JP4220059B2 - Navigation apparatus and method, and recording medium recording navigation software - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement in navigation technology for guiding while displaying a route to a given destination on a map. More specifically, the present invention is more efficient by eliminating useless scrolling operations. In this way, the route is confirmed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A navigation device is known as a device that is mounted on a moving body such as an automobile and guides a route. The navigation device calculates a route to a designated destination, displays a map on a liquid crystal display screen, etc., and presents the current position (referred to as the own vehicle position) of a mobile object such as an automobile (referred to as the own vehicle). ) Is displayed in real time on the map, and the calculated route is guided by synthetic voice or computer graphics display. The route calculated by the navigation device is also referred to as an optimum route.
[0003]
In such a navigation device, in order for the user to check the calculated route, it is necessary to sequentially scroll the display range of the map along the route. In the first conventional technique for realizing such scrolling, the user of the navigation device sequentially indicates the direction in which the map should be scrolled next by using an input device such as a joystick. . In this case, the route can be efficiently traced by an operation such as instructing a desired direction at a desired timing.
[0004]
The second prior art for realizing the scrolling as described above is that the map automatically scrolls along the route. Such a second prior art is such that the point on the route as a reference of display is scrolled so that points such as segment breaks, intersections and landmarks existing on the route are always located at the center of the map. Along the route, it gradually switched to the one closer to the destination. The state of scrolling according to the second prior art will be described with reference to FIG.
[0005]
That is, in FIG. 18, the arrowhead-shaped figure a is the vehicle position, b is the destination, r is the optimum route in which several sections indicated by solid lines are connected, and a small circle on the route is Each point c1-c7 which is a point is shown. G0 is the range of the map displayed on the display screen in the initial state, and the range of the map displayed on the screen in this way is also called the screen position. In FIG. 18, for the sake of explanation, the screen is expressed as moving on the route, but in reality, a map displayed on the screen is scroll-displayed.
[0006]
In this example, when the vehicle position a is the initial state and the scroll operation for route confirmation is started, the map scrolls so that a point c1 a certain distance ahead from the vehicle position a on the route is at the center of the screen. Thus, the range of the map displayed on the screen is g1. Next, similarly, the map is scrolled so that a point c2 that is a predetermined distance from the point c1 is at the center of the screen, and the range of the map displayed on the screen is g2.
[0007]
Thereafter, by repeating the same operation until the destination b is at the center of the map, the user can sequentially confirm the entire route from departure to arrival at the destination. Thus, in the second prior art, the scrolling of the map is performed along the shape of the route.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the first prior art among the above, there is a problem that it is necessary for a user or a passenger to sequentially input a scroll direction, and this operation is troublesome.
[0009]
Further, in the second conventional technique as described above, when the shape of the route is complicated, there is a problem in that the map scrolls in a complicated manner along the route and is difficult to see. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, when the optimum route r has a complicated shape, the movement of the map scrolling becomes complicated as in the ranges g0 to g7 along this route. It was unpleasant.
[0010]
In particular, in complicated routes, especially routes that twisted like a mountain road, the map display area moved up and down and left and right in response to the bending of the route, which was very difficult to see. In addition, a processing time for updating the display every time scrolling is required, and in such a case, the number of times of scrolling is particularly large, so that the display is inefficient. Further, considering the purpose of navigation, it is desirable that the route can be confirmed in as short a time as possible, and there has been a potential need to eliminate the useless scroll operation as shown in FIG.
[0011]
The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object thereof is to eliminate the useless scrolling operation, and to confirm the route more efficiently. A navigation medium, that is, a navigation apparatus and method, and a recording medium on which navigation software is recorded.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation technique that can smoothly cope with a change in display scale while avoiding unnecessary scrolling. Another object of the present invention is to provide a navigation technique in which the end of a route is displayed at the center of the screen while avoiding unnecessary scrolling.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 calculates a route to a given destination in a navigation device for guiding while displaying a route to the given destination on a map. Means for determining a scroll direction of the map so that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within a determination frame set inside the currently displayed range of the map. A determination means, and the map in the determined scroll direction; Means for scrolling until the point is within the determination frame, and not scrolling further if the point is within the determination frame; It is provided with. The invention of claim 5 is the navigation method for guiding the invention of claim 1 from the viewpoint of a method and displaying the route to the given destination on the map. A step of calculating the route to the map, and a map frame so that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within a determination frame set inside the currently displayed range of the map. A determination step for determining a scroll direction, and the map in the determined scroll direction; Scrolling until the point is within the determination frame and not further scrolling when the point is within the determination frame It is characterized by including. According to the first and fifth aspects of the present invention, the scroll direction is determined so that all points in the route sequentially enter this area with a predetermined area near the center of the screen as a reference, thereby minimizing smooth scrolling. It is possible to check all routes efficiently. This also eliminates wasteful and difficult-to-see scrolls in which the center point of the display screen follows all points in the route. That is, the scrolling operation is conventionally performed along the shape of the route as shown in FIG. 19, but the display range on the map is g0 to g4 for the same route as shown in FIG. By performing the scroll operation so as to move, the route can be easily and sufficiently confirmed.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the first aspect, the determining means sets a determination frame of a predetermined range based on a center of the currently displayed range of the map. Means for sequentially selecting each point present in the calculated route, means for determining whether the selected point is within the determination frame, and the selected point In order to calculate an intersection where a line segment from the last confirmation point finally determined to be within the determination frame to the selected point intersects the determination frame when it is determined that is not within the determination frame And means for calculating a scroll direction of the map so that the intersection approaches the center. A sixth aspect of the present invention is a navigation method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the determination step is performed at the center of the currently displayed range of the map. A step for setting a determination frame in a predetermined range, a step for sequentially selecting each point existing in the calculated route, and the selected point within the determination frame And when the selected point is determined not to be within the determination frame, the final confirmation point that was finally determined to be within the determination frame is changed to the selected point. A step for calculating an intersection where the line segment intersects with the determination frame, and for calculating a scroll direction of the map so that the intersection approaches the center. A step, characterized in that it comprises a. The invention of claim 9 captures the inventions of claims 2 and 6 from the viewpoint of a recording medium on which computer software is recorded. A route to a given destination is displayed on a map using a computer. In the recording medium in which navigation software for guiding is recorded, the software causes the computer to calculate the route to a given destination and set it within the currently displayed range of the map The scroll direction of the map is determined so that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within the determined determination frame, and the map is moved in the determined scroll direction. Scroll until the point is within the determination frame, and if the point is within the determination frame, no further scrolling is performed. In determining the scroll direction, a determination frame for a predetermined range is set based on the center of the currently displayed range in the map, and each point existing in the calculated route is sequentially selected. And when it is determined that the selected point is not within the determination frame, the final confirmation that is finally determined to be within the determination frame A point of intersection from the point to the selected point is calculated as an intersection where the determination frame intersects, and a map scroll direction is calculated so that the intersection approaches the center. In the inventions of claims 2, 6, and 9, when scrolling to put a new point in the determination frame, not only the new point but also the position of the point confirmed immediately before in the determination frame is reflected in the scroll direction. Thus, a smoother scroll along the path is realized.
[0015]
The invention of claim 3 is the navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining means detects means for detecting a change in scale in the display of the map, and when the change in the scale is detected. Means for determining whether or not the final confirmation point last determined as being within the determination frame among the points in the route is within the determination frame at the scale after change; and the final confirmation point is the determination Means for calculating a scroll direction of the map so that the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map when determined to be out of the frame. .
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the navigation method according to the fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the determining step detects a change in scale in the display of the map. And, if a change in the scale is detected, whether the last confirmation point that was finally determined as being within the determination frame among the points in the route is within the determination frame in the scale after the change. A step for determining whether and when the final confirmation point is determined to be out of the determination frame, the direction of scrolling the map so that the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map And a step for calculating.
A tenth aspect of the invention is a recording medium on which the navigation software according to the ninth aspect is recorded from the viewpoint of the recording medium on which the software of a computer is recorded. In the determination of the scroll direction, the computer is caused to detect a change in scale in the display of the map, and when a change in the scale is detected, the last of the points in the route that are within the determination frame If the final confirmation point is determined to be within the determination frame at the scale after change, and the final confirmation point is determined to be out of the determination frame, the final confirmation point is currently displayed in the map. The scroll direction of a map is calculated so that it may approach the center of the range currently set.
In the third, seventh, and tenth aspects of the present invention, when a point that is finally confirmed as being within the determination frame before the change of the scale is outside the frame due to the change, the map is scrolled so that the point becomes the center of the screen. Smoothly respond to display scale changes. For this reason, during the route confirmation, the user can obtain necessary information by satisfying requests such as confirming the surroundings of the desired part of the route on a more detailed map display or confirming the state of a slightly wider route. It will be easier to get.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the determining means detects that the last point in the route is located within the determination frame. And means for calculating the scroll direction so that the last point is located at the center of the screen.
The invention of claim 8 is the navigation method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the step of determining is the last in the route. And a step for calculating the scroll direction so that the last point is located at the center of the screen. .
The invention of claim 11 is a recording medium recording the navigation software according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the invention of claims 4 and 8 is taken from the viewpoint of a recording medium recording computer software. The software causes the computer to detect that the last point in the path is located within the determination frame in determining the scroll direction, and to change the scroll direction so that the last point is located at the center of the screen. It is calculated.
In the fourth, eighth, and eleventh aspects of the invention, even after the last point in the route enters the determination frame, the last point, that is, the route end is scrolled so that it is located at the center of the screen, thereby The surrounding map can be easily confirmed. That is, as a result of the route confirmation operation, when displaying a map near the destination, the display of the map centered on the destination becomes easier to see.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, it is generally considered that the present invention is realized by controlling a computer having a peripheral device with software. In this case, the software is created by combining instructions according to the description of this specification, and the technology described in the prior art is used in common with the prior art. The software includes not only the program code but also data prepared in advance for use when executing the program code.
[0018]
The software also uses physical resources such as the CPU of the computer and its peripheral circuits, input devices such as push buttons and joysticks, storage devices such as memories and memory cards, and output devices such as displays and speakers. And the effect of this embodiment is realized.
[0019]
However, specific software and hardware configurations for realizing the present invention can be variously changed. For example, various programming languages and storage formats of software such as assembler and C language are conceivable, and a recording medium such as a CD-ROM in which software for realizing the present invention is recorded is an aspect of the present invention. Furthermore, a part of the functions of the present invention can be realized by a physical electronic circuit such as an LSI.
[0020]
As described above, various aspects of implementing the present invention using a computer are conceivable. In the following, the present invention and implementation are performed using virtual circuit blocks that implement individual functions included in the present invention and embodiments. The form will be described.
[0021]
[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. Configuration of First Embodiment]
[1-1-1. Overall configuration)
First, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment. That is, the first embodiment includes an input unit 1, a CD-ROM unit 2, a data reading RAM 3, a control unit 4, a display VRAM 5, and a display unit 6, as shown in FIG. ing. Among these, the control part 4 is a part which performs the various information processing for navigation, For example, it can comprise as a main body unit etc. which are mounted in the console of a motor vehicle.
[0022]
The input unit 1 is a part for inputting an operation including an operation mode, a scroll direction, and the like. For example, a push button switch provided on the surface of the main unit, a jog dial capable of indicating a direction, wired or infrared, etc. This includes various push buttons provided on a wireless remote control and a joystick capable of directing directions.
[0023]
The CD-ROM unit 2 is a part for reading data such as navigation map data and programs from the CD-ROM according to the control from the control unit 4. For example, the CD-ROM unit 2 is a CD provided in the main unit. -Includes ROM drive and its control circuit. The data reading RAM 3 is a part for storing data read by the CD-ROM unit 2. Further, the map data read from the CD-ROM unit 2 can have any specific configuration, but includes, for example, route search data and drawing data.
[0024]
The display unit 6 is a part for displaying a map and other information, and includes a display screen realized by, for example, a liquid crystal display with a backlight. The display VRAM 5 is a part for writing data representing display contents to be displayed on the display unit 6 by the control unit 4, and video control (not shown) is performed according to the bit pattern of the written and stored data. The lighting color of each pixel of the display unit 6 is controlled by the circuit.
[0025]
[1-1-2. (Configuration of control unit)
The control unit 4 includes a route calculation unit 41, a scroll direction determination unit 42, a map drawing unit 43, and a display control unit 44. Among these, the route calculation unit 41 is a means for calculating a route from the current location of the host vehicle to the destination given through the input unit 1 based on the route search data and the like. In addition, the scroll direction determining unit 42 sequentially positions each point existing in the route within the determination frame set inside the currently displayed range in the map displayed on the display unit 6. Furthermore, it is a determining means for determining the scroll direction of the map.
[0026]
That is, as the data for route search, for example, a road section delimited by points such as inflection points and intersections such as curves is used as a unit of data, where and what roads exist, and each road section and intersection It may be something that represents the expected time required for passage.
[0027]
In addition, the route calculation unit 41 corresponding to this, for example, connects the road sections from one or both of the departure point and the destination toward the other while integrating the estimated required travel time as a cost. Thus, a configuration is conceivable in which, among the rows of road sections connecting the starting point and the destination, the one with the lowest cost is calculated as the optimum route. In this case, the calculated route is a column of road sections divided by a plurality of points, and the scroll direction determination unit 42 uses these points included in the route when displaying the entire route for confirmation. Thus, the scroll direction of the map is determined.
[0028]
The map drawing unit 43 is a means for scrolling the map displayed on the display unit 6 in the determined scroll direction by a distance equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The display content of the map is drawn on the memory based on the drawing data for the display range whose position is shifted by the vector passed as a parameter from the scroll direction determination unit 42 with the display range of the map as a reference. Can be considered. The display control unit 44 is a part for performing control related to display such as transferring display contents created by the map drawing unit 43 to the display VRAM 5.
[0029]
[1-1-3. (Configuration of scroll direction determination unit)
Furthermore, the scroll direction determination unit 42 includes a point selection unit 421, a determination frame setting unit 422, a first determination unit 423, an intersection calculation unit 424, and a scroll direction calculation unit 425. Among these, the point selection unit 421 is means for sequentially selecting each point existing in the calculated route. The determination frame setting unit 422 is means for setting a determination frame in a predetermined range based on the center of the currently displayed range in the map. As this determination frame, for example, a rectangular theoretical frame that divides about 1/3 of the area of the entire display range toward the center from the periphery can be considered.
[0030]
The first determination unit 423 is means for determining whether the selected point is within the determination frame. In addition, when it is determined that the selected point is not within the determination frame, the intersection calculation unit 424 makes a line from the last confirmation point that is finally determined to be within the determination frame to the selected point. It is a means for calculating an intersection where a minute intersects the determination frame. The scroll direction calculation unit 425 is a means for calculating the scroll direction of the map so that the intersection calculated by the intersection calculation unit 424 approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map. is there.
[0031]
[1-2. Operation of First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment configured as described above, a minimum direction is determined by determining the scroll direction so that all points in the path sequentially enter this area with reference to a predetermined area near the center of the screen. It is possible to efficiently check all routes with smooth scrolling. Further, in the first embodiment, when scrolling to enter a new point in the determination frame, not only the new point but also the position of the point confirmed immediately before in the determination frame is reflected in the scroll direction. A smoother scroll along the path is achieved. Hereinafter, these actions will be specifically described.
[0032]
[1-2-1. (Normal scrolling operation)
First, a normal scroll operation will be described. Here, the normal scroll operation is an operation to change the displayed range of the map by the user instructing the scroll direction in order to display a map around the currently displayed map. Such a scroll may be performed by the map drawing unit 43 based on the scroll direction input from the input unit 1, for example, in the same manner as in the past.
[0033]
For example, a case where there is a request to display a map on the right side of the currently displayed map will be described. In this case, the user uses the joystick or the like that can specify the direction to instruct the direction to scroll the map from the input unit 1. In other words, if you want to scroll the map to the right, you can simply tilt the joystick to the right. In this case, the map drawing unit 43 first calculates the next map center coordinates.
[0034]
Here, the map center coordinates are the coordinates of the center of the displayed range in the map, and the next map center coordinates are the map scroll amount of one map movement in the specified scroll direction. Map center coordinates that are the center of the display when
[0035]
That is, the center coordinates of the map displayed so far and viewed by the user are set as c0 (x0, y0), and in the operation of scrolling the map in the right direction, that is, in the direction in which the x coordinate increases, the amount of movement of one map is d Then, the center coordinates cl (x1, yl) of the map to be displayed next are expressed as follows.
x1 = x0 + d
yl = y0
[0036]
Based on the next map center coordinates calculated in this way, the map drawing unit 43 determines the display range of the map to be displayed next, and stores the map data necessary for displaying this range on the CD-ROM. Request to part 2. Then, the map drawing unit 43 acquires the map data read from the CD-ROM by the CD-ROM unit 2 from the data reading RAM 3 and performs necessary conversion processing such as scale adjustment to create data representing the display contents. The data is transferred to the display control unit 44 to make a display request.
[0037]
Then, the display control unit 44 adds display data other than the map to the received data, for example, elements such as scale display or menu characters, and displays the data for display to the display VRAM 5. Then, the display unit 6 displays information such as a map on the screen based on the display data stored in the display VRAM 5. Thereby, in the display unit 6, the range of the map that has been displayed so far moves to the left due to the relationship with the display screen, and the range of the map that is shifted to the right side is newly displayed.
[0038]
And when displaying the range which shifted further on the right side of the map, after displaying the map once centering on the map center coordinates (x1, yl) as described above,
x2 = x1 + d
y2 = yl
Then, the next map center coordinate (x2, y2) is calculated, and the center of the map is moved again. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, a map of a range shifted to the right one after another is displayed on the display unit 6, and a scroll operation in the right direction is realized.
[0039]
The above example exemplifies scrolling in the right direction, but the same applies to operations in the up / down, left / right, and diagonal directions. Usually, an instruction input device includes a joystick that can input instructions in eight directions. used.
[0040]
[1-2-2. (Route confirmation scroll)
Next, the route confirmation scroll unique to the present invention will be described. Even in this route confirmation scroll, the procedure for the map drawing unit 43 to scroll the map in the determined direction is the same as the normal scroll described above, but the route confirmation scroll is different from the normal scroll described above. How to determine the direction.
[0041]
That is, in normal scrolling, the scroll direction is input by the pointing device at the user's discretion. For this reason, for example, when confirming a route, it was necessary for the user to input a scroll direction instruction after determining that the route is displayed on the screen. In scrolling, the scroll direction determination unit 42 automatically determines the scroll direction so as to realize scrolling along the route for efficient route confirmation.
[0042]
[1-2-3. Example of determining the scroll direction)
The scroll direction is determined by the scroll direction determination unit 42 as follows. That is, the scroll direction determination unit 42 sequentially calculates the optimum scroll direction for the route confirmation scroll based on the route obtained by the route calculation unit 42, that is, the route data representing the optimum route to the target. That is, first, the processing procedure in which the scroll direction determination unit 42 determines the scroll direction is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Note that scrolling based on the determined direction is also shown in the flowchart for convenience of explanation, and so on. In the following, conceptual diagrams showing examples of calculating the scroll direction based on the optimum route are shown in FIGS.
[0043]
For example, in FIG. 4, the position of the vehicle that is the departure point is a, the destination is b, and the route, that is, the optimum route from the departure point a to the destination b is r. Further, g0 is a map range displayed on the screen in the initial state, and w inside it is a determination frame used for determining the scroll direction. The determination frame w is a virtual frame used only for calculation and is not actually displayed.
[0044]
In such an example, the route data representing the optimum route r is represented as a coordinate sequence of the points p0 to pn representing the route shape. By plotting these coordinate sequences on the screen and connecting the coordinates, the route r A path shape such as
[0045]
In the scroll direction determination unit 42, the point selection unit 421 sequentially selects the coordinate string of the points p0 to pn in the route data as the determination target p (steps 201 and 204). Note that the point p0 that is the starting point of the route data is first selected as the target p (step 201), and “p ++” in step 204 is incremented by 1 as p0 → p1 for the determination target p. The incrementing process is expressed in accordance with the C language notation.
[0046]
Then, the first determination unit 423 sequentially determines or confirms whether or not the target p sequentially selected in this way is within the region w (step 202). For example, in the state of FIG. 4, points p0 to p2 are determined to be within the determination frame w, and point p3 is determined to be outside the determination frame w. In this case, the points p0 to p2 are confirmed points.
[0047]
Here, the variable pbk is used to record the point finally confirmed to be within the determination frame w (referred to as the final confirmation point). In the above example, the point p2 is recorded in pbk. (Step 203). Then, the point p3 next to the point p2 recorded in pbk in this way becomes the next confirmation point to be confirmed whether or not it is within the determination frame w (step 204).
[0048]
Then, when the first determination unit 423 confirms that the next confirmation point p3 is not within the determination frame w (step 202), the intersection calculation unit 424 calculates the target from the final confirmation point p2 recorded in pbk. The position where the line segment toward the next confirmation point p3 selected as p goes out of the determination frame w, that is, the intersection x (x0 from the state of FIG. 4) intersecting the determination frame w is the target point, that is, the center of the map The coordinates of the target point x are calculated (step 206).
[0049]
Then, the scroll direction calculation unit 425 obtains the direction from the center c (x0, y0) of the map at this time to the target point x0 in the form of an angle θ or the like, and outputs this direction to the map drawing unit 43 as the scroll direction f0. (Step 207).
[0050]
[1-2-4. (Scroll operation and subsequent scroll direction determination)
When the map drawing unit 43 moves the display range of the map by one scroll movement amount (screen movement amount) as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4 based on the scroll direction f0 obtained as described above ( Steps 208 and 209) As shown in FIG. 5, the range of the map displayed on the screen is g1.
[0051]
Next, the scroll direction is determined from the state of FIG. 5. At this point, the point selection unit 421 has already confirmed that the points p0 to p2 are within the determination frame w. Then, it is excluded from the determination processing target, and the point p3 next to the point p2 recorded in pbk is again set as the determination processing target. Then, the first determination unit 423 starts determining whether it is inside or outside the determination frame w from the point p3 that is the next confirmation point (step 202).
[0052]
That is, since the point p3 is still outside the range of the determination frame w even in the state of FIG. 5, the scroll direction is determined in the same manner as the procedure described for the scroll direction from FIG. That is, for the line segment connecting points p2 and p3, the coordinate x1 that escapes from the determination frame w becomes the target point (step 206), and the direction f1 from the map center c toward x1 becomes the scroll direction (step 207).
[0053]
FIG. 6 shows the result of scrolling a certain amount in the f1 direction. In the determination of the scroll direction from the state of FIG. 6, the determination process is started from the next confirmation point p3 as in the case of FIG. In the state shown in FIG. 6, since the point p3 is within the determination frame w, the point is confirmed, and the determination after the point p4 is continuously performed.
[0054]
As a result of performing this determination in the state of FIG. 6, since the point p6 is within the range of the determination frame w and the point p7 is out of the range, from the state of FIG. 6 to the point p6 to p7 The point x2 where the line segment exits from the determination frame w becomes the target point, and the direction f2 from the map center c toward x2 becomes the next scroll direction. Thereafter, the above process is repeated until the point pn at the end point of the route becomes a confirmed point.
[0055]
As described above, by performing the scrolling operation while sequentially determining the scroll direction, the path confirmation scroll unique to the present invention is realized. However, the above processing is performed in each determination path w. The scroll operation is performed so that the points fit in order.
[0056]
That is, in the first embodiment, by positioning each point on the route at least once in a certain range from the center c in the screen, the entire route is displayed in the certain range. By operating efficiently as described above, a smooth scrolling operation and a small screen movement amount are realized, thereby realizing a scrolling that requires a short time and is easy to see and allows easy confirmation of all routes.
[0057]
[1-2-5. (Judgment frame setting method)
Next, how to set the determination frame w used for determining the scroll direction as described above will be described. First, as is clear from the above description, the first embodiment operates efficiently so that all the points on the route are sequentially placed in the determination frame w at least once. For this reason, the wider the range of the judgment frame w is and the closer it is to the same size as the screen, the smoother the scroll and the more efficiently the route can be confirmed, but the route only appears once at the edge of the screen. In some cases, the display of the portion is completed, and it is difficult to check the situation around the route.
[0058]
Conversely, the smaller the range of the determination frame w, the more the center of the screen moves along the route, and the appearance is relatively close to the second prior art. In this case, the peripheral information of the route can be confirmed in a wider range, but in a complicated route, the movement of the map by scrolling becomes complicated and the smoothness is reduced.
[0059]
In other words, the size of the determination frame w can be freely set within the screen size according to preference on the premise of the principle as described above. Specifically, when the aspect ratio is the same, it is considered that the vertical or horizontal ratio of the determination frame w is preferably about 30% to 70% of the displayed map. Although the determination frame w is rectangular here, other shapes such as a circle may be used. However, if the movement differs depending on the direction of scrolling, for example, if the movement to the right and the movement to the left are different, the result will be uncomfortable. Is desirable.
[0060]
[1-3. Effects of the first embodiment]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the minimum smoothness can be achieved by determining the scroll direction so that all points in the route sequentially enter this area with reference to a predetermined area near the center of the screen. It is possible to efficiently check all routes by scrolling. This also eliminates wasteful and hard-to-see scrolls in which the center point of the display screen follows all points in the route, and further eliminates the need to specify the scroll direction in order, thereby further improving safety. improves.
[0061]
That is, in the past, the scrolling operation was performed along the shape of the route as shown in FIG. 19, whereas in the first embodiment, the operation is efficiently performed under the condition that the route enters a certain range from the center in the screen. In addition, a smooth display can be realized. Specifically, for the same route as in FIG. 19, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it is easy and sufficient by performing a scroll operation so that the display range on the map moves from g0 to g4. You can check the route.
[0062]
In particular, in the first embodiment, when scrolling to enter a new point in the determination frame, not only the new point but also the position of the point confirmed immediately before in the determination frame is reflected in the scroll direction. A smoother scroll along the path is achieved.
[0063]
That is, in the first embodiment, in the operation of confirming the route by the scroll operation, the user does not need to sequentially specify the scroll direction, and the scroll direction without waste is automatically determined. Is freed from the troublesome work of sequentially instructing. In addition, when the user sequentially inputs the scroll direction, the scroll direction that can be specified is limited to eight directions or the like due to problems such as the number of contacts of the input device, but according to the first embodiment, the calculation as described above is performed. Since the scroll direction is determined by the process, the best scroll direction without limitation as described above can be used out of 360 degrees in all directions.
[0064]
[2. Second Embodiment]
Next, in the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration, operation, and effect of the first embodiment, the display scale of the map, that is, the change of the scale is smoothly handled even during the route confirmation work. That is, in the first embodiment, the direction from the center of the screen to the location where the line segment from the last confirmation point to the next confirmation point escapes from the determination frame w is the scroll direction, so during the route confirmation work by scrolling, If the scale of the map display is changed and the final confirmation point is not reached in the determination frame w, the scroll direction cannot be determined using the escaped portion as described above.
[0065]
For this reason, for example, when a user reaches a certain position while confirming a route by scrolling, the user wants to display and confirm a detailed map of the position or a wide area map around the position. Is prohibited in advance, or when such an operation is performed, there is a restriction that the scroll for route confirmation work is ended at that position. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a change in the display scale is smoothly handled while avoiding unnecessary scrolling.
[0066]
[2-1. Configuration of Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, in addition to the same configuration as the first embodiment, as shown in this figure, the scroll direction determination unit 42b includes a scale change detection unit 426, a second determination unit 427, 2 scroll direction calculation unit 428.
[0067]
Of these, the scale change detection unit 426 is a means for detecting a change in scale in the display of the map. In addition, the second determination unit 427, when the change in scale is detected by the scale change detection unit 426, the final confirmation point that is finally determined to be within the determination frame among the points in the route, It is a means for determining whether it is in the said determination frame in the scale after a change.
[0068]
Further, the second scroll direction calculation unit 428 scrolls the map so that when the final confirmation point is determined to be outside the determination frame, the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map. It is a means for calculating the direction.
[0069]
[2-2. Operation of Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment configured as described above scrolls the map so that when the last point confirmed to be within the determination frame before changing the scale is outside the frame due to the change, the point becomes the center of the screen. Thus, the display scale can be changed smoothly. That is, first, the procedure for determining the scroll direction in the second embodiment is shown in FIG. Of these procedures, steps 901, 903 to 910 conform to the procedure shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment. The difference from the procedure of FIG. The procedure shown in FIG. 9 is inserted between the children A and B.
[0070]
That is, in the procedure of FIG. 8, when the scale scale_bk when the previous map is displayed is different from the scale scale when the current map is displayed, this is detected by the scale change detection unit 426 (step 902). ), The procedure shown in FIG. 9 is executed. Note that the scale scale of the map display is changed as needed by processing such as a user giving an instruction to the input unit 1 shown in FIG.
[0071]
That is, in the procedure of FIG. 9 executed when the previous scale_bk and the current scale are different, first, the previous scale_bk is updated by substituting the current scale (step 1001). It is determined whether or not the final confirmation point pbk in the route determined to be within the determination frame w is determined to be within the determination frame w even in the display state at the current scale (step 1002). At this time, if it is determined to be within the determination frame w, the process returns from the connector B to step 903, and the scroll direction is determined by the same processing as in the first embodiment.
[0072]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1002 that the final confirmation point pbk is outside the determination frame w, the second scroll direction calculation unit 425 is determined to be within the previous determination frame w from the center c of the currently displayed map. The angle θ to the final confirmation point pbk is obtained, and this θ is set as the scroll direction (step 1003). Then, the map drawing unit 43 obtains the map movement amount accompanying the scroll operation and the center coordinates of the map in the next display based on this θ (step 1004), and performs a process of displaying the map (step 1005).
[0073]
Thereafter, the processing shown in FIG. 9 is repeated until it is determined in step 1002 that the final confirmation point pbk is within the determination w. Then, as the scrolling movement when the processing shown in FIG. 9 is repeated, the point on the route that entered the determination frame w last on the map before the scale change is again on the scale map after the change. The map scrolls until it enters the determination frame w. Then, when the final confirmation point pbk enters the determination frame w (step 1002), the process returns to the scroll operation along the original path direction as in the first embodiment (FIG. 8).
[0074]
[2-3. Example of scrolling in the second embodiment]
Next, an example of scrolling in the second embodiment as described above will be described. First, FIG. 10 shows the same state as FIG. 5 shown for the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows the scale changed from the display state of FIG. 10 to a more detailed map display.
[0075]
In FIG. 11, when the process of FIG. 3 shown in the first embodiment is performed, the points p0 to p2 are already determined to be within the determination frame w, and have been processed, and the next confirmation point p3 is the determination frame w. Therefore, an intersection between the line segment connecting points p2 to p3 and the determination frame w is necessary. However, in FIG. 11, the map is enlarged due to the scale change, and the final confirmation point p2 is also outside the determination frame w, so the line segment from the point p2 to p3 does not intersect with the determination frame w, and is shown in FIG. Subsequent processing cannot be continued only by the processing of the first embodiment.
[0076]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, in the above case, the scale change detection unit 426 detects a change in the display scale, and the second determination unit 427 and the second scroll direction calculation unit 428 are shown in FIG. Steps 1001 to 1005 are performed. In particular, when the second determination unit 427 determines that the final confirmation point pbk in the route is outside the determination frame w in the display state at the current scale (step 1002), the second scroll direction calculation unit 428 An angle θ from the center c of the displayed map to the final confirmation point pbk determined to be within the previous determination frame w is obtained, and this θ is set as the scroll direction (step 1003).
[0077]
That is, in the state shown in FIG. 11 after the scale change, the direction from the map center c to the point p2 that is the final confirmation point recorded in pbk is the scroll direction θ, and the map movement amount obtained in step 1004 Is indicated by an arrow fl. FIG. 12 shows a map that has been scrolled (step 1005) by the amount of fl thus obtained.
[0078]
Next, in order to determine the scroll direction from the state of FIG. 12, the processing after step 1001 is performed again. In this case, it is determined whether or not the final confirmation point p2 recorded in pbk is within the determination frame w. Is performed (step 1002), the point p2 in the state of FIG. 12 is now within the determination frame w, and the process returns to the processing after step 903 in FIG. The scrolling operation is continued as in the form.
[0079]
[2-4. Effect of Second Embodiment]
As described above, in the second embodiment, when a point that is finally confirmed to be within the determination frame before changing the scale is outside the frame due to the change, the map is scrolled so that the point becomes the center of the screen. Smoothly respond to display scale changes. For this reason, during the route confirmation, the user can obtain necessary information by satisfying requests such as confirming the surroundings of the desired part of the route on a more detailed map display or confirming the state of a slightly wider route. It will be easier to get.
[0080]
[3. Third Embodiment]
Next, in the third embodiment, in addition to the configurations, operations, and effects of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the path end point is displayed at the center of the screen while avoiding unnecessary scrolling. That is, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the direction toward the location x where the route escapes from the determination frame w is set as the scroll direction while sequentially confirming whether each point on the route is within the determination frame w. For this reason, the route confirmation operation leads to the state where the point pn at the end of the route enters the determination frame w, and when the confirmation is completed, the scrolling of the screen stops, so that the end of the route is at a position off the center of the display screen. It remains displayed.
[0081]
For this reason, as illustrated in FIG. 13, even when the route confirmation operation reaches the vicinity of the destination, the route end pn remains displayed at a position near the end of the display screen, and it is difficult to see the map near the destination. Arise. In order to solve this problem, the third embodiment displays the end of the route at the center of the monitor so that a wider range of information near the destination that is the route end can be obtained. It is.
[0082]
[3-1. Configuration of Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the scroll direction determination unit 42c includes a terminal end detection unit 429 and a third scroll direction calculation unit 420. Yes. Among these, the end detection unit 429 is a means for detecting that the last point in the route is located in the determination frame w, and the third scroll direction calculation unit 420 is configured such that the last point is the center of the screen. It is a means for calculating a scroll direction so that it may be located in.
[0083]
[3-2. Operation of the third embodiment]
In the third embodiment configured as described above, even after the last point in the route enters the determination frame, by scrolling so that the last point, that is, the end of the route is located at the center of the screen, It is easy to check the map around the destination.
[0084]
Here, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure for determining the scroll direction in the third embodiment, which are integrated via a connector C. That is, in this procedure, the contents of FIG. 15 before the connector C are the same as in the first embodiment, but in the first embodiment, the point p selected as the processing target is changed to the point pn at the end of the path. When it reaches, the processing is finished, and an example of the screen at this time is a state shown in FIG.
[0085]
In contrast, in the third embodiment, when it is determined that the point p selected as the processing target has reached the point pn at the end of the path (step 1205), the procedure of FIG. By executing, the scroll operation is realized so that the destination point is displayed at the center of the map.
[0086]
That is, in the procedure of FIG. 16, first, the distance on the screen from the coordinate c (x0, y0) of the center of the map currently displayed on the screen to the coordinate b (x1, y1) of the destination point is obtained. Is set to L (step 1301). Here, L can be obtained by the following equation.
[Expression 1]
L = √ ((x0−x1) ^ 2 + (y0−y1) ^ 2)
Next, d, which is the map screen movement distance per time by the scroll operation, is compared with L (step 1302). That is, when the distance from the current screen center c to the destination point b is smaller than the amount of one-time movement by the scroll operation, a map is displayed centering on the destination point b (step 1306), and processing Finish. The state of the screen at this time is as shown in FIG.
[0087]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1302 that d <L, a process of moving the display range of the map by the distance d in the direction of the destination point b is performed (steps 1303 to 1305). That is, thereafter, as long as it is determined in step 1302 that d <L, the processing of steps 1301 to 1305 is repeated so that the center of the map displayed on the screen approaches the destination b by the distance d. Scroll to.
[0088]
[3-3. Effects of the third embodiment]
As described above, in the third embodiment, even after the last point in the route enters the determination frame, the last point, that is, the end of the route is scrolled so as to be positioned at the center of the screen. The surrounding map can be easily confirmed. That is, as a result of the route confirmation operation, when displaying a map near the destination, the display of the map centered on the destination becomes easier to see.
[0089]
In the above example, the route confirmation operation is performed while scrolling from the departure point to the destination direction, and an example is shown in which the end of the route is displayed at the center of the screen. The same applies to the case where the route confirmation work is performed. In this case, the route data may be replaced from the reverse side, and “route end” in the claims is read as “route start end”. That is, according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the route confirmation operation is finished when the departure place enters the determination frame w. However, if the third embodiment is applied to such a case, the departure place The scrolling operation for confirming the route will continue until is displayed at the center of the monitor.
[0090]
[4. Other Embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said each embodiment, Other embodiments which are illustrated next are included. For example, the present invention can be applied not only to automobiles but also to other types of moving bodies such as motorcycles. In each of the above embodiments, the confirmation of the route mainly from the departure point to the destination point has been described. However, the reverse direction can be realized in the same manner by tracing the route data from the reverse direction.
[0091]
As to when to perform the lean scrolling unique to the present invention, for example, if an instruction to start the operation is given, the scrolling may be automatically performed along the route until the destination is reached. The scroll operation may be performed only while an instruction is given by an operation button or the like that requires a scroll operation, and the position stops when the instruction is canceled. However, both cases are included in the present invention.
[0092]
Further, the configurations and operation procedures shown in the above embodiments are merely examples, for example, how to calculate a route to a given destination, and so that points in the route are sequentially positioned within the determination frame. In order to determine the map scrolling direction, you can freely decide what algorithm or formula to use, and the specific processing procedure for scrolling the map in the determined scrolling direction. Can do.
[0093]
Further, for example, a configuration and procedure for dealing with a change in scale are not necessarily essential to the present invention. Similarly, the configuration and procedure for displaying the path termination at the center of the screen are not necessarily essential to the present invention.
[0094]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a navigation technique, that is, a navigation apparatus and method that can more efficiently check a route by eliminating useless scrolling operations, and a recording that records navigation software. Since a medium can be provided, usability of navigation is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a scroll in the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining a scroll direction in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determination of a scroll direction in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determination of a scroll direction in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determination of a scroll direction in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part) showing a processing procedure for determining a scroll direction in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart (part) showing a processing procedure for determining a scroll direction in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determining a scroll direction in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determining a scroll direction in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of determination of a scroll direction in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a state in which a path termination is displayed near the end of the screen in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart (part) illustrating a processing procedure for determining a scroll direction according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart (part) illustrating a processing procedure for determining a scroll direction according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a state in which a path end is displayed at the center of the screen in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of scrolling in the prior art.
FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of scrolling in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Input section
2 ... CD-ROM
3 ... RAM for data reading
4, 4b, 4c ... control unit
41 ... Route calculation part
42, 42b, 42c ... scroll direction calculation unit
421 ... Point selection section
422 ... Determination frame setting section
423 ... 1st determination part
424 ... intersection calculation part
425 ... Scroll direction calculation unit
426 ... Scale change detection unit
427 ... Second determination unit
428 ... Second scroll direction calculation unit
429 ... Termination detection unit
420 ... Third scroll direction calculation unit
43 ... Map drawing part
44 ... Display control unit
5 ... VRAM for display
6 ... Display section
S: Each step of the procedure

Claims (11)

In a navigation device for guiding while displaying a route to a given destination on a map,
Means for calculating said route to a given destination;
A determining means for determining a scroll direction of the map so that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within a determination frame set inside the currently displayed range of the map;
Means for scrolling the map in the determined scroll direction until the point is within the determination frame, and not scrolling further if the point is within the determination frame;
A navigation device characterized by comprising: The determining means includes
Means for setting a determination frame of a predetermined range based on the center of the currently displayed range of the map, and means for sequentially selecting each point existing in the calculated route When,
Means for determining whether the selected point is within the determination frame;
When it is determined that the selected point is not within the determination frame,
Means for calculating an intersection where a line segment from the last confirmation point finally determined to be within the determination frame to the selected point intersects the determination frame;
Means for calculating a scrolling direction of the map so that the intersection point approaches the center;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The determining means includes
Means for detecting a change in scale in the display of the map;
When a change in the scale is detected, to determine whether the final confirmation point that is finally determined as being within the determination frame among the points in the route is within the determination frame at the scale after the change Means of
Means for calculating the scroll direction of the map so that the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map when the final confirmation point is determined to be outside the determination frame;
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The determining means includes
Means for detecting that the last point in the path is located within the determination frame; means for calculating the scroll direction so that the last point is located at the center of the screen;
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: In a navigation method for guiding while displaying a route to a given destination on a map,
Calculating the route to a given destination;
A determination step for determining a scroll direction of the map such that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within a determination frame set inside the currently displayed range of the map;
The determined the scroll direction, the steps of because the map the point scroll to fall within the determination frame, the point in the judgment frame is not more scrolling if Osamare,
A navigation method comprising: The determination step includes:
A step for setting a determination frame of a predetermined range based on the center of the currently displayed range of the map;
For sequentially selecting each point present in the calculated path;
Determining whether the selected point is within the determination frame;
When it is determined that the selected point is not within the determination frame, a line segment from the last confirmation point that is finally determined to be within the determination frame to the selected point intersects the determination frame. Steps to calculate the intersection,
Calculating a scroll direction of the map so that the intersection is closer to the center;
The navigation method according to claim 5, further comprising: The determination step includes:
Detecting a change in scale in the display of the map;
When a change in the scale is detected, to determine whether the final confirmation point that is finally determined as being within the determination frame among the points in the route is within the determination frame at the scale after the change And the steps
A step for calculating a map scroll direction so that the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map when the final confirmation point is determined to be outside the determination frame;
The navigation method according to claim 5, further comprising: The determination step includes:
Detecting that the last point in the route is located within the decision frame;
Calculating the scroll direction so that the last point is at the center of the screen;
The navigation method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: In a recording medium recording navigation software for guiding while displaying on a map the route to a given destination using a computer,
The software is on the computer,
Let the route to a given destination be calculated,
The scroll direction of the map is determined so that each point existing in the route is sequentially positioned within the determination frame set inside the currently displayed range of the map, and the determined scroll direction In addition, the map is scrolled until the point is within the determination frame, and if the point is within the determination frame, no further scrolling is performed.
In determining the scroll direction,
Based on the center of the currently displayed range of the map, a predetermined range determination frame is set,
Each point existing in the calculated route is selected sequentially,
Determine whether the selected point is within the determination frame,
When it is determined that the selected point is not within the determination frame, a line segment from the last confirmation point that is finally determined to be within the determination frame to the selected point intersects the determination frame. Let's calculate the intersection,
A recording medium on which navigation software is recorded, wherein a scroll direction of a map is calculated so that the intersection point approaches the center. The software allows the computer to determine the scroll direction,
Detecting a change in scale in the display of the map;
When the change in the scale is detected, it is determined whether or not the final confirmation point that is finally determined as being within the determination frame among the points in the route is within the determination frame in the scale after the change,
The map scroll direction is calculated so that the final confirmation point approaches the center of the currently displayed range of the map when the final confirmation point is determined to be outside the determination frame. Item 10. A recording medium on which the navigation software according to item 9 is recorded. The software allows the computer to determine the scroll direction,
Detecting that the last point in the route is located within the decision frame;
11. The recording medium recording navigation software according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the scroll direction is calculated so that the last point is located at the center of the screen.

Images