JP2012231456A - Image display unit and image display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information display device and a map information display method for performing an easy-to-see screen display for a user by a simple operation.SOLUTION: It is detected whether a display screen is in a first state of disposition or in a second state of disposition different from the first state of disposition. When switching takes place from the first state of disposition to the second state of disposition, a scale of an image displayed on the display screen is changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and an image display method for displaying image information on a screen.

Car navigation systems and P as devices that display your current location on a map
ND (Personal / Portable Navigation Device) is widely used. In these devices, the current position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, a map around the current position is read from the map information stored in the storage device, and the map and the current position on the map are obtained. indicate. Then, by registering the destination and, if necessary, the waypoint, it is possible to search for a route up to that point and perform route guidance (navigation) to the user. As a map, not only a two-dimensional map but also a map that can display a three-dimensional bird's-eye view that shows a target building or facility (landmark) is generally displayed.

The car navigation system uses a large-capacity hard disk or DVD as a storage device for storing map information, and can provide users with detailed information and various functions. On the other hand, PND uses a relatively small-capacity storage device such as a flash memory as a storage device. Although the amount of information and functions are limited, it has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to use, and can be used for applications other than in-vehicle use. Has been.

Some portable car navigation systems such as PND can switch the display screen between a vertically long layout and a horizontally long layout. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a horizontal mode in which a map or video is displayed on a general horizontal screen, and a vertical mode in which a map is displayed on a vertical screen so that a front view that cannot be viewed in the horizontal mode can be seen. A technique for enabling selection is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-166245

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image display apparatus and an image display method capable of performing screen display that is easy for a user to see with a simple operation.

An image display device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image based on image information;
Display control means for displaying the image information on the display means;
State detection means for detecting whether the display screen of the display means is in a first state or a second state different from the first state;
With
The display control means changes a scale of an image displayed on the display means when the display screen is switched from the first state to the second state rotated once.

  In the image display device of the present invention, the image information may be map information.

The image display method of the present invention includes a step of displaying an image based on image information,
Detecting whether the display screen is in a first state or a second state different from the first state;
Changing the scale of an image to be displayed on the display means when the display screen is switched from the first state to the second state rotated once.

The present invention changes the scale of the image displayed on the screen when the arrangement of the display screen is switched. Thereby, it is possible to perform screen display that is easy for the user to see with a simple operation.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the utilization form of a map information display apparatus. It is a block block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical / horizontal switching of a screen. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing switching of screen display according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, in which FIG. 3A is a screen display example of the initial state of the map information display device 1, and FIG. 3B is a display screen 16 a rotated 90 degrees clockwise from FIG. (C) is a screen display example when the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from (B), and (D) is a display screen 16a from (C) clockwise. A screen display example when rotated 90 degrees, (E) shows a screen display example when the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from (D). It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation | movement for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical / horizontal switching of a screen. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen display switching according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5, in which (A) is a screen display example of an initial state of the map information display device 1, and (B) is a counterclockwise display screen 16 a from (A). A screen display example when rotated 90 degrees, (C) shows a screen display example when the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from (B). It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation | movement for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical / horizontal switching of a screen. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen display switching according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, in which (A) is a screen display example of an initial state of the map information display device 1, and (B) is a screen in which the display screen 16 a is slanted from (A). A display example, (C) shows a screen display example when the display screen 16a maintains an oblique state from (B), and (D) shows a screen display example when the display screen 16a is restored from (C). . It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation | movement for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical / horizontal switching of a screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen display switching example according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9, where (A) is a screen display example of an initial state of the map information display device 1, and (B) is a counterclockwise rotation of the display screen 16 a from (A). A screen display example when rotated 360 degrees, (C) shows a screen display example when the display screen 16a is rotated 360 degrees clockwise from (A). It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation | movement for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 by the vertical / horizontal switching of a screen. It is a figure shown with the example of a screen in switching in the example of switching of the screen display by the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a figure shown with the example of a screen in switching in the example of switching of the screen display by the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a screen display switching example according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, and illustrates switching from north up to heading up. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of detecting the state of the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of detecting the state of the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a utilization form of a map information display device, and FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of the circuit. As a map information display device, here is PND
An explanation will be given assuming this.

In this embodiment, the map information display device 1 can be used alone such as carried by the user. However, when the map information display device 1 is used in a fixed position (for example, a dashboard in a car), it is an attachment. 2 is used. The attachment 2 has a structure in which the map information display device 1 can be easily attached and detached without the need for a tool, and can be attached to a dashboard or window of an automobile by a sucker or the like. In FIG. 1, a trapezoidal shape is shown as the attachment 2, but an arm shape or other shapes can also be used.

The configuration of the map information display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. Below, the map information display apparatus 1 is demonstrated as what is arrange | positioned on the dashboard of a motor vehicle. The map information display device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a current position detection unit 12, a map information storage unit 13, a route search unit 14, a control unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, an audio output unit 18, and a state detection unit 19. And an external device connection unit 20. An external device 21 can be connected to the external device connection unit 20. Communication unit 11
Receives GPS signals, VICS (road traffic information communication system) information, and the like. The current position detection unit 12 functions as a position detection unit, and detects the current position based on the GPS signal received by the communication unit 11. The map information storage unit 13 functions as storage means and stores map information in advance. The route search unit 14 functions as route search means and searches for a route from the current position to the destination. The control unit 15 controls the operation of each unit of the map information display device 1 and functions as display control means for acquiring map information and displaying it on the display screen 16a. The display unit 16 functions as a display unit, and displays map information, the current position 31 and various other information on the display screen 16a under the control of the control unit 15. The display screen 16a functions as a touch panel, and the touched item can be selected by touching the target item with a finger. The operation unit 17 includes various switches and buttons, or the display screen 1
It consists of a 6a touch panel and receives the user's input operation and notifies the control unit 15 of it. The voice output unit 18 makes route guidance, other information, or an announcement regarding operation. The state detection unit 19 functions as a state detection unit and detects the arrangement state of the display screen 16 a of the display unit 16. An external device 21 such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) device or an audio device can be connected to the external device connection unit 20.

[Basic operation: Information display]
The basic operation of the map information display device 1 will be described. In a state where the user has not set the destination, the control unit 15 searches the map information storage unit 13 based on the current position obtained by the current position detection unit 12, and displays the current position 31 and the surrounding map. Display screen 16a of unit 16
To display. The user can set the scale of the map and whether the upward direction of the displayed map is north or traveling by an operation from the operation unit 17. In addition, when the map information corresponds to three-dimensional display, that is, overhead view display, the user can set whether to display two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Although the current position changes from moment to moment with movement, the control unit 15 updates the map to be displayed with the change. Hereinafter, not only the route guidance described below but also a display that simply updates the map and the current position 31 from time to time is referred to as “guidance display”.

When the user registers the destination and the waypoint if necessary by operation from the operation unit 17,
The route search unit 14 searches for a route from the current position to the destination via the waypoint based on the map information stored in the map information recording unit 13. Thereafter, the control unit 15 performs route guidance (navigation). In this route guidance, the route to the destination is displayed prominently on the map displayed on the display screen 16a, and when the intersection approaches, the distance to the intersection and the direction to travel at the intersection ( Lane) is displayed large. In addition, the target buildings and facilities (landmarks) near the intersection are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, the voice output unit 18 outputs a message such as “Please turn right at the next intersection”. When the destination approaches, the voice output unit 18 outputs a message such as “Destination has approached”.

[Display screen switching example 1]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation flow of the map information display device 1 for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a by switching the screen vertically and horizontally, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the change in the screen display by this operation flow. . In this example, the first arrangement state is a state in which the display screen 16a is in a horizontally long arrangement, the second arrangement state is in a state in which the display screen 16a is in a vertically long arrangement, and the display screen 16a is changed from a state in which the horizontal arrangement is in a vertical arrangement. The scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a is changed.

When the power is turned on, the map information display device 1 performs the above-described guidance display, that is, the display of the map around the current position and the current position 31 on the map, registration of destinations and waypoints, route search, and route guidance processing (Step S1). This state is shown in FIG.
The state detection unit 19 monitors whether or not the display screen 16a has been rotated (step S2), and the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees clockwise to change from a horizontally long layout to a vertically long layout (from FIG. 4A ( B
), (C) to (D)), and this is detected (Yes in step S3) and notified to the control unit 15. The control unit 15 changes the scale of the map to be displayed on the display screen 16a (enlarges in the example of FIG. 4), and displays the map in a portrait orientation (step S4, FIGS. 4B and 4D). When the display screen 16a rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise and returns from the portrait orientation to the landscape orientation (FIGS. 4B to 4C).
From (C) to (D)), the state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S5) and notifies the control unit 15 of it. The control unit 15 maintains the scale of the guidance display to be displayed on the display screen 16a, and switches to the landscape display (step S6). As a result, the display screen 16a is placed in the horizontally long state (FIGS. 4C and 4E), and the guidance display in step S1 is continued.

According to this operation flow, each time the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees in one direction from the landscape orientation state as the first placement state to the second placement state, the map scale is changed by one step. The When returning from the second arrangement state to the first arrangement state, the scale of the map is maintained without being changed.

In this example, the scale of the map is changed when the display screen 16a is changed from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation. However, the first placement state is displayed in the display screen 16a in the portrait orientation, and the second placement state is displayed. It is also possible to change the scale of the map when the screen 16a is in the landscape orientation and the display screen 16a is changed from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation. Further, the second arrangement state is set as a new first arrangement state, and when the display screen 16a is further rotated 90 degrees in the same direction, the scale of the map is further changed, that is, the rotation of 90 degrees is one step, 180 It is also possible to change the scale in two steps by rotating the degree. Further, when returning the scale that has been changed when the second arrangement state is reached to the first arrangement state, the scale in the second arrangement state is not maintained, but is reduced in the same direction or in the opposite direction. Can also be changed.

In this example, the case has been described in which the display screen 16a is switched between two states of the horizontally long layout and the vertically long layout. For this reason, in order to return the map scale, it is necessary to operate with a button on the display screen 16a, or to return to the minimum or maximum scale after reaching the maximum or minimum scale, respectively. An example of eliminating such inconvenience is shown below.

[Display screen switching example 2]
FIG. 5 shows another example of the operation flow of the map information display device 1 for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a by switching the screen vertically and horizontally, and FIG. 6 shows an example of a change in the screen display by this operation flow. Indicates. In this example, as in the example described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the display screen 16a is in the horizontally-arranged state (in this example, this state is referred to as “reference arrangement”).
In the second arrangement state, the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the reference arrangement, the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the reference arrangement, and The scale of the map is changed in the opposite direction in each state.

When the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the horizontally long state as the reference arrangement in the guidance display (step S11) state, the state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S12 and step S13). Yes), the control unit 15 enlarges (or reduces) the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a. This scale is maintained even if the display screen 16a returns to the reference arrangement (No in step S12). The operation so far is equivalent to the operation shown in FIGS.

When the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the reference arrangement (from FIG. 6A to (B
)), The state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S15), and the control unit 15
The scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a is changed in the opposite direction to step S14 (reduction in the example of FIG. 6). This scale is maintained even when the display screen 16a returns to the reference arrangement (step S).
12 No). The state at this time is a transition from FIG. 6 (B) to FIG. 6 (C).

According to this operation flow, each time the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees in one direction from the reference layout, the map is enlarged or reduced by one step (FIG. 4), and each time the display screen 16a is rotated 90 degrees in the other direction, The scale is reduced or enlarged step by step (FIG. 6).

Also in this example, it has been described that the scale of the map is changed when the display screen 16a is changed from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation, but the first placement state is the state in which the display screen 16a is in the portrait orientation,
The scale of the map can also be changed when the display screen 16a is in the horizontally long layout state in the second layout state and the display screen 16a changes from the horizontally long layout state to the vertically long layout state.

[Display screen switching example 3]
FIG. 7 shows still another example of the operation flow of the map information display device 1 for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a by switching the screen vertically and horizontally, and FIG. 8 shows the change in the screen display due to this operation flow. An example is shown. In this example, the first arrangement state is a state in which the display screen 16a is horizontally long or vertically long, the second arrangement state is a state in which the display screen 16a is oblique (intermediate between landscape and vertical), and the display screen 16a is oblique. Sometimes, the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a is changed.

When the display screen 16a is tilted in the guidance display (step S21) (FIG. 8B
), (C)), the state detector 19 detects it (Yes in step S22), and the controller 15
Gradually enlarges (or reduces) the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a. When the display screen 16a is switched to the horizontal arrangement or the vertical arrangement, which is the first arrangement state (No in step S22), the scale is maintained at the previous scale and is not in an oblique state. (FIG. 8D). Steps S21 to S23 are display screen 1
6a is repeated while in an oblique state, and the scale is sequentially changed (No in step S22) until the display screen 16a is arranged in a landscape orientation or a portrait orientation (No in step S22) (FIGS. 6B and 6C).

[Display screen switching example 4]
FIG. 9 shows still another example of the operation flow of the map information display device 1 for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a by switching the screen vertically and horizontally, and FIG. 10 shows the change in the screen display due to this operation flow. An example is shown. In this example, the first arrangement state is set to the horizontally or vertically arranged display screen 16a, and the second arrangement state is set to a state where the display screen 16a is rotated once from the display screen 16a. The scale of the map to be changed is changed.

When the display screen 16a rotates 360 degrees clockwise in the state of guidance display (step S31) (
10 (A) to 10 (C)), the state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S32).
In step S4, the control unit 15 enlarges the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a (
(Or reduction) (step S34). When the display screen 16a is rotated 360 degrees counterclockwise (FIGS. 10A to 10B), the state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S32, No in step S33, and step In S35, the control unit 15 reduces (or enlarges) the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a (step S36).

[Display screen switching example 5]
FIG. 11 shows still another example of the operation flow of the map information display device 1 for changing the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a by switching the screen vertically and horizontally, and FIGS. An example of a change in screen display due to is shown. In this example, when the display screen 16 a is switched between the first arrangement state and the second arrangement state, the current position and the destination are displayed on the display screen 1.
The scale of a map is changed so that it may be displayed in 6a. The first arrangement state may be a horizontally long arrangement or a vertically long arrangement, but the case of the horizontally long arrangement will be described below as an example.

This example is based on the premise that a destination is set. Here, the operation flow for route guidance described above as a basic operation will be briefly described. When the map information display device 1 is turned on, the current position detector 12 detects the current position (step S
41) The control unit 15 acquires map information from the map information storage unit 13 based on the current position (step S42), and displays the current position 31 and the surrounding map on the display screen 16a (
Step S43). When the user sets a destination by an operation from the operation unit 17 (step S44), the route search unit 14 searches for a route from the current position to the destination (step S45).
The control unit 15 provides route guidance to the destination along the route (step S46). When the destination is reached (Yes in step S47), the control unit 15 announces the notification of the end of the route guidance from the voice output unit 18, and returns the control to step S43.

When the display screen 16a is switched from the landscape orientation to the portrait orientation (Yes in step S49) in the state before reaching the destination (No in step S47), the control unit 15 displays the current position 31 and the destination 32 on the display screen. The scale of the map is changed so that it is displayed in 16a. On this occasion,
As shown in FIG. 12, it is desirable to change the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a after adjusting the display position of the current position 31 on the display screen 16a.

Although the user can arbitrarily switch the arrangement of the display screen 16a, it is preferable that the control unit 15 determines the positional relationship between the current position and the destination and notifies the user with a sound or a message. The map displayed on the display screen 16a is actually a part of the map developed on the memory in the control unit 15. For example, a large map is cut out and displayed by a window. The control unit 15 also recognizes a range that is not displayed on the display screen 16a, and determines whether the recommended screen is in a vertically long layout or a horizontal layout, and the scale is based on the relationship between the current position and the destination. be able to.

12 and 13 show examples of screen display during switching, in addition to display examples corresponding to switching of the arrangement state of the display screen 16a. If the map information display device 1 is not performing route guidance when switching the arrangement state of the display screen 16a, there is no problem even if the previous display is maintained until it is completely switched. However, if you ’re on route,
For example, if the advancing direction is set to indicate the upward direction of the display screen 16a and the display screen 16a is maintained in the diagonal state, the display is inclined with respect to the direction to be advanced. The direction will be shown. Therefore, it is desirable to draw a map or current location in real time according to the angle of the display screen 16a when the rotation of the display screen 16a is stopped at an arbitrary angle at least during route guidance, or on the screen being switched. .
However, such drawing is difficult due to the processing capability of a general car navigation system or PND, and it may be difficult for the user to see. Therefore, in a state where the display screen 16a is neither horizontally oriented nor vertically oriented, it is preferable to stop the screen display as shown in FIG. 12, or to display an arrow pointing to the route as shown in FIG. Also,
If a music playback function (not shown) provided in the map information display device 1 or connected to the map information display device 1 is used, the musical note mark is also used for the video playback function. In some cases, a mark such as film winding may be displayed.

FIG. 14 shows that when the display screen 16a is switched between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the display is gradually switched from the display with the north direction up (north up) to the display with the traveling direction up (heading up). An example is shown. In this example, it is assumed that when turning right along the route guidance, a vertically long screen enables a route display that allows the user to see the destination 32. The control unit 15
Judging from the positional relationship between the current position and the destination, the user is notified that the recommended screen is a portrait screen. When the user switches the display screen 16a to the vertically long layout, the control unit 15 adjusts the display position of the current position 31 on the display screen 16a so that the current position 31 and the destination 32 are displayed in the display screen 16a. After that, the scale of the map displayed on the display screen 16a is changed.
Thereby, the map is displayed in a state where the destination 32 can be seen through (the right diagram in FIG. 14). In this state, it is neither north up nor heading up, but gradually switches to heading up according to the running. This is because the destination 32 may be lost if the screen is suddenly switched from the north up to the heading up screen. It is desirable to switch to the heading-up screen after elapse of a time during which the destination 32 can be recognized (for example, about 5 seconds). The vertically long screen is a screen suitable for a heading up screen for recognizing the front, but instead of suddenly switching to such a screen, the user gradually recognizes the positional relationship of the destination and gradually changes to a heading up screen.

[Detection of display screen status]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a method for detecting the state of the display screen 16a, and shows a state where the map information display device 1 is viewed from the back side. In this example, an attachment portion for attaching the map information display device 1 to the attachment 2 is used as the rotation switch 3. The rotary switch 3 includes two contacts 4 and 5, and if the contact 6 on the main body side of the map information display device 1 is connected to the contact 4, the display screen 16 a is horizontally long (solid line) and connected to the contact 5. If this is the case, it can be determined as a vertically long arrangement (broken line). Further, only one of the contacts 4 and 5 can be used. If only the contact 4 is used, it can be determined that the contact 6 on the main body side is connected to the main body side, and it is determined that the connection is not horizontal. “Non-horizontal arrangement” means either a diagonal arrangement or a vertical arrangement. In this case, it is determined as a vertical arrangement and the screen display is set to be vertical. If only the contact 5 is used, unless the main body contact 6 is connected to the contact 5,
Continue to display the screen in landscape orientation. The contact of the rotary switch 3 can be further increased to detect not only the rotation positions of 0 degree and 90 degrees, but also an arrangement rotated by -90 degrees (270 degrees) or 180 degrees. Further, it is possible to detect whether the rotation direction is clockwise or counterclockwise from the order of connection with the contact 6 on the main body side.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of a method for detecting the state of the display screen.
The example using the G sensor (acceleration sensor) installed in the inside of is shown. In order to make the positional relationship correspond to FIG. 15, FIG. 16 also shows the map information display device 1 as seen from the back side. The G sensor outputs 1G when in the vertical direction and 0G because no gravitational acceleration is applied when in the horizontal direction. Therefore, for example, the G sensor is oriented in the horizontal direction when the display screen 16a of the map information display device 1 is in the landscape orientation, and the G sensor is oriented in the vertical direction when in the portrait orientation. The value of the gravitational acceleration G and the inclination θ of the G sensor with respect to the horizontal direction have a relationship of G = sin θ. By using the G sensor, not only the determination of the horizontal arrangement and the vertical arrangement but also the angle of the map information display device 1 is performed. Can be requested.

When the map information display device 1 is attached to the attachment 2, the rotation switch 3 shown in FIG. 15 simply presses the side portion of the map information display device 1 and rotates it relative to the attachment 2. Can be switched. However, when the map information display device 1 is used in hand, the user needs to directly operate the rotary switch 3.
On the other hand, when the G sensor is used, it is necessary to keep the surface of the display screen 16a substantially vertical, but simply tilting the map information display device 1 makes the display screen 16a vertically or horizontally long. It can be switched to the combined state.

15 and 16, the map information display device 1 has been described as having its right side down when viewed from the front. However, when the left side is down, or when the right side or the left side is down. Similarly, the display screen can be switched similarly.

The map information display device 1 described above can change the scale of the displayed map by switching, tilting, or rotating the display screen 16a between the horizontally long layout and the horizontally long layout. Although it is impossible to implement the present invention with a car navigation system of the type installed in an automobile, a display means such as a PND provided integrally with the main body of the map information display apparatus 1 or a display means A car navigation system of a type provided separately from the main body of the map information display device and capable of rotating or tilting the display screen by some method can be easily implemented. The user can operate with little need to deflect his gaze by reaching out and rotating or simply tilting the screen. In particular, if the screen is integral with the main body like a PDN, the main body may be rotated or tilted.

As the map information storage unit 13 serving as a storage means, a hard disk, DVD, ROM (read only memory), flash memory, or the like can be used. In the above description, the map information is assumed to be stored in advance in the map information storage unit 13, but a communication line such as an Internet line provided by the communication unit 11 or the external device 21 connected to the external device connection unit 20. Can be used to obtain map information and route search results from the server. Map information and route search results obtained using the communication line are stored in the map information storage unit 13 for use. It is also possible to carry out the present invention while constantly performing communication and updating necessary map information.

The display unit 16 as the display means may be a simple liquid crystal display device or another flat display device other than the touch panel type. The current position detection unit 12 as the position detection unit, the state detection unit 19 as the state detection unit, and the route search unit 14 can each be configured as a single hardware, but the control unit also functions as a display control unit C constituting 15
Share PU (Central Processing Unit), ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.
It can also be implemented as software.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of invention was described, this invention can be variously changed unless the summary is changed. For example, not only when the display means is provided integrally with the main body of the map information display apparatus 1 as in PND, but also when the display means is provided separately from the main body of the map information display apparatus, the display means. By detecting the inclination state, it can be similarly implemented.

1 Map information display device, 2 attachments, 3 rotary switches, 4, 5 contacts, 6
Contact on the main body side, 11 communication unit, 12 current position detection unit (position detection unit), 13 map information storage unit (storage unit), 14 route search unit, 15 control unit (display control unit), 16 display unit (display unit) ), 16a display screen, 17 operation unit, 18 audio output unit, 19 status detection unit (status detection means), 20 external device connection unit, 21 external device, 31 displayed current position, 32 displayed destination

Claims (3)

Display means for displaying an image based on image information;
Display control means for displaying the image information on the display means;
State detection means for detecting whether the display screen of the display means is in a first state or a second state different from the first state;
With
The display control means changes an image scale displayed on the display means when the display screen is switched from the first state to the second state rotated once. . The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is map information. In the image display method executed in the image display device,
A display step of displaying an image based on the image information;
Detecting whether the display screen is in a first state or a second state different from the first state;
When the display screen is switched from the first state to the second state rotated once, changing a scale of an image to be displayed on the display means and displaying the display screen;
An image display method comprising:

Images