JP2011059069A - Navigation device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide appropriate information in order to select a destination from a plurality of facilities extracted by periphery search. <P>SOLUTION: When selection of the facility class to which a user wants to go is received from the user, the facilities of the selected class existing around one's own vehicle position are extracted, and the icons I of the extracted facilities are drawn at the corresponding positions on a map. Since a plurality of candidates are simultaneously drawn on the map, comparison is facilitated. An own vehicle icon I0 is drawn at the own vehicle position on the map, so that a facility that does not require separation from the road under running even when it exists at the head of the road under running or it requires bypassing or a facility that is easy to come in view of the road state, traffic rule or the like is easy to determine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus, and more specifically, to an improvement in a function for searching and providing information on a content such as a destination.

  For example, a simple portable car navigation device called PND (Personal Navigation Device), and other vehicle navigation devices, search for a route to an input destination and position the vehicle by GPS or autonomous navigation. The map information representing the road and the like is drawn on the display device while the road is sequentially detected, and the road guidance to the destination is performed using images and sounds. In order to receive route guidance by this navigation device, the user needs to set a destination.

  The destination setting is performed by the navigation device control unit accessing the database by a predetermined search method based on an instruction from the user and extracting a facility etc. that matches the search condition. Draw a map so that the location of the facility is at the center of the screen. At this time, the location of the detected facility or the like is made visible on the map. When the location of the facility or the like detected and displayed by the control unit is acceptable, the user confirms the destination by touching a confirmation button prepared on the screen. Further, if necessary, the destination position may be changed and then confirmed. At this time, as a method of specifying the search condition, for example, a destination such as a telephone number search, an address search, and a facility name search can be uniquely specified (in the case of a facility name, a plurality of items having the same name are detected. ) And some that match the condition, such as peripheral search, and cannot be uniquely identified.

  In the peripheral search, a category (genre) to be searched is designated, facilities belonging to the category existing around the vehicle position are extracted and notified. The designation of the classification is performed, for example, by operating a menu screen displayed in a list and narrowing down the order of retail store → food → convenience store. Notification to the user of the extracted destination is performed by creating and displaying a list (name, distance, approximate direction) in which the corresponding facilities are arranged in ascending order from the closest one. Then, when the user selects a desired facility from the displayed list, the control unit draws an icon at the corresponding location on the map from the location information of the facility, and the user draws the drawn Look at the icon to confirm the location, etc., and determine whether the facility can be the destination. If the destination is acceptable, when instructed to that effect, the control unit obtains a recommended route with the facility as the destination and starts guidance. If the displayed facility is not the intended one, the screen returns to the original list screen, and another facility is selected to draw an icon at the position of the other facility on the map. This is repeated, and finally the destination is determined and navigation is performed. As a method of providing the extracted destination information, for example, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. The providing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to notify information on the facility closest to the vehicle position.

JP 2002-340596 A

  However, in the conventional notification method of the detection result of the surrounding search, since it is only output as a list in order from the closest to the own vehicle position, it is unclear which facility is easy to go by just looking at the list. It is. That is, in the case of the peripheral search, there is a request to set a facility in a place that is easy to go to as a destination in order to search for a facility that belongs to the desired category. However, if the nearest facility is on the opposite side of the road you are currently driving (already passing), you will have to make a U-turn or repeat a right / left turn and return. Even if the facility is a little far away, it is easier to get to the end of the road. Therefore, in such a case, it is desired that the facility located slightly far away from the road on which the vehicle is traveling be the destination. However, the priority when displayed in the list is simply the distance from the current position, so the facilities on the opposite side of the road on which you are traveling are ranked higher, and where the facilities that are easy to reach from the current position are I can't understand at a glance. In addition, for each facility, a certain direction from the current position is related and notified, so it is possible to ignore the reverse direction as described above and select only the one ahead, but the road that is running In some cases, it is not possible to know whether there is a facility along the road that is traveling straight ahead. In addition, the distance from the vehicle position is a straight distance, such as traffic rules such as one-way traffic and right turn prohibition, travel speed varies depending on whether it is a main road, whether it is a straight road or a curved road, etc. Even if the straight line distance and approximate direction are known from the situation, it is difficult to intuitively understand facilities that are really easy to reach from the list. As described above, there is a problem that the method of providing information for selecting a destination from among a plurality of facilities extracted by the peripheral search is not sufficient and the usability is poor.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the navigation device according to the present invention draws a map around a specific position, and (1) facility information storage means that stores the location information of the facility and information related to the facility classification in association with each other. When the facility and the user select the facility classification from the user, the facility of the selected classification existing around the specific position is extracted based on the information stored in the facility information storage device and the extracted facility The control means which draws the icon of a facility at the corresponding position on the map. The facility information storage means is realized by the database 19 in the embodiment. The specific position is, for example, the own vehicle position, the current navigation destination (route), or an arbitrary point on the map (moving the display area of the map as appropriate, touching an arbitrary point, etc. Or a point designated by the user).

  Since an icon is drawn at a position on the map of the corresponding facility, the user can check the positions of the plurality of facilities on the map of the display unit simultaneously when there are a plurality of facilities that match the selected classification. Because you can, you can easily and easily understand easy-to-go places visually and intuitively. In addition, when there are a plurality of facilities having the same classification, the icons of the facilities are drawn at the respective locations, so that the user can compare them simultaneously and easily determine the destination. .

  (2) The control means may have a function of restricting display of the facility icons other than the selected category on the map. In this way, since the display of facility icons other than the facility icon of the selected category is restricted, it is possible to easily see where the facility of the selected category is located. The facility icon may be a symbol icon indicating the facility itself or a symbol icon indicating the facility classification. An icon indicating the position of the vehicle may be displayed on the map.

  (3) The display restriction may be that no display is performed. In this way, since only the facility icon for the facility of the selected category is displayed, it is possible to easily see where the facility of the selected category is located.

  (4) An icon of the facility that draws the position of the facility of the selected classification on the map, and a peripheral facility that draws a peripheral facility that matches a preset condition separately from the selection on the map The icons may be set differently, and the control unit may restrict display of the icons of the surrounding facilities when the facility classification selection is received from the user. In this way, it is easily understood whether or not the facility classification selection is accepted.

  (5) An icon for drawing the position of the facility of the selected classification on the map, and an icon of a peripheral facility for drawing a peripheral facility that matches a preset condition separately from the selection on the map It is good also as setting different, and when the selection of the classification | category of a facility is received from the said user, it is good also as displaying the said facility icon on the said surrounding facility icon. In this way, it is easily understood whether or not the facility classification selection is accepted. The method of superimposing may be displayed by superimposing an icon relating to the facility classification on the facility icon. In addition, an icon related to the facility classification may be displayed so as to overlap a part of the facility icon. In the case of overlapping display, for example, if the icon related to the facility classification is smaller than the facility icon and is partially overlapped, it is easy to see whether the facility classification selection is accepted. At the same time, you can understand what the facility classification is and what the facility itself is.

  (6) The facility classification and the surrounding facility icons may be classified differently. Of course, the facility classification and the peripheral facility icon classification may be classified from the same viewpoint. However, the classification of icons of peripheral facilities is generally installed in a conventional navigation device at a facility (peripheral facility in the embodiment) that is desired to be displayed on a map during normal traveling. On the other hand, in each case, the facility corresponding to the category selected by the user is extracted, and the facility classification in the case where the icon is drawn should be classified from a more appropriate different viewpoint from the difference in purpose. . That is, for example, icons of peripheral facilities are classified according to chain stores, and an icon imitating the mark of the chain store is used. On the other hand, when searching for facilities of the selected classification, for example, in the case of food, it is preferable to classify by hamburger, Japanese food, Western food, etc., because the genre that you want to eat is specified. In addition, when the classification is created from different viewpoints as described above, the information relating to the facility may be a database in which each classification is associated or may be a separate database.

  (7) When a facility category selection is not received from the user, at least a part of the icons of the surrounding facilities displayed on the map is displayed, and when a facility category selection is received from the user Limit it. For example, when the user does not accept the selection of the facility classification to be displayed on the map (hereinafter, the normal display state), icons such as traffic lights and landmarks are displayed, but the facility classification displayed on the map from the user is displayed. When selection is accepted, icons such as traffic lights and landmarks are not displayed. A landmark or the like may be drawn in a relatively large shape, and by limiting the display of these, the presence of the icon of the facility of the selected category can be made more conspicuous.

  (8) When a selection of facility classification is received from the user, information other than information identifying the road and the road may not be displayed. As in (7) above, the presence of the icon of the selected facility can be made more conspicuous, and by displaying the road information, it is easy to go by knowing which road each facility is adjacent to It can also be judged whether it is a facility.

  (9) Numbers may be displayed in order from the closest to the vehicle to the facility icons displayed when the facility classification selection is received from the user. In this way, it is possible to easily determine which facility is closest among the facilities of the selected classification by looking at the number. In this case, the number may be updated as needed as the vehicle moves.

  (10) The facility classification information selected by the user is structured hierarchically, and the facility classification may be selected by displaying the state of the hierarchy and accepting the selection. In this way, it is possible to easily reach the target classification, and by specifying the classification at an appropriate hierarchy, it is possible to collectively specify lower items belonging to it.

  (11) An icon indicating the classification is stored in each classification of each hierarchy, and when a lower hierarchy exists in the selected classification, the icon of the selected lower hierarchy is not displayed. The icon of the classification of the selected hierarchy may be displayed.

  (12) The classification may be selected from a plurality of classifications. For example, if only one category can be selected, an icon that matches the purpose is displayed, but by making a plurality of categories selectable, it becomes easier to find a target facility in a single search.

  (13) Detailed information about the facility is stored, and when one of the icons displayed when the selection of the facility classification is received from the user is selected, it corresponds to the selected icon. It is preferable to display at least one of the detailed information on the facility and the display of the destination setting button on the facility. The detailed information includes more detailed information about the facility, such as business hours, address, telephone number, two-dimensional barcode, and the like. By seeing these, it is possible to more appropriately perform soldering as to whether or not the destination is acceptable. By displaying the destination setting button, when the facility of the selected icon is sufficient, by operating the button, the destination can be set in the navigation device, and the operability is improved.

  (14) The selection of the facility classification from the user may be performed by selecting an icon of the surrounding facility or the icon of the facility drawn on the map. Since the icons of the surrounding facilities that match the conditions are always drawn, the facility classification can be easily selected by touching and selecting the icons. In addition, by touching an already drawn facility icon, the classification of the search target can be narrowed down. In other words, when a plurality of classifications are initially selected, the search can be narrowed down by limiting the classification to the classification associated with the touched icon. In addition, when the facility icon is touched in the case where the classifications are arranged in a hierarchy, the facilities of the classification in the lower hierarchy of the currently selected classification can be searched. For example, the search is performed again based on the classification of the lowest layer (in the embodiment, small item) assigned to the facility of the touched icon, or based on the current hierarchy (for example, the large item in the embodiment). If the search is performed, the search can be performed again based on the next lower layer (for example, the middle item in the embodiment). (15) The selection of the facility classification from the user may be received by displaying a selection menu for displaying the classification and selecting from the menu.

  (16) When a facility classification selection is received from the user, the selected facility classification icon is displayed only when displaying the map at a scale within a reference distance (for example, 10 km). Also good.

  (17) As the location information of the facility and the information related to the classification of the facility, the location information and the classification information recorded in association with the telephone number included in the occupational telephone directory number data may be used. Occupational phone book number data is used to search for a specific facility from a telephone number in the case of a navigation device. However, in the occupational phone book number data, the contractor is classified as a business type. Use the classification to search for the desired location.

  (18) Information related to the accuracy of the location information of the facility is stored in association with the location information of the facility, and the display mode of the icon of the facility is changed according to the information related to the accuracy of the location information. Good. The phone book number data includes address information as contractor information, but as it is, it is difficult to draw it in association with the map, and position information associated with the map such as longitude / latitude information is required. This longitude / latitude information has a level difference in position accuracy from a pinpoint match to a point where a certain area is specified. Therefore, when the icon is drawn, the accuracy of the position indicated by the icon can be determined by changing the display mode according to the level of the position accuracy. The display mode to be changed may be, for example, at least one of color, size, and shape.

  (19) A program of the present invention is for causing a computer to realize the means as the navigation device according to any one of (1) to (18).

  In the present invention, an icon is drawn at the location on the map of the facility that matches the classification of the facility selected by the user. At this time, it is preferable to restrict the display of the facilities of the category that has not been selected because the icons of the facilities of the selected category are easier to confirm.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of an apparatus main body. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is an example of the display screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the layer structure of the data drawn on a display part.

  FIG. 1 shows an external view of a preferred embodiment of a navigation apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram thereof, and FIG. 3 and subsequent figures show examples of display forms. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device includes a portable device body 2 that can be carried and a cradle 3 that is an attachment member that holds the device body 2. By attaching the apparatus main body 2 to the cradle 3, it functions as a vehicle-mounted navigation device, and by removing it from the cradle 3, it functions as a portable navigation device (PND). In the present embodiment, the apparatus main body 2 can be attached to and detached from the cradle 3 and used together with the cradle 3 on a dashboard of a vehicle, or the apparatus main body 2 can be removed from the cradle 3 and used as a portable (PND). Although it is a type that can be performed, it cannot be easily attached to and detached from the cradle 3, and may be a vehicle-mounted fixed type or a portable type. Further, it may be realized by installing a predetermined application program (including preinstallation) in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. The application program may be a system for performing navigation, or a program for accessing a server on which a system for performing navigation is mounted and using the system. The present invention can be applied to various types of navigation systems.

  The apparatus main body 2 is detachably attached to the cradle 3. The apparatus main body 2 includes a flat rectangular case main body 4. A display unit 5 is disposed on the front surface of the case body 4, and a touch panel 8 that detects which part of the display unit 5 is touched is provided on the display unit 5, and alarm lamps 9 are provided on both sides of the front surface. It has. The cradle 3 includes a cradle body 6 that holds the apparatus body 2 and a pedestal portion 7 that points the cradle body 6 in an arbitrary posture at a predetermined position (dashboard or the like) in the vehicle interior. The pedestal portion 7 is sucked and fixed on a dashboard or the like by a suction cup provided on the bottom surface. The pedestal portion 7 and the cradle body 6 are coupled so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range via a coupling mechanism such as a ball joint. Since it is a ball joint, the pedestal portion 7 and the cradle body 6 rotate and move relatively within an arbitrary angle range in the three-dimensional direction, and remain at an arbitrary angular position due to frictional resistance in the joint portion. Therefore, the apparatus main body 2 attached to the cradle main body 6 can also be arrange | positioned with arbitrary attitude | positions on a dashboard.

  Further, an SD memory card slot portion 21 is provided on one side surface of the case body 4, and an SD memory card 22 on which map data and the like are recorded can be inserted into the SD memory card slot portion 21. Further, a DC jack 10 is provided on the side surface of the case body 4 where the SD memory card slot portion 21 is provided. The DC jack 10 is for connecting a cigar plug cord (not shown), and is connected to a cigar socket of the vehicle via the cigar plug cord so that power can be supplied.

  On the other hand, a power switch and a USB terminal 23 are provided on the side surface opposite to the SD memory card slot 21. A software application can be upgraded by connecting to a personal computer via the USB terminal 23.

  The following devices and parts are arranged inside the case body 4. That is, the microwave receiver 11 is disposed inside the case body 4 on the back side. The microwave receiver 11 receives microwaves in a predetermined frequency band, and detects the signal level of the received microwaves when receiving microwaves in the set frequency band. Specifically, the RSSI voltage corresponding to the signal level and the electric field strength is used. The predetermined frequency band is, for example, a frequency band including a microwave frequency emitted from the vehicle speed measuring device.

  A GPS receiver 12 that receives a GPS signal and obtains the current position is disposed inside the upper surface of the case body 4. An infrared communication device 14 is disposed inside the case body 4 on the front side. The infrared communication device 14 transmits / receives data to / from a communication device incorporating an infrared communication device such as a mobile phone 15. Further, a speaker 20 is also built in the case body 4.

  Furthermore, the apparatus of the present embodiment includes a wireless receiver 13 and a remote control receiver 16. The wireless receiver 13 receives incoming radio waves having a predetermined frequency. The remote control receiver 16 performs data communication with a remote control (portable device: handset) 17 and performs various settings for the device. The wireless receiver 13 receives incoming radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. For example, the predetermined frequency may be a radio frequency band used when the emergency vehicle notifies the base station of the vehicle position.

  In addition to the navigation function, the navigation device of the present embodiment also has a target notification function as a target notification device that notifies a target such as a vehicle speed measurement device or other traffic monitoring points existing in the vicinity. The navigation function and the target object notification function are stored on the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as a program executed by the computer included in the control unit 18, and are realized by being executed by the computer included in the control unit 18.

  That is, the control unit 18 includes the above-mentioned various input devices (GPS receiver 12, microwave receiver 11, wireless receiver 13, touch panel 8, infrared communication device 14, remote control receiver 16, SD memory card slot unit 21). , A predetermined process is executed based on information input from the USB terminal 23 and the like, and output devices (display unit 5, alarm lamp 9, speaker 20, infrared communication device 14, SD memory card slot unit 21, USB terminal 23) Etc.) to output predetermined information / alarm / message. This predetermined process is for executing each of the above functions, and accesses the database 19 and the SD memory card 22 as necessary.

  Here, the database 19 can be realized by a nonvolatile memory (for example, EEPROM) in the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. The database 19 is registered with information necessary for carrying out certain targets, maps, and other functions at the time of shipment, and data and the like regarding the targets added thereafter are subjected to predetermined processing. It can be updated afterwards. This update process may be performed, for example, by inserting an SD memory card storing additional data into the SD memory card slot unit 21 and transferring the SD memory card from the SD memory card to the database 19. The data update can be performed by using the infrared communication device 7 or a personal computer or other external device connected via the USB terminal 23.

  The control unit 18 for realizing the target notification function operates as follows. That is, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined alarm when the microwave receiver 11 receives a desired microwave. Examples of the alarm include a buzzer using the speaker 20 and a sound output for notifying reception of microwaves (detection of the vehicle speed measurement device, etc.), a message output using characters or images using the display unit 5, and the like. .

  Moreover, the control part 18 outputs a predetermined alarm, when the radio | wireless receiver 13 receives desired radio | wireless. Examples of the alarm include a buzzer using the speaker 20 and a sound output for notifying reception of microwaves (approach of an emergency vehicle, etc.), and a message output using characters or images used on the display unit 5. The alarm associated with the reception of the radio and the alarm associated with the reception of the microwave may be different from each other.

  Furthermore, the control unit 18 outputs a predetermined alarm when the current position detected by the GPS receiver 12 and the position of a target such as a traffic monitoring point stored in the database 19 are in a predetermined positional relationship. . Therefore, the database 19 is safer with more attention such as information on the target to be detected (position information of the target including longitude and latitude, target type information, etc.), accident-prone areas, traffic control information, etc. There are traffic safety information for driving, landmarks and various useful information for driving. Each information is registered by associating specific information types (target types, traffic control types, accident-prone areas, landmark names, etc.) with location information.

  The distance to the target when the alarm is issued can be changed for each type of target. As modes of alarms, there are alarms using voice or the like using the speaker 20 and alarms using the display unit 5 as described above. FIG. 3 shows an example of an alarm by the display unit 5. In this embodiment, since this device is a navigation device, since it has map data as will be described later, as a basic screen, the control unit 18 reads road network information around the current location and The map is displayed on the display unit 5. Then, the warning screen 70 is displayed on the display unit 5 so as to overlap the currently displayed screen (here, the map around the current position). FIG. 3 shows a display example of a warning screen 70 when the distance between the current position and the LH system, which is a kind of speed measurement device, which is one of the traffic monitoring points, is 500 m when the map 50 is displayed. Is shown. Further, a process of outputting a warning sound indicating the alarm type and distance such as “500m ahead LH system” from the speaker 20 is performed.

  On the other hand, the control unit 18 for realizing the navigation function operates as follows. First, the database 19 stores road network information for navigation. The navigation information stored in the database 19 may store all the information about the whole country at the time of shipment, and the map data etc. are stored in the SD memory card 22 for each region. In this way, the user may prepare an SD memory card storing necessary map data and the like and use it by inserting it into the SD memory card slot 21. Note that the map data and the like stored in the SD memory card 22 may be transferred to the database 19 and stored, or the control unit 18 may access the SD memory card 22 to read out and use it. good.

  The control unit 18 has a function of reading road network information around the current position from the database 19 and displaying a map around the current position on the display unit 5. The control unit 18 can search for a route (route) from one position to another using this road network information. Further, the database 19 stores a telephone number database in which a telephone number is stored in association with the location information and name of the house, company, facility, etc. of the telephone number, and an address and positional information of the address in association with each other. Provide an address database. The database 19 stores location information of traffic monitoring points such as speed measuring devices together with their types.

  The control unit 18 has a function of performing processing of a general navigation device. That is, a map around the current position is displayed on the display unit 5 at any time, and a destination setting button is displayed. When the touch panel 8 detects that the position corresponding to the display position of the destination setting button is pressed, the control unit 18 performs destination setting processing. In the destination setting process, a destination setting menu is displayed on the display unit 5 to prompt the user to select a destination setting method. The destination setting menu includes a telephone number search button and an address search button that prompt the user to select a destination setting method. When it is detected that the telephone number search button has been pressed, a telephone number input screen is displayed, and position information corresponding to the input telephone number is acquired from the database 19. If it is detected that the address search button has been pressed, an address selection input screen is displayed, and position information corresponding to the input address is acquired from the database 19. Then, the acquired position information is set as the position information of the destination, and a recommended route from the current position to the destination is obtained based on the road network information stored in the database 19. As a method for calculating the recommended route, a known method such as a Dijkstra method can be used.

  Then, the control unit 18 displays the calculated recommended route together with the surrounding map. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a route 53 from the current position 51 to the destination 52 is displayed as a recommended route in a predetermined color (for example, red). This is the same as a general navigation system. In the present embodiment, the control unit 18 compares the position information on the route 53 with the position information of the target such as the traffic monitoring point stored in the database 19 and determines the traffic monitoring point or the like located on the route 53. Display position. Information provision for traveling on the route 53 by safe driving may be limited to traffic monitoring points among various targets stored in the database 19.

  Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a balloon is displayed from a position on the road, and the type of traffic monitoring point at that position stored in the database 19 is displayed in the balloon. For example, FIG. 4A is a display example of a warning point search screen, and shows an example in which traffic monitoring points 55a to 55f are displayed. The traffic monitoring point 55a displays the letter “N” indicating the N system in a balloon. The traffic monitoring points 55b, 55c, and 55e display characters “LH” indicating the LH system in a balloon. The traffic monitoring point 55d displays “loop” characters indicating a loop coil in a balloon. The traffic monitoring point 55f displays the letter “H” indicating the H system in a balloon. As described above, when the touch panel 8 detects a touch on the balloon position in the simplified display state in which characters are displayed in the balloon, the simplified display is switched to the detailed display as shown in FIG. In the detailed display, the warning screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed in a balloon.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, a traffic monitoring point type designation unit 56 is displayed on the lower right side in the display unit 5. The traffic monitoring point type designation unit 56 is a part that displays a button listing the types of traffic monitoring points existing on the route 53. In the example of FIG. 4A, the “N” type button 57a indicating the N system of the traffic monitoring point 55a, the “LH” type button 57b indicating the LH system of the traffic monitoring points 55b, 55c, and 55e, A “loop” type button 57c indicating the loop coil of the monitoring point 55d and an “H” type button 57d indicating the H system of the traffic monitoring point 55f are displayed. When the touch on the display unit of the type button is detected from the touch panel 8, the control unit 18 reversely displays the touched type button and simplifies the display mode of the traffic monitoring point corresponding to the touched type button. If it is being displayed, it is switched to detailed display, and if it is being displayed in detail, it is switched to simple display.

  The car navigation device according to the present embodiment includes a peripheral search function as a destination setting method. When this peripheral search function is selected and activated, the control unit 18 extracts facilities that meet the specified conditions and are close to the current position, and draws the extraction result on the display unit 5. The user can specify a destination (including a transit point) by selecting and confirming one of the candidates drawn on the display unit 5.

  That is, in order to realize such a function, the database 19 of the present embodiment stores information related to the facility classification together with the position information as information about each facility. Information regarding the classification of facilities can be efficiently specified by classifying the information into stages / hierarchies such as large items, medium items, and small items. That is, one or more middle items belong to the large item, and one or more small items belong to each middle item. Note that if only one item belongs, it is actually the same as no item in that hierarchy. That is, if there is only one small item belonging to a certain middle item, it may be up to the middle item and no small item.

  Examples of major items include “transportation”, “shopping”, “restaurant”, “leisure / tourism”, “accommodation / hot springs”, “living / life”. Examples of the middle items belonging to “Transport” include “Road”, “Railway”, “Airport”, “Ferry Landing”, “Road Station / Drive-in”, and the like. Examples of small items belonging to “Road” include “Interchange”, “Smart IC”, “SA / PA / Highway Oasis”, “Intersection”, and the like. There are no sub-items belonging to “Airport” or “Ferry Landing”. The middle items belonging to “Shopping” include “Convenience Store”, “Supermarket / Department Store / Shopping Street”, “Food / Liquor”, “Automobile Related” and so on. Small items belonging to “convenience stores” include chain stores. The major categories of “Restaurant” are “Family restaurant”, “Fast food”, “Ramen”, “Japanese food”, “Western food”, “Asian / Chinese / Ethnic food”. Small items belonging to “Asian / Chinese / Ethnic Cuisine” include “Chinese Cuisine”, “Dim Sum”, “Korean Cuisine”, “Yakiniku”, and so on. Small items belonging to “fast food” include “hamburger”, “gyudon”, “other fast food”, etc., which may be further divided into chain stores.

  When a large item is specified, all the middle items belonging to it are specified. When a certain middle item is specified, all small items belonging to that medium item are specified. As a result, the control unit 18 processes.

  The facility search item is specified by selecting a “neighbor search button” 80a from destination setting buttons drawn on the display unit 5 as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is realized by detecting that the user has touched the “periphery search button” 80a). In the figure, the destination setting buttons are drawn as “periphery search button” 80a, “address search button” 80b, and “telephone number search button” 80c. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a button for selecting another search method may be prepared. Although not shown, this destination setting button detects a touch at a predetermined position or a remote control operation on a display screen on which the previous destination setting button shown in FIG. 5A is not drawn. By drawing the main menu screen, it is possible to obtain the state shown in FIG. 5 by instructing the destination search (input) from the menu screen. Of course, various methods can be used, such as omitting the drawing of the main menu screen and the state shown in FIG.

  The control unit 18 that recognizes that the “address search button” 80b is touched and the like is selected, displays the address selection input screen on the display unit 5 as described above, and corresponds to the address input there. The position information to be acquired is acquired from the database 19, and the recommended route to the position is searched. More specifically, when the address input from the address input screen is acquired, the map information including the point corresponding to the address is read from the database 19 and the point corresponding to the address is centered on the display unit 5. Draw a map screen. At this time, a predetermined mark is drawn at a point corresponding to the address. If the position indicated by this mark is acceptable, the user gives a destination confirmation instruction such as pressing a selection button. Therefore, when receiving the destination confirmation instruction, the control unit 18 is instructed by the mark. The recommended route from the current position is obtained with the current position as the destination.

  The control unit 18 recognizing that the “phone number search button” 80c is touched and the like is selected, displays the telephone number input screen as described above, and the facility corresponding to the input telephone number. If the facility is selected as a destination, the recommended route to the destination is obtained and output. These basic search and drawing functions for each screen are the same as those in the prior art.

  The control unit 18 that has recognized that the “periphery search button” 80a has been touched and the like has been selected draws a classification information selection menu (large item) 81 as shown in FIG. 5B. In this embodiment, since the facility classification is divided into three levels of large, medium, and small, a menu for selecting a large item is drawn first. Since the user selects a desired button area for specifying the facility to be searched from this large menu list, the control unit 18 receives the instruction from the user and selects the desired button area. A large item is recognized, and a menu area of the selected large item is highlighted, a check mark is drawn on a check box (not shown), and the selected / recognized item is notified to the user. When a menu area that has already been selected is designated by touching again, the control unit 18 determines that the selection has been canceled and returns to the initial display state. In the figure, the classification information selection menu 81 draws only the characters of each item, but the icon of the classification may be drawn in accordance therewith.

  When the user can select the selected category (large item in the state of FIG. 5B), the user selects the item by touching the search button 82 or the like, and selects a lower item of the selected category. The lower layer selection button 83 is selected by touching. Therefore, the control unit 18 recognizes which button is selected, and when the “lower layer selection button 83” is selected, the menu of the middle item associated with the lower level of the currently selected large item. The list is drawn, and the items are selected in the same manner as in the case of the large items described above. Also in this case, the control unit 18 recognizing that the lower layer selection button has been selected further draws a menu list for the small items associated with the currently selected middle item, and the necessary items are selected from the menu list. Accept the selection.

  On the other hand, when the “search button 82” is selected, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 and is a facility existing within a reference distance (for example, 10 km) centered on the current position and designated. Extract those that match. Then, a predetermined number (for example, 10) of facilities closest to each other are drawn by overlapping icons (marks) indicating the facilities at corresponding locations on the map drawn on the display unit 5. As shown in FIG. 6A, the icon I to be drawn at this time may have a simple shape such as a circle, a pattern (2D, 3D) imitating the facility, or the facility. It may be a mark such as a logo. In the case of a symbol icon indicating the facility itself, the facility information stored in the database 19 is registered in association with each facility, and when drawing, the associated icon is read out. Draw at a predetermined position on the display unit 5. Moreover, it is good also as an icon of the pattern which shows the classification | category of the said facility for every classification | category of a facility (for example, a ramen bowl picture etc. for the classification of a ramen shop). In addition, if an icon is set for each facility, a symbol icon indicating that individual facility is drawn, and if it is not set, a symbol icon indicating a classification is drawn. You may make it draw.

  In addition, when the current position exists on the map drawn on the display unit 5, the own vehicle icon I0 indicating the own vehicle is overlaid and drawn at a position corresponding to the current position. In the figure, the host vehicle icon I0 has a triangular shape, but can take various forms such as a shape imitating a car and an arrow. Moreover, in the display mode in the normal running state (during navigation), the center of the display screen (map) of the display unit 5 is the vehicle position.

  Furthermore, when drawing the icon I of such a facility, numbers may be added and displayed in order from the nearest vehicle. This is preferable because it is possible to easily determine which facility is closest to the facility that the user wants to visit (looks for) by looking at the number. In particular, the number may be updated as the vehicle moves.

  In this way, by drawing the icon I overlaid on the actual position of the map on the road network, the target position can be set to any position around the current position, and also based on the current road (traveling direction). It is possible to understand at a glance whether or not there are facilities belonging to the classification. In other words, when this type of conventional peripheral search is executed, the system selects the one closest to the current position and outputs the information as text information, or lists a plurality of facilities with the same classification as text. In the latter case, the distance from the current location to each facility is simply displayed as additional information, and the location of each facility is intuitive. However, in this embodiment, the location of each facility that matches the conditions is shown on the map. For example, , “It is easy to reach because it is ahead of the road that is currently running”, “It is close to the straight line, but it is opposite to the direction of travel, facing a narrow alley, no right turn, one-way traffic, etc. Road It is easy to make judgments such as “It is difficult to go far” and “Even if there are multiple facilities in the neighborhood and one facility is not fully available, it is easy to go to another facility in the neighborhood” .

  Then, in a state where the drawn icon I is clicked and selected, the user clicks a “destination setting button” (not shown) drawn on the display unit 5, so that the facility is set to the destination ( In some cases, a transit point is added (the same applies to the following), and when the process is confirmed, the control unit 18 that has recognized it obtains a recommended route with the facility as the destination, and displays the result on the map of the display unit 5 Draw in layers. In addition, when the related information (detailed information) registered in association with the facility of the icon I exists when the predetermined icon I is clicked and selected, the related information is drawn on the display unit 5. good. The related information includes, for example, various information such as facility names, location information, telephone numbers, business days and business hours, and these information are registered in the database 19 in advance. Similar to the above classification, this registration may be performed by storing it as initial information at the manufacturer at the time of shipment, or may be updated as appropriate.

  Although it is the icon I of a facility, in the example shown in the figure, it is a circle, but the shape is arbitrary and may be divided for each classification. In this case, in the database 19, an icon indicating the classification is registered in association with each classification of each hierarchy, and when the facility icon I is drawn, the corresponding icon is acquired from the database 19 and drawn. At this time, when a lower hierarchy exists in the selected category, the icon of the category of the selected hierarchy may be displayed instead of displaying the icon of the selected lower hierarchy. For example, when a large classification restaurant is selected, an icon indicating the restaurant is displayed.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of classifications can be selected. Therefore, when only one category is selected, an icon that matches that purpose is displayed. For example, when you want to eat ramen, you can display only the ramen shop icon. Also, when you want to eat ramen or Chinese food, you can display the icons of ramen shop and Chinese restaurant by specifying them.

  Also, for example, when setting the above facility classification, if the “search button 82” is clicked without selecting some of the middle items or small items, the facilities of the classification not selected are not extracted. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. As is clear from comparison between FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the display of the icon I drawn in FIG. 6A is limited in FIG. It is not displayed here. Of course, in the case of FIG. 6A as well, only the icon I of the facility that matches the previously specified classification is drawn as compared with all the facilities stored in the database 19. In this way, since the display of the icons of facilities other than the icon of the facility of the classification that the user wants to go is limited, it is possible to easily see where the facility of the classification that the user wants to go is.

  As a result, for example, when the remaining amount of gasoline in the vehicle's gasoline tank is low, when the user selects “gas station” as the classification of surrounding facilities and issues a search command, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19. Then, a gas station within a predetermined distance centered on the current position is extracted, and a facility (gas station) icon I (circle in the example of FIG. 6) is displayed at the corresponding location on the map based on the extracted position information of the gas station. Draw a mark. Thus, the user can tell how far ahead of the road they are currently driving, whether there is a gas station that can take the detour as few as possible to the final destination, You can easily and quickly judge intuitively by looking at the map. In addition, there is a request to use one or more companies at a gas station, and in such a case, after limiting to the gas station of the target company using the “lower layer selection button 83”, The search button 82 "may be clicked. Thereby, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the narrowed-down specific facility is drawn.

  6B is simply drawn from the facility icon I drawn in FIG. 6A because the facility icons that no longer meet the specified classification conditions are not displayed on the display unit 5. The icons I of the searched nearby facilities are reduced without being newly added. For example, when an upper limit is set for the number of facilities that match the specified classification, When the number of matching surrounding facilities exceeds the upper limit, the newly drawn facility icon I may appear by changing (narrowing down) the conditions.

  On the other hand, as one of the normal navigation functions, if there is a facility previously registered in the database 19 at each point on the map drawn on the display unit 5, the road network is located at the corresponding position on the map. There are some which draw the icon (mark) of the facility. The facility to be drawn (in the following description, referred to as “peripheral facility” in order to distinguish it from a facility that has been searched in the vicinity in accordance with the user's designation) can be changed according to user settings, and may not be drawn at all. It is also possible to draw a peripheral facility that matches one or a plurality of (all possible) classifications. As an example, if a gas station (which can be limited to a specific company) is selected as the classification of the facility to be displayed, the specified gas station exists on the drawn map. In such a case, an icon indicating a gas station, which is a peripheral facility designated at the corresponding location, is drawn in an overlapping manner. In addition, when a specific fast food or convenience store is specified as a peripheral facility to be displayed on the map, when those peripheral facilities exist in the surroundings, the control unit 18 sets each corresponding location. The icon indicating is overlaid on the road network. Some of these surrounding facilities that cannot be changed as defaults and others that can be selected by the user's settings, and facilities that fall under multiple different types of categories are drawn. It is designed so that it can be seen whether it is a facility or not (reference numeral I1 in FIG. 7).

  As described above, the classification of predetermined peripheral facilities existing on the map output to the display unit 5 and the designation for the peripheral search for searching for the destination (route point) that is a feature of the present embodiment. The classification of facilities may be the same or different. However, if there is a facility that matches the conditions and the icon I1 for that facility is already drawn on the map regardless of the surrounding search, the surrounding search is executed and the facility exists in the corresponding surrounding area. When the icon I is drawn, the display mode is such that the icon I of the facility as a result of the peripheral search and the icon I1 of the other peripheral facility can be distinguished from each other. In the figure, the icon I of the facility searched for in the vicinity is in the shape of a circle so that it can be easily recognized. Even if it is a circle, there is no problem because the user who specified the classification immediately before can understand what class I belong to.

  Further, when the form of the icon I1 of the facility as a result of the peripheral search and the icon I1 of the peripheral facility drawn regardless of the peripheral search are made the same, for example, the icon I1 of the peripheral facility is conspicuous in gray display or the like By restricting the display such as eliminating or hiding, it is possible to easily recognize the presence of the icon I of the facility as a result of the peripheral search. In addition, the display of the icon I1 of the peripheral facility is indirectly restricted (made inconspicuous) by making the icon I of the facility stand out by blinking the icon I of the facility or changing the color. The same effect can be obtained. These display restrictions can be similarly applied to the case where the icon I of the facility obtained as a result of the peripheral search and the icon I1 of the peripheral facility drawn regardless of the peripheral search are different.

  When the classification of the facility designated for the peripheral search and the classification of the peripheral facility drawn regardless of the peripheral search are the same, the facility icon I and the peripheral facility icon I1 drawn by the respective functions are displayed on the map. It will be drawn at the same position. In such a case, there is no problem if it is not drawn as a restriction on the display of the icon I1 of the surrounding facility, but when the icons I and I1 are drawn together, the icon I of the facility is turned up. Thus, the facility icon I is not hidden by the peripheral facility icon I1, and the user can recognize the position of the facility desired by the user as a result of the peripheral search without overlooking the facility. In addition, by overlapping and drawing in this way, it can be easily understood whether or not the icon I1 drawn as a peripheral facility is in the state of being searched around and accepting the selection of the facility classification.

  In this case, the method of overlapping may display the facility icon I (icon relating to classification) completely overlaid on the surrounding facility icon I1, or the facility icon I may be part of the surrounding facility icon I1. It may be displayed superimposed on. In the case of overlapping display, for example, the facility icon I may be smaller than the surrounding facility icon I1, and may be overlapped at a predetermined position such as the lower right position in the facility icon. For example, the surrounding facility icon I1 is a symbol icon such as a ramen bowl, and the facility icon I is an icon of a small simple shape (for example, a star) of about a quarter of the symbol icon. The facility icon I may be drawn on the icon I1. In this way, it is easy to know whether the facility classification selection is accepted or not, and the classification can be understood from the icon I1 of the surrounding facility. At the same time, you can see what the facility classification is.

  In addition, the classification of facilities designated for the peripheral search and the classification of peripheral facilities drawn regardless of the peripheral search may be the same or different. That is, the classification of surrounding facilities is classified from the viewpoint that has been conventionally used in navigation, and the classification of facilities for searching around is preferably classified from a different viewpoint. As an example, as a classification for facilities that provide food such as canteens / restaurants, peripheral facilities are classified for each chain store in a fast food restaurant, a family restaurant, etc. It is composed of marks indicating shops, and the classification of facilities for searching for the surroundings may be divided into types of meals such as hamburgers, Japanese dishes, Western dishes, ramen, and Chinese. In this case, for example, a family restaurant may belong to a plurality of different types such as Japanese food and Western food. In such a case, if a plurality of facilities are set as the classification of the facility, any of them can be extracted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, etc., icons I2 such as traffic lights and landmarks are displayed on the map of the display unit 5 in addition to the icons of peripheral facilities. When a request for a peripheral search is received, at least when the icon I of the facility of the search result is drawn, it is preferable to have a function of restricting display of at least a part of the icons other than the icon I1 of the peripheral facility. This display restriction can be hidden or can be made inconspicuous, such as gray display. That is, when a peripheral search is received as a selection of a facility classification to be displayed on the map from the user, the control unit 18 does not display the icons I2 such as traffic lights and landmarks. Moreover, the control part 18 may be provided with the function not to display characters, such as a place name, when performing a periphery search and drawing the icon I of a facility. Of course, a mode in which the icon I1 of the peripheral facility is not displayed may be performed.

  In the icons (marks) I2 other than the icons of the peripheral facilities, all or a part of the objects whose display is restricted may be used. In some cases, information that is not subject to display restriction may be information about roads, for example. The information about the road includes a sign icon I4 indicating the number of the road.

  The manufacturer associates the facilities registered in the database 19 when searching for the surroundings with the classification, position information / detailed information, and other information and creates and stores the data. Moreover, the telephone book number data classified by occupation can be used as data to be accessed for the peripheral search. In other words, NTT's town pages (phonebooks classified by occupation) contain company information of all sizes, from large companies to small and medium-sized businesses, and even private stores. Acquired “Town Page Database (registered trademark)” (professional phone book number data) that has been converted into data on industry and business conditions nationwide listed on this town page, and made appropriate corrections to database 19 as necessary. Store. This occupational telephone directory number data is normally used for telephone number retrieval. That is, as described above, the control unit 18 that recognizes that the “phone number search button” 80c is touched or the like and the button is selected displays a phone number input screen, and the input phone number is displayed as a key. If there is a facility, etc. that matches the entered phone number, and the location information of the facility, etc. is obtained, and that facility is selected as the destination In this case, the recommended route to the destination is obtained and output. As described above, although the telephone directory number data classified by occupation is usually used for searching for the facility corresponding to the inputted telephone number, in this embodiment, it corresponds to the telephone number included in the telephone directory number data classified by occupation. Periphery search is performed by using the recorded location information and classification information.

  In other words, the occupational telephone directory number data is obtained by converting about 1,800 types of business / business information, and is registered in association with telephone numbers, names (contractors), addresses, classifications, and the like. Classification is classified into 64 basic types according to the type of business and business category, and more detailed classifications are also provided, so specify some or all of the classifications when searching for nearby facilities. To use.

  In the normal occupational telephone directory number data, the position information associated with each facility is an address, and cannot be linked to the corresponding position on the map data in the navigation system. Therefore, data in which position information consisting of latitude and longitude information is added to the occupational telephone directory number data is used. That is, this latitude / longitude information is obtained from a so-called “pinpoint” latitude / longitude database corresponding to address numbers / addresses based on address data of about 3,000 cities, towns and villages nationwide. By building for the Town Page Database (registered trademark)), the position determination rate and accuracy are dramatically improved.

  Therefore, as a result of designating the classification of the telephone directory number data according to occupation and performing a peripheral search, a facility that matches the designated classification existing around the vehicle position is extracted, and the location information (latitude / The icon of the facility is drawn over the map on the road network corresponding to the longitude. As described above, the icon of the facility may be provided with an icon of a symbol representing it for each facility, may be an icon indicating a classification, or may be all common icons.

  In addition, the above latitude and longitude information includes pinpoints that have been matched to the house number and lot number level, and the facilities belonging to the same address are the block level matching in which the longitude and latitude of the representative point of the block is set, and the same street The facilities that belong to each other have a level difference in the accuracy of the associated positional information, such as the town-chome level matching in which the longitude and latitude of the representative point of the town-chome is set. For example, in the case of a facility located at the address “Shibadaimon 1-chome ○ No. x No.” in Minato-ku, Tokyo, if matching is made with a pinpoint, the corresponding address location, that is, the latitude and longitude of the location where the facility exists Is set as position information for the facility. Therefore, the facility icon drawn based on the position information is drawn at an accurate position on the map.

  On the other hand, in the case of block level matching, the facility at the address “Shibadaimon 1-chome ○ No. x No.” in Minato-ku, Tokyo cannot be specified at the issue level. Therefore, matching is performed at the block “Shibadaimon 1-chome No. 1”, that is, the latitude and longitude set as “Shiba Daimon 1-chome ○ No.” (the same as the center of the block or “1chome ○ No. 1”). The latitude / longitude of the representative point determined by an appropriate rule, such as “Block No. 1”, is set as position information about the facility. Therefore, the facility icon drawn based on the location information is not necessarily drawn at the exact location of the facility on the map, and there is an error within the same block.

  Furthermore, in the case of town level level matching, the facility at the address “1-chome Shiba Daimon 1-chome × No. × Minato-ku, Tokyo” cannot be specified at the block level. Therefore, matching is performed at “Shibadaimon 1-chome” in the town street, that is, the latitude and longitude set as “Shibadaimon 1-chome” (in the center of the 1-chome or “1-1 Chome 1-1”) The latitude / longitude of the representative point determined by an appropriate rule, such as “No. 1”, is set as position information about the facility. Therefore, the facility icon drawn based on the location information is not necessarily drawn at the exact location of the facility on the map, and there is an error within the same street, and this error is Greater than level matching.

  As described above, since the accuracy of the position information set for each facility has a difference in level, the information on the accuracy of the position information of the facility is associated with the position information of the facility in the database for registering information about the facility. (Accuracy level) is also associated and stored. And when drawing the icon of a facility, it is good to change the display mode according to the information about the accuracy of the position information. The display mode to be changed may be at least one of color, size, and shape, for example. When changing the color, the icon of the facility with high positional information accuracy is displayed in a light color, and the icon of a facility with low positional information accuracy is displayed in a dark color. As shown in the figure, the pinpoint facility icon Ip whose accuracy matches the house number, lot number, latitude and longitude is a red circle, the facility icon In whose accuracy is block level matching (close) is the blue circle, and the accuracy is town The icon If of the facility of the chome level matching (far) may be changed in color like a green circle. Moreover, you may make it not display the icon of the facility of the precision lower than a fixed level.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 18 draws the vehicle icon I0 at the vehicle position on the map of the display unit 5 as in the embodiment described above. And the control part 18 extracts N places in order from the own vehicle position (current position) among the facilities which correspond to the designated classification (facility genre), and is a map specified by the position information associated with each. The facility icons Ip, In, If corresponding to the accuracy are drawn at the upper position. At this time, the scale of the map is adjusted by an automatic scale so that N can be displayed, and control is performed so that icons of N facilities are drawn on the entire screen.

  In addition, scale lines K are also drawn from a plurality of circles whose concentric distances from the current position to each facility are concentric. The scale line K may be continuously drawn while the facility icons Ip, In, If as a result of the peripheral search are being drawn, or after the facility icons Ip, In, If are drawn, for a certain period of time. You may control to delete, if (for example, 5 seconds) passes. Also, when there is any change in the screen display, such as changing the scale or selecting the facility icons Ip, In, If, etc., the circle line K is drawn for a certain period and then deleted. May be.

  In FIG. 8, a message area R1 is set on the upper end side of the display unit 5, and an operation switch area R2 is set on the lower end side. When one of the drawn facility icons Ip, In, If is selected, the control unit 18 obtains simple information (name, address, etc.) associated with the selected facility stored in the database 19. Drawing in the message area R1. This selection of an icon is performed by directly touching the icons Ip, In, If drawn on the display unit 5, for example. Each time the cursor key set at the right end of the operation switch region R2 is touched, the icon selected by a predetermined rule (from the closest to the farthest, returns to the latest) is selected by transition. You can also Further, in order to make it easy to know which icon is currently selected, the control unit 18 draws an instruction line S that connects the vehicle icon I0 to the selected (focused) icon with a straight line (dotted line). Like to do.

  Further, when the control unit 18 recognizes that the detail button at the center of the operation switch region R2 has been touched, the control unit 18 stores the detailed information about the facility of the currently selected icon in the database 19. The detailed information is drawn by superimposing on the corresponding position on the road network of the map on the display unit 5 or switching from the map display. Further, when the selected state is confirmed, the destination is set, and the control unit 18 obtains a recommended route to the destination, and draws and guides the route.

  In addition, other configurations and operational effects, that is, the limitation of icon display for peripheral facilities other than the facility of the category specified by the peripheral search, are the same as in the embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted. In addition, a function for performing a peripheral search based on a database in which longitude / latitude information is added to the telephone directory number data by occupation, and when drawing a result of the peripheral search when there is a level difference in accuracy in the longitude / latitude information, Different display forms depending on the accuracy can be realized as independent functions regardless of the limitation of the display of icons of surrounding facilities.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the surrounding search is performed based on the vehicle position has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to the case where the surrounding search is performed based on a specific point. . For example, an arbitrary point on the map can be touched and the specific position can be based on the touched position. Further, a set destination (final destination / route) can be set as a specific point.

  In the above-described embodiment, as a classification designation method to be specified when performing a peripheral search, a list is drawn as in the classification information selection menu, and the user selects from the list. The present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a method of selecting by touching the icon I1 or the like of the peripheral facility already drawn on the map of the display unit 5 can be adopted. That is, the peripheral facility icon I1 is drawn at a corresponding position when a facility of a preset classification exists in an area displayed on a map. And since the icon I1 of the peripheral facility is in such a form that the classification can be understood, when the user looks at the display screen and tries to search for a facility of the same type classification in the surrounding area, the drawing When the peripheral facility icon I1 is selected by touching and the peripheral facility search execution instruction is given, the control unit 18 accesses the database 19 and classifies the facility corresponding to the designated peripheral facility icon I1. , And a peripheral search is executed based on the acquired classification, and the result is drawn on the map of the display unit 5. At this time, when the facility icon I is a circle, as described above, the facility icon I1 is drawn on top of the surrounding facility icon I1 or the drawing of the surrounding facility icon I1 is restricted (hidden / not conspicuous) Display mode). In addition, when a plurality of types of classifications are specified as the peripheral facilities to be drawn, the icons I1 of the peripheral facilities of the categories not specified are also limited in the drawing, and which icons are extracted by searching the surroundings. You can see at a glance whether it is Icon I.

  Furthermore, the function of changing the display mode according to the accuracy of the position can also be used for the result of telephone number search. In other words, the phone number search is performed by inputting a phone number, specifying a facility corresponding to the phone number, drawing an icon at a corresponding position on the map based on the position information associated with the facility, and determining whether the destination is acceptable. do. At this time, it can be seen whether the position of the drawn icon is exactly the same as the actual position or whether there is some variation, so it is appropriate to determine whether or not it can be set as a target. Information can be provided.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a drawing overlay structure (layer structure) to be drawn on the display unit 5. As shown in the figure, the map drawn on the display unit 5 draws a layer 61 for drawing a road network, a layer 62 for drawing character information such as a place name, a layer 63 for drawing icons of peripheral facilities, a recommended route, and the like. The layer is divided for each type such as the layer 64 to be processed. For example, a layer 61 for drawing a road network, a layer 62 for drawing character information such as a place name, a layer 63 for drawing icons of peripheral facilities, and a layer 64 for drawing a recommended route are configured in the same manner as a conventional navigation device. It may be.

  Then, a layer for drawing the facility icon I is further provided, and the control unit 18 that has received selection from the user searches for the corresponding facility and draws the corresponding facility icon using the layer 65. In this embodiment, the facility icon layer 65 is drawn so as to be superimposed on the above-mentioned various layers. However, the facility icon layer 65 is drawn so as to be switched to the surrounding facility icon layer 63. Also good. In particular, when the display is not performed as the display restriction of the surrounding facilities, it can be easily realized by performing such switching. Of course, when switching, part or all of the icons of the peripheral facilities may be drawn on the layer 65 for the facility icons. That is, by switching to the drawing of the facility icon layer 65, the peripheral facility icons drawn in the peripheral facility icon layer 63 are not displayed. In this case, of the icons drawn on the layer 63 for the surrounding facility icon, the icon to be drawn is drawn on the layer 65 together with the icon of the surrounding facility using the facility icon layer 65. be able to. Further, by superimposing the facility icon layer 65 on the peripheral facility icon layer 63, the facility icon can be easily drawn on the peripheral facility icon.

2 Device body 3 Cradle 4 Case body 5 Display unit 6 Cradle body 7 Base unit 8 Touch panel 9 Alarm lamp 11 Microwave receiver 12 GPS receiver 13 Wireless receiver 18 Control unit 19 Database 20 Speaker 21 SD memory card slot 22 SD memory card

Claims (19)

Facility information storage means for storing location information of facilities and information related to facility classification in association with each other;
Means for drawing a map around a specific location;
When a facility classification selection is received from the user, based on the information stored in the facility information storage means, the facility of the selected classification existing around the specific position is extracted and the map of the extracted facility A navigation device comprising control means for drawing an icon of a facility at a corresponding position on the top.   The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit has a function of restricting display of the facility icons other than the selected classification on the map.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display restriction is that no display is performed. An icon of the facility that draws the location of the facility of the selected classification on the map, and an icon of the peripheral facility that draws a peripheral facility that matches a preset condition separately from the selection on the map With different settings
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit restricts the display of the icons of the surrounding facilities when receiving the selection of the facility classification from the user. The icon for drawing the location of the facility of the selected classification on the map and the icon of the peripheral facility for drawing a peripheral facility that matches a preset condition separately from the selection are set differently. ,
The said control means displays the icon of the said facility on the icon of the said surrounding facility, when selection of the classification of the facility from the said user is received. Navigation device.   6. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the classification of the facility icons is different from the classification of the icons of the surrounding facilities.   Limiting the display of at least a part of the icons of the peripheral facilities displayed on the map when the selection of the facility classification from the user is not received from the user when the selection of the facility classification is received from the user The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:   8. The navigation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when a facility classification selection is received from a user, information other than information identifying the road and the road is not displayed.   The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a number is displayed in the order from the vehicle to the facility icon displayed when the facility classification selection is received from the user.   2. The facility classification information selected by the user is hierarchically configured, and the facility classification is selected by displaying the status of the hierarchy and accepting the selection. The navigation apparatus of any one of -9.   Each category of each hierarchy stores an icon indicating the category, and if a lower hierarchy exists in the selected category, the icon of the selected lower hierarchy is not displayed but displayed. The navigation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an icon of the classification in the hierarchy is displayed.   The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the classification can be selected from a plurality of classifications.   Detailed information about the facility is stored, and when one of the icons displayed when the selection of the facility classification is received from the user is selected, the facility corresponding to the selected icon is selected. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of display of the detailed information and display of a destination setting button on the facility is performed.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the facility classification from the user is performed by selecting the icon of the surrounding facility or the icon of the facility drawn on the map.   The navigation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the selection of the facility classification from the user is performed by displaying a selection menu for displaying the classification and selecting from the menu. .   The display of the icon of the selected facility classification is performed only when displaying the map at a scale within a reference distance when the selection of the facility classification is received from the user. The navigation device according to any one of claims.   The location information of the facility and the information related to the classification of the facility use location information and classification information recorded in association with a telephone number included in telephone number data classified by occupation. The navigation device according to any one of the above.   The information on the accuracy of the location information of the facility is stored in association with the location information of the facility, and the display mode of the icon of the facility is changed according to the information on the accuracy of the location information. Item 18. The navigation device according to any one of Items 1 to 17.   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the means as a navigation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-18.

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