JP2013003005A - Display control apparatus and guide route display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a course and facilities which may become markers when changing the course, easily to recognize.SOLUTION: In a display control apparatus comprising display control means which displays on display means a guide route which is searched by referring to a map database and a map image based on the map database, the display control means plots the inside of a predetermined range based on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range under different display modes in the map image to be displayed on the display means, plots and displays on the display means a guide facility which is used for performing routing on the guide route, and the outside of the predetermined range under different display modes.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control device and a guidance route display method, and more particularly to a display control device and a guidance route display method capable of easily displaying a guidance route and a guidance facility.

  Conventionally, in a navigation apparatus, a route search is performed by designating a starting position or a current position and a target position, and route guidance is performed along a guide route obtained as the optimum route. As route guidance, a map image around the current position on the guidance route is generally displayed on the display screen, and the traveling direction and route are displayed with arrows, etc., so that the user can recognize his / her route. It can be done.

  However, when there is an intersection on the guide route, even if the direction of travel and the route are displayed with arrows, background images of many buildings etc. are displayed around the intersection. When the building was displayed in similar colors, it was very difficult to see.

  The following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-64473) determines whether or not a predetermined distance is approached to a branch point or intersection during route guidance, and guides to make a right or left turn when approaching a branch point or intersection. If there is another intersection in front of the intersection, an arrow indicating the guidance route is displayed in the first form such as red, and if there is no other intersection in front of the guidance intersection, the arrow indicating the guidance route is displayed in orange or the like. By displaying in two modes, a navigation device is disclosed that can reliably guide along a guidance route even in the case of a complicated intersection and prevent an incorrect route change.

JP 2006-64473 A

  However, in the navigation device of Patent Document 1, even if the arrow indicating the guidance route is displayed so that it can be easily recognized by the user, the arrow and the guidance route itself are displayed by being melted into a background image of a surrounding building or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user to recognize an arrow or a guide route at a glance.

  For this reason, the applicant of the present application displays, in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-080883, a predetermined range based on the guide route in the map image displayed on the display means and a display range different from the predetermined range (gray-out display outside the predetermined range). The navigation apparatus which displays on a means is proposed.

  By the way, when approaching an intersection where route guidance is to be made and the route is to be changed, a facility (marker) in the vicinity of the intersection is identified, and a notification (for example, “on the left side of the road” There is known a navigation device that performs a notification such as “When the user crosses a restaurant, turn right at the next signal” (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-057048).

  In this way, when a facility (marker) near the intersection is specified and notification is performed by combining the facility and guidance in the traveling direction, the predetermined range based on the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes. It is preferable not only to display on the means, but also to include the facility (facility near the intersection (mark)) in the predetermined range. That is, it is preferable not to gray out the facility.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to display an image so that the user can instantly recognize the course (route) and the facility (marker) used in the route guidance when performing route guidance of the searched guidance route. That is.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the display control device comprising a display control means for displaying a guide route searched with reference to a map database and a map image based on the map database on the display means, the display control means Is a drawing that displays a predetermined range based on the guide route and a region outside the predetermined range in a different display mode among the map images displayed on the display means, and a guide facility used when performing route guidance of the guide route; The outside of the predetermined range is drawn in a different display mode and displayed on the display means.

  Further, the guidance facility is a facility that is voice-guided when performing route guidance of the guidance route.

  The display control device further includes a grayout necessity determining unit that determines whether the display mode needs to be changed based on the map database and the current position detected by the current position detecting unit, When the determination unit determines that the current position is a point where the display mode needs to be changed, the display control unit draws the predetermined range based on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range in different display modes. In addition, the guidance facility used for route guidance of the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are drawn in different display modes and displayed on the display means.

  Further, in order to solve the above problem, a guide route display method for displaying a guide route searched with reference to a map database and a map image based on the map database on a display means, the display means displaying the guide route In the map image to be displayed, the predetermined range based on the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes, and the guidance facility used when performing route guidance on the guidance route is different from the outside of the predetermined range. The display is performed in a display mode.

  Further, the guidance facility is a facility that is voice-guided when performing route guidance of the guidance route.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the display mode needs to be changed based on the current position detected by the map database and the current position detecting unit, and the current position is determined as the point where the display mode needs to be changed. In this case, the predetermined range based on the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes, and the guidance facility used when performing route guidance on the guidance route is different from the predetermined range. It is characterized by being displayed.

  According to the display control device and the guide route display method of the present invention, the predetermined range based on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed on the display means in different display modes, and the predetermined range based on the guide facility and the guide route Since it is displayed on the display means in a display mode that is different from the outside, the vicinity of the guidance route and the guidance facility are displayed in an easy-to-view manner for the user, and the user can recognize the guidance facility used for the route and route guidance to be instantaneously traveled. It becomes like this.

The internal block diagram of the navigation apparatus which concerns on a present Example is shown. 4 is a flowchart illustrating route guidance operation in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the concept of map image preparation. The schematic explanatory drawing which grays out a route guidance image in the navigation apparatus concerning Example 1 is shown. The route guidance image grayed out in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Example 1 is shown. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of grayout display in the navigation device according to the second embodiment. The schematic explanatory drawing which grays out a route guidance image in Example 2 is shown. It is a conceptual diagram of the grayout area specification based on a guidance route in the navigation device according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating route guidance operations in the navigation device according to the third embodiment. The route guidance image grayed out in the navigation apparatus concerning the other Example is shown. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of grayout display in the navigation device according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings with embodiments. However, the embodiments shown below illustrate and explain a navigation device as a display control device and a guidance route display method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention is applied to this navigation device. The present invention is not intended to be specified, and can be equally applied to other display control devices and guide route display methods without departing from the technical idea shown in the claims.

  FIG. 1 shows an internal block diagram of a navigation device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 10 includes a control unit 100, a current position detection unit 110, a display input unit 120, a display control unit 130, a route search unit 140, a storage unit 150, a route guidance unit 160, and grayout required. A non-discriminating means 170 and a map database 180 are provided.

  The control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, and a ROM 103. The CPU 101 executes a control program stored in the RAM 102 or / and the ROM 103 to control and control the operation of each unit described below.

  The current position detection unit 110 includes a GPS reception unit 111 and an autonomous navigation unit 112. The GPS receiving unit 111 includes a receiver that receives GPS signals including position information and time information of each GPS satellite from a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting the earth. The GPS signal includes two types of data, almanac data and ephemeris data. The almanac data includes orbit information of all GPS satellites and correction information of the satellite clock, and the ephemeris data includes detailed position information of each GPS satellite and time information when the GPS signal is emitted.

  The autonomous navigation means 112 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like installed in the vehicle on which the navigation device 10 is mounted, and converts a detection signal from the sensor into an appropriate output signal and outputs it. Note that the navigation device 10 may include an acceleration sensor and a gyro sensor.

  Based on the almanac data and the ephemeris data received by the GPS receiving unit 111, the current position detecting unit 110 calculates the current position of the vehicle (estimated current position based on GPS signals) composed of latitude information and longitude information. The current position (estimated current position based on the autonomous navigation means) is calculated based on the output values of the acceleration sensor and the gyro sensor converted and output by the autonomous navigation means 112. In particular, when both the GPS signal and the autonomous navigation sensor output can be used, the current position is corrected with reference to the estimated current position based on the autonomous navigation means with respect to the estimated current position based on the GPS signal.

  The display input unit 120 includes a display unit 121 and an input unit 122. The display means 121 is a liquid crystal display unit, and the input means 122 is a touch panel attached on the liquid crystal screen of the liquid crystal display unit. The display unit 121 displays a map image displayed on the navigation device 10 of the present embodiment, a display image showing a guidance route, and the like, and the input unit 122 is operated by the user to display a departure position, a waypoint, a destination position, and the like. Used to input route search conditions.

  The display control means 130 is a characteristic component in the present invention and this embodiment, but processes and displays the map image extracted from the map database 180 along the guide route stored in the storage means 150. Display on the means 121, display a map image indicating the guidance route on the display means 121, or display the portion that is not the guidance route and is not a guidance facility (details will be described later). Or to display. This gray-out process will be described later.

  The route search means 140 stores in the map database 180 the optimum route (guide route) from the current position detected by the departure position or current position detection means 110 to the target position set by the user using the display input means 120. Search with reference to the map information.

  The storage unit 150 stores the departure position and the target position set by the user using the display input unit 120 and the optimum route searched by the route search unit 140 as a guide route. Further, the storage unit 150 stores information that can identify the guidance facility.

  Here, the guidance facility is a facility (a landmark) near the guidance intersection, and is a combination of the facility near the guidance intersection and guidance in the direction of travel (for example, “If you cross the restaurant A on the left side of the road, turn right at the next signal. This is a facility that is used when performing notification (such as “Restaurant A” in the example).

  The guidance intersection is an intersection where route guidance should be performed via a speaker (not shown) or the like, for example, an intersection where a route change such as a right or left turn needs to be performed.

  The route guidance unit 160 extracts the map information around the current position from the map database 180 to the display control unit 130 based on the guidance route stored in the storage unit 150 and the current position detected by the current position detection unit 110. The display control means 130 superimposes the display image showing the guidance route on the extracted map image and displays it on the display means 121. In addition, when the navigation device 10 includes a speaker or the like, the route guidance unit 160 helps the user move along the guidance route by broadcasting voice guidance for route guidance. In particular, in the present embodiment, the route guidance means 160 is a combination of a facility (mark) near the guidance intersection and guidance in the direction of travel (for example, “If you cross the restaurant A on the left side of the road, turn right at the next signal. Voice guidance is performed. The voice guidance is preferably stored in association with road data in the map database.

  The grayout necessity determination unit 170 compares an intersection (guide intersection) or a branch point included in the guidance route stored in the storage unit 150 with the current position detected by the current position detection unit 110, and the current position is an intersection. It is determined whether or not a predetermined distance is approached from the branch point. In this embodiment, when approaching a predetermined distance, the display control unit 130 performs a gray-out process, which will be described later, and guides the user so that the user can instantly recognize how to take a course at an intersection or branch point. Even if there are many intersections and branch points, it is possible to reliably guide along the guide route.

  The map database 180 holds map information composed of road data, building data, background data, and text data.

  The road data is composed of node data whose nodes are nodes such as inflection points and branch points of the road, and link data whose links are links between the nodes. The node data includes node number, node position coordinates (latitude / longitude), intersection information, intersection name, number of connection links, and connection link number. In addition, link data includes node numbers that are the start and end points of links, road types such as expressways, ordinary roads, streets, distances and / or required times, road names such as national highways, and data on travel directions. Consists of. In addition to the above, link data includes data such as bridges, tunnels, railroad crossings, and tollgates as link attributes.

  For each building (facility), the building data consists of position coordinates (latitude / longitude) consisting of at least three points of the building (for drawing), types of buildings such as stations, buildings, and private houses, display color data, It includes position coordinates (latitude / longitude) (used for comparison with the current position), voice data indicating the name of the building (facility), and the like.

  Further, the background data is configured to include position coordinates (latitude / longitude) composed of at least three points serving as background image data such as a coastline, a lake, a river shape, and a forest, and display color data.

  The text data includes characters (names) such as place names and river names, and data of their coordinates (latitude / longitude).

  The data such as building data and background data constituting the map database 180 is not limited to the above. For example, a plurality of polygon data is included as background data, and each polygon data includes one or more position coordinates. . Further, there is a type code for each polygon data, and by referring to this type code and a palette including a plurality of colors corresponding to the type code, it is possible to draw with different colors for each polygon data. If the text data also includes a type code, the color of the text data can be changed.

  Further, the map database 180 stores information indicating whether or not grayout processing is necessary corresponding to each node data or link data, and the grayout necessity determination means 170 determines whether grayout is necessary based on this information. You may make it discriminate | determine. By doing in this way, a grayout process will be performed when approaching a guidance intersection, and the convenience for a user will increase.

  In addition, although said navigation apparatus 10 demonstrated as a stand-alone type | mold which incorporated the map database 180 and the route search means 140 in the navigation apparatus 10, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the navigation device 10 is provided with communication means (not shown), connected to an information providing server (not shown) outside the navigation device 10 for communication, and the above-described map database provided in the information providing server You may make it acquire the map information linked | related with the guidance route.

  In this case, the navigation device 10 designates the departure position or the current position and the target position, transmits this to the information providing server as a route search condition, and requests a route search. The information providing server is provided with route search means and communication means, performs route search using the departure position or current position received from the navigation device 10 and the target position as route search conditions, and transmits the search result to the navigation device 10. To do.

  Next, a route guidance method in the navigation device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the route guidance operation in the navigation device 10 of this embodiment.

  First, in step S201, the user operates the input unit 122 constituting the display input unit 120 to input and set the starting position and the target position. The input starting position and target position are stored in the storage unit 150.

  Next, in step S202, the route search unit 140 performs a route search by referring to the map database 180 based on the departure position and the target position stored in the storage unit 150. In the route search, a link from the road node corresponding to the starting position or the current position to the node corresponding to the target position is searched by a technique such as the Dijkstra method, and the link length (link cost) and the required time are accumulated. A route having the shortest total link length (travel distance) or total required time is set as a guide route, and road nodes and links belonging to the route are stored in the storage unit 150 as guide route data.

  In the above description, when the user does not specify the departure position, the current position is detected by the current position detection unit 110 and a route search from the current position to the target position is performed.

  When the route search unit 140 performs a route search, the process proceeds to step S203, and the route guide unit 160 starts route guidance. When the route guidance is started, the guidance facility at the guidance intersection is specified in step S204.

  Here, as described above, the guidance intersection is an intersection where route guidance should be performed via a speaker (not shown) or the like, and the guidance facility is a facility (mark) near the guidance intersection. This is a facility that is used when making a notification combining nearby facilities and direction guidance (for example, a notification such as “When you cross the restaurant A on the left side of the road, turn right at the next signal.”) Applicable to restaurant A).

  In step S204, it is assumed that all guidance intersections on the guidance route are specified and a guidance facility is specified for each guidance intersection. However, the next guidance intersection that arrives based on the current position and the guidance route is described. And the guidance facility at the guidance intersection may be identified. In this case, every time it passes through the guidance intersection, the next guidance intersection is identified, and the guidance facility at the guidance intersection is identified. The guidance facility may be specified during route search (step S202).

  Here, a method for specifying a guidance facility at a guidance intersection will be described. As a method for specifying a guidance facility at a guidance intersection, various conventionally known methods can be used. For example, an intersection (and an approach direction to the intersection) is associated with a guidance facility in advance. When stored in the map database 180 and a certain intersection is a guidance intersection, the guidance facility associated with the intersection can be specified as the guidance facility at the guidance intersection. In addition, the guidance facility may be specified by using the method described in the above-mentioned JP-A-2003-057048.

  For the sake of simplicity, the facility (mark) near the guidance intersection will be described as a guidance facility. However, the facility is not limited to this, and any facility (mark) used in route guidance should be a guidance facility. Is preferred.

  In step S204, when the guidance facility at the guidance intersection is specified, in step S205, the display control unit 130 performs a grayout display process and then displays a map image (in the following description, a map image on which a guidance route is superimposed is a route guidance image). Is displayed on the display means 121.

  In step S206, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the route guidance is finished, and the display control unit 130 performs the grayout display process and displays the route guidance image until the route guidance is finished. 121 is displayed (NO in step S206).

  Since the route guidance image displayed on the display unit 121 is based on the current position detected by the current position detection unit 110, the route subjected to grayout display processing as the current position (navigation device 10) moves. A guide image is displayed on the display means 121.

  Next, the gray-out display process in step S205 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when a guidance facility is specified in step S204, the display control means 130 creates a map image around the current position (step S2051). This is done by referring to the map database 180 and extracting road data, building data, background data, and text data existing within a predetermined range from the current position detected by the current position detecting means 110 and superimposing them. This is done by making one display image.

  The concept of creating the map image is shown in FIG. In the following description, road data, building data, background data, and text data to be extracted are described as ranges displayed on the display unit 121, but are displayed on the display unit 121 for speeding up such as scrolling. A range wider than the range may be extracted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the map image includes a first layer 310, a second layer 320, and a third layer 330. In the first layer 310, a road existing within a predetermined range centered on the current position is drawn. In FIG. 3, the road 311 is extracted from the map database 180 and drawn. An intersection 312 is drawn.

  In the second layer 320, building data and background data are extracted from the map database 180 and rendered. The building data and the background data include at least three coordinates, and an area surrounded by the coordinates is drawn with a predetermined color or a fill pattern. In FIG. 3, a fill pattern 321 of a predetermined area is drawn at the lower right of the screen, and fill patterns 322 of various shapes are drawn at a plurality of locations on the screen.

  In the third layer 330, text data is drawn. In FIG. 3, a text display 331 of “XX garden” is provided at the lower right side of the screen and “ΔΔ building” is provided at the center of the screen.

  The display control unit 130 combines the first layer 310 to the third layer 330 to create a map image around the current position represented by the layer 400 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram in which the guidance route is grayed out in the navigation device 10 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows a grayout route guidance image. The order of combining the first layer 310 to the third layer 330 is not limited to this, and the background layer 320 may be the lowest.

  Next, the display control unit 130 synthesizes a display image indicating the guidance route with the map image around the current position described above to create a route guidance image. The display control means 130 refers to the guidance route data stored in the storage means 150, acquires the guidance route nodes and links existing within the map image, and guides along the route constituted by these. A display image showing the route is created and combined. For example, as shown by the fourth layer 440 in FIG. 4, this is composed of a line having a conspicuous color such as pink, and the fourth layer 440 is combined with the above-described layer 1 + 2 + 3 (layer 400). Alternatively, the display image indicating the guide route is an arrow image or the like indicating the traveling direction within a predetermined distance from the current position, and this may be combined with the above-described layer.

  In step S <b> 2052, the display control unit 130 creates a line parallel to the guide route on the display screen as the fifth layer 450. Further, in step S2053, the display control unit 130 specifies an end point (edge) on the screen, that is, an area from the four corners to the parallel line, and in step S2054, the area is filled with gray. In step S2055, the guidance facility area is specified, and in step S2056, the guidance facility area of the fifth layer 450 is made transparent (transmittance 100%).

  The processing from step S2052 to S2056 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram for specifying a grayout region in the navigation device 10 of this embodiment.

  Specifically, in step S2051, road data existing within a predetermined range from the current position detected by the current position detection unit 110 is extracted from the map database 180. Of the extracted road data, The node links 801 and 802 of the guide route are specified. That is, among the roads displayed on the display unit 121, the roads included in the guidance route are specified.

  Next, on the display screen, two parallel lines 803 to 806, which are shifted to the left and right (horizontal direction) with respect to the specified traveling direction of the link, are created in total. A line parallel to the traveling direction of the identified link (link included in the guide route around the current position) is created for each identified link.

  The distance shifted in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) may be a predetermined distance, but the distance shifted in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) is preferably different depending on the scale of the map image displayed on the display unit 121.

  Next, the intersections 807 and 808 of the created lines are specified for each adjacent link (link connected (continuous) via the node) among the specified links. Specifically, an intersection point 807 where a line 803 shifted rightward with respect to the traveling direction of a certain link 801 and a line 804 shifted rightward with respect to the traveling direction of a link 802 adjacent to a certain link 801 is identified. To do.

  If the created lines do not intersect (the left line when the guide route turns to the right and the right line when the guide route turns to the left), the created line is extended (809, 810) to set the intersection point 808. Identify.

  Further, the points where the created line and the edge on the display screen intersect are also identified as the intersection points 811 to 814. This is whether or not the link of the guide route included in the road data extracted in step S2051 is a link that crosses the minimum value or the maximum value of the position on the display screen when converted to the position (dot position) on the display screen. Discrimination is performed, the straddling link is identified, and the intersection between the identified link and the minimum value or the maximum value of the position on the display screen that the identified link straddles is identified. Then, a parallel line of the specified straddling link is created inside the position of the display screen from the position where the intersection with the minimum value or the maximum value of the position on the display screen is shifted to the left or right. And the position which shifted the intersection with the minimum value or the maximum value of the position on this display screen to the left and right is specified as the intersections 811 to 814 between the created line and the edge on the display screen.

  Based on these specified intersections 807, 808, 811 to 814 (intersections of created lines, intersections of created lines and edges on the display screen) and end points (four corners) 815 to 819 on the display screen Specify a side shape. Specifically, the intersections 807, 812, and 813 on the right side with respect to the position of the guide route link on the display screen (that is, the intersection of the line created on the right side of the link, the line created on the right side, and the edge on the display screen) A polygon is created from the point 819 on the right side in the traveling direction of the guide route on the display screen. Similarly, on the left side with respect to the position on the display screen of the guide route link, from the intersections 808, 811 and 814, the left end points 816, 817 and 815 in the traveling direction of the guide route on the display screen are multi-sided. Create a shape. The polygon is used as a region, and the region is drawn on a layer 450 different from the map image 400 with transparent gray or the like. Similarly, on the layer 450, the left polygon is drawn with transparent gray or the like. Note that the intersections and end points when creating a polygon differ depending on the positions of the intersections 811 to 814 between the created line and the edge on the display screen.

  When the departure point or destination is included on the display screen, that is, when the guide route does not cross or traverse the display screen, a line parallel to the link connected to the node corresponding to the departure position or destination position is drawn. When creating, the parallel lines are created by extending a predetermined distance in the direction of the starting position or the target position, and the vertices of the extended parallel lines (left and right) are specified as intersections. Based on this intersection point and the intersection point of the created line, the intersection point of the created line and the edge on the display screen, and the end points (four corners) on the display screen, a polygon is created and is transparent. Draw in gray etc.

  Subsequently, the area of the guidance facility is specified. The area of the guidance facility is specified based on “position coordinates (latitude / longitude) including at least three points of the building” included in the building data stored in the map database 180.

  In the present embodiment, the area of the guidance facility is an area of the guidance facility that is a predetermined area expanded from the shape of the guidance facility (area specified by position coordinates (latitude / longitude) consisting of at least three points of the building). (For example, an area in which the shape of the guidance facility is enlarged by 20%).

  In the layer 450, the specified guidance facility area is rendered transparent (transmittance of 100%). Thereby, the layer 450 of FIG. 4 is created.

  Further, in step S2057, the display control unit 130 refers to the building data in the map database 180, acquires information such as buildings located on the display screen, and displays the sixth layer 460 in which these buildings are painted with different gray levels. create. Of the buildings located on the display screen, the guidance facility is not drawn on the sixth layer 460 or painted in gray, and is the original color (color based on display color data stored in the map database 180). To draw on the sixth layer 460.

  Then, the route guidance image obtained by combining the first layer 310 to the sixth layer 460 is displayed on the display unit 121. An example of this route guidance image is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, only the area within a predetermined distance range from the guidance route and the areas of the guidance facilities 501 and 502 are displayed in color, and the other portions are displayed in gray. Can be prompted to avoid making a wrong course change, and the area of the guidance facility including the guidance facilities 501 and 502 is displayed in color. The facility (marker) used for route guidance is instantly displayed when a combination of facilities and guidance in the direction of travel is performed (for example, a notification such as “The next signal turns to the right after crossing restaurant A on the left side of the road”). Can be recognized.

  In the above description, the area within the predetermined distance range from the guidance route and the area of the guidance facility are displayed in color, and the other areas are displayed in gray. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the guidance route is not limited thereto. The display mode may be such that the area within the predetermined distance range and the area of the guidance facility are clearly noticeable, and the other areas are not noticeable. For example, the brightness and saturation of the area around the guidance route and the area of the guidance facility are increased and displayed, and the brightness and saturation of the area other than the predetermined range area and the guidance facility area are reduced and displayed. You may do it. Further, the brightness and saturation near the boundary between the grayout display area, the guidance route periphery, and the normal display area of the guidance facility area may be changed stepwise or continuously.

  Next, a navigation device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Since the navigation device of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment, the following description will be given using the reference numerals in the internal block diagram shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of grayout processing (grayout display) in the navigation device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the concept of creating a route guidance image displayed in gray out in the second embodiment.

  First, in step S2058, similar to the processing in step S2051 of the first embodiment, the display control unit 130 creates a map image around the current position, and further synthesizes a display image indicating a guide route thereto. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the map image around the current position and the display image indicating the guide route are combined. In the second embodiment, this image is the first layer 710.

  In step S2059, the display control unit 130 creates a black layer with a predetermined transmittance as shown in FIG. 7, for example, a black layer 720 with a transmittance of 50%, and refers to the guide route stored in the storage unit 150. When the black layer is overlapped with layer 1, a line 730 having a large width of 100% transmittance is drawn on the black layer 720 so as to follow the guide route drawn on the first layer 710. In step S20510, the area of the guidance facility is specified. In step S20511, the area of the guidance facility is drawn on the black layer 720 with a transmittance of 100%. This is the second layer 740.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the second layer 740. That is, a line with a transmittance of 100% is drawn on the black layer 720 with a transmittance of 50% as a thick line based on the guide route. In addition, the area of the guidance facility is drawn on the black layer 720 with a transmittance of 100%. The drawing of the thick line is the same as when creating the layer 440 in FIG. 4, and the color (transmittance) and the line width are different from the layer 440.

  In step S20512, the display control unit 130 combines the first layer 710 and the second layer 740 as shown in FIG. 7 to display them on the display unit 121 as a final route guidance image (see FIG. 5). To do.

  As a result, the area within the predetermined distance range from the guidance route and the area of the guidance facility are displayed in color and the other parts are displayed in gray, so that the user can instantly recognize the course. It is possible to be prompted not to make a wrong course change, and since the area of the guidance facility including the guidance facility is displayed in color, a notification combining the facility and the guidance in the traveling direction (for example, , The facility (marker) used for route guidance can be instantly recognized in the case of "notifying the next signal when the restaurant A on the left side of the road is turned to the right".

  Next, a navigation device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Since the navigation device of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the navigation device 10 of the first embodiment, the following description will be given using the reference numerals in the internal block diagram shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the route guidance operation in the navigation device 10 of the third embodiment.

  Steps S901 to 903 and steps S201 to 203 in FIG. 2 and steps S905 to 906 and steps S204 to 205 in FIG.

  In steps 901 to 903, route search is performed first, and then route guidance is performed along the guide route. Next, in step S904, the grayout necessity determination unit 170 compares the current position detected by the current position detection unit 110 with the guide route stored in the storage unit 150, and within a predetermined distance range from the guidance intersection. For example, it is determined whether it is within 100 m. If it is determined that it is not within the predetermined distance range from the guidance intersection, the process proceeds to step S910, and the normal display (displays the route guidance image obtained by combining the layers from the first layer 310 to the fourth layer 440 on the display unit 121). Done.

  In step S904, if the current position is within a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection, the display control unit 130 performs the processing of steps S905 and S906 and displays a route guidance image as shown in FIG.

  Next, the grayout necessity determination unit 170 determines whether or not the vehicle has passed the guidance intersection determined to be within the predetermined distance range from the current position in step S904 (step S907).

  If it is determined in step S907 that the vehicle has passed the guidance intersection, the process proceeds to step S908, where the display control unit 130 cancels the grayout process and combines the layers from the first layer 310 to the fourth layer 440 described above. The route guidance image thus displayed is displayed on the display means 121 (normal display), and the process proceeds to step S909. If it is determined in step S907 that the vehicle has not passed the guidance intersection, the gray-out process is not canceled.

  In the process of step S909, it is determined whether or not the route guidance has ended (for example, whether or not the destination has been reached). If the route guidance has not ended, the process returns to step S904 to continue the route guidance.

Thereby, in addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, when the route guidance is performed and the user approaches the guidance intersection, the guide route can be displayed so that the user can instantly recognize the route. A user-friendly display can be performed only when necessary.
[Other Examples]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the specified guidance facility area is transparent (transmittance of 100%) in the layer 450. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display can recognize the guidance facility. Therefore, the area of the specified guidance facility is not made transparent (transmittance 100%), and only the guidance facility is drawn in the original color (not painted in gray) in the layer 460, and the first layer 310 to the sixth layer 460 are drawn. A route guidance image obtained by synthesizing may be displayed on the display means 121. An example of this route guidance image is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the guidance facilities 1001 and 1002 superimpose a layer 460 drawn only in the original color (not painted in gray) on the layer 450 (a layer other than the guidance route area drawn in gray). Therefore, areas other than the vicinity of the guide route and buildings other than the guide facility are grayed out, and the guide route and the guide facility can be recognized instantly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the navigation apparatus 10 includes the current position detection unit 110 and the map database 180 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the navigation apparatus 10 includes a communication unit, and the current position detection is performed. The current position may be acquired by performing short-range wireless communication with another communication device provided with means, and similarly, the map database may be accessed by communicating with another communication device provided with a map database. The same applies to other means.

  Further, in this embodiment, the guidance facility is a facility (a mark) near the guidance intersection, and a notification that combines the facility near the guidance intersection and the guidance in the traveling direction (for example, “If the restaurant A on the left side of the road is exceeded, It is explained as a facility used when performing a notification (such as “the next signal is a right turn”) (in the example, “Restaurant A” is applicable). Good. That is, it is preferable that the guidance facility used when performing route guidance for the guidance route is a facility that is guided (particularly, voice-guided) in route guidance.

  As a result, facilities such as route points and destinations to be guided are not grayed out, and it is possible to instantly recognize the route points and destinations.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the area of the guidance facility is drawn in the original color (not painted in gray), but the text data of the guidance facility is drawn based on the text data (name of the guidance facility) associated with the guidance facility. The area (the position where the text is drawn, the size of the text character, and the area determined based on the number of characters) may be drawn so as not to be painted in gray.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the layer 460 of FIG. 4 is also synthesized is illustrated, but the layer 460 is not synthesized, but the layers 400, 440, and 450 are synthesized to create a route guidance image that is grayed out. Also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Navigation apparatus 100 Control means 101 CPU
102 RAM
103 ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Current position detection means 111 GPS receiving means 112 Autonomous navigation means 120 Display input means 121 Display means 122 Input means 130 Display control means 140 Route search means 150 Storage means 160 Route guidance means 170 Grayout necessity determination means 180 Map database

Claims (6)

In a display control device comprising display control means for displaying a guide route searched with reference to a map database and a map image based on the map database on a display means,
The display control unit draws a predetermined range based on the guide route and a region outside the predetermined range in a different display mode from the map image displayed on the display unit, and performs route guidance of the guide route. A display control apparatus, wherein a guide facility to be used and the outside of the predetermined range are drawn in different display modes and displayed on the display means.   The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance facility is a facility that is voice-guided when performing route guidance of the guidance route. The display control device includes a grayout necessity determination unit that determines whether the display mode needs to be changed based on the map database and the current position detected by the current position detection unit,
When the grayout necessity determination unit determines that the current position is a point where the display mode needs to be changed, the display control unit displays differently between the predetermined range based on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range. 2. The drawing according to claim 1, wherein the guidance facility used for route guidance of the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are drawn in different display modes and displayed on the display means. The display control apparatus according to 2. A guide route display method for displaying on a display means a guide route searched with reference to a map database and a map image based on the map database,
Among the map images displayed on the display means, the predetermined range based on the guidance route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes, and the guidance facility used when performing route guidance of the guidance route and the predetermined route A guide route display method, characterized in that a display outside the range is displayed in a different display mode.   5. The guidance route display method according to claim 4, wherein the guidance facility is a facility that is voice-guided when performing route guidance of the guidance route.   When it is determined whether the display mode needs to be changed based on the map database and the current position detected by the current position detection means, and the current position is determined to be a point where the display mode needs to be changed In addition, the predetermined range based on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes, and the guidance facility used when performing route guidance on the guide route and the outside of the predetermined range are displayed in different display modes. The guide route display method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein:

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