JP3891770B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation device that can easily select and set a desired point when setting a destination or waypoint in the navigation device, and more particularly, a plurality of candidate points obtained as a result of a search. The present invention relates to a navigation device that displays in parallel on a single screen so that a user can see and select it.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in a vehicle navigation apparatus, a map / information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in which map data for drawing a map and facility information data for searching a facility are recorded, and the map / information Reproducing device for reading data from storage medium, display device for displaying map, etc., vehicle position detecting device for detecting current position of vehicle and direction of traveling direction by self-contained navigation device such as distance sensor and gyro and GPS receiver The map data including the current position of the vehicle is read from the map / information storage medium, the map image around the vehicle position is drawn on the screen of the display device based on the map data, and the vehicle position mark is displayed on the display screen. The map image is scrolled and displayed as the vehicle moves, and the map image is fixed on the screen. And or moving the vehicle position mark, so that seen whether the vehicle is traveling where the current at a glance.
[0003]
Map data stored in a map / information storage device such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM is divided into longitude and latitude widths of appropriate sizes according to various scale levels. And a coordinate set of nodes expressed in latitude. A road is composed of a combination of two or more nodes, and map data displays a road layer consisting of a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, etc., and roads, buildings, facilities, parks, rivers, etc. on the map screen. Map data such as a background layer, and information data for displaying characters, map symbols, etc., such as administrative division names such as municipalities, road names, intersection names, and facility names.
[0004]
In addition, this navigation device has a route guidance function that allows the user to easily travel on the road to a desired destination without making a mistake. According to this route guidance function, if you specify a route from the departure point to the destination using map information, and if necessary, a route point is taken into account, conditions such as time, distance, and fee are included in the route connecting these points. Automatically search for the most appropriate route, store the searched route as a guidance route, and draw the guidance route on the map image with a different color from other routes and display it on the screen while driving. Or when the vehicle approaches an intersection where the course on the guidance route should be changed within a certain distance, the intersection is enlarged and an arrow indicating the direction in which the course should be changed is drawn and displayed on the screen. By guiding the right / left turn, the user can be guided to the destination.
[0005]
When designating the destination or the waypoint, when the place name is designated by the user, the place name search information possessed by the data recording medium such as a CD-ROM attached to the navigation device. The latitude and longitude data of the point corresponding to the place name is taken in, and a predetermined point is designated and registered.
[0006]
In specifying and registering such points, various means have been conventionally employed. For example, data in which place names are listed in order from the wide area side to the narrow area side is stored in advance in a storage medium, and the user can In the same way as normal address display, specify the point by inputting from the prefecture in order using the keyboard on the screen, etc., search the corresponding location data on the map from the data recording medium and specify this point The address direct input method registered as is also used.
[0007]
In addition, in order to use data in which the place names are listed in order from the wide area side to the narrow area side, place names on the wide area side such as prefectures are displayed on the screen display section, and the user selects one of them. When this happens, the name of the place on the narrow area developed at that point is displayed, and the user selects one of them to repeat the operation, so that the user can enter the list of point names displayed on the screen. An address list display selection method is also used in which point names are sequentially selected based on a predetermined point, and finally a predetermined point is designated and registered.
[0008]
When specifying a point, for example, a wide area map is first displayed on the screen, and the user specifies the part where the point exists on this map, displays the enlarged part, repeats this, In this case, you can scroll this map on an appropriate scale to search for the desired point, and then use the cursor to finally indicate the desired point by zooming in. Used.
[0009]
In addition, the user can record various point name data such as public facilities such as stations and city halls, road facilities such as intersections and interchanges, and landmark buildings and facilities on the data recording medium. A facility name search method for designating a point where the facility exists by inputting these facilities is also used. Further, after the facility is displayed on the screen, it is sometimes combined with the map scroll method in which the vicinity is scrolled to find the original desired point, and the point is designated and registered.
[0010]
In recent years, with the widespread use of DVD-ROMs, it has become possible to record huge amounts of data, so it is possible to store point data corresponding to telephone numbers nationwide and specify a specific house or building by entering the telephone number. The phone number input type to be registered is also adopted.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Various methods as described above are used to set predetermined points such as destinations and waypoints. For example, when using the address direct input method described above, the name of the place to be designated is displayed on the screen. This operation is cumbersome because it is necessary to perform the operation of inputting one character at a time, and it is difficult to use for those who are not used to such operation. .
[0012]
In addition, in the above address list display selection method, it is effective when the point to be specified is known as a system, such as a prefecture, city, town, street, street address, etc. The method cannot be used. In the use of a normal navigation apparatus, there are few cases where such a system is known in many cases, and therefore this system cannot be used much.
[0013]
In addition, in the above map scroll method, it is good to know in advance what position the point is on the map, but in order to find a point you do not know much, how many times you zoom in / out and scroll the map However, it has to be repeated many times to find the point, and the work is extremely difficult. Further, when searching for a large number of points by the map scroll method, it is necessary to perform the above-described work for each point, which is further troublesome.
[0014]
In the facility name search method, if the point to be specified is a public facility, a landmark-like building, or a facility, it can be specified immediately, and if it is a point near the facility, etc. Can be easily specified. However, it is difficult to use when you do not know what characteristic facilities are in the vicinity of the point you want to designate, and for example, chain stores such as convenience stores, gas stations, fast food, restaurants, etc. A facility has a drawback that even if the facility name is entered, there are a large number of candidates, and it is difficult to select one of them.
[0015]
Further, the above telephone number input method is extremely effective because when a user knows the telephone number of a designated point, it is possible to input a specific point at a time by simply inputting the telephone number. However, it is natural that it cannot be used when the telephone number related to the point to be designated or the telephone number of the facility near the point to be designated is not known.
[0016]
As described above, although various methods for specifying and registering a specific point have been proposed, each has its merits and demerits, and there is no method that satisfies all of them, and the user can use it with the navigation device being used. The actual situation is that the most appropriate method is selected and used.
[0017]
In particular, among the above-described methods, the facility name search method is a convenient method because it can be immediately searched if the facility to be searched is known. However, for example, when searching for a specific store or facility among chain-affiliated stores or facilities such as convenience stores, gas stations, fast food, restaurants, etc. by the facility name search method, it is also present in the vicinity of a specific store or facility When searching for a location to enter, there are many candidates even if the store or facility name is entered and the search is performed, and if the candidates are simply displayed in a list, any of them is the desired location of the user Is very difficult to identify.
[0018]
In addition, as a countermeasure, when a list of a plurality of candidate search results is displayed, a method of displaying a map, which is the method that makes it easy to understand the state of the location among the various methods described above, is used. It is also possible to repeat the operation of displaying a map including the location of the branch on one screen and confirming it, and displaying and confirming a map of another branch when it is not desired. However, this is a cumbersome task, and it is difficult to compare which of the branch where the map is displayed earlier and the branch where the current map is displayed is more appropriate, and is always preferable. It cannot be a search method.
[0019]
Therefore, the present invention is a method for searching by inputting destination information such as a facility name. When a plurality of points are searched, a map of a plurality of points is simultaneously compared and referred to, so that a point desired by the user is obtained. The main object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can easily select a user.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is obtained by a destination search unit that searches for a corresponding point from a map information storage medium that records a map and related information based on the input destination information, and the destination search unit. When multiple search points exist, a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen.At the same time, the map also displays traffic information taken from outside or the route that was previously traveled.A navigation device comprising: a search map display unit for performing a search operation and a map operation unit for selecting a map from a plurality of maps displayed on the one screen. It is.
[0021]
In another aspect, the search map operation unit is a search map scroll operation instruction unit that scrolls a map screen at an arbitrary point on a plurality of displayed map screens. It is what.
[0022]
In another aspect, the search map operation unit is a selection map enlargement instruction unit that displays a map of an arbitrary point on a larger screen among a plurality of displayed map screens. It is a device.
[0023]
Further, as another aspect, when the search points obtained by the destination search unit exist more than a preset value, the search points are displayed in a list, and when the search points are less than that value, a plurality of maps are arranged in parallel on one screen. The navigation device is characterized by displaying.
[0024]
As another aspect, for the search points displayed in the list, a desired map display is arbitrarily selected, and when there are a plurality of selected points, a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen. The navigation apparatus is characterized in that the above-described navigation device is provided.
[0026]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main functional blocks in the control device portion of the navigation device of the present invention and the relationship between them. The navigation control apparatus 10 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is equipped with a GPS receiver 12 as in the prior art, obtains the vehicle position data by processing the signal from the satellite received by the antenna 11, and stores the data. Store in the unit 13. On the other hand, a signal from a self-contained navigation sensor 16 comprising an angle sensor 14 and a distance sensor 15 for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle provided in the vehicle is input to a vehicle position / orientation calculation unit 17, and position data from the self-contained navigation sensor is obtained. It has gained.
[0027]
The vehicle position signal generation unit 18 corrects the own vehicle position data by GPS in the data storage unit 13 with the position data in the vehicle position / orientation detection unit 17 to obtain accurate vehicle position data. The vehicle position signal obtained by the vehicle position signal generation unit 18 is output to various functional units in the navigation control device 10 to be described later via the vehicle position data line 19 and used in each unit.
[0028]
User operation signals from the remote controller 40 attached to the navigation device, the touch panel 41 provided on the display, and various operation switches 42 are input to the operation signal input unit 43. The signal is output to various functional units in the navigation control device 10 via the operation signal data line 39 and used as a user instruction signal. Various voices of the operator from the microphone 44 are recognized by the voice recognition unit 45 and connected to the operation signal data line 39 as voice operation signals in the same manner as the operation signal input unit 43. This is an instruction signal.
[0029]
Based on the vehicle position data and the operation signal, the ROM read control unit 21 generates a large amount of map data and address data based on the instruction signal from the operation signal data line 39 or the own vehicle position signal from the vehicle position data line 19. Then, the information is read from the map / information storage medium 20 such as a DVD-ROM or CD-ROM storing the facility information data, and necessary information is stored in the information / map buffer 22. Various data in the information / map buffer 22 is output to various functional units in the navigation control apparatus 10 via the information / map data line 26 and used for various purposes to be described later.
[0030]
By inputting such various data, the navigation control device 10 can perform various operations with various functional parts provided inside. For example, in the guidance route calculation unit 30, the navigation control device 10 can perform the current operation from the vehicle position data line 19. The position data is input, and a destination and waypoint designation from the operation signal data line 39 or a search result determination unit 59 of the destination search unit 50 to be described later is received. Cost calculation is performed to calculate the optimum guidance route. The result is stored in the guide route memory 31, and the guide route output unit 33 creates data for guiding the guide route in various forms. Among them, the image data is output to the image composition unit 27 and can be displayed on the image display device 28 by being superimposed on the map.
[0031]
In the intersection guidance output unit 32, in particular, based on the vehicle position from the vehicle position signal generation unit 18, the map data from the information / map data line 26, the guidance route information from the guidance route memory 31, etc. It is determined whether or not the vehicle has reached the vicinity of a right or left turn intersection or the like on the guidance route. When the vehicle reaches the vicinity, an intersection guide map is created and output to the image synthesis unit 27 and also output to the voice synthesis unit 61. A voice of intersection guidance is output from the speaker 63 via the output unit 62. The intersection guidance output unit 32 appropriately performs not only intersection guidance as described above but also guidance for entering and exiting an interchange and guidance for which there is no right-left intersection for a while.
[0032]
The map drawing unit 25 responds to designation of, for example, bird's-eye view display, 3D display, etc., from the operation signal input unit 43 input via the display method designating unit 24 based on map data of a predetermined scale in the map memory 23. Then, a predetermined map is calculated and calculated based on the vehicle position, and related information data such as place name information data and facility name is superimposed on the map as necessary, and is displayed as a map image in the image composition unit 27. Output. In addition, the image composition unit 27 also inputs images of various mark generation units 34 and operation screen generation units 35 as necessary, and displays them in combination.
[0033]
The navigation control device 10 of the present invention includes a destination search unit 50 described in detail later for setting a guidance route in the navigation device. In the embodiment shown in the figure, various means other than those shown as the destination search means can be added, such as a search means using a conventional address and a search means using a telephone number. .
[0034]
The destination search unit 50 shown in FIG. 2 includes a destination information input / search unit 51 and is input using various input means such as a user's voice input from the remote controller 40, the touch panel 41, or the microphone 44. A signal for instructing a point such as a facility name is input via the operation instruction signal line 39. Here, for example, when a user wants to find a branch that has been visited before, among “Tsukiya (a pseudonym)” having many branches as a restaurant chain store in “Iwaki City”, or as described above When you want to find the most accessible branch from the current location among many branches, or remember that the location you want to search for is one of the branches, and when you want to find that particular branch, etc. There are times when you want to find a particular branch for various reasons.
[0035]
In such a case, the user operates the 50-sound input key on the remote control with the word "Iwaki-shi" or the 50-sound keyboard displayed on the screen, and touches it on the touch panel. Alternatively, an input operation for limiting the area range to be searched is performed by various means such as inputting by voice or selecting from a list of area names displayed on the screen. Next, "Tsukiya" is input using various similar means.
[0036]
In this way, in the above example, an input for searching for “Tsukiya” of a restaurant chain in Iwaki city is performed, and the search data is sent to the destination via the operation instruction signal data line 39 as described above. The information is input to the information input / search unit 51. The destination information input / search unit 51 accesses the information / map storage device 20 such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM in response to the search instruction signal, and before entering the facility name in the above example. The search is performed with the multiplication condition of “Iwaki City” for instructing the search range to “Tsukiya” as the facility name.
[0037]
As a result, for example, when a branch of 12 stores is searched, the map data of the 12 stores is input to the search result input unit 52. At this time, if necessary, the data may be temporarily stored in a separately provided memory so that various operations thereafter can be performed at high speed. In the above example, the input operation for limiting the area range was performed when searching by facility name, but it is not necessary to perform input when it seems that the search range can be narrowed down even if the search is performed by facility name directly. .
[0038]
In the display method selection unit 53, based on the data of the search result input unit 52, for example, when there are 20 or more search results, the search results are displayed as a list, and when there are less than 20 locations, a map display as described later is performed. Thus, when a predetermined number or more set in advance is searched, the search result display unit 54 is instructed to display a list, and when the number is less than the predetermined number, an instruction to display a map is instructed.
[0039]
In the search result display unit 54, whether the list display unit 55 performs the list display or the map display unit 56 performs the map display by selecting the display method in this way is selected. At this time, for example, when there are 20 or more search results in the above example, the list display unit 55 displays a facility search list as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Further, when there are less than 20 locations, the search map display unit 56 displays a map in which each searched store is shown at substantially the center as shown in FIG.
[0040]
In the search map display unit 56, a predetermined number of predetermined search points are displayed in parallel on the screen. In the illustrated example, an example is shown in which maps of eight search points are displayed. Here, the number to be displayed on one screen can be arbitrarily set to four places, eight places, or the like as necessary. If too many screens are displayed at that time, the map displayed on one screen becomes small and difficult to see, and when it is small, it is inconvenient to compare with other maps, and the number of screen operations such as next screen feed increases. Since there are drawbacks, an appropriate number is selected.
[0041]
The example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which there are 12 or more search results, and the first 8 map displays are displayed on one screen, and the upper left corner of the screen is returned to the previous screen display. Display the previous screen feed operation section, and display the next screen feed operation section at the upper right corner to advance to the next screen display, move the cursor to this part and press the enter key to return. An example that can be used. It should be noted that these full-screen and next-screen operation units can be provided at arbitrary locations on the screen, and when the full-screen does not exist as shown in the figure, a display showing that is provided. However, when the search result is 8 places or less, the screen feed operation unit can be not displayed. In addition, even when the map is displayed only when the number of search results is 8 or less, and the list is displayed when the number of search results is larger than that, all the 8 maps are displayed on one screen in the above example. Therefore, the display of the screen feed operation unit as described above is not required.
[0042]
The example shown in FIG. 4 shows an example in which the name of a branch and the distance from the current location are displayed at the bottom of each map displayed in parallel, and a specific branch is referenced by referring to the distance from the current location. It can be used as a guide when selecting. In addition, it is a store that has been used with this navigation device before by displaying a travel locus as appropriate on the map screen by displaying the road portion that the vehicle has traveled with the navigation device in a different color. It is possible to easily determine whether or not a specific branch is selected. Note that the example shown in FIG. 4 indicates that the vehicle has previously traveled on the road in front of the Yumoto branch.
[0043]
In addition, on the map screen displayed in parallel, the traffic information captured using means such as VICS is displayed, and the current traffic restriction, one-way traffic restriction, traffic congestion information, etc. are displayed to the store. It is also possible to select a store that can be easily reached. In the example shown in Figure 4, there is a closed road on Sundays near the Omachi branch, there is a one-way restriction around the Izumimachi branch, and the road in front of the Yoshimacho fulcrum is in a traffic jam. It is also shown that there is a closed road for construction under the Kashimacho branch.
[0044]
In the selected map enlargement instructing unit 57 in the destination search unit 50, the map desired to be enlarged when the user wants to see the map in more detail among the map screens displayed on one screen as described above is remote-controlled. When an instruction is given by operating a key or a touch screen, the indicated map is enlarged and displayed. Also on this screen, as described above, it may be possible to display a traffic restriction, a one-way restriction, traffic congestion information, and the like.
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows a map displayed as a result of enlarging the map of the Ogawamachi branch among the eight maps in FIG. 4, which shows a wide range at approximately the same scale as the map shown in FIG. The example which displayed the map is shown. Note that when the map is instructed to be enlarged, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable to make the map instructed by the cursor easier to see by showing it with a thick frame. At this time, the map displayed on one screen may be displayed as a smaller scale map, that is, an enlarged map, in addition to displaying the same scale as shown in FIG.
[0046]
In the search map scroll operation unit 58, when a plurality of search points exist as a result of the search, each map screen is arbitrarily selected and scrolled on the same screen with respect to a plurality of map screens displayed on one screen. Also, as described above, even when any one of a plurality of screens is selected in the selected map enlargement instruction unit 57 and only 1 of the map is displayed on the entire surface, the map can be scrolled. I can do it. Thereby, for example, a desired point expected to be present on the side of Tsukiya or Ogawamachi branch can be displayed by scrolling the map, and this can be designated as a destination or the like.
[0047]
In the above embodiment, the search map display unit 56 can also serve as the map drawing unit 25 that operates during normal navigation device operation, and in that case, the selection map enlargement instruction unit 57 and the search map scroll. The operation instruction unit 58 can also be used as a map enlargement instruction unit, a scroll operation instruction unit, and the like (not shown) in the map drawing unit 25.
[0048]
The navigation device of the embodiment of the present invention constituted by the functional blocks as described above can be operated by an operation flow as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, and 5.
[0049]
In the destination search process of the above-described embodiment, first, a search range for determining a search range based on the facility name to be performed thereafter is input (step S1). In the above example, the input of “Iwaki City” is performed by the various operation instruction means. If it is certain that the facilities specified in the facility name search to be performed later are within the preset number of ranges such as 20 in the above example, it is not necessary to input the search range. It becomes.
[0050]
Next, a facility name for destination search is input (step S2). In the above example, “Tsukiya” is input here. Search is executed by the input and confirmation (step S3). These inputs and determinations are made in the destination information input / search unit 51 in FIG. 1, and the search results are made from the search result input unit 52.
[0051]
As a result of this search, if there are a plurality of obtained facilities (step S4), it is determined whether or not the obtained number is a predetermined number or more (step S5). If it is determined in step S4 that there is only one facility obtained as a result of the search, the process proceeds to step S9 via step S18. The preset number is arbitrarily set, for example, whether or not it is 20 or more.
[0052]
When it is determined in step S5 that the number of facilities obtained as a search result is not equal to or greater than a predetermined number set in advance, each map screen of a predetermined number of points is displayed in parallel on one screen (step S6). In the above example, displaying a plurality of map screens in parallel indicates a case where the search result is less than 20, that is, 19 or less, and 8 map screens are displayed in parallel on one screen. However, these values can be arbitrarily set. FIG. 3 shows an example in which a map of eight points is displayed on one screen. Such a process of displaying a map of a plurality of points on one screen is performed in the search map display unit 56 in the search result display unit 54 in FIG.
[0053]
When it is determined in step S4 that there are not a plurality of search results, that is, when there is only one search result, a map of search points is displayed on one screen (step S18), and the process proceeds to step S9. When it is determined in step S5 that the number of search results is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, that is, when 21 or more locations are searched in the above example, the search results are displayed in a list (step S13).
[0054]
In a state where a plurality of maps are displayed on one screen in step S6, the user can map the entire map by taking into account the distance from the current location, traffic regulation, congestion status, etc., which are appropriately displayed on this map. If you want to see the map of a specific point enlarged on one screen and see it in more detail, point to the map with a cursor, etc., and press the Enter key (step) S7) The instructed map is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen (step S8). If no specific screen enlargement instruction is given in step S7, the process proceeds to step S9. The process of enlarging and displaying the map of such a specific point is performed in the selected map enlargement instructing unit 57 in FIG.
[0055]
As described above, when a specific map is instructed in a state where a map of a plurality of points is displayed on one screen in step S7, a specific map is selected from the plurality of maps in step S8. In this state, one map is enlarged on the entire screen, and only one result is retrieved as a result of the facility name input in step S18, and a map of the search point is displayed on one screen. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the user has given an instruction to scroll the map.
[0056]
If it is determined that the user has instructed to scroll the map including enlargement / reduction of the scale of the map, the displayed map is scrolled in accordance with the instruction (step S10). This processing is performed in the search map scroll operation instruction section 58 in FIG. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted in the operation | movement flow shown in FIG. 2, the display of the map of a several point is performed on 1 screen, the map of a specific point is selected and displayed on 1 screen among them, and the map is displayed. As a result of scrolling, if you want to refer to the map of another point further, specify the “return” operation unit as shown in FIG. It is possible to return to the displayed map of FIG. 4, and from this state, a map of another point is further selected and displayed on one screen, and this map is appropriately scrolled.
[0057]
Further, when a map of a plurality of points is displayed on a single screen as shown in FIG. 4 and a map display of a plurality of points on another screen is desired, the screen feed operation displayed on the screen as described above is performed. It can be switched arbitrarily by operating the unit, and a specific map can be selected and scrolled as described above, or various operations can be performed such as displaying the map on one screen and scrolling. The map of each searched point is appropriately operated to select a point desired by the user.
[0058]
As a result of various operations performed on the display map of the point selected by the user in this manner, the point desired by the user is included in the point obtained by the search (step S11). The selected point is set as the destination (step S12), and the process is terminated (step S19). When it is determined in step S12 that the desired point has not yet been searched, the process returns to step S1 and starts again from the input of the search range. Of course, when it is not necessary to change the search range input, this may be omitted, and the destination search facility name may be input in step S2, and when the search range input is changed, the destination designation It may be omitted without changing the facility name.
[0059]
On the other hand, in step S5, when a predetermined number or more of search results are searched, for example, at 20 locations or more, the search results are displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 3 (step S13). Also on this list display screen, page feed of the previous page and the next page is performed as necessary. The user refers to this list display, and when it is determined that the target point cannot be selected by the list alone and it is necessary to perform a re-search (step S14), the user returns to step S1 and performs the search again.
[0060]
If it is determined in step S14 that the user does not need to perform a re-search for the time being, a determination is made as to whether or not to select a point after performing map display for a specific point among the points listed. This is performed (step S15). As a result, when the user wants to see a map at a specific point, the map display check column is checked for the listed points in the example shown in FIG.
[0061]
When a plurality of points are selected as a result of this operation (step S16), the process proceeds to step S6, and a map of a plurality of points is displayed on one screen as described above. When there are not a plurality of selected points, that is, when only one point is selected, the process proceeds to step S8, and a map of the designated screen is displayed on one screen. Thereafter, the same operation as described above is performed from each step.
[0062]
If it is determined in step S15 that the user does not need to select a map display point for the point displayed in the list, a desired point selection operation is performed in the list display state (step S17). Also in the point selection in the list display, the page turning operation of the next page and the previous page is appropriately performed.
[0063]
As a result of this operation, whether or not a desired point has been searched is determined in the same manner as described above (step S11), and when a desired point is searched, the desired point on the list is selected and specified, and then confirmed. The point is set as the destination (step S12), and the process is terminated (step S19). Also in this case, when it is determined in step S11 that the desired point has not been searched, the process returns to step S1 and the search is performed again as described above.
[0064]
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the example in which this functional part is arranged separately from other functional parts as the destination search part 50 has been shown. However, each functional part included here is already in the navigation control device. It can also be used as various functional units. Further, the search results can be executed in various modes other than the above example such as voice guidance.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
  In the present invention, there are a plurality of destination search units that search for a corresponding point from a map information storage medium that records a map and related information based on the input destination information, and a plurality of search points obtained by the destination search unit. Sometimes a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screenAt the same time, the map also displays traffic information taken from outside or the route that was previously traveled.A navigation device comprising: a search map display unit for performing a search operation and a map operation unit for selecting a map from a plurality of maps displayed on the one screen. In the method of searching by inputting destination information such as a facility name, when a plurality of points are searched, a map of the plurality of points can be displayed on one screen at the same time for comparison and reference. The user can easily select a desired point.
  In addition, when multiple locations are searched, maps of multiple locations can be compared and referenced simultaneously on one screen, including traffic information imported from the outside on the map, or routes previously traveled Since it can be displayed, it is possible to determine the most easily visited point, or to remember a situation that has been performed before, and to easily and reliably select a desired point by the user.
[0066]
In the navigation apparatus, the search map operation unit is a search map scroll operation instruction unit that scrolls a map screen at an arbitrary point on a plurality of displayed map screens. In a state where it is easy to display a map of a plurality of points on one screen and compare and refer to the situation of each point, it is possible to select any point and scroll the map screen. It is possible to know the situation around the point, and to easily display and select the points around the input facility.
[0067]
In the navigation apparatus, the search map operation unit is a selection map enlargement instruction unit that displays a map of an arbitrary point on a larger screen among a plurality of displayed map screens. Displays a map of multiple locations on one screen, compares and references the status of each location, and then displays a more detailed map on a single screen for locations expected to match what the user wants It is possible to easily and surely confirm whether or not the point is really desired by the user.
[0068]
The search points obtained by the destination search unit may be displayed as a list when there are more than a preset value, and a plurality of maps may be displayed in parallel on one screen when the search points are less than the preset value. In the case of the navigation device, when a large number of search points more than a preset value are searched, all of these can be displayed in a list without displaying a map. Thus, the user can obtain data that allows the user to consider the search results to some extent, and the navigation device can be easily used for the destination search.
[0069]
Further, for the search points displayed in the list, a desired map display is arbitrarily selected, and when there are a plurality of selected points, a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen. In the above navigation device, when a number of points exceeding a preset value are searched as described above, the load on the navigation device is reduced by displaying a list, and the search results are examined to some extent. In the device that can be used, a map of an arbitrary point can be selected in the state of the list display, and the map can be displayed in parallel on one screen, and the point desired by the user can be easily and reliably obtained. Can be selected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing main functional blocks in a control device portion of a navigation device according to the present invention and their relation to each other.
FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the same embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a list of search results is displayed.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a map of a plurality of search results is displayed in parallel on one screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which maps of a plurality of points are displayed in parallel on one screen, and then a map of an arbitrary point is selected and displayed on one screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
19 Vehicle position data line
20 Information map storage device
26 Information and map data lines
27 Image composition part
28 Image display device
30 Guide route calculator
50 Destination Search Department
51 Destination information input / search section
52 Search result input section
53 Display method selector
54 Search result display area
55 List display area
56 Search map display
57 Selection map enlargement instruction section
58 Search map scroll operation instruction section
59 Search result confirmation part
61 Speech synthesis unit
62 Audio output section

Claims (5)

A destination search unit that searches for a corresponding point from a map information storage medium that records a map and related information based on the input destination information;
When there are a plurality of search points obtained by the destination search unit, a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen, and the map includes traffic information taken from outside or previously traveled A map display for search that displays the route including the route ,
A navigation apparatus comprising: a search map operation unit that selects an arbitrary one of the plurality of maps displayed on the one screen and performs a screen operation.   The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search map operation unit is a search map scroll operation instruction unit that scrolls a map screen at an arbitrary point on a plurality of displayed map screens.   2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search map operation unit is a selected map enlargement instruction unit that displays a map of an arbitrary point on a larger screen among a plurality of displayed map screens.   A list of search points is displayed when search points obtained by the destination search unit are greater than or equal to a preset value, and a plurality of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen when the search points are less than that value. The navigation device according to claim 1.   The search points displayed in the list are arbitrarily selected as desired for map display, and when there are a plurality of selected points, a predetermined number of maps are displayed in parallel on one screen. Item 5. The navigation device according to Item 4.

Images