JP4085326B2 - Vehicle navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention displays an electronic map on a display screen, indicates the current location of the vehicle on the electronic map, and indicates the recommended route to the set destination on the electronic map, and guides the vehicle to the destination. The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As the vehicle travels, the current position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System), etc., and the current position is displayed on the display device together with the road map, and an appropriate route from the current position to the destination is displayed. A vehicle navigation device that is set and guided by a display device, an audio output device, or the like contributes to efficient and safe driving for the driver.
[0003]
The display device of the vehicle navigation device has a small number of menu buttons due to restrictions on vehicle mounting, the screen of the display device is small, the operation is complicated, and most of them adopt a hierarchical menu structure. In the hierarchical menu structure adopted in this vehicle navigation device, a plurality of operation menus are displayed in a hierarchical manner, a plurality of items (genre) in each operation menu are selected, and a selection instruction is input to enter a lower menu. Display and input operations are possible. However, the hierarchical menu structure in which items are selected step by step is difficult for beginners to understand what is in the lower layers, and for an expert, the number of operations to select items step by step is cumbersome. It has become.
[0004]
Although the instruction manual is also attached to the vehicle navigation device, the function and operation are complicated, so it is very thick, and people who read all the instruction manual like a personal computer or mobile phone Almost no. In addition, with the increase in demand for vehicle navigation devices, the number of users who touch the vehicle navigation devices for the first time tends to increase. From the above background, it is required to have multiple human-machine interfaces in order to be able to switch modes according to the user's understanding level, usage frequency and proficiency level, or to be able to use even for beginners. Yes.
[0005]
It is considered that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by providing a hierarchical menu structure that can be handled by beginners to experts or switching the menu structure according to the proficiency level. In addition, a navigation device for a vehicle that sets whether the user himself is a beginner or an expert through manual operation and switches and displays a menu suitable for the beginner and the expert has already been announced.
[0006]
Consideration for users with low proficiency has been taken into consideration for some time, and a vehicle navigation device that uses voice recognition technology as a human-machine interface other than operation menu buttons has been devised (see Patent Document 1). ).
[0007]
In addition, a technique related to a vehicle navigation device incorporating an operation menu switching device capable of switching and displaying each operation menu suitable for beginners and experts according to the user's proficiency level is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 11-337363 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-229700
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a system that switches and selects menus suitable for beginners and experts, the menu displayed on the screen is changed for each proficiency level. In general, in a vehicle navigation apparatus, the menu has about 700 screens, and the number of operation buttons displayed on the menu is about 3000. For this reason, if a menu screen is prepared for each proficiency level, a screen of at least 700 × (skill level) is required, and the man-hour for creating the menu screen data becomes enormous. Further, as the menu screen data increases, a storage medium such as a memory for storing them is further required, which causes a cost increase in development and manufacturing.
[0010]
Even in the vehicular navigation device using the voice recognition technology of Patent Document 1, it is considered that a beginner performs an operation using a menu button rather than an operation using a voice recognition function. In general, menu button operations are responsive to keystrokes and key response sounds, the voice recognition function must produce accurate pronunciation, and menu button operations require more time than vocalization. Users tend to operate menu buttons in that they are short. In addition, because there is a problem of misrecognition or preconception in the voice recognition function, if the misrecognition continues regardless of the cause, the voice recognition function is disgusted at that time, and then the voice recognition function and vehicle There is a problem that the navigation device itself may not be used.
[0011]
Patent document 2 measures a user's menu operation time and determines a proficiency level. Since this has a structure with a menu for each proficiency level, man-hours for menu creation increase and the memory capacity of the menu also increases. In addition, a process for measuring the user's menu operation time to determine the proficiency level is also necessary, and depending on the proficiency level determination method, the load on the program processing may increase. Furthermore, when a plurality of users use the same vehicle navigation device, there is a possibility that a correct learning level is not required.
[0012]
Furthermore, in the method of Patent Document 2, since a user with a low level of proficiency cannot see a menu used by a user with a high level of proficiency, what functions are included in the vehicle navigation apparatus being used? Cannot be grasped and the vehicle navigation device cannot be effectively used.
[0013]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle navigation device that is easy to operate even for beginners.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The present invention provides a vehicle navigation apparatus for solving the above-described problems.
That is, a vehicle that displays an electronic map on a display screen, indicates the current location of the vehicle on the electronic map, shows a recommended route to the set destination on the electronic map, and guides the vehicle to the destination Navigation devices for
An operation mode in which only basic functions are effective and an operation mode in which more advanced functions are also effective are set, and the operation in the operation mode displayed on the operation menu screen corresponding to the operation mode is set. It is configured as a vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by having a menu item display means for displaying a menu item whose operation is invalid compared to the effective menu item so that the visibility is lower.
[0015]
More specifically, an electronic map is displayed on the display screen, the current location of the vehicle is indicated on the electronic map, a recommended route to the set destination is indicated on the electronic map, and the vehicle is displayed at the destination. In a vehicle navigation device that guides to
Of the multiple menu items, set the basic rank items as valid items for first-level operations, and exclude the remaining advanced rank items from valid items for first-level operations. Based on the operation restriction information corresponding to the rank and the operation storage means for storing the operation restriction information of the menu item, the menu item with the invalid operation than the menu item with the valid operation is selected from the menu items. Display means for displaying so as to reduce the visibility;
It is characterized by having.
[0016]
If menu items that are enabled and disabled are distinguished from each other by the difference in brightness or display color of the display color of the menu item, the menu item that is enabled and the menu item that is disabled Can be visually discriminated.
[0017]
When a liquid crystal panel is used as the display means, the light emission display area of the menu item with invalid operation is smaller than the display area of the menu item with valid operation within the range that can be visually recognized by the user. Also by the setting method, it becomes possible to visually distinguish a menu item with an effective operation and a menu item with an invalid operation on the menu screen.
[0018]
With the above configuration, the user can use the navigation device while grasping the entire function of the navigation device regardless of whether the user can use the device. In addition, when it is desired to use a function that cannot be used in the current operation mode, by changing the operation mode, the function can be easily used regardless of the level of operation proficiency. Further, even in the basic rank operation mode, since functions that do not hinder the use of the navigation device are included, the user does not feel inconvenience.
[0019]
Furthermore, the menu screen configuration remains the same, and the display method of the menu button is simply changed according to the display brightness and display color, so there is no need to prepare dedicated display screen data for each operation mode, and the man-hours required for development are reduced. In addition, since the storage capacity does not increase, there is an advantage in terms of component costs.
[0020]
In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle navigation device of the present invention specifically includes:
The navigation for vehicles which displays an electronic map on a display screen, instruct | indicates the present location of a vehicle on the electronic map, shows the recommended route to the set destination on an electronic map, and guides the vehicle to the destination In the device
A plurality of operation display units that are formed in or near the display screen of the navigation device for operation of the navigation device by the user and visually recognize menu items that can be operated by electroluminescence,
An operation display unit distinction data storage unit that stores setting data that distinguishes the plurality of operation display units into a basic operation display unit and a non-basic operation display unit that does not,
Based on the setting data of the operation display section distinction data storage section, the display state of each operation display section is controlled so that the non-basic operation display section is displayed with lower visibility than the basic operation display section. A display control unit to perform,
It is comprised as a vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by including.
[0021]
The vehicle navigation device having the above configuration includes an operation display unit distinction selection unit that performs selection and / or change for distinguishing the plurality of operation display units into a basic operation display unit and a non-basic operation display unit that is not. Even if the configuration is adopted, the above problem can be solved.
[0022]
If the operation display unit distinction data storage unit is configured to store, as a beginner mode, a flag that invalidates the operation of the operation display unit other than the basic operation display unit, the operation display unit distinction data storage unit may change depending on the operation proficiency of the vehicle navigation device. And other modes can be selected.
[0023]
Similarly, if the operation display unit distinction selection unit is configured to store, as a beginner mode, a flag that invalidates the operation of the operation display unit other than the basic operation display unit, the operation display unit distinction selection unit depends on the operation proficiency level of the vehicle navigation device. It is possible to select a beginner mode and other modes.
[0024]
Further, the plurality of operation display units have a display form by a combination of one or both of a light emitting element such as luminance by electrical light emission and a design element of color / pattern, and the display control unit includes, for example, The basic operation display unit and the non-basic operation display unit with respect to at least one of the light emitting element and the design element of the plurality of operation display units so that the luminance of the non-basic operation control unit is lower than the luminance of the basic operation display unit. The non-basic operation control unit performs display control in which the visibility is lower, and the user can easily discriminate.
[0025]
The basic operation display unit relates to a basic operation that satisfies at least one of the use frequency of operations and the low difficulty of use among the plurality of operation display units, and the non-basic operation display unit Is related to application or detail operation that satisfies at least one of the low usage frequency and high difficulty level of operation, and the application or detail is higher than the brightness of the operation display unit related to the basic operation. The above-described problem can be solved even by adopting a configuration of a vehicle navigation device that is set so that the brightness of the operation display unit related to the operation is reduced.
[0026]
The plurality of operation display units are:
A part of the area of the display screen that displays the electronic map is allocated, or is arranged side by side so as to align with a band-shaped area along the edge of the display screen that displays the electronic map, and the plurality of operation displays A plurality of operation units arranged side by side outside the display screen so as to correspond to each unit,
Alternatively, a touch-panel type operation display unit / operation unit that is allocated side by side so as to be aligned in a band-shaped area along the edge of the display screen for displaying an electronic map, and the plurality of operation display units themselves also serve as operation switches; It has been
The display control unit lowers the light emission voltage of the latter with respect to the basic operation display unit and the non-basic operation display unit with respect to the display area of the plurality of operation display units as part of display control over the entire display screen. By operating the operation unit corresponding to the basic operation display unit having higher visibility than the non-basic operation display unit by lowering the brightness relatively, etc., an operation corresponding to the basic operation can be obtained. The configuration is a navigation device for a vehicle.
[0027]
According to the present invention, the menu item satisfying at least one of the high use frequency of the operation and the low use difficulty is the menu item satisfying at least one of the low use frequency of the operation and the high use difficulty. The user can be guided by the high visibility so that the user can operate and use the vehicle navigation device without being confused about which menu item to select. It becomes possible to do.
[0028]
Similarly, since the menu screen configuration remains the same and only the menu button display method is changed, there is no need to prepare dedicated display screen data for each operation mode, man-hours required for development can be reduced, and storage capacity can be reduced. Since it does not increase, there is also an advantage in terms of component costs.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a navigation apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device includes a position detector 1, a map data input device 6, an operation switch group 7, a remote control (hereinafter referred to as remote control) sensor 11, a speaker 15 for voice guidance, an external memory 9 for storing route guidance data and the like. , A display device 10, a control circuit 8 connected thereto, and a remote control terminal 12.
[0030]
The position detector 1 has a known geomagnetic sensor 2, a gyroscope 3, a distance sensor 4, and a GPS receiver 5 for GPS that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. Since these sensors 2, 3, 4, and 5 have errors of different properties, they are configured to be used while being complemented by a plurality of sensors. Depending on the accuracy, a part of the sensors described above may be used, and further, a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor of each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.
[0031]
The map data input unit 6 is a device for inputting various data including so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection and road data representing road connections from a storage medium. As a storage medium, a CD-ROM or DVD is generally used because of the amount of data, but another medium such as a memory card may be used.
[0032]
As the operation switch group 7, for example, a touch switch integrated with the display device 10 or a mechanical switch disposed on the outer edge of the display device 10 is used. The touch switch is composed of infrared sensors that are finely arranged vertically and horizontally on the screen of the display device 10. For example, when the infrared ray is cut off with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, the cut-off position becomes a two-dimensional coordinate value (X, Y). Various instructions can be input by the operation switch group 7 or the remote control terminal 12.
[0033]
The display device 10 is composed of a color liquid crystal display. On the screen of the display device 10, a vehicle current position mark input from the position detector 1, map data input from the map data input device 6, and a map are displayed. The additional data such as the guidance route to be displayed is superimposed and displayed, and a menu button for setting route guidance, guidance during route guidance, and a screen switching operation is displayed on this screen.
[0034]
The transceiver 13 is a device for receiving information provided from an information center 14 such as a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) system and transmitting the information to the outside. Information received from the outside via the transceiver 13 is processed by the control circuit 8. In addition, as a device used as the transceiver 13, a mobile communication device such as a car phone or a mobile phone may be used, or a dedicated transceiver may be used.
[0035]
The control circuit 8 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a known CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, I / O 84 and a bus line 85 for connecting these configurations as shown in FIG.
[0036]
The CPU 81 performs control based on programs and data stored in the ROM 82 and RAM 83. As shown in FIG. 2, the ROM 82 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 82s and a navigation program (hereinafter referred to as navigation program) 82p operating on the OS 82s. The navigation program 82p operates on the OS 82s with the navigation program work memory 83w as a work area. Furthermore, the work memory 83s of the OS 82s is formed in the RAM 83.
[0037]
Further, the external memory 9 stores information and data necessary for the operation of the navigation device such as operation mode information 91 and a display data table 92 (details will be described later) as shown in FIG. The external memory 9 retains the stored contents even when the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned off.
[0038]
With this configuration, when the navigation program 82p is started by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8, the driver operates the operation switch group 7 or the remote control terminal 12 to display the navigation device 82p on the display device 10. When the route guidance process for displaying the destination route on the display device 10 is selected from the displayed menu, the following process is performed. That is, when the driver inputs the destination based on the map on the display device 10, the current location of the vehicle is obtained based on the satellite data obtained from the GPS receiver 5, and the optimum route from the current location to the destination is obtained. Processing is performed. Then, the guidance route is displayed on the road map on the display device 10 so as to guide the driver to the appropriate route.
[0039]
In order to execute the function of the present invention, first, the operation mode of the navigation program 82p by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8 is set by operating the operation switch group 7 or the remote control terminal 12 (FIG. 1) to set the operation mode. To do. The set operation mode is stored in the operation mode information 91 (FIG. 3).
[0040]
The external memory 9 (FIG. 3) stores a display data table 92 for setting menu buttons that can be operated according to the operation mode for each screen. FIG. 4 shows an example of the contents stored in the display data table 92. In this embodiment, the operation mode can be set to two types of modes: a basic mode in which basic functions of the navigation device can be used, and an application mode in which all the functions of the navigation device can be used. In this example, serial numbers are allotted to the display screen data of the navigation device. In the screen number 20, only the menu buttons 1 and 2 can be used in the basic mode, and the menu buttons 3 to 16 cannot be used. It has become. In the application mode, all menu buttons 1 to 16 can be used.
[0041]
Since the number of operation modes is not particularly limited, some intermediate modes may be provided in addition to these two modes. In addition to the user's proficiency level, the method of setting the operation mode may employ a method of using the user's driving status such as driving mainly in urban areas or driving mainly on highways.
[0042]
Next, the menu button display process of the navigation program 82p by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When screen display is performed on the display device 10 (FIG. 1), the operation mode information 91 (FIG. 3) stored in the external memory 9 is referred to, and the content of the operation mode information 91 is “application mode” (S1). : NO) displays all the menu buttons in the normal color tone (S9). In the example of displaying the screen number 20 in FIG. 4, all the menu buttons from the menu buttons 1 to 16 are displayed in a normal color tone.
[0043]
When the content of the operation mode information 91 (FIG. 3) is “basic mode” (S1: YES), referring to the display data table 92 (FIG. 3), menu button operations are enabled in order from the top of the display data table. Is checked (S3). When the menu button operation is set to be effective (S4: YES), the menu button is displayed in a normal color tone (S5). When the menu button operation is set to invalid (S4: NO), it is possible to determine that the menu button operation is invalid, such as a lighter or darker color tone than usual, within a visible range of the menu button. (S8). The above processing is performed for all menu buttons in the display data table (S6, S7).
[0044]
In the example of the screen number 20 in FIG. 4, the menu buttons 1 to 16 are examined in order, and only the menu buttons 1 and 2 are displayed in a normal color tone, and the menu buttons 3 to 16 are displayed darker or lighter than the normal color tone. .
[0045]
Finally, processing executed by the navigation program 82p by the CPU 81 of the control circuit 8 when the menu button is pressed by the operation switch group 7 or the remote control terminal 12 (FIG. 1) will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. To do. When the menu button is pressed, the operation mode information 91 (FIG. 3) is referred to. When the content of the operation mode information 91 is “application mode” (S21: NO), all menu buttons are received and pressed. Processing corresponding to the menu button is performed (S25).
[0046]
When the content of the operation mode information 91 (FIG. 3) is “basic mode” (S21: YES), the operation of the pressed menu button is set valid with reference to the display data table 92 (FIG. 3). It is checked whether or not (S22). If the operation of the pressed menu button is set to be valid (S23: YES), processing corresponding to the pressed menu button is performed (S24). If the operation of the pressed menu button is set to be invalid (S23: NO), the process ends without doing anything.
[0047]
In the example of the screen number 20 in FIG. 4, only the menu buttons 1 and 2 are accepted, and even if the menu buttons 3 to 16 are pressed, they do not react. At this time, a menu button reception sound is output from the speaker 15 (FIG. 1) when a menu button with an effective operation is pressed, and nothing is output when a menu button with an invalid operation is pressed. .
[0048]
When a menu button with invalid operation is pressed, the display device 10 (FIG. 1) or the speaker 15 (FIG. 1) may notify that the menu button with invalid operation has been pressed.
[0049]
When a menu button with an effective operation is pressed, the display of the menu button is reversed on the display device 10 (FIG. 1) for a predetermined time (for example, for 500 msec), and the menu button with an invalid operation is pressed. Sometimes, a response method may be adopted in which the display of the menu button does not change.
[0050]
A display example of the navigation device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a screen for setting a destination. The destination can be set by searching for and setting the destination from the 50 sounds of the destination, the facility name, the telephone number, the address, and the zip code, or the memory location stored in the external memory 9 (FIG. 1). There is a method to search from the history of the destination set in the past, or to set it.
[0051]
In addition to the above, a method for designating a point on the map or data already stored or registered in the external memory 9 (FIG. 1) of the navigation device, that is, the previous departure place, home, etc. There is a way to select a destination from a location.
[0052]
There are so many destination setting methods, but in most cases, the user mainly uses a method of searching from 50 sounds of destinations and facility names. Therefore, in the basic mode of the present embodiment, on the destination setting screen of FIG. 7A, the effective menu buttons are “50 sound” and “facility name”, and the remaining menu buttons are applied. Only available in mode.
[0053]
FIG. 7B shows a display example of a screen corresponding to the basic mode of FIG. The two menu buttons “50 sounds” and “facility name” and other menu buttons have different display colors, and only the two menu buttons “50 sounds” and “facility name” can be operated. Even if the menu button is pressed, the corresponding processing is not performed. In the application mode, all menu buttons are displayed in a normal color tone as shown in FIG.
[0054]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to them, and the knowledge of those skilled in the art can be used without departing from the scope of the claims. Various modifications based on this are possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a vehicle navigation apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a control circuit.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an external memory.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display data table.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a screen display method;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when a menu button is pressed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display.
[Explanation of symbols]
7 Operation switch group 8 Control circuit 9 External memory 10 Display device 11 Remote control sensor 12 Remote control terminal

Claims (10)

The navigation for vehicles which displays an electronic map on a display screen, instruct | indicates the present location of a vehicle on the electronic map, shows the recommended route to the set destination on an electronic map, and guides the vehicle to the destination In the device
Display means for visually recognizing menu items that are formed in or near the display screen of the navigation device and can be operated by electrical light emission for the user to operate the vehicle navigation device;
The plurality of operation display units included in the display means are a basic operation display unit for a basic mode in which only operations of basic functions are effective, and an application mode in which more advanced functions are also effective in operation. The operation display section distinction data storage means for storing the setting data when each operation mode is set in distinction to the non-basic operation display section,
Based on the setting data of the operation display section distinction data storage means, corresponding to each operation mode, the menu item with invalid operation than the menu item with valid operation in the operation mode displayed on the display screen is displayed. Menu item display control means for displaying the image so as to reduce the visibility,
Menu item selection means for selecting a menu item displayed on the display screen by a user operation input;
Operation invalid information output means for outputting operation invalid information indicating that the function corresponding to the menu item cannot be executed when the selected menu item is included in the invalid menu item of the operation;
A vehicle navigation device comprising: The operation display unit distinction data storage means includes, among the menu items, a basic rank item in menu items displayed when the basic mode is selected, and the remaining applied rank items. The vehicle navigation device according to claim 1, which is included in a menu item displayed when the application mode is selected . The display means, the light emitting display area disabled menu item of the operation, as compared with the display area of the active menu item of the operation, in which the user is set light emission amount is small to the extent that visible claimed The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The display means is configured such that the light emitting display area of the menu item in which the operation is invalid is set to have a different display color within a range that can be visually recognized by the user, compared to the display area of the menu item in which the operation is valid. The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The display means comprises a liquid crystal panel, and the light emission display area of the invalid menu item for the operation has a voltage applied to the liquid crystal panel within a range that can be visually recognized by the user as compared to the display area of the menu item for which the operation is valid. The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle navigation device is set to be small. The vehicle navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising operation mode setting means for setting which of the basic mode and the application mode is used. The menu item distinction selection means which performs the selection and / or change for distinguishing the menu item displayed on the said display screen into the menu item effective in the said operation, and the menu item invalid in the said operation is provided. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 6. The operation display section distinction data storage means stores, as a beginner mode, a flag that invalidates a selection operation of a menu item other than a menu item displayed when the basic mode is selected. Item 8. The vehicle navigation device according to Item 7. A driving condition detecting means for detecting the driving condition of the vehicle;
The menu item distinction selecting means is an effective menu for the operation based on the traveling state of the vehicle. The vehicle navigation apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein selection and / or change for distinguishing between a new item and an invalid menu item for the operation is performed. The traveling state detecting means includes position detecting means for detecting a current position of the vehicle,
The said menu item distinction selection means performs selection and / or change for distinguishing into the menu item in which the said operation is effective, and the menu item in which the said operation is invalid based on the present position of the said vehicle. Vehicle navigation device.

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