JP4206571B2 - Map display device, navigation device, and map display method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a map display device that can be applied to an in-car car navigation device., Navigation apparatus, and map display methodAbout. Specifically, the map information is displayed on the main screen with a large display area, and the actual position of the road along the road and the actual natural image of the building are displayed on the sub-screen with a small display area. In addition to facilitating the recognition of the correspondence with natural images, it is possible to expand the number of natural images to be displayed by providing an imaging means so that natural images can be taken into the map display device. A map display device is proposed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a vehicle-mounted navigation device (car navigation device), a global positioning system (GPS) device or an autonomous navigation device is used to detect the current position of the vehicle, and the vehicle travels with a map display. There is a map display device that displays a position and gradually scrolls the map display and the traveling position of the vehicle as the vehicle travels.
[0003]
As a map display device used in such a car navigation device, there is known a map display device that displays the current position or the like on a map using icons, marks, or the like.
[0004]
In such a display mode, even if the route on the map can be recognized, it is often difficult to instantaneously collate the scenery actually seen from the driver's seat with the map displayed on the screen. As a result, there is a case where inconvenience such as wrong route occurs.
[0005]
In order to solve such problems, there has been proposed a map display device that simultaneously displays a live-action video such as a roadside scenery on a map. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-89978, a landscape or a building along a road is actually imaged, and its video data (moving image data) is stored in a storage medium in advance, so that the traveling position of the vehicle A navigation device is disclosed in which a map and a video along the line (natural image) are combined and displayed on one screen.
[0006]
[Conspiracy to be solved by the invention]
By simultaneously displaying the natural image on the map in this manner, it is possible to easily confirm the current position by the natural image and to reduce errors in the travel route.
[0007]
However, in the navigation device described above, a screen for displaying a map and a screen for displaying a natural image are combined and displayed. However, a natural image such as a landscape is displayed on a large display screen (parent screen), A child screen is arranged at one corner of the parent screen, and a map showing the route is displayed here.
[0008]
For this reason, the impression of a natural image is large, the presence of a map to be compared with this tends to be lost, and the correspondence with the current position may not be recognized instantly. When the natural image is a moving image, the amount of data stored in the storage medium increases, and a large number of natural images cannot be saved. In addition, video data obtained by photographing a landscape is not practical because it is necessary to replace a large amount of data in order to cope with a case where the landscape changes due to development of an urban area or the like. This is because it is necessary to store a large number of natural images when using natural images as means for searching for a destination.
[0009]
Further, if the natural image is not only stored in advance but also a natural image unique to the person using the vehicle is stored, a destination search or the like can be performed quickly and accurately.
[0010]
  In view of this, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and enables effective navigation functions by combining a map and a natural image, and the vehicle user himself captures and stores the natural image. User-friendly map display device by allowing, Navigation apparatus, and map display methodIs realized.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the map display device according to the present invention,Detected by position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, map information storage means for storing map information, natural image storage means for storing a plurality of natural images related to the current position of the vehicle, and position detection means The map information corresponding to the current vehicle position is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed, and when the display screen for displaying the map information is the main screen, a natural image is displayed on a part of the main screen. A display unit that selectively displays at least one sub-screen, an operation unit that instructs a display state of a natural image on the sub-screen, and display control that controls display of the display unit based on an instruction from the operation unit The position at the imaging point that indicates which side the natural image captured by the imaging unit is located on which side of the road and the natural image captured by the imaging unit information Are stored in the natural image storage unit together with the direction information, and the imaging and capturing of the imaging unit are controlled based on an instruction from the operation unit, and among the natural image stored in advance and the natural image captured from the imaging unit, The natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle is positioned on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen in relation to the current position of the vehicle. Is displayed on the sub-screen.
[0012]
  In the map display device of the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is searched and the current position is supported.YouMap information,The map information is retrieved from the storage means (map database) and displayed on the display unit. The storage means is further provided with a natural image database for storing a plurality of natural images corresponding to the current position of the vehicle. The display unit has at least one sub-screen that displays a natural image in a state of being superimposed on a display screen that displays map information, and selectively displays the sub-screen.A natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle is displayed on a sub-screen located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen.. Control processing such as display, switching, and erasing of the sub-screen is performed according to an instruction from the operation unit.
[0013]
  Since the vehicle user and their family members can capture and display a favorite natural image on the sub-screen, a user-friendly map display device can be realized.
  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the navigation device according to the present invention,Detected by position detection means for detecting the current position of the vehicle, map information storage means for storing map information, natural image storage means for storing a plurality of natural images related to the current position of the vehicle, and position detection means The map information corresponding to the current vehicle position is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed, and when the display screen for displaying the map information is the main screen, a natural image is displayed on a part of the main screen. A display unit that selectively displays at least one sub-screen, an operation unit that instructs a display state of a natural image on the sub-screen, and display control that controls display of the display unit based on an instruction from the operation unit The position at the imaging point that indicates which side the natural image captured by the imaging unit is located on which side of the road and the natural image captured by the imaging unit information Are stored in the natural image storage unit together with the direction information, and the imaging and capturing of the imaging unit are controlled based on an instruction from the operation unit, and among the natural image stored in advance and the natural image captured from the imaging unit, The natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen related to the current position of the vehicle. It is displayed on the child screen that is located.
  In the navigation device of the present invention, when the current position of the vehicle is detected, map information corresponding to the current position is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed on the display unit,The natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle is located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen.Since it is displayed on the child screen, by visually recognizing this natural image, it is possible to compare the scenery of the road on which the vehicle is actually traveling and the daily landmark with the natural image displayed on the child screen.
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the map display method according to the present invention provides:A display for detecting the current position of the vehicle by the position detecting means, searching for map information corresponding to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detecting means from the map information accumulating means and displaying the map information on the display unit. When the main screen is used as the screen, at least one sub-screen for displaying the natural image stored in the natural image storage means is selectively displayed on a part of the main screen, and both the left and right sides of the traveling direction of the vehicle are imaged. The natural image picked up by the image pickup means is stored in the natural image storage means together with the position information and the direction information at the image pickup point indicating on which side and at which position with respect to the road. Control is performed based on instructions from the operation unit, and the natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle among the natural images stored in advance and the natural images captured from the imaging unit. The image, with respect to the road to be displayed on the main screen in relation to the current position of the vehicle is displayed on the child screen located on the side corresponding to the direction of travel of the vehicle specified by the direction information.
  In the map display method of the present invention, when searching for map information corresponding to the current position and displaying it on the display unit,The natural image along the road related to the current position of the vehicle is located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen.Since it is displayed on the child screen, by visually recognizing this natural image, it is possible to compare the scenery of the road on which the vehicle is actually traveling and the daily landmark with the natural image displayed on the child screen. As a result, the current position can be confirmed quickly, and the confirmation work becomes accurate.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Subsequently, the map display device according to the present invention, Navigation apparatus, and map display methodOne embodiment when applied to the car navigation apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIG.
  In the car navigation device 10 shown in FIG. 1, a system controller 2 that processes data from a position detection device 20 and the like, which will be described later, starting with the CP ∪1 that controls the entire device, and transfers the data to the CPU 1, map information A plurality of drawing planes for drawing, memory means 3 such as DRAM functioning as a working memory for processing drawing data, memory means 4 such as flash ROM storing various control programs, map information, along the railway line An information storage device 6 in which natural image information such as landscapes and buildings is recorded, an interface (I / F) circuit 5 for connecting the information storage device 6 to the CPU 1, a display unit (monitor) 8 using an LCD or the like. And a display control circuit 7 for the same.
[0015]
Further, the car navigation device 10 is provided with a position detection device 20 for knowing the current position. As is well known, this position detection device 20 includes a GPS device 21 that is a global positioning system that obtains latitude and longitude information of the current position, vehicle speed pulse detection means 22 that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the rotation direction of the vehicle (traveling direction). ) Is detected by a gyro sensor 23.
[0016]
The car navigation device 10 is provided with an external input device 30 for giving instructions such as a map display mode and a natural image display mode. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a remote control device is used, and the main body of the remote control device 30 is provided with a plurality of operation keys. Among them, there are a plurality of operation keys for instructing the map display mode described above, instructing the natural image display mode, instructing scrolling, and instructing destination search. Omit. The receiving unit 32 is provided on the car navigation device 10 side with respect to the remote control device 30.
[0017]
In the present invention, an imaging means 35 for capturing a natural image and its input interface means 36 are further provided.
[0018]
The car navigation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses a rewritable disk medium such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disk-Read Only Memory) or a hard disk (HDD) as the information storage device 6. Is displayed on the display unit 8, and when the map displayed on the display unit 8 is scrolled, the road of the vehicle position (current position) where the cursor is located is specified road. The natural image stored as the data along the specific road is displayed.
[0019]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, when the screen 40 having a large display screen is used as the parent screen and the display screen 41 smaller than this is used as the child screen, the map information is displayed on the parent screen 40, and the natural image along the line is the child image. It is displayed on the screen 41. At least one sub-screen 41 is prepared, preferably two. In the illustrated embodiment, two sub-screens 41 a and 41 b are used, and the sub-screens 41 a and 41 b are arranged side by side at substantially the center of the main screen 40. A cursor is displayed at the center of the main screen 40, and this cursor position is usually the current position. When the vehicle is traveling, the position is the position of the traveling road. Accordingly, the child screens 41a and 41b are displayed side by side on the left and right of the cursor.
[0020]
The small screen 41 is selected to have a size that can sufficiently recognize the image contents of the small screen without disturbing the confirmation of the map information displayed on the parent screen 40. Therefore, about 1/4 to 1/9 of the parent screen 40 is the screen size of the child screen 41.
[0021]
A natural image is an image obtained by actually photographing a landscape, a building, a store, a guide sign, or the like at a specific point along a railway line, or an image arranged somewhat. In addition to these, the information storage device 6 stores character information and the like used for destination search in association with each other.
[0022]
Natural images can be added and modified later by the user. When adding a natural image, the imaging means 35 is used. As the imaging means 35, a small video camera (CCD camera or the like) can be used, and this is mounted on the upper surface of the dashboard 41 of the vehicle 40 shown in FIG. 3A.
[0023]
Since the video camera 35 captures a landscape, a building, or the like that exists in either the left or right direction of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, a rotating mechanism 37 is attached to the video camera 35 when one video camera is used. 37 is automatically or manually controlled, and the target subject is imaged along the left side or the right side along the traveling direction. When two video cameras are prepared, they may be installed on both the left and right sides of the dashboard as shown in FIG. 3B.
[0024]
As information along the road, information on which side (direction) exists at which position with respect to the road is also stored. The position information is calculated based on the data of the position detection device 20. With respect to the direction, the rotation angle and which video camera is used are used as direction information, and the direction is calculated by calculating with the traveling direction calculated by the position detection device 20. The imaging process and the loading into the car navigation device 10 will be described later.
[0025]
The above-mentioned natural image can be displayed on the sub-screen 41 at all times in the map display mode, can be displayed only when the natural image display mode is selected from the list menu, or a specific list menu is selected. In other words, when the mode for scrolling the screen for destination search is selected, a natural image can be automatically displayed on the sub-screen 41. When displaying the natural image on the sub-screen 41, it is necessary to know which road the vehicle is currently on, and when the road is specified, the natural image related to the specified road is searched and displayed. There is a need.
[0026]
Here, in the map information, the road data is hierarchized according to the difference of road management entities. When the intersection is a node and a road belonging to the node is called a link, the link is stored as link data hierarchized according to the road level.
[0027]
For example, when the expressway is level 1, the level of the highway is defined as level 2 for national roads, level 3 for prefectural roads, level 4 for municipal roads, and level 5 for private roads. Become.
[0028]
Therefore, for example, when there is a national road on the right curve as shown in FIG. 4 and each black circle is a node intersecting with another road (shown by a broken line), a plurality of pieces of information are stored for each link. In FIG. 4, when there are four intersections as shown in the figure for an area with one national highway, for example, there are three link configurations (link 1 to link 3). For each link, as shown in FIG. A road data management table is provided. In this management table, road levels, road IDs (national road names), link IDs (location names, etc.), and the coordinates of the start and end points (longitude, latitude information, etc.) that are the intersections of each link are stored in association with each other. Has been.
[0029]
Next, the relationship between each link and the natural image will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the link and the point where the natural image exists, and FIG. 7 shows an aspect of the image data management method in the information storage device 6. First, paying attention to the link 1 as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that four points (* 1 to * 4) of natural images are registered for the link 1 along the line. The vehicle position is indicated by the cursor “▲”.
[0030]
The position coordinates of the points P1 to P4 are each represented by the coordinates (x, y) of the point that intersects with the perpendicular line drawn down to the link 1, and these coordinates are the x and y coordinates of the intersection point with respect to the node. Also, the longitude information of the intersection can be expressed by the x coordinate, and the latitude information can be expressed by the y coordinate. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the directions of points P1 to P4 with respect to link 1 (the direction when the traveling direction is the upper side of the screen and this is the north direction) are also stored as related information. With this direction information, the natural image on the left side of the road can be definitely displayed on the left sub-screen 41a, and the natural image on the right side of the road can be displayed on the right sub-screen 41b. Therefore, when the traveling direction is opposite to the above, the contents displayed on the sub-screens 41a and 41b are also reversed.
[0031]
Furthermore, as related information, there is an address A for a natural image recording medium stored in the information storage device 6. This address A is given an image ID as a file name, and a natural image is displayed on the sub-screen 41 by referring to the address A. Accordingly, as the information in which the link and the natural image are mutually related, as shown in FIG. 7, the image ID, the hierarchical contents of the link (the road level, the road ID, and the link name in the figure), the position coordinates of the natural image, and the direction with respect to the link And address information of natural image data.
[0032]
The natural image information described above can be stored in a table as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the information related to the natural image is stored in the same table, and the natural image information itself is stored in the same information storage device 6. Or stored in an address designated by the address of another storage medium such as the flash ROM 4.
[0033]
In the car navigation device 10, the position detection device 20 holds both the vehicle position and the cursor position as longitude and latitude information. The center position of the area currently displayed on the screen is expressed by the cursor position.
[0034]
If the map scroll is not designated, a link including the vehicle position is searched from the hierarchical link data group. If the search is successful, the link is held as drive link information. The link information is retained in this way because it is determined whether or not the natural image exists as related information along this link (identified traveling road, stop road, etc.). This is because the natural image is appropriately displayed. For example, when it is determined that there is a point for displaying a natural image 100 to 200 meters ahead of the host vehicle, the natural image is displayed on the child screen 41.
[0035]
When a map scroll is instructed to search for a destination or the like, a link existing within a predetermined diameter range is searched based on the cursor position. The retrieved link is stored as scroll link information. This is because a natural image is displayed as information along the scroll link as described above. This link search is performed from a higher level link.
[0036]
In the car navigation device 10 shown in FIG. 1, when the CP IV 1 gives a data reading instruction to the system controller 2 based on an instruction from the external input device 30, the I / F circuit 5 causes the information storage device 6 to be connected. The corresponding data is read out and stored in the DRAM 3.
[0037]
After the CPU 1 reads the data on the DRAM 3 and performs processing (data decompression processing, error correction processing, etc.) necessary for image display, if the data is map data, the map surface frame buffer prepared in the DRAM 3 ( Draw on the drawing plane (same below). When the natural image is read, it is drawn in the natural screen frame buffer. Character data is drawn in the graphic frame buffer of the DRAM 3. The display control circuit 7 controls the display of the plurality of drawing surfaces, and the searched information is displayed on the display unit 8.
[0038]
For example, when the image is data for displaying a map, the CPU 1 calculates the current position based on the data obtained from the position detection device 20 and displays necessary map data. This map data is displayed while being sequentially updated. When displaying a natural image, the display control unit 7 controls the display state so that the map information is displayed on the main screen 40 and the natural image is displayed at a corresponding position on the sub-screen 41.
[0039]
When searching for a destination, a link existing within a predetermined distance is searched based on the cursor position, and the searched link is held as a scroll link. When the scroll link is determined, a map including the determined scroll link is drawn on the map plane.
[0040]
Next, image data (natural image) stored as information along the scroll link is searched. When the natural image exists, the natural image data is drawn on the natural screen plane. The map and natural image data read from each plane are displayed on the display unit 8.
[0041]
Here, the natural image data holds position information on which side (direction) exists at which position with respect to the scroll link, so that the natural image is displayed corresponding to the left and right positions of the scroll link. Is done. Map data and natural image data are updated with the scrolling. Note that the position of the child screen 41 with respect to the parent screen 40 is unchanged.
[0042]
In this way, the natural image is displayed on the sub-screen 41 located almost in the center of the display unit (parent screen) 40, so that the natural image can be easily seen and the scenery of the road on which the vehicle actually travels and the target By comparing an object with a natural image displayed on the child screen, the current position can be effectively confirmed.
[0043]
Since natural images mainly composed of still images are displayed, the capacity of the natural image database does not become so large, and shooting operations and natural image replacement for collecting natural images are also in the case of moving images. It is easier than As a natural image, an image obtained by extracting a target object by image editing processing by a computer or the like can be displayed in addition to an image obtained by directly photographing a landscape itself. Therefore, there is no possibility of rebuilding over a long period of time, and the appearance of the most prominent building etc. is selected as a natural image, so that it can be used as an effective location confirmation means regardless of the season and changes in surrounding buildings. Can do.
[0044]
Next, an embodiment of link search and natural image display processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in particular when the user instructs scrolling in order to search for a destination.
[0045]
First, when a scroll instruction is given by an operator (driver or passenger in the passenger seat) (step S100), the CPU 1 searches for the nearest link from the cursor position coordinates (step S101). Next, the direction of the searched link is calculated (step S102), and compared with the rotation direction of the drawing surface when drawn immediately before (step S103).
[0046]
When the rotation angle of the scroll link is greater than or equal to the reference rotation angle (the minimum azimuth angle (16 azimuth directions, etc.) determined by quantization), it is considered that the link direction has changed in a case where it is shifted (step S103). The map surface is redrawn so that the front of the link is at the top of the screen (step S106).
[0047]
On the other hand, when the rotation angle is equal to or smaller than the reference rotation angle, it is determined that the link direction has not changed (step S103), and when the cursor is off the link, a perpendicular is drawn from the cursor position to the nearest link. Is calculated (step S104), and the map surface is scrolled and the cursor position is updated so that the point is drawn at the center of the screen (step S105).
[0048]
In the above description, the cursor is deviated from the link. However, since the position detection device 20 is not perfect, the cursor may be displayed deviated from the link. In such a case, the cursor is not displayed. This is because it is necessary to correct the cursor position so that it is displayed on the link.
[0049]
Subsequently, of the image data (natural image data) stored in the information storage device 6 as the information along the link, the information is along the link and is located in the scroll direction, that is, from the cursor. The image data located first and closest to the cursor position is searched (step S107). At this time, the link is searched one by one on the left side and the right side toward the front of the scroll.
[0050]
The obtained two image data are displayed on the sub-screens 41a and 41b secured on the left and right sides of the link (step S108). Thereafter, a timer for holding the map surface is started (step S109). Then, the same map plane is displayed until the timer stops. When the timer stops (step S110), the process returns to step S102, and the calculation of the direction of the next link on the same link or the same road is repeated, and the display angle of the map plane Adjustment, map scroll processing, and image data update processing are performed.
[0051]
FIG. 8 particularly illustrates the natural image display processing in the scroll mode. However, in the case of the map display mode during normal vehicle travel, the natural image is displayed on the sub screen 41 while searching for the drive link and the image data associated therewith. Are displayed while being sequentially updated.
[0052]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a natural image capturing process.
[0053]
First, when there is no user image capture instruction, the map display mode is set and the map as described above is displayed on the main screen 40 (step S200). In this display mode, the current position information is acquired from the position detection device 20 (step S201). Using the acquired position information, the CPU 1 searches for a drive link, holds the searched drive link in the DRAM 3, and waits in that state (step S202).
[0054]
When the image capture instruction from the user is not made yet in this standby state (step S203), the process returns to step S200 and the map display mode is continued.
[0055]
However, when the image capture instruction is issued from the user with the video camera 35 set to the standby mode, the mode is changed to a mode in which the captured image is directly displayed on the sub-screen 41 (through image display) (step S204). In this image capture mode, the image data captured by the input interface circuit 36 into the frame buffer (natural screen rendering plane) provided on the DRAM 3 can be always rendered.
[0056]
Thereafter, the shooting direction and location of the video camera 35 are determined, and when the video camera 35 is operated to give a shooting instruction (step S205), the image data captured in the frame buffer is linked information data (FIG. 5 and FIG. 5). 7) and is written in the information storage device 6 (step S206). When this writing is completed, the map display mode is entered (step S200). This image data written in the information storage device 6 can be used immediately together with other natural image data existing as natural images.
[0057]
When the writing of one piece of image data is completed, the state transition is made not to the map display mode of step S200 but to the through image display mode of step S204 so that the image data can be captured again. You can also.
[0058]
In the above-described embodiment, two sub-screens are displayed on the left and right of the center of the screen. For example, a display region below the vehicle traveling position, and one sub-screen is displayed directly above the road. It is also possible to display a natural image of a point located in front of the vehicle. In this case, if it is clearly shown whether the image is the left or right image, the point position will not be erroneously confirmed.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, the map display device detects the current position of the vehicle, searches the map database for map information corresponding to the current position, and displays the map information., Navigation apparatus, and map display method, A natural image database for storing a plurality of natural images corresponding to the current position of the vehicle is provided, and at least one sub-screen for displaying a natural image is selectively displayed in a state of being superimposed on a display screen for displaying map information. In addition, the user can capture the natural image.
[0060]
  According to this, since the natural image is displayed on the sub-screen of the display unit, the scenery of the road on which the vehicle actually travels and the daily mark are displayed on the sub-screen by visually recognizing the natural image. It can be compared with the image, the current position can be confirmed quickly, and the confirmation work becomes accurate. This is a natural two-dimensional fictional map that uses natural images.World and realityIt is because it becomes easy to connect the worlds.
[0061]
In addition, since natural images mainly composed of still images are displayed, the capacity of the natural image database is not so large, and natural image collection work is facilitated. Since the natural image is displayed only on the sub-screen, reading of the map is not hindered.
[0062]
Further, according to the present invention, the user himself / herself can save a favorite natural image in the information storage device in the apparatus, so that a destination search suitable for the user can be realized and a user-friendly map display apparatus can be provided. Therefore, the present invention is suitably applied to a map display device such as a car navigation device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a main part showing an embodiment when a map display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a car navigation device.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of a case where a natural image child screen is displayed on a map background in the map display device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram of a vehicle showing an installation example of a video camera.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between roads and links.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a road data management table;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a link and image data.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a management table for natural image data.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a natural image display example in a scroll mode.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing in an image capture mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU, 2 ... System controller, 6 ... Information storage device, 8 ... Display part, 20 ... Position detection apparatus, 21 ... GPS apparatus, 35 ... Imaging means ( Video camera)

Claims (6)

Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Natural image storage means for storing a plurality of natural images related to the current position of the vehicle;
When the map information corresponding to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed, and the display screen for displaying the map information is a parent screen, this parent information is displayed. A display unit that selectively displays at least one sub-screen that displays the natural image on a part of the screen;
An operation unit for instructing a display state of a natural image on the sub-screen;
A display control unit that controls display of the display unit based on an instruction from the operation unit;
It is composed of imaging means for imaging both the left and right sides with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle ,
The natural image picked up by the image pickup means is stored in the natural image storage means together with the position information and the direction information at the image pickup point indicating at which side and on which side of the road ,
Imaging and capturing of the imaging unit is controlled based on an instruction from the operation unit, and a road related to a current position of the vehicle among a natural image stored in advance and a natural image captured from the imaging unit. The child screen is located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the parent screen in relation to the current position of the vehicle. earth diagram display device designed to display in. Two sub-screen display areas are provided on both sides of the central portion of the main screen, and a mark indicating the current position of the vehicle is displayed in the central portion of the map information. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein natural images such as landscapes and targets existing on both sides of the position are displayed in correspondence with each other. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the natural image on the sub-screen is displayed not only in a scroll mode for searching for a destination but also in a map display mode when the vehicle is running. . The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit is provided with a rotation unit, and driving the rotation unit enables imaging of landscapes and buildings on both the left and right sides of the traveling road. Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the vehicle;
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Natural image storage means for storing a plurality of natural images related to the current position of the vehicle;
When the map information corresponding to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed, and the display screen for displaying the map information is a parent screen, this parent information is displayed. A display unit that selectively displays at least one sub-screen that displays the natural image on a part of the screen;
An operation unit for instructing a display state of a natural image on the sub-screen;
A display control unit that controls display of the display unit based on an instruction from the operation unit;
It is composed of imaging means for imaging both the left and right sides of the vehicle traveling direction,
The natural image picked up by the image pickup means is stored in the natural image storage means together with position information and direction information at an image pickup point indicating at which side and on which side of the road,
Imaging and capturing of the imaging unit is controlled based on an instruction from the operation unit, and a road related to a current position of the vehicle among a natural image stored in advance and a natural image captured from the imaging unit. The child screen is located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the parent screen in relation to the current position of the vehicle. A navigation device that displays on the screen. The position detection means detects the current position of the vehicle, the map information corresponding to the current position of the vehicle detected by the position detection means is retrieved from the map information storage means and displayed on the display unit. When the display screen to be displayed is the parent screen, a part of this parent screen And selectively displaying at least one sub-screen displaying a natural image stored in the natural image storage means,
The natural image stored by the image pickup means that picks up both the left and right sides of the traveling direction of the vehicle is stored together with the position information and the direction information at the image pickup point indicating at which position and on the side of the road. Accumulated in the means,
The imaging unit captures and captures the image based on an instruction from the operation unit, and the natural image stored in advance and the natural image captured from the imaging unit are along a road associated with the current position of the vehicle. The natural image is displayed on the sub-screen located on the side corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle specified by the direction information with respect to the road displayed on the main screen in relation to the current position of the vehicle. How to display the map.

Images