JP4411721B2 - Map display, navigation method and apparatus, and automobile - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map display method and apparatus, a navigation method and apparatus, and an automobile equipped with a navigation apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Navigation devices using GPS (Global Satellite Positioning Device) are often mounted on automobiles (retrofitted or incorporated in a manufacturing process). The most basic function of this navigation device is to measure the current position of the vehicle and display the current position on a screen together with a map. However, currently popular navigation devices generally have various additional functions in addition to this basic function.
[0003]
One of these additional functions is to search for a route that passes through the route and reaches the destination based on the user's operation to set the destination and route, and a route that is searched (recommended route). There is a function to display the vehicle or to guide the vehicle by voice or image along the recommended route when traveling. By using this function, the user can reach the destination while stopping at the waypoint without getting lost.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional navigation apparatus, the display of the recommended route by this function is performed in the form of displaying the recommended route and its surrounding map over the entire screen. As a result, a map of a place that is not related to the recommended route itself or a place that is far away from the current location is displayed widely on the screen and enters the user's field of view. There is a case where the recommended route is deviated due to the information (for example, an intersection that should be bent on the recommended route is misunderstood based on the analogy between the place name of the map of the place and the place name of the current location).
[0005]
In addition, VICS information (road traffic information provided by the road traffic information communication system center) (“VICS” is a registered trademark of the foundation) and the Internet are acquired by the navigation device, and VICS information by FM multiplex broadcasting is acquired. Some have a function of displaying additional information such as information on the screen.
[0006]
However, in the conventional navigation device, when such additional information is displayed at the time of guidance, the information is displayed on the recommended route displayed on the entire screen and the surrounding map. As a result, the screen becomes difficult to see, and both the recommended route and the additional information can be understood only insufficiently.
[0007]
Therefore, the problem of the present invention is that a map of a place unrelated to the recommended route itself is not widely displayed on the screen, and additional information is displayed over the recommended route and its surrounding map. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display method and device, a navigation method and device, and an automobile equipped with a navigation device.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve this problem, the applicant sets a destination as described in claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 , and sets the range of the screen on which the route to the destination is to be displayed. Setting, obtaining additional information to be displayed on the screen, searching for this route, displaying this route together with the map in this range of the screen, and displaying the additional information outside this range A device, a navigation method and device, and an automobile equipped with a navigation device are proposed.
[0009]
According to these inventions, not only the destination is set, but also by setting the range of the screen on which the route to the destination is to be displayed, the searched route is included only in the set range of the screen. Displayed with a map. The acquired additional information is displayed in a range other than this range on the screen.
[0010]
In this way, since the route and the map are displayed only in the set range of the screen, it is displayed on the screen rather than the case where the recommended route and the surrounding map are displayed over the entire screen as in the past. The map around the route is narrow. Thereby, a map of a place or the like unrelated to the recommended route itself is not widely displayed on the screen as in the past.
[0011]
Further, by displaying additional information in a range other than the display range of the route and the map on the screen, the route, the map, and the additional information are clearly distinguished and displayed in different ranges on the screen. . As a result, the additional information is not displayed overlapping the recommended route and the surrounding map.
[0012]
Therefore, in the navigation method and apparatus according to claims 3, 4 and 5 , and the automobile, a situation in which the recommended route is deviated due to excessive information obtained from a map such as a place unrelated to the recommended route itself at the time of guidance. In addition, even if additional information is displayed at the time of guidance, the screen does not become difficult to see, and both the recommended route and the additional information can be fully understood.
[0013]
In these inventions, select the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen to specify the size to display the additional information on the screen, in the range other than the route and map display range of the screen, this It is more preferable to display the additional information in a designated size.
[0014]
As a result, the user can display a desired type of additional information in a range other than the display range of the route and the map, so that the utility value of the range other than the display range of the route and the map is further increased and the user desires. Since the additional information can be displayed with the size of the additional information, it becomes easier to see the additional information.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Below, the example which applied this invention to the motor vehicle carrying a navigation apparatus is demonstrated.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an arrangement example of a navigation device in an automobile to which the present invention is applied. In this car 31, a navigation device main body 21 is arranged in a trunk room 32, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 22 for displaying an image such as a map on a dashboard 33 (guidance information such as a traveling direction is voiced). In this dashboard 33, a CD-ROM drive 23 for reproducing a CD-ROM such as a map disk is arranged.
[0016]
In addition, a GPS antenna 24 for receiving radio waves from GPS satellites is disposed below the roof 34, and VICS information (foundation corporation) by FM multiplex broadcasting is provided under the seat 35 via the FM antenna 36 of the automobile 31. An Internet unit for accessing the Internet via the FM tuner 25 for receiving road traffic information provided by the road traffic information communication system center ("VICS" is a registered trademark of the foundation) and a digital mobile phone 37. 27 are arranged. The navigation device is operated by using the remote controller 26. (In the same figure, the wiring connecting the parts of the navigation device is not shown.)
Note that FIG. 1 is merely an example, and it is a matter of course that the present invention may be applied to an automobile equipped with a navigation device in a different arrangement from that in FIG.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation apparatus of FIG.
In the figure, an LCD 22, a CD-ROM drive 23, a GPS antenna 24, an FM tuner 25, a remote controller 26, and an internet unit 27, which have the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1, are the same as those in FIG. It is attached to the LCD 22, and the other parts are included in the navigation device main body 21.
[0018]
This navigation device includes a main CPU 1, a DRAM 2, a mask ROM 3, a flash ROM 4 and an SRAM 5, an FM tuner 25, an internet unit 27, a peripheral control device 6, a sub CPU 7, and the following components: Contains.
(1) A speaker 8 and a D / A converter 9 that analog-converts a digital audio signal of guidance information such as a traveling direction sent from the peripheral control device 6 toward the speaker 8.
(2) LCD22.
(3) A CD-ROM drive 23 for reproducing the CD-ROM 10.
(4) GSP antenna 24 and GSP controller 11 for measuring the absolute position of the vehicle based on the radio waves received by GSP antenna 24.
(5) Remote controller 26 and remote control light receiving unit 12 for receiving signals from remote controller 26 (far-infrared signal).
(6) Gyro sensor 13 for measuring the relative position of the own vehicle (a vehicle speed pulse from a vehicle speed sensor not shown is also used for relative position measurement).
[0019]
Software to be executed by the main CPU 1 is stored in the flash ROM 4. When the main CPU 1 executes the software transferred from the flash ROM 4 to the DRAM 2, the above-described units are connected via the peripheral control device 6 and the sub CPU 7. While being controlled, the VICS information received by the FM tuner 25 is acquired.
[0020]
The hardware configuration itself of such a navigation device may be the same as the existing one. However, the software in the flash ROM 4 includes software for processing as will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9, and a specific operation key on the remote controller 26 can also be used by the user in this processing. A role as a key to be operated when setting is given. FIG. 2 is merely an example, and the present invention may be applied to a navigation device having a hardware configuration different from that in FIG. 2 to execute processing as described with reference to FIGS. Of course.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a route and additional information display function realized by processing of the main CPU 1 in the navigation device of FIG.
In the destination input unit 41, a destination (or a destination and one or a plurality of waypoints) is set. The destination input unit 41 is realized based on the user operating the keys of the remote controller 26 while viewing the display on the LCD 22.
[0022]
In the necessary display range input unit 42, the range of the screen of the LCD 22 on which the route to the destination is to be displayed is set. The necessary display range input unit 42 is also realized based on the user operating the keys of the remote controller 26 while viewing the display on the LCD 22.
[0023]
In the additional information creation unit 43, among the VICS information and information (additional information) that can be acquired by accessing the Internet, the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen of the LCD 22 (for example, road traffic information, weather information, various hobby information) , News, etc.) is selected, the size for displaying additional information is specified on this screen, and the method for obtaining additional information (whether to receive VICS information or access the Internet) is specified. Then, the selected additional information is obtained by a designated obtaining method. This selection and designation is realized based on the user operating the keys of the remote controller 26 while viewing the display on the LCD 22, and the FM tuner 25 or the Internet unit 27 is used to obtain additional information. When a plurality of types of additional information are selected by the additional information creation unit 43, the priority order for displaying the additional information may be designated by the additional information creation unit 43.
[0024]
In the additional information list storage unit 44, the additional information obtained by the additional information creation unit 43 is stored as a list. The additional information list storage unit 44 uses the DRAM 2 of FIG.
[0025]
In the route search unit 45, a route from the departure point (current location) to the destination set by the destination input unit 41 (if a route point is set by the destination input unit 41, it passes through the route point and passes through the route point) The route to the ground) is searched by a well-known route search method such as the Dijkstra method.
[0026]
In the recommended route node acquisition unit 46, nodes (branch points such as intersections) on the route (recommended route) searched by the route search unit 45 are extracted.
In the recommended route node list storage unit 47, the nodes extracted by the recommended route node acquisition unit 46 are stored as a recommended route node list. The recommended route node list storage unit 47 uses the DRAM 2 of FIG.
[0027]
In the display route node list creation unit 48, a node adjacent to the node in the recommended route node list is searched from the map database. Then, among the searched nodes, nodes that fall within the screen range set by the necessary display range input unit 42 are registered as a display route node list together with the nodes in the recommended route node list. For searching the map database, the CD-ROM 10 (map disk) and the CD-ROM drive 23 are used.
The display path node list storage unit 49 stores this display path node list. The recommended route node list storage unit 47 also uses the DRAM 2 of FIG.
[0028]
In the map display unit 50, a recommended route including a node in the display route node list within the range of the screen of the LCD 22 set by the necessary display range input unit 42 with the current location of the automobile 31 as a reference is around the recommended route. Is displayed with the map. Further, the additional information selected by the additional information creating unit 43 is displayed in the range other than the recommended route and the map display range on the screen in the size designated by the additional information creating unit 43 (specified). If the size exceeds the size of the range other than the recommended route and map display range, for example, only a part of the additional information is displayed within the range other than the recommended route and map display range, and the display portion By displaying a scroll bar for moving the user, the user can scroll the display portion to see the entire additional information). The CD-ROM 10 and the CD-ROM drive 23 are used for displaying the map. Note that the map display unit 50 may graphically display peripheral road information such as a sign of an intersection on the recommended route on a portion of the recommended route and map display range.
[0029]
Next, a specific example of how the route and additional information are displayed on the screen of the LCD 22 by the function shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing that is started by a user operation and executed by the route and additional information display function of FIG.
First, the destination is set by the destination input unit 41 (that is, when the user operates a key of the remote controller 26 while watching the LCD 22) (step S1).
[0030]
Subsequently, in the necessary display range input unit 42 (that is, when the user operates a key of the remote controller 26 while looking at the LCD 22), the range of the screen to display the route to the destination is, for example, the upper left side of the screen and A range excluding the lower right side is set (step S2).
[0031]
Subsequently, the additional information creation unit 43 performs processing (step S3). In this process, as shown in FIG. 5, the user operates the keys of the remote controller 26 while looking at the LCD 22 to select, for example, today's fortune information and nationwide weather information as additional information types (step S11). ), For example, the size over the entire upper left side of the screen is designated as the size for displaying the additional information (step S12), and the Internet is designated as a method for obtaining the additional information (step S13). Then, the current fortune information and the national weather information, which are additional information selected in step S11, are obtained by accessing the Internet designated in step S13 (step S14).
[0032]
Subsequent to step S3, the route search unit 45 performs processing (step S4). In this process, as shown in FIG. 6, the destination set in step S1 is acquired (step S21), and a route to the destination is searched by the Dijkstra method (step S22).
[0033]
Subsequent to step S4, the recommended route node acquisition unit 46 extracts nodes on the recommended route searched by the route search unit 45 (step S5), and uses the extracted nodes as a recommended route node list. The data is stored in the storage unit 47 (that is, written in the DRAM 2) (step S6).
[0034]
Subsequently, the display path node list creation unit 48 performs processing (step S7). In this process, as shown in FIG. 7, the recommended route node list stored in step S6 is acquired (step S31), and the recommended route node list is first registered as it is as a display route node list (step S32). Then, a node adjacent to the node in the recommended route node list is searched from the map database (step S33), a list of searched nodes (adjacent node list) is created (step S34), and the list of the list in the adjacent node list is created. Of these, nodes that fall within the range excluding the upper left and lower right sides of the screen, which is the range set in step S2, are added to the display path node list and registered (step S35).
Subsequent to step S7, the display path node list is stored in the display path node list storage unit 49 (that is, written in the DRAM 2) (step S8).
[0035]
Then, the process in the map display part 50 is performed (step S9). In this process, as shown in FIG. 8, the display path node list registered in steps S32 and S35 in FIG. 7 is acquired (step S41), and the current fortune that is the additional information obtained in step S14 in FIG. And national weather information are acquired (step S42). The recommended range includes the nodes in the display route node list acquired in step S41 in the range excluding the upper left side and lower right side of the screen of the LCD 22 which is the range set in step S2, with the current location of the automobile 31 as a reference. The route is displayed together with a map around the recommended route, and the entire area on the upper left side of the screen, which is the size specified in step S12 in FIG. The current fortune information and national weather information acquired in step S42 are then displayed (step S43). Then, the process ends.
[0036]
FIG. 9 shows a display example of the screen of the LCD 22 by the process of FIG. In the range excluding the upper left and lower right sides of the screen, the recommended route (the broken line portion in the figure) is displayed from the lower left to the upper right with reference to the current location of the automobile 31 (the portion of the inverted V-shaped symbol in the figure). At the same time, a minimum map around the recommended route is displayed (one part of which is a graphic display of intersection signs on the recommended route). In addition, information on today's fortune and weather information nationwide are displayed over the entire upper left side of the screen.
[0037]
Thus, since the recommended route and the map are displayed only in the set range of the screen of the LCD 22, as compared with the conventional case where the recommended route and the surrounding map are displayed over the entire screen, The map around the recommended route displayed on the screen is narrow.
[0038]
As a result, a map such as a place unrelated to the recommended route itself is no longer displayed on the screen as in the past, and thus it can be obtained from a map such as a place unrelated to the recommended route at the time of guidance. The situation where the recommended route is missed due to excessive information is prevented.
[0039]
Further, by displaying the additional information in a range other than the recommended route and the display range of the map, the recommended route, the map, and the additional information are clearly distinguished and displayed in different ranges on the screen.
[0040]
As a result, the additional information is no longer displayed on the recommended route and its surrounding map as in the past, so the screen is not difficult to see, and both the recommended route and the additional information are displayed. You can understand enough.
[0041]
In addition, since the user can display a desired type of additional information in a range other than the route and map display range, the utility value of the range other than the route and map display range is further increased, and the user Since the additional information can be displayed in a desired size, the additional information is easier to see.
[0042]
In the above example, the additional information is obtained by receiving VICS information by FM multiplex broadcasting or accessing the Internet. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and additional information may be obtained by receiving VICS information using an optical beacon or a radio beacon.
[0043]
Moreover, in the above example, this invention is applied to the motor vehicle carrying a navigation apparatus. However, the navigation system (which may be for automobiles or other uses) itself or a map display system other than a navigation system that searches for a route to a destination and displays it together with a map It is clear from the above description that the present invention can be applied.
Further, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and it is needless to say that various other configurations can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the map display method and apparatus, the navigation method and apparatus, and the automobile according to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, the set range of the screen. Since the route and the map are displayed only on the screen, it is possible to eliminate the fact that a map of a place or the like irrelevant to the route itself is widely displayed on the screen as in the prior art.
[0045]
In addition, since the additional information is displayed in a range other than the display range of the route and the map in the screen, the route, the map, and the additional information are clearly distinguished and displayed in different ranges on the screen. As described above, it is possible to prevent the additional information from being displayed on the recommended route and the surrounding map.
[0046]
Therefore, in the navigation method and apparatus according to claims 3, 4 and 5 , and the automobile, a situation in which the recommended route is deviated due to excessive information obtained from a map such as a place unrelated to the recommended route itself at the time of guidance. In addition, even if additional information is displayed at the time of guidance, the screen does not become difficult to see, and both the recommended route and the additional information can be fully understood.
[0047]
In these inventions, the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen is selected, the size for displaying the additional information on the screen is designated, and this designation is made in a range other than the route and map display range on the screen. When the additional information is displayed in the displayed size , the user can display a desired type of additional information in a range other than the route and map display range on the screen. The utility value in a range other than the display range can be further increased, and the additional information can be displayed in a desired size by the user, so that the additional information can be more easily seen.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an arrangement example of a navigation device in an automobile to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the navigation device of FIG. 1;
3 is a block diagram showing an example of a route and additional information display function realized by processing of the main CPU 1 in the navigation device of FIG. 2;
4 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing executed by the route and additional information display function of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of FIG. 4;
6 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing of FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of the process of FIG. 4;
9 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen by the process of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 main CPU, 2 DRAM, 3 mask ROM, 4 flash ROM, 5 SRAM, 6 peripheral control device, 7 sub CPU, 8 speaker, 9 D / A converter, 10 CD-ROM, 11 GSP controller, 12 remote control light receiving unit , 13 Gyro sensor, 21 Navigation device body, 22 Liquid crystal display (LCD), 23 CD-ROM drive, 24 GPS antenna, 25 FM tuner, 26 Remote controller, 27 Internet unit, 31 Car, 32 Trunk room, 33 Dashboard, 34 Roof, 35 sheets, 36 FM antenna, 37 digital mobile phone, 41 destination input section, 42 required display range input section, 43 additional information creation section, 44 additional information list storage section, 45 route search section, 46 recommended route Node acquisition unit, 47 recommended route node list storage unit, 48 display route node list creation unit, 49 display route node list storage unit, 50 map display unit

Claims (5)

Setting a destination by first setting means provided in the map display device ;
Setting a range of a screen on which a route to the destination is to be displayed by a second setting unit included in the map display device ;
Selecting the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen by the selection means provided in the map display device;
Designating a size for displaying the additional information on the screen by designation means provided in the map display device;
Acquiring additional information to be displayed on the screen by an acquisition means provided in the map display device ;
Searching for the route by search means provided in the map display device ;
Among the screen by the display processing unit that the map display device comprises, the path displayed together with the map on the range, see containing and displaying the additional information in addition to the above range,
The map display method in which the display processing means displays the additional information in the designated size outside the range in the screen . First setting means for setting a destination;
Display means for displaying at least a map on the screen;
Second setting means for setting a range of a screen of the display means to display a route to the destination;
Selecting means for selecting the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen;
Designation means for designating a size for displaying the additional information on the screen of the display means;
Obtaining means for obtaining additional information to be displayed on the screen of the display means;
Search means for searching for the route;
Of the screen of the display unit, the range to display the path together with the map, Bei example and a display processing means for displaying the additional information in addition to the above range,
The display processing means displays the additional information in the designated size in addition to the range on the screen of the display means . In a navigation method by a navigation device that measures a current position and displays the current position together with a map on a screen,
Setting a destination by first setting means provided in the navigation device ;
Setting a range of a screen on which a route to the destination is to be displayed by a second setting unit included in the navigation device ;
Selecting the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen by the selection means provided in the navigation device;
Designating a size for displaying the additional information on the screen by designating means provided in the navigation device;
Acquiring additional information to be displayed on the screen by an acquisition means included in the navigation device ;
Searching the route by search means provided in the navigation device ;
Displaying the route together with a map in the range of the screen by display processing means provided in the navigation device, and displaying the additional information outside the range;
It looks including the step of performing a guided along the route by the induction means the navigation system is provided,
The navigation method in which the display processing means displays the additional information in the designated size outside the range of the screen . A measuring means for measuring the current position, the Luna navigation apparatus is displayed on the image display means together with the map of the current position,
First setting means for setting a destination;
Second setting means for setting a screen range of the image display means to display a route to the destination;
Selecting means for selecting the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen;
Designation means for designating a size for displaying the additional information on the screen of the image display means;
Obtaining means for obtaining additional information to be displayed on the screen of the image display means;
Search means for searching for the route;
Display processing means for displaying the route together with a map in the range of the screen of the image display means, and displaying the additional information other than the range;
E Bei and induction means for inducing along the path,
The navigation apparatus that displays the additional information in the designated size in addition to the range on the screen of the image display unit . Measuring means for measuring the current position, and an image display means for displaying at least a map, wherein the current vehicle equipped with Luna navigation device location is displayed on the image display means together with the map, and
First setting means for setting a destination;
Second setting means for setting a screen range of the image display means to display a route to the destination;
Selecting means for selecting the type of additional information to be displayed on the screen;
Designation means for designating a size for displaying the additional information on the screen of the image display means;
Obtaining means for obtaining additional information to be displayed on the screen of the image display means;
Search means for searching for the route, and display processing means for displaying the route together with a map in the range and displaying the additional information outside the range in the screen of the image display means,
E Bei and induction means for inducing along the path,
The display processing means is an automobile that displays the additional information in the designated size in addition to the range on the screen of the image display means .

Images