JP4054242B2 - Navigation device, method and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus, method, and program for switching information display related to guide points by switching the order of balloon-shaped displays that are shifted and overlapping on the screen and displaying the selected one in an enlarged manner so that map display is not hindered. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of automobiles and digital technologies, navigation technologies such as navigation devices, methods, and programs are rapidly progressing. Navigation technology calculates and sets the optimal route to a specified destination based on road data prepared in advance, detects the location of the vehicle in real time, and displays it on the screen along with the surrounding map. Guidance guidance such as turning left and right is output by screen display or synthesized voice according to the progress of the vehicle. In addition to the planar two-dimensional display, the map display includes a view from the viewpoint of the vehicle and a view from the rear and rear of the vehicle.
[0003]
In addition, for guidance points where some guidance information should be output, such as intersections and turning points that require a right or left turn, it is superimposed on the map and an enlarged view of the next one is displayed or a reduced view is arranged on the map. Conventionally, an example of displaying an enlarged view of a selected one has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-287773 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-281385
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art as described above, there is a problem that each reduced map is arranged in a plane on a map, and if the reduced map is prioritized and enlarged, the original map display is hidden and difficult to see. When selecting with the cursor, there were problems such as blinking the frame or changing the color of the frame that it was difficult to visually understand on a colorful display screen.
[0006]
The present invention has been proposed to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to switch and select the order of balloon-like displays that are shifted and overlapped on the screen for information display regarding guide points. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device, a method and a program which do not disturb the map display by enlarging the display.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is based on the road data, the storage means storing road data and the data of the guide point including the intersection, and the route to the given destination based on the road data. The computer includes means for calculating and setting, means for sequentially calculating the vehicle position, and means for displaying a map of the surrounding area including the route and the vehicle position on a predetermined display unit. In the navigation device for guiding to the navigation system, the computer displays information including a reduced map of the intersection for each of a predetermined number of consecutive guidance points on the route ahead, and displays the position in order of the route with the nearest one in front. shifted so as to overlap, and means for displaying on the map, sequentially in response to the operation given, a display means for displaying the display by replacing the position and the size on the route order, predetermined selection When the operation is given, for the said display at a time were near guiding point, the information including a map of the intersection, with guidance information of the vehicle, and a means to enlarge, comprising the.
[0008]
The invention of claim 5 captures the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a method, and a computer provided with storage means for storing road data and data of a guide point including an intersection is given. By calculating and setting a route to the ground based on the road data, sequentially calculating the vehicle position, and displaying a surrounding map including the route and the vehicle position on a predetermined display unit, the vehicle In the navigation method for guiding to a destination, the computer displays information including a reduced map of intersections for a predetermined number of consecutive guide points set in the route ahead, in the order of the route with the nearest one in front. to overlap by shifting the position, the display on the map, sequentially in response to the operation given, the respective display to display by replacing the position and the size on the route order, the predetermined selection operation given Is the, for the guide point and the display was near at that time, the information including a map of the intersection, with guidance information of the vehicle, characterized in that to enlarge.
[0009]
The invention of claim 9 captures the inventions of claims 1 and 5 from the viewpoint of a computer program, and controls a computer having storage means for storing road data and data of a guide point including an intersection. By calculating and setting a route to a given destination based on the road data, the vehicle position is calculated sequentially, and a surrounding map including the route and the vehicle position is displayed on a predetermined display unit. In the navigation program for guiding the vehicle to the destination by displaying it on the computer, the program stores the information including the reduced map of the intersection for each of a predetermined number of consecutive guide points set ahead of the route. Show, so as to overlap by shifting the position in the path order to the last one and the front, the is displayed on the map, sequentially in response to the operation given before Each display is displayed by replacing the position and the size on the route order, the predetermined selection operation is given, for the guide point and the display was near at that time, the information including a map of the intersection, the vehicle It is characterized by being enlarged and displayed together with the guidance information .
[0010]
In these aspects, balloon-like displays of a predetermined number of guide points ahead are arranged like signs, the order is changed by operation, and the selected one can be enlarged and displayed. For this reason, compared with the conventional method of arranging the reduced drawings in a plane, the original map display is not hindered. It can be confirmed, and both the display efficiency and operability of information are greatly improved.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation apparatus according to the first aspect, the display means displays each display so that the display object behind the display is translucent and can be seen through.
[0012]
The invention of claim 6 captures the invention of claim 2 from the viewpoint of a method, and in the navigation method of claim 5, the computer displays each display through a translucent and transparent display object. It is displayed so that it can be seen.
[0013]
The invention of claim 10 captures the inventions of claims 2 and 6 from the viewpoint of a computer program. In the navigation program of claim 9, the program displays the display on the computer in a translucent manner. It is characterized by displaying so that the display object behind can be seen through.
[0014]
In these modes, each balloon-like display is translucent and the contents displayed behind it can be understood to some extent, and the situation at each guide point can be easily grasped. improves.
[0015]
A third aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the map is a three-dimensional display, and the display means displays each display in a region on the upper right or upper left of the map in a tertiary of the map. The display is performed according to the perspective of the vanishing point according to the original display.
[0016]
The invention of claim 7 captures the invention of claim 3 from the viewpoint of a method. In the navigation method of claim 5 or 6, the map is a three-dimensional display, and the computer displays each display . In the upper right or upper left area of the map, the vanishing point is displayed according to the perspective method according to the three-dimensional display of the map.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 11 is the navigation program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the map is a three-dimensional display, wherein the invention according to claims 3 and 7 is grasped from the viewpoint of a computer program. Each display is displayed on the computer in the upper right or upper left area of the map according to the vanishing point perspective according to the three-dimensional display of the map.
[0018]
In these aspects, since the display position is the upper right or upper left, it is not the most disturbing for the map of the overhead view three-dimensional display, and also the balloon-like display is displayed as large as before in the perspective similar to the three-dimensional display, Natural and easy-to-read display is realized.
[0019]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, prior to the display , the display means displays the graphic image data for the enlarged display at the predetermined number of guide points. And generating a reduced map of the intersection in the display by reducing the graphic image data.
[0020]
The invention of claim 8 captures the invention of claim 4 from the viewpoint of a method, and in the navigation method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the computer performs the predetermined number prior to the display. The graphic image data for the enlarged display is generated for each of the guide points, and the graphic image data is reduced to obtain a reduced map of the intersection in the display .
[0021]
The invention of claim 12 is the navigation program according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the invention of claims 4 and 8 is grasped from the viewpoint of a computer program, and the program is displayed on the computer. Prior to, the graphic image data for the enlarged display is generated for each of the predetermined number of guide points, and the graphic image data is reduced to be a reduced map of the intersection in the display . .
[0022]
In these aspects, graphic image data for enlarged display is generated in advance and used in a reduced version of a balloon-like display, so that the response time from selection to enlarged display is greatly shortened. In addition, there is an advantage that the generation of the reduced figure is not required separately, and the load on the CPU is reduced, and the advantage that the reduced figure and the enlarged figure exactly match.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Although this embodiment can be realized by controlling a computer with a program, the hardware and program implementation modes in this case can be changed in various ways. Therefore, in the following description, each of the present invention and this embodiment will be described. A virtual circuit block that realizes the function is used.
[0024]
[1. Constitution〕
The present embodiment relates to the navigation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as “the present apparatus”), but can also be grasped as a method and program, and a recording medium recording such a program. It is also an aspect of the present invention that the program is downloaded and executed by the navigation device of each vehicle via a communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone network.
[0025]
[1-1. Overall configuration of navigation device]
First, in this apparatus, a computer searches and sets a route to a given destination based on road data prepared in advance, and sequentially outputs each guide along the route according to the progress of the vehicle. Accordingly, the navigation device guides the vehicle to the destination, and includes the following elements shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.
[0026]
In other words, the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 calculates the absolute position coordinates and direction on the ground surface with respect to the current position of the automobile (referred to as the own vehicle) on which the apparatus is mounted, that is, the own vehicle position (also referred to as the vehicle position) In order to calculate, for example, it is a part for receiving a GPS radio wave transmitted from a GPS satellite by an antenna or a receiver. The relative orientation detection unit 2 is a part for detecting the relative orientation of the host vehicle using a gyro or the like. Moreover, the vehicle speed detection part 3 is a part which calculates the speed of the own vehicle by processing the vehicle speed pulse obtained from a motor vehicle.
[0027]
The main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are parts that serve as a control circuit for controlling the entire apparatus. The memory group M is various memories necessary for the operation of the apparatus. For example, the ROM 5 for storing a program is accessed by the main CPU when the apparatus is activated. A main program is loaded into a dynamic RAM (DRAM) 6 that provides a work area and the like. An SRAM (static RAM) 7 that backs up information such as settings is backed up by the battery even when the main power is off, and provides memory contents when the main power is on. A display VRAM (video RAM) 8 stores bitmap data of an image to be displayed on the display unit 10.
[0028]
The display unit 10 is a part for displaying various information such as a map and an operation menu on a liquid crystal display screen (not shown), and is preferably used in combination with speech synthesis. The input unit 11 is a part for a user to input information such as a command from a switch or the like, and includes a touch sensor function, a remote control unit, an infrared transmission / reception unit, and the like. The user interface unit 9 is a user interface that connects the display unit 10 and the input unit 11 to the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 using an I / O control circuit, a device driver, or the like.
[0029]
The CD / DVD-ROM control unit 12 is a means for reading various data recorded on a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM from a database, for road data indicating a network structure of a road for route search, for map display. It is a storage means that stores necessary data such as map information representing objects and facilities around the road, and data of guidance points including intersections. The guidance point data includes lane information corresponding to the direction of approach to the intersection. included.
[0030]
The FM multiplex reception and processing unit 13 is a part that receives FM broadcast waves and extracts desired data such as traffic information of the VICS service from the broadcast waves. The traffic information includes traffic jam information. The optical / beacon reception and processing unit 14 is a part that receives and processes information such as identification information of each beacon and traffic information of the VICS service from an optical beacon or a radio wave beacon installed on a roadside. The voice recognition unit 15 is a part that recognizes a word such as a command word from the input user's utterance.
[0031]
[1-2. Role of main CPU and its peripheral circuits]
Further, the main CPU and its peripheral circuit 4 are configured to realize the roles as the following parts shown in FIG. 1 by the autonomous control processing of the computer based on the program as described above. That is, the current position detection unit 40 is means for sequentially calculating the own vehicle position, and specifically, is configured to calculate the own vehicle position and the traveling direction by combining GPS navigation positioning and autonomous navigation positioning. The
[0032]
Here, in GPS navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained by the absolute position / orientation detection unit 1 based on radio waves from an artificial satellite. In the autonomous navigation positioning, the current position is calculated using information obtained from the relative bearing detection unit 2 and the vehicle speed detection unit 3 based on the geomagnetism and the speed of the host vehicle.
[0033]
The destination specifying unit 41 is a means for receiving an input of a destination by searching for a facility from a database or specifying a cursor on a map. The route setting unit 42 displays a route to the input destination as the road. A means for calculating and setting based on data. In addition, the map display unit 43 displays a map of the surroundings including the route and the vehicle position on the display unit 10 based on the calculated vehicle position and the road data in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional display. It is a means for displaying. The guide unit 44 is a means for outputting guidance guidance to the display unit 10 and also uses highlighting, synthesized speech, or the like.
[0034]
In addition, the balloon-shaped display unit 45 overlaps the balloon-shaped display of information including a figure with a position shifted in the order of the path with the most recent one at the front for a predetermined number of consecutive guidance points on the route ahead. Thus, it is a balloon-like display means for displaying on the map. The order changing unit 46 is a unit that sequentially displays each of the balloon-like displays in the order of the route in accordance with the operation given from the input unit 11. In addition, when a predetermined selection operation is given from the input unit 11, the enlarged display unit 47 enlarges and displays information including a figure on the display unit 10 for the guidance point where the balloon-like display was in front. Means.
[0035]
[2. Action)
The processing procedure in the present embodiment configured as described above is shown in the flowchart of FIG. For the purpose of explanation, this processing procedure assumes that the guide point is an intersection, and if there is an intersection that is a guide point in the route, the flow when displaying the information before the start of guidance is extracted. is there.
[0036]
Therefore, the actual processing is not necessary as described above. For example, the intersection information according to the present invention is displayed at an arbitrary time after the start of guidance by a user's spontaneous operation or when a predetermined condition is satisfied. It may be.
[0037]
[2-1. (Pre-processing)
First, in the processing procedure of FIG. 2, the route setting unit 42 performs destination setting and route calculation (FIG. 3) in advance (step 1), but in preparation for the balloon display, the balloon display unit 45 During the calculation, data necessary for guidance such as enlarged display (referred to as “intersection data”) is extracted from the CD / DVD-ROM control unit 12 to the memory at all intersections on the route (step 2).
[0038]
[2-2. (Bubble display)
And when the intersection used as a guidance point is not in a route, it shifts to a guidance start screen (Step 8), but when there is (Step 3), the balloon-like display unit 45 is based on the extracted intersection data, A plurality of pieces of information including a reduced view of the intersection are displayed on the screen at the same time as a balloon-like display such as a balloon mark in a comic so that the closest one is in front and the positions are shifted in the order of the routes (FIG. 4).
[0039]
Here, the map displayed by the map display unit 43 on the display unit 10 is a three-dimensional display, but the balloon-shaped display unit 45 displays each balloon-shaped display on the upper right or upper left of the map as shown in FIG. Is displayed according to the perspective of the vanishing point according to the three-dimensional display of the map. That is, each balloon-like display is displayed so as to overlap each other and as the distance increases according to the perspective method. In addition, the balloon-shaped display unit 45 displays each balloon-shaped display so that the display object behind is translucent and can be seen through.
[0040]
As a specific processing procedure of display, for example, when three balloon-shaped displays are performed at a time, the intersections from n = 1 to (Step 4) n + 1, n + 2 are shifted by about 1/3 from each other, and n = A balloon-like display is performed so that one is closest to the front (step 5).
[0041]
Preferably, prior to the balloon-like display, enlarged display graphic image data is generated for a predetermined number of guide points, and the balloon-like display reduces the previously generated graphic image data. By doing. However, this processing is not essential, and graphic image data for reduced display may be generated in advance.
[0042]
[2-3. (Change display order)
Further, the order changing unit 46 sequentially displays each of the balloon-like displays in the order of the route in accordance with the operation given from the input unit 11. That is, the keys of “forward”, “return”, and “execute” are displayed on the screen in advance or assigned in advance to push buttons on the remote controller.
[0043]
For example, in the state of FIG. 4, the intersection 1 in the screen is closest to the screen. When the “forward” key among the “forward” and “return” keys is operated in this state, 1 is added to n (step 6) The size and position of each other change so that the intersection 2 is closest to the front and the intersections 3 and 4 are arranged behind it, and the images are displayed in an overlapping manner. If the “forward” key is operated again, the intersection 3 is also brought to the forefront in the same manner. This operation may be cyclic. Whether or not to use the “return” key is up to the implementer, and may not be used when switching in reverse order to the path is not desirable.
[0044]
If the process of these changes is displayed as an animation, the switching of the display can be easily understood by the user, and the visual effects rich in change stimulates interest and deepens satisfaction.
[0045]
[2-4. View larger image〕
When a predetermined selection operation is given from the input unit 11 in a state where the balloon display is updated as described above and an arbitrary one is displayed in the foreground, the enlarged display unit 47 displays the balloon display at that time. The information including the figure is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 10 for the guide point that is in front (step 7). That is, by the operation of the “execution” key, the intersection displayed in the foreground in the foreground is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen or an equivalent area as shown in FIG. At this time, it is desirable to simultaneously display so-called lane information indicating the alignment of the right turn lane, the straight lane, the left turn lane, and the like.
[0046]
[3. effect〕
As described above, in the present embodiment, balloon-like displays of a predetermined number of guide points ahead are arranged like signs, the order is changed by operation, and the selected one can be enlarged and displayed. For this reason, compared with the conventional method of arranging the reduced drawings in a plane, the original map display is not hindered. It can be confirmed, and both the display efficiency and operability of information are greatly improved.
[0047]
In addition, in this embodiment, each balloon-like display is translucent and the display contents of the rear one can be understood to some extent, and it becomes easy to grasp the situation of each guidance point. Improves.
[0048]
Further, in this embodiment, since the display position is the upper right or upper left, it is not the most disturbing for the map of the bird's-eye view three-dimensional display, and the balloon-like display is displayed as large as before in the perspective similar to the three-dimensional display. Therefore, a natural and easy-to-see display is realized.
[0049]
Further, in this embodiment, graphic image data for enlarged display is generated in advance and is used in a reduced version of a balloon-like display, so that the response time from selection to enlarged display can be greatly shortened. In addition, there is an advantage that the reduced load is not generated separately, and the load on the CPU is reduced, and that the reduced view and the enlarged view are exactly the same.
[0050]
[4. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other embodiments which are illustrated next are included. For example, in the above embodiment, an intersection is given as a guide point, but other types of application such as a branch point and an expressway interchange can be used. In addition, the balloon-like display can be made semi-transparent and the lane information at the time of enlarged display can be omitted. Further, at least the FM multiplex reception and processing unit 13, the optical / beacon reception and processing unit 14, and the voice recognition unit 15 can be omitted, and the processing procedure of FIG. 2 can be rearranged by various known programming techniques. .
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the navigation device that does not disturb the map display by switching the order of the balloon-like display that is shifted and overlapped on the screen and displaying the selected information in an enlarged manner for the information display regarding the guide point, Methods and programs can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a balloon-like display in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of enlarged display according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Absolute position and direction detection part 2 ... Relative direction detection part 3 ... Vehicle speed detection part 4 ... Main CPU and its peripheral circuit 5 ... ROM
6 ... DRAM
7 ... SRAM
8 ... VRAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 ... User interface part 10 ... Display part 11 ... Input part 12 ... CD / DVD-ROM control part 13 ... FM multiplex reception and processing part 14 ... Light / beacon reception and processing part 15 ... Voice recognition part 40 ... Current position detection part 41 ... Destination specifying unit 42 ... Route setting unit 43 ... Map display unit 44 ... Guidance control unit 45 ... Balloon display unit 46 ... Order changing unit 47 ... Enlarged display unit M ... Memory group

Claims (12)

Storage means for storing road data and guidance point data including an intersection; means for calculating and setting a route to a given destination based on the road data; means for sequentially calculating the vehicle position And a navigation device that guides the vehicle to a destination, the computer comprising: a means for displaying a map of the periphery including the route and the vehicle position on a predetermined display unit;
The computer is
Display information including a reduced map of intersections for a predetermined number of consecutive guide points on the route ahead on the map so that they overlap each other in the order of the route with the nearest one in front. Means to
Sequentially in response to the operation given, a display means for displaying the display by replacing the position and the size on the route order,
When a predetermined selection operation is given, there is provided means for enlarging and displaying information including a map of an intersection with the guidance information of the vehicle for the guide point that was displayed at the front at that time. A navigation device. 2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays each display so that the display object behind is translucent and can be seen through. The map is a three-dimensional display, and the display means displays each display in the upper right or upper left area of the map according to a vanishing point perspective according to the three-dimensional display of the map. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2. The display means includes
Prior to the display, for each guide point of the predetermined number in advance to generate a graphic image data for the enlarged display,
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the graphic image data is reduced to obtain a reduced map of intersections in the display . A computer equipped with storage means for storing road data and guidance point data including intersections calculates and sets a route to a given destination based on the road data, and sequentially calculates the vehicle position. In a navigation method for guiding a vehicle to a destination by displaying a map of the periphery including the route and the vehicle position on a predetermined display unit,
The computer is
Display information including a reduced map of intersections for a predetermined number of consecutive guide points on the route ahead on the map so that they overlap each other in the order of the route with the nearest one in front. And
In order according to the given operation, each display is displayed with its position and size switched in the order of the route,
A navigation method characterized in that, when a predetermined selection operation is given, information including an intersection map is enlarged and displayed together with vehicle guidance information for the guidance point that was displayed at the front at that time. The navigation method according to claim 5, wherein the computer displays each display so that the display object behind is translucent and can be seen through. The map is a three-dimensional display;
The navigation method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the computer displays each display in an upper right or upper left area of the map according to a vanishing point perspective according to a three-dimensional display of the map. The computer
Prior to the display, for each guide point of the predetermined number in advance to generate a graphic image data for the enlarged display,
The navigation method according to claim 5, wherein the graphic image data is reduced to obtain a reduced map of intersections in the display . By controlling a computer equipped with storage means for storing road data and guidance point data including intersections, a route to a given destination is calculated and set based on the road data, and the vehicle In a navigation program for guiding a vehicle to a destination by sequentially calculating a position and displaying a map of the periphery including the route and the vehicle position on a predetermined display unit,
The program is stored in the computer,
Display information including a reduced map of intersections for a predetermined number of consecutive guide points on the route ahead on the map so that they overlap each other in the order of the route with the nearest one in front. Let
In order according to the given operation, each display is displayed with its position and size switched in the order of the route,
When a predetermined selection operation is given, a navigation program characterized in that information including a map of an intersection is displayed together with vehicle guidance information for the guidance point that was displayed at the front at that time. The navigation program according to claim 9, wherein the program causes the computer to display each display so that a display object behind the display is translucent. The map is a three-dimensional display;
The program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the program causes the computer to display each display in an upper right or upper left area of the map according to a vanishing point perspective according to a three-dimensional display of the map. Navigation program. The program is stored in the computer.
Prior to the display, for each guide point of the predetermined number, it allowed to generate a graphic image data for the enlarged display,
The navigation program according to claim 9, wherein the graphic image data is reduced to be a reduced map of an intersection in the display .

Images