JP3802231B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that displays map information around a vehicle position and a specific point.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The in-vehicle navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle and displays a map image in the vicinity of the vehicle on the screen, a map display function for displaying a map image around an arbitrary location on the screen, a departure point and a purpose. It has a route search / guidance function that searches for an optimum route connecting the ground and guides the vehicle according to the route obtained by this search operation. As a typical method when the user searches for and designates a desired facility or the like in such various functions, (1) the desired facility can be scrolled by scrolling the map on the screen according to the user's operation. To display after displaying on the screen, etc. (2) Displaying a list of facilities by genre, selecting a desired facility from the list, and displaying a map of a predetermined range including this facility, etc. There is.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional designation method (method {circle around (1)}) of scrolling the map and specifying a desired facility, the displayed map image includes a wide variety of information such as roads, buildings, and rivers. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not easy to search for a map image on the screen when searching for a spot buried between them. For example, once you search for the vicinity of a desired point using a wide area display and then return to the detailed display to display the desired point, if you do not know the exact location of the desired point on the map, The screen is scrolled over a long time, and it takes time and effort to search for a desired point.
[0004]
In addition, in the conventional designation method (method (2)) in which a list of facilities by genre is displayed and selected from the list, the names of the facilities to be selected are displayed and selected by the user. Therefore, the desired facility could not be selected unless the name was known at all. Or, if you know a part of the name of the desired facility you want to search for, but there are multiple similar-named facilities that are candidates for selection, try the appropriate operation until you can select the target facility As a result, it takes time and effort to search for a desired point. For example, even if you want to take a break in the parking area in front of an interchange with an expressway and set that parking area as the destination for route search, if you do not know the name of that parking area Even if a list of parking areas is displayed, a desired one cannot be selected. Also, if you know some of the names of parking areas, but there are multiple parking areas with similar names, you can actually select each one and check the nearby interchanges. If it is necessary and you are lucky, you can search for the desired parking area in the first search, but in some cases, this operation is repeated many times.
[0005]
The present invention has been created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation apparatus that can easily search for a desired point and can shorten the search time.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the navigation device of the present invention stores information on a plurality of specific points extracted in advance and their connection states, and the specific points and their connection states based on these information A simple image showing is generated and displayed. Therefore, since the detailed image information other than the specific point is not included in the simple image, it is easy to search for the desired specific point. In addition, it is preferable that any specific point included in the simple image is displayed, and information on the specific point can be obtained by such a simple operation.
[0007]
Moreover, it is preferable to create a map image based on the map data, or create a facility list image in addition to this, and switch between these images and the above-described simple images while associating them with each other. By switching various images having different display purposes in association with each other, various search processes can be performed, and information on a desired point and its surroundings can be easily searched. In particular, when switching from a simple image to a map image, the display image is switched so that one of a plurality of specific points included in the simple image before switching is the display center position of the map image after switching. Is preferred. After extracting a specific point using a simple image, it is possible to display a map image centered on the specific point, so that it is easy to check facilities around the specific point. In addition, when switching from a map image to a simple image, one of a plurality of specific points included in the simple image after switching is selected based on the point on the map corresponding to the display center position of the map image before switching. It is preferable to switch the display image so as to achieve the state. After specifying a rough position using a map image, it is possible to display specific points that exist in the vicinity on a simple image, so specific facilities that exist in the vicinity when the approximate position is known It becomes easy to search.
[0008]
Moreover, it is preferable to set a boarding / alighting point included in a predetermined route as the plurality of specific points described above. It is important to specify points where passengers can get on / off roads, such as expressways and railways, where the points where passengers can get on / off are determined, and the intermediate points are often not searched. Therefore, it is possible to search only necessary information by a quick and simple operation by setting these possible points of entry / exit to specific points included in the simple image.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied displays a schematic diagram that includes a point where a transportation means such as a railroad or an expressway is defined, and includes any one of a schematic map, a map, and a boarding point name list. If a point where you can get on and off is selected when is displayed, switch this display state to other display forms and switch the display screen that correlates the schematic map, map, and boarding point name list to each other It is characterized by performing. Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, a boarding / exiting point indicates a specific point where a person or a vehicle can get on and off. For example, in the case of a railway, a station where a person can get on and off corresponds to this, and in the case of an expressway, This includes interchanges where vehicles can get on and off the expressway, service areas where people can get on and off from the vehicles, and the like.
[0010]
(1) Overall configuration of navigation device
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The navigation device shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation controller 1 that controls the whole, a CD-ROM 2 that records various data necessary for display of a schematic diagram, a map, a list of boarding points, a route search, and the like, and the CD-ROM 2. A disk reader 3 for reading recorded data, a remote control (remote control) unit 4 as an operation unit for a driver or a passenger to input various instructions, and GPS reception for detecting the vehicle position and vehicle direction Machine 5 and autonomous navigation sensor 6, and a display device 9 that displays a map image and a guidance route superimposed thereon.
[0011]
The above-described disk reader 3 can be loaded with one or more CD-ROMs 2, and reads data from any of the CD-ROMs 2 under the control of the navigation controller 1. The remote control unit 4 includes a search key for giving a route search instruction, a route guidance mode key used for setting the route guidance mode, a destination input key, left / right / up / down cursor keys, a map reduction / enlargement key, and a cursor on the display screen. Various operation keys such as a setting key for confirming the item at the position, a display switch key for switching each screen display of the schematic map, map, and boarding / exiting point name list, and an infrared signal corresponding to the operation state of the key are provided by the navigation controller 1 is sent.
[0012]
The GPS receiver 5 receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, performs a three-dimensional positioning process or a two-dimensional positioning process, and calculates the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (the vehicle direction is determined by the current vehicle). Calculated based on the position and the vehicle position before one sampling time ΔT), and these are output together with the positioning time. The autonomous navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor such as a vibration gyro that detects the vehicle rotation angle as a relative direction, and a distance sensor that outputs one pulse for each predetermined travel distance. Detect orientation.
[0013]
Based on the image data output from the navigation controller 1, the display device 9 displays map information around the vehicle along with the vehicle position mark, departure point mark, destination mark, etc., and displays a guidance route on the map. To do. The display device 9 displays a schematic diagram and a list of boarding / exiting point names.
[0014]
(2) Contents of data recorded on CD-ROM
Next, data (map data, transportation means data) recorded on the CD-ROM 2 will be described. The map data recorded on the CD-ROM 2 is based on the leaves separated by a predetermined longitude and latitude. The map data of each leaf can be specified and read by specifying the leaf number. It becomes. In addition, the map data for each map leaf includes (1) a drawing unit composed of various data necessary for map display, and (2) data necessary for various processes such as map matching, route search, and route guidance. Road unit and (3) intersection unit consisting of detailed data of the intersection.
[0015]
For example, the drawing unit includes background layer data necessary for displaying buildings or rivers, and character layer data necessary for displaying place names, road names, and the like. In addition, the road unit includes a road attribute of a link (a line connecting an intersection on the road and another adjacent intersection, etc.), a time required for passing the link, and a longitude of a node (a point connecting two or more links). -Data such as latitude is included. The intersection unit includes data such as the longitude / latitude of the intersection, the number of lanes, and a name character string.
[0016]
Next, transportation means data will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of transportation means data. As shown in the figure, the means of transportation data indicates the "means of transportation" for identifying the means of transportation for each means of transportation such as the Yamanote Line and the Tomei Expressway, and the name of the means of transportation of interest. “Transportation name character string”, “schematic map drawing data” for schematically displaying the route of the transportation means of interest, and the longitude of each boarding point (station, interchange, etc.) of the transportation means of interest It consists of “longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point” indicating the latitude and “boarding / exiting point name character string” indicating the name of each possible boarding / exiting point.
[0017]
For example, in the transportation means data corresponding to the Yamanote Line, a transportation type for specifying the Yamanote Line, a name character string of “Yamanote Line”, and a schematic drawing for schematically displaying the route of the Yamanote Line Data, longitude / latitude and name string of each station that can be boarding / exiting Yamanote Line are included. In the transportation data corresponding to the Tomei Expressway, the transportation type for identifying the Tomei Expressway, the name string of “Tomei Expressway”, and the route of the Tomei Expressway are schematically displayed. Data, and longitude / latitude and name character strings of interchanges, service areas, and the like that can be boarded / exited on the Tomei Expressway.
[0018]
(3) Detailed configuration and operation of the navigation controller
Next, a detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The navigation controller 1 includes a data buffer 16 for displaying a predetermined map on the display device 9 based on the map data read from the CD-ROM 2, a map reading control unit 18, a map drawing unit 20, a VRAM 22, a reading control unit 24, The display control unit 26 performs vehicle position calculation, map matching processing, route search processing, route guidance processing, and a vehicle position calculation unit 30, a route search processing unit 36, and a guidance route drawing unit 42 for displaying the results. , A mark image generation unit 44, a remote control unit 60 for transmitting an operation instruction from the remote control unit 4 to each unit, a cursor position calculation unit 62, and an operation screen for instructing drawing of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of boarding points Generation unit 64, drawing instruction unit 66, transportation means data memory 68, schematic drawing unit 70 for drawing a schematic diagram, And a name list drawing unit 72 to draw the name list.
[0019]
The data buffer 16 is for temporarily storing map data and transportation means data read from the CD-ROM 2 by the disk reader 3. When the map readout control unit 18 calculates the screen center position, an instruction to read out a predetermined range of map data including the screen center position is sent from the map readout control unit 18 to the disk reader 3 and is necessary for map display. Map data is stored. For example, map data corresponding to four map leaves including the screen center position is read and stored in the data buffer 16. When the navigation device is powered on, the transportation means data is read from the CD-ROM 2 by the disk reader 3 and stored in the data buffer 16.
[0020]
The map drawing unit 20 creates a map image necessary for display based on the drawing units included in the map data of the four map leaves stored in the data buffer 16. The created map image data is stored in the VRAM 22, and the map image data for one screen is read by the read control unit 24.
[0021]
The display control unit 26 superimposes the image data output from the mark image generation unit 44 on the read map image data to perform image synthesis, and the synthesized map image is displayed on the screen of the display device 9. The Further, the display control unit 26 displays any one of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of boarding / exiting points on the display device 9 in response to pressing of the screen switching key of the remote control unit 4.
[0022]
The vehicle position calculation unit 30 sequentially stores positioning position (own vehicle position) data output from the GPS receiver 5, and is absolute from the relative position and direction of the own vehicle output from the autonomous navigation sensor 6. Calculate the correct vehicle position and direction. Further, the vehicle position calculation unit 30 determines whether or not these own vehicle positions exist on the road of the map data, and corrects the own vehicle position obtained by calculation when the vehicle position deviates from the road ( Map matching process). Pattern matching and projection methods are known as typical map matching methods.
[0023]
When the destination input key is pressed after the cursor is moved to a specific location on the map by the operation of the cursor key of the remote control unit 4, the route search processing unit 36 calculates the cursor calculated by the cursor position calculation unit 62 at this time. Set the location as the destination of the route search. In addition, when the search key of the remote control unit 4 is pressed, the route search processing unit 36 sets the starting point and the destination under predetermined conditions with the own vehicle position corrected by the vehicle position calculating unit 30 as the starting point. Search for the travel route connected by, and create guidance route data. For example, a guide route with the minimum cost is set under various conditions such as the shortest distance and the shortest time. As a typical method of route search, Dijkstra method and horizontal search method are known.
[0024]
The guidance route drawing unit 42 selects from the guidance route data output from the route search processing unit 36 the one included in the map area drawn in the VRAM 22 at that time, and is overlaid on the map image and emphasized thickly with a predetermined color. Draw the guided route. The mark image generation unit 44 generates a vehicle position mark at the own vehicle position after the map matching process, or generates a cursor mark having a predetermined shape.
[0025]
The drawing instruction unit 66 reads the transportation means data stored in the data buffer 16 in advance and stores it in the transportation means data memory 68. The drawing instruction unit 66 instructs the operation screen generating unit 64 to draw a transportation means selection screen when the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 is pressed to instruct the display of a schematic diagram. After that, when the transportation mode selection screen is displayed, when the cursor is moved by the operation of the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 and the setting key is pressed, the drawing instruction unit 66 at this time is displayed by the cursor position calculation unit 62. Based on the calculated cursor position, the transportation means selected by the user is determined, and an instruction is given to the schematic drawing unit 70 to draw a schematic diagram of the selected transportation means.
[0026]
The drawing instruction unit 66 is calculated by the cursor position calculation unit 62 when the cursor is moved by the operation of the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 and the setting key is pressed while the schematic diagram is displayed. Based on the cursor position, it determines the boarding / exiting point selected by the user, and reflects the selected state of the boarding / exiting point on the map and boarding / exiting point name list. Associate. For example, when screen switching is instructed from the schematic diagram to the map, a map centered on the selected boarding / exiting point is displayed. In addition, when display switching is instructed from the schematic drawing to the boarding / unloading point name list, the name of the information point selected in the boarding / exiting point name list is highlighted. Similarly, the drawing instruction unit 66 reflects the selected state on other displays when a boarding / exiting point is selected when the map or the boarding / exiting point name list is displayed, and displays a schematic diagram, a map, Correlate the list of boarding / exit points.
[0027]
The transportation means data memory 68 described above is the specific point information storage means, the drawing instruction section 66, the schematic drawing drawing section 70 is the simple image creating means, the display device 9, the display control section 26 is the display means, the remote control unit 4, and the remote control. Unit 60, cursor position calculation unit 62, drawing instruction unit 66 as a specific point selection unit, data buffer 16 as a map data storage unit, map drawing unit 20 as a map image creation unit, remote control unit 4 and remote control unit 60 As the screen switching instruction means, the display control unit 26 and the drawing instruction part 66 correspond to the display image switching means, and the name list drawing part 72 corresponds to the facility list image creating means.
[0028]
(4) Operation of navigation device
The entire navigation device and the navigation controller 1 have the above-described configuration. Next, the operation thereof will be described.
[0029]
(4-1) Schematic display operation
First, an operation for displaying a schematic diagram will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation apparatus for performing the schematic display. The drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether or not the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 has been pressed to instruct the display of the schematic diagram (step 100). When the display of the schematic diagram is instructed, the drawing instruction unit 66 reads the transportation means data stored in the transportation means data memory 68 and displays the “transportation name character string” contained therein in the operation screen generating section 64. And instruct to draw the transportation means selection screen (step 101).
[0030]
The operation screen generator 64 renders a transportation means selection screen based on the “transportation name character string” in accordance with this instruction. The drawn image is displayed on the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 (step 102). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transportation means selection screen. As shown in the figure, the name of each transportation means such as Yamanote Line and Tomei Expressway is displayed in a list form on the transportation means selection screen. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of displaying all the means of transportation on the same screen, a rough classification such as railway, expressway, ferry, etc. is selected first, and then classified by classification. A detailed transportation mode selection screen may be displayed.
[0031]
Next, the drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether any means of transportation has been selected from among the means of transportation displayed on the means of transportation selection screen by operating the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 and pressing the setting key. Is determined (step 103). When any one of the means of transportation is selected, the drawing instruction unit 66 reads out the sketch drawing data included in the means of transportation data corresponding to the selected means of transportation from the means of transportation data memory 68, and the read schematic diagram. An instruction is given to the schematic drawing unit 70 to draw a schematic image based on the drawing data (step 104). The schematic drawing unit 70 draws a schematic image of the selected means of transportation according to this instruction. The drawn image is displayed on the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 (step 105).
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic display. For example, when the Yamanote line is selected on the transportation mode selection screen shown in FIG. 4, a simplified diagram of the Yamanote line is displayed as shown in FIG. The schematic diagram of the Yamanote Line includes Yamanote Line routes and stations that can be boarded and exited based on transportation means data corresponding to the Yamanote Line.
[0033]
As described above, in the navigation device of this embodiment, the transportation means data recorded together with the map data on the CD-ROM 2 is read out and stored in the transportation means data memory 68, and the user is instructed to display the schematic diagram. When one of the means of transportation is selected after that, the drawing instruction unit 66 reads out the schematic drawing data included in the transportation means data, and the schematic drawing unit 70 reads the corresponding transportation possible points and their connection. A schematic image showing the state is drawn and displayed on the display device 9. The map shows only the points that allow you to get on and off and the routes that show their connection status, and when you select a specific point where you can get on and off based on the connection status, etc., unnecessary roads and rivers are not displayed. The person can easily search for a desired boarding / exiting point. Conventionally, it has been difficult to search for a boarding / exiting point whose name or position is not clear. However, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, the connection state of each boarding / exiting point, that is, relative to a certain boarding / exiting point. Because it is possible to select a specific boarding / exiting point based on the relationship, for example, it is possible to select the station next to Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line as a specific boarding / exiting point. Can be shortened.
[0034]
(4-2) Operation when selecting a boarding / exiting point
Next, an operation when a user can select a boarding / alighting point included in the schematic diagram will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a boarding / alighting point is selected while the schematic diagram is displayed. The drawing instructing unit 66 monitors whether or not any of the possible getting on / off points included in the displayed schematic diagram is selected by the user (step 200), and any of the possible getting on / off points is selected. Then, the boarding / unloading point name corresponding to the selected boarding / departing point is highlighted (step 201). The user can select a boarding / exiting point by, for example, pressing a setting key while the cursor is moved to any boarding / exiting point by operating the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 by the user. . Moreover, the highlighting of the boarding / alighting point name is performed, for example, by changing the display color or inversion display.
[0035]
Next, the drawing instructing unit 66 selects the “longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point” corresponding to the selected boarding / exiting point from the transportation mode data stored in the mode of transportation data memory 68, and “name of the boarding / exiting point”. "Character string" is read and stored (step 202).
[0036]
In this way, by storing the “longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point” which is information for specifying the selected boarding / exiting point, in the screen transition operation to be described later, this selection state is displayed on another type of display screen. It is possible to correlate a schematic map, a map, and a boarding / alighting point name list with each other.
[0037]
(4-3) Screen transition operation
Next, the transition operation between each display screen of a schematic diagram, a map, and a boarding / alighting point name list is demonstrated. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an overview of screen transitions for switching between the display screens of the schematic diagram, the map, and the boarding / exiting point name list, and shows a specific example when the Yamanote line is selected as a means of transportation. Has been.
[0038]
The display screens of the schematic diagram, the map, and the boarding / exiting point name list shown in FIG. 7 are associated with each other. For example, if “Ikebukuro”, which is a point where people can get on and off, is selected when the simplified map is displayed, when the display is switched from the simplified map to the map, a predetermined map image centered on “Ikebukuro” is displayed. When the display is switched from to the boarding point name list, “Ikebukuro” in the boarding point name list is selected (highlighted).
[0039]
In addition, when “Ikebukuro”, which is a boarding / exiting point when the map is displayed, is set to be the display center, switching from the map to the simplified map will enable the boarding / exiting point “Ikebukuro” included in the simplified map. "Is highlighted, and when the display is switched from the map to the boarding point name list," Ikebukuro "in the boarding point name list is selected.
[0040]
In addition, when “Ikebukuro” is selected when the list of boarding / exiting points is displayed, a predetermined map image centered on “Ikebukuro” is displayed when the display is switched from the list of boarding / exiting point names. When the display is switched from the boarding / exiting point name list to the simplified map, the boarding / departing point “Ikebukuro” included in the simplified map is emphasized.
[0041]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when the display screen is changed from the schematic diagram to the map or the boarding / exiting point name list. For example, when a simplified map is displayed, any of the boarding / exiting points included in the schematic diagram is selected, and the “longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point” corresponding to the selected boarding / exiting point is displayed in the drawing instruction unit 66. Already stored.
[0042]
The drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether or not a map display is instructed by pressing a display switching key of the remote control unit 4 (step 300). When the display of the map is instructed by the user, the drawing instruction unit 66 outputs “longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point” to the map reading control unit 18 and the boarding / exiting point selected by the user. Is instructed to read out the map with the position at the center of the screen (step 301). In accordance with this instruction, the map reading control unit 18 sends to the disk reading device 3 an instruction to read a predetermined range of map data with the selected boarding / exiting point as the screen center position. The map drawing unit 20 draws a map image based on the map data read by the disk reader 3 from the CD-ROM 2 and stored in the map buffer 16. The drawn image is sent to the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 and displayed (step 302). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when “Ikebukuro”, which is a boarding / exiting point, is designated when the simplified map is displayed, if switching the display screen from the simplified map to the map is instructed, “Ikebukuro” A map image centered on is displayed.
[0043]
In addition, when the map display is not instructed (when a negative determination is made at step 300), the drawing instruction unit 66 further determines whether or not display of the boarding / exiting point name list is instructed (step 303). If the display of the boarding / alighting point name list is not instructed, the drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether or not the map display is instructed again (step 300).
[0044]
When the display of the boarding / exiting point name list is instructed, the drawing instruction unit 66 reads the name character string of any boarding / departing point already selected from the transportation means data memory 68 using the schematic diagram. The name list drawing unit 72 is instructed to create a boarding / alighting point name list image including the name character string (step 304). The name list drawing unit 72 draws a boarding / unloading point name list including the selected boarding / exiting point according to this instruction, and the boarding / exiting point name list in which the name character string of the selected boarding / departing point is highlighted is a display control unit. 26 is sent to the display device 9 through 26 and displayed (step 305). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when “Ikebukuro”, which is a boarding / exiting point, is designated when the simplified map is displayed, if switching the screen display from the simplified drawing to the list of boarding / exiting points is indicated, “Ikebukuro” A list of getting-on / off points with “” highlighted is displayed.
[0045]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when the display screen is changed from the map to the schematic diagram. When the normal map display is performed (step 400), the drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 is pressed and the display of the schematic diagram is instructed (step 401). When the display of the schematic diagram is instructed, the drawing instruction unit 66 instructs the operation screen generating unit 64 to draw the transportation means selection screen (step 402), and the transportation means selection screen is displayed. (Step 403).
[0046]
Next, the drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether or not one of the transportation means displayed on the transportation means selection screen has been selected by the user (step 404). When any one of the means of transportation is selected, the drawing instruction unit 66 reads out the sketch drawing data included in the means of transportation data corresponding to the selected means of transportation from the means of transportation data memory 68, and the read schematic diagram. An instruction is given to the schematic drawing unit 70 to draw a schematic image based on the drawing data (step 405). The schematic drawing unit 70 draws a schematic image of the selected means of transportation in accordance with this instruction, and the drawn image is sent to the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 and displayed (step 406). In addition, the drawing instruction unit 66 selects a possible boarding / exiting point having the longitude / latitude closest to the longitude / latitude of the display center in the map display from the transportation means data corresponding to the drawn schematic diagram, and the selected boarding / exiting. The boarding / alighting point name corresponding to the possible point is highlighted (step 407).
[0047]
As described above, in the navigation device of the present embodiment, a map is displayed with the selected boarding / departing point as a display center by switching to the map display after any boarding / departing point is selected using a schematic diagram. It can be carried out. Therefore, when searching for the service area immediately before the interchange on the expressway, you can first search for the desired service area using the schematic map, and then switch to the map display. Even if there is a desired point that is unknown or only partially known, if the relative position of a specific route is known, the search can be easily performed, and the search time can be reduced.
[0048]
Also, by switching to the schematic display after specifying a rough position on the map, you can instantly search for the nearest desired point, so you can scroll the map as in the past and accurately locate the desired point Compared to the search, the labor and time required for the search can be greatly reduced.
[0049]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an interchange or a service area is set as an expressway entry point, but a highway bus stop or a place with an emergency telephone may be set.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment, the transportation means data is provided for the railway and the highway. However, other transportation means may be used as long as the route and the boarding / exiting point are determined. For example, the transportation means data is provided for a ferry. Also good. In addition to the means of transportation, a plurality of specific points can be extracted in advance, and if these connection states can be drawn, they can be displayed as schematic diagrams. For example, tourist facilities such as historic sites may be displayed together with a predetermined route.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the transportation means data is provided separately from the map data. However, the transportation means data may be automatically extracted from the map data. Alternatively, it is also possible to include data related to the boarding / exiting points such as the longitude / latitude of the boarding / exiting point and the name character string in the map data, and to generate the transportation means data from the map data.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since a simple image showing a plurality of specific points extracted in advance and their connection state is created and displayed, it is easy to search for a desired specific point. Information on specific points can be obtained by operation. Further, by switching the map image or facility list image and this simple image while associating them with each other, various search processes can be performed, and a desired point and its surrounding information can be easily searched.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an in-vehicle navigation device according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of transportation means data.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device for displaying a schematic diagram.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transportation means selection screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic display.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a boarding / exiting point is selected when the schematic diagram is displayed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of screen transition for switching between the display screens of a schematic diagram, a map, and a boarding / alighting point name list;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a display screen is changed from a schematic diagram to a map or a list of boarding / exiting points.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a display screen is changed from a map to a schematic diagram.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Navigation controller
2 CD-ROM
3 Disc reader
4 Remote control unit
9 Display device
16 data buffers
18 Map readout controller
20 Map drawing part
22 VRAM
26 Display controller
60 Remote control unit
64 Operation screen generator
66 Drawing instruction part
68 Transportation Data Memory
70 Schematic drawing section
72 Name list drawing part

Claims (4)

A plurality of specific points extracted in advance and specific point information storage means storing information about their connection state;
Simple image creating means for creating a simple image showing the specific points and their connection state based on the information stored in the specific point information storing means;
Map data storage means for storing map data necessary for predetermined map display;
Map image creating means for creating a predetermined range of map images based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
Display means for selectively displaying on the screen the simple image created by the simple image creation means and the map image created by the map image creation means ;
When a predetermined operation for designating any one of the specific points included in the simple image is performed in a state where the simple image is displayed by the display unit, one of the plurality of specific points is selected. Specific point selection means to perform,
Screen switching instruction means for instructing switching between the simple image and the map image selectively displayed by the display means;
When the switching instruction is made by the screen switching instruction unit, the simple image and the map are correlated with one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image and the predetermined point included in the map image. Display image switching means for switching between images,
The display image switching means, when switching from the map image to the simple image, based on the point on the map corresponding to the display center position of the map image before switching, A navigation device that switches from the map image to the simple image so that any one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image is selected . In claim 1,
A specific point list image creating means for creating a specific point list image for displaying a list of the specific points included in the simple image;
By the screen switching instruction means, a mutual switching instruction between the simple image, the map image, and the specific spot list image is performed,
When the switching instruction is made by the display image switching means, any of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image, a predetermined point included in the map image, and any of the specific points included in the specific point list image A navigation device characterized by switching between the simple image, the map image, and the specific point list image while associating the specific points with each other. In claim 1,
The display image switching means is one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image before switching when switching from the simple image to the map image, and is performed by the specific point selection means. A navigation device, wherein switching from the simple image to the map image is performed so that the selected specific point is a display center position of the map image after switching. In any one of Claims 1-3,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of specific points are points that can be boarded and exited included in a preset route.

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