currently displayed operation screen is the lowest level operation screen. If it is the lowest-level operation screen, that is, if there is no lower-level operation screen corresponding to the operation button selected in step S75, the process proceeds to step S80. On the other hand, if it is not the lowest-level operation screen, the process returns to step S73, and the count value of the operation button selected by the user is incremented by 1 in step S73, and the lower-level operation screen corresponding to the operation button is displayed in step S74. Is displayed on the display monitor 15. Thus, for example, when the telephone number button 32 is selected on the destination menu screen 30, a telephone number input screen 50 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and when the gas station button 41 is selected on the peripheral search menu screen 40, When the peripheral search result screen 60 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed and the landmark display setting button 72 is selected on the setting menu screen 70, a landmark display setting screen 80 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

  In step S80, processing corresponding to the operation button selected in step S75 is executed. For example, in the telephone number input screen 50, a telephone number corresponding to the selected numeric keypad is input, and when the confirmation button 52 is selected, a facility corresponding to the input telephone number is searched and set as the destination. Further, on the peripheral search result screen 60, a map screen near the facility selected in the search result list 61 is displayed. In the landmark display setting screen 80, the icon of the landmark selected in the landmark selection field 81 is displayed on the map screen. In addition to this, various processes are executed in the navigation device 1 in accordance with the selected operation button.

  In step S81, it is determined whether or not to return to the map screen. Here, it is determined whether or not to return to the map screen by determining whether or not a predetermined map screen display condition predetermined for each operation screen is satisfied. For example, on the telephone number input screen 50, after the confirmation button 52 is selected, when the facility searched for the input telephone number is set as the destination and the route search is performed, the map screen display condition Is determined to be satisfied. Further, in the peripheral search result screen 60, when any facility is selected in the search result list 61, it is determined that the map screen display condition is satisfied. In the landmark display setting screen 80, when the map display button 82 is selected, it is determined that the map screen display condition is satisfied. If such a map screen display condition is not satisfied, the process returns to step S75, and if satisfied, the process proceeds to step S82.

  In step S82, the operation history information recorded in the HDD 14 is updated based on the count value of each operation button counted up in step S73 or counted down in step S78. Thereby, the selection frequency of the operation button selected on each operation screen is reflected in the operation history information. For example, when returning from the telephone number input screen 50 to the map screen, the number of selections recorded in the operation history information for the destination button 21 on the main menu screen 20a or 20b and the telephone number button 32 on the destination menu screen 30 is as follows. Each one is counted up. When returning to the map screen from the peripheral search result screen 60 in which the gas station has been searched, the operation history information for the peripheral search button 22 on the main menu screen 20a or 20b and the gas station button 41 on the peripheral search menu screen 40 is displayed. Each recorded selection count is incremented by one. When returning from the landmark display setting screen 80 to the map screen, the number of selections recorded in the operation history information for the setting button 25 on the main menu screen 20a or 20b and the landmark display setting button 72 on the setting menu screen 70 is respectively set. Count up one by one. Thereby, when the operation button selected by the user on each operation screen except the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy is reflected in the execution of the process, the number of selections of the operation button is recorded in the HDD 14. In addition, regarding the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy, when it is selected, it is always reflected in the execution of the process, and the number of selections may be recorded in the operation history information, or may not be recorded. If step S82 is performed, the flowchart of FIG. 11 will be complete | finished.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are obtained.
(1) The navigation device 1 displays on the display monitor 15 an operation screen that is configured by a plurality of layers and in which a plurality of types of operation buttons are arranged for each layer, and when any of the operation buttons is selected by the user, The hierarchy of the operation screen is sequentially changed according to the selected operation button, and the process corresponding to the operation button selected on the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy is executed. In such a navigation apparatus 1, the number of operation button selections when the operation button selected by the user on each operation screen is reflected in the execution of the process is recorded in the HDD 14 as operation history information (step S 82). Thereafter, when the operation is started, the use frequency is calculated for each operation button based on the number of selections of each operation button represented by the operation history information recorded in the HDD 14 by the process of the control unit 10 (step S40). Based on the frequency, the display form of the operation button on the operation screen is changed (step S60). Since it did in this way, it can be set as the operation screen which reflected the user's operation result appropriately.

(2) When the destination button 21 is selected by the user on the main menu screen 20a or 20b, the destination is selected by the setting method selected on the destination menu screen 30, and the route to the destination is searched. The destination button 21 is reflected in the execution of the process. That is, in the destination menu screen 30, after the user selects any one of the address button 31, the telephone number button 32, the name button 33, or the genre button 34, the destination is set by the setting method corresponding to the selected operation button. Is set, and when the route to the destination is searched, it is determined that the selected operation button and the destination button 21 are reflected in the execution of the process. Since it did in this way, when the destination button 21 is selected by the user, it can be judged correctly whether the destination button 21 was reflected in execution of a process.

(3) Also, when the peripheral search button 22 is selected by the user on the main menu screen 20a or 20b, the type of peripheral facility selected on the peripheral search menu screen 40 is searched, and any of the searched peripheral facilities is selected. When is selected, it is determined that the peripheral search button 22 is reflected in the execution of the process. That is, after the user selects one of the gas station button 41, convenience store button 42, restaurant button 43 or other button 44 on the peripheral search menu screen 40, the type of peripheral corresponding to the selected operation button is selected. When the facility is searched, it is determined that the selected operation button and the peripheral search button 22 are reflected in the execution of the process. Since it did in this way, when the periphery search button 22 is selected by the user, it can be judged correctly whether the periphery search button 22 was reflected in execution of a process.

(4) In the landmark display setting screen 80 which is the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy, when the map display button 82 is selected by the user and the map display button is returned, the landmark display setting screen in which the map display button 82 is displayed It is determined that the operation button selected by the user on the operation screen higher than 80 has been reflected in the execution of the process. That is, it is determined that the setting button 25 on the main menu screen 20a or 20b and the landmark display setting button 72 on the setting menu screen 70 are reflected in the execution of the process. Since it did in this way, when it returns to a map screen by selecting the map display button 82 after completion | finish of a process, it can be judged correctly which operation button was reflected in execution of a process.

(5) When the user selects the return button 35, 45, 53, 62, 75, or 83 and returns to the upper level operation screen, the HDD 14 indicates the number of times the operation button selected immediately before by the user on the operation screen. Are excluded from the items to be recorded as operation history information (step S78). For example, when the return button 35 is selected and the main menu screen 20a or 20b is selected when the destination menu screen 30 is displayed, the destination button 21 selected on the main menu screen 20a or 20b immediately before that is selected. Are excluded from recording. As described above, when the operation button selected because the user canceled the operation halfway before the process is executed is not reflected in the execution of the process, the number of selections of the operation button is stored in the HDD 14 as the operation history information. Can be prevented from being recorded. As a result, the reliability of the usage frequency calculated based on the operation history information can be improved.

(6) In step S40, the usage frequency for each operation button may be calculated based on the number of selections recorded within a predetermined period of the operation history information recorded in the HDD. In this way, by calculating the usage frequency by excluding selection results that are not appropriate for calculating the usage frequency, it is possible to calculate a usage frequency suitable for use in changing the display mode of the operation buttons on the operation screen. it can.

(7) The navigation apparatus 1 registers a plurality of users by registering an unregistered user as a new user by the process of the control unit 10 (step S50). In step S40, the usage frequency for each operation button is calculated for each registered user. Since it did in this way, an optimal operation screen can be displayed for every user.

(8) In step S60, at least one of the position, size, and color of the destination button 21, the peripheral search button 22, the route button 23, the information button 24, and the setting button 25 is set as the use frequency of each operation button. Accordingly, the main menu screens 20a to 20b can be changed. Further, according to the frequency of use of each operation button, the address button 31 and the telephone number button 32 on the destination menu screen 30 and the convenience store button 42 on the peripheral search menu screen 40 are telephones that are operation screens at other levels. It can also be displayed on the number input screen 50, the main menu screen 20b, and the peripheral search result screen 60, respectively. By changing the display form of each operation button in this way, the user can easily select an operation button that is frequently used, and operability can be improved.

(9) The convenience store button 42 having the highest use frequency on the peripheral search menu screen 40 is also displayed on the peripheral search result screen 60 one level below the peripheral search menu screen 40. Since it did in this way, it can change directly to the operation screen corresponding to the operation button with the highest use frequency from the operation screen of a lower hierarchy, without returning to the operation screen of an upper hierarchy. As a result, the operation procedure can be simplified.

(10) When the telephone number button 32 having the highest use frequency is selected by the user on the destination menu screen 30, the address having the second highest use frequency on the destination menu screen 30 is used instead of the telephone number button 32. The button 31 is displayed on the telephone number input screen 50 that is one level lower than the destination menu screen 30. Since it did in this way, it can prevent displaying the said operation button again on the operation screen after a transition when the operation button with the highest use frequency is selected, and can display an appropriate operation button.

  In the embodiment described above, the operation history information is recorded on the HDD 14. However, the operation history information may be recorded on any nonvolatile recording medium. For example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) using flash memory can be used instead of the HDD.

  The embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is possible to combine one or a plurality of embodiments and modification examples.

  In the embodiment described above, among the units described in the claims, the recording unit is realized by the HDD 14, and the other units are realized by processing executed in the control unit 10 of the navigation device 1. . That is, the control unit 10 of the navigation device 1 functions as a calculation unit, a display change unit, and a registration unit. Note that the above description is merely an example, and when interpreting the invention, there is no limitation or restriction on the correspondence between the items described in the embodiments and the items described in the claims.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the main menu screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the destination menu screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the periphery search menu screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the telephone number input screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the periphery search result screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the setting menu screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the landmark display setting screen which is an example of the operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a screen transition figure between each operation screen displayed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the process performed in the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment. It is a flowchart of an operation process.

Explanation of symbols

1: Navigation device 10: Control unit 11: Vibration gyro 12: Vehicle speed sensor 13: GPS receiver 14: HDD
15: Display monitor 16: Speaker 17: Input device

Claims (13)

An operation screen composed of a plurality of hierarchies and arranged with a plurality of types of operation buttons for each of the hierarchies is displayed on a display monitor, and when any of the operation buttons is selected by the user, the operation button is selected. A navigation device that sequentially shifts the hierarchy of the operation screens and executes processing according to the operation button selected on the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy,
Recording means for recording the number of times the operation button is selected when the operation button selected by the user on the operation screen is reflected in the execution of the process;
Calculation means for calculating a use frequency for each of the operation buttons based on the number of selections recorded by the recording means;
A navigation apparatus comprising: a display changing unit that changes a display form of the operation button on the operation screen based on the use frequency calculated by the calculating unit. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein
The operation button includes a destination button for transitioning to a destination menu screen for selecting a destination setting method in the operation screen,
When the destination button is selected by the user, the destination is set by the setting method selected on the destination menu screen, and when the route to the destination is searched, the destination button A navigation device characterized in that it is determined to be reflected in execution of processing. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein
On the destination menu screen, as the operation buttons, an address button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting an address, and a telephone number button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a telephone number; , At least one of a name button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a name and a genre button for selecting a destination setting method by inputting a genre is arranged,
When the destination button is selected by the user, the user selects any of the address button, the telephone number button, the name button, or the genre button on the destination menu screen, and then the selected button is selected. When the destination is set by the setting method corresponding to the selected operation button and the route to the destination is searched, it is determined that the selected operation button and the destination button are reflected in the execution of the processing. The navigation apparatus characterized by doing. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The operation button includes a peripheral search button for transitioning to a peripheral search menu screen for selecting a type of peripheral facility to be searched among the operation screens,
When the peripheral search button is selected by the user, the peripheral facility of the type selected in the peripheral search menu screen is searched, and when any of the searched peripheral facilities is selected, the peripheral search button is It is judged that it reflected in execution of the said process, The navigation apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein
The peripheral search menu screen has a plurality of operation buttons respectively corresponding to different types of facilities,
When the peripheral search button is selected by the user, after one of the plurality of operation buttons is selected by the user on the peripheral search menu screen, a peripheral facility of a type corresponding to the selected operation button is displayed. A navigation device characterized in that, when a search is performed, it is determined that the selected operation button and the peripheral search button are reflected in the execution of the processing. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The operation button includes a map display button for ending display of the operation screen and returning to the map screen,
The map display button is displayed on the operation screen of the lowest hierarchy,
When the map display button is selected by the user after the processing is executed and the map screen is returned to, the user has reached the operation screen on the upper hierarchy than the operation screen on which the map display button is displayed. A navigation device characterized by determining that the operation button selected by the step is reflected in the execution of the processing. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The operation buttons include a return button for returning to an upper level operation screen,
When the user selects the return button and returns to the upper hierarchy operation screen, the number of selections of the operation button selected by the user immediately on the operation screen is excluded from the recording target of the recording unit. A navigation device. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the calculating means calculates the use frequency based on the number of selections recorded within a predetermined period by the recording means. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A registration unit for registering a plurality of the users;
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation means calculates the use frequency for each user registered by the registration means. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The navigation device characterized in that the display changing means changes at least one of a position, a size and a color of an operation button on the operation screen in accordance with the use frequency. In the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display changing means displays an operation button displayed on an operation screen of any hierarchy on an operation screen of another hierarchy according to the use frequency. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display changing means displays the operation button having the highest use frequency on the operation screen on an operation screen one level lower than the operation screen. The navigation device according to claim 12,
When the operation button with the highest use frequency is selected by the user, the display changing means changes to the operation button with the second highest use frequency on the operation screen instead of the operation button with the highest use frequency. Is displayed on an operation screen one level lower than the operation screen.

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