JP4675349B2 - Map display device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention scrolls and displays a destination, a route map to the destination, commercial information, traffic information, and the like in a mobile terminal such as an in-vehicle device when the destination is set by destination setting or the like. The present invention relates to a map display device and a map display method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an apparatus that scrolls and displays a map of a travel route, and scrolls a screen from a current travel position to a destination (see, for example, Patent Document 1). FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of the conventional route map scroll described in Patent Document 1. In FIG.

Reference numeral 31 in FIG. 1 indicates a current display screen, and the current traveling state is indicated by the own vehicle position 21. FIG. 1 further shows a destination 23 set by destination setting or the like and an optimum road 22 to the destination. Since the route from the current position to the destination cannot be displayed on one screen of the current display screen 31, the conventional map display apparatus scrolls the optimum road 22 to the destination on the scroll screen 1 (32 in FIG. 1), and scrolls. The screen is displayed on the main screen while being scrolled with screen 2 (33 in FIG. 1) and scroll screen 3 (34 in FIG. 1), and the route to the destination is displayed.
Japanese Patent No. 3421164 (5 pages, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional configuration, the route map to the destination is simply scroll-displayed on the current display screen, so that the user cannot see the current driving state and current driving information while scrolling. Have.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and uses a companion vehicle traveling with the vehicle as a destination, and displays route information to the destination and the destination in an appropriate state different from the current display screen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map display device that enables a user to easily grasp route information to a destination by scrolling the window.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a map display device of the present invention is a map display device that displays a map relating to a moving route of a moving body, and includes a display screen, a current position of the moving body, and a current position of the moving body. Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information about a movement route from a position to a destination; and overall display means for displaying a map indicated by the acquired map information about the current position of the moving body on the entire display screen; When the second moving body detecting means for detecting the position of the second moving body different from the moving body and the position detected by the second moving body detecting means as the destination, Intersection information acquisition means for acquiring information related to an intersection, and the display screen while scrolling a plurality of partial maps, which are maps related to a part of the acquired movement path of the moving body, along the movement path Partial display means for displaying in a partial display area that is a part, and the partial display means determines whether or not the number of intersections with the destination exceeds a predetermined number based on the information about the intersections The scrolling is started when the number of intersections exceeds a predetermined number.

  With this configuration, the user can easily obtain route information that is map information about a travel route with a companion vehicle traveling with the vehicle without disturbing the visibility of the information on the current position while traveling. It can be provided so that it can be grasped.

  According to the map display device of the present invention, a user can easily travel route information related to a destination and a route to the destination without disturbing the current travel information, with the accompanying vehicle traveling with the host vehicle as the destination. It is possible to display so that it can be easily grasped.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, more specifically, in the map display device of the present invention, the moving route is a route from the current position of the moving body to a destination, and the partial display means The partial map is displayed while scrolling from the position toward the destination or from the destination toward the current position. Thereby, the user of the map display device confirms the partial map in the scroll display from the current position toward the destination or from the destination toward the current position while viewing the map indicated by the map information about the current position. There is an effect that can be.

  The map display device further includes position detection means for detecting the current position of the moving body, and each time the position detection means detects a new current position, the map information acquisition means Map information about a position and a moving route from the new current location to the destination is acquired, and the whole display unit and the partial display unit respectively show the map indicated by the acquired map information about the new current position and the moving route. Is displayed. Thereby, according to the movement of the moving body, there is an effect that the map indicated by the latest map information about the current position and the moving route can be viewed.

  Furthermore, the partial display means includes the reference point when a point on the moving path included in the map displayed by the whole display means is used as a reference point, and at a certain distance from the reference point. The related map is displayed while the partial map is scrolled using the related display area as the partial display area. As a result, the partial display area is positioned on the movement route included in the map displayed by the whole display means. Therefore, the user can confirm the route to the destination by looking at the partial display area displayed on the route of the same map while confirming the current position on the map displayed by the whole display means. effective.

  The partial display means sets a reference point at which the partial map displayed in the partial display area and the map of the partial display area in the map displayed by the whole display means coincide with each other as a starting point or an end point of scrolling. The partial map is displayed while scrolling. Thereby, the user can intuitively grasp the relative positional relationship between the current position of the moving body and the destination, the direction to the destination, and the like.

  Further, when the partial display unit displays the partial map in the partial display area by the partial display unit, the display unit displays the display based on the movement route included in the map displayed on the entire display screen. Change the display area of the map displayed on the entire screen. Therefore, the map display device of the present invention has an effect that the map represented by the map information of the new current position can be displayed according to the movement of the moving body while scrolling the partial map in the partial display area. .

  Further, the partial display means scrolls and displays the partial map by sequentially setting a plurality of predetermined points on the movement route as the reference points. Therefore, the map display device of the present invention can display a partial map including a plurality of predetermined points on the moving route while scrolling.

  The map display device further includes an input unit that receives a user's operation input, and the partial display unit starts the scroll when the input unit receives the user's operation input. Thereby, the map display apparatus of this invention can be displayed, scrolling a partial map at a user's desired timing.

  The partial display means predicts and calculates the time when the moving body passes through a point on the moving route indicated by the partial map to be displayed, and displays the calculated time together with the partial map. Therefore, the user can easily know the passage time of a point on the route to the destination, and can be used as a reference for determining whether to change the schedule of subsequent actions or continue. .

  Further, the partial display means displays different partial maps in a plurality of partial display areas while scrolling. Thereby, the user can change the route to the destination based on the partial map scroll-displayed in the plurality of partial display areas.

  The map information acquisition means acquires map information about a plurality of travel routes from the current position to a plurality of destinations, and the partial display means displays the partial maps of the plurality of travel routes acquired in a plurality of parts. Display while scrolling to the display area. Thereby, the user can change the destination, the route to the destination, and the like based on the partial map scroll-displayed in the plurality of partial display areas.

  Further, the partial display means simultaneously displays the plurality of movement paths while scrolling the partial maps of the plurality of movement paths so that the time from the start to the end of the scrolling is the same.

  In addition, the partial display means scrolls the partial maps of the plurality of movement paths so that the partial maps having the same passage time of the predicted moving body are simultaneously displayed for the plurality of movement paths. To do. Accordingly, there is an effect that the user can know at a glance which travel route the user heads to the destination quickly.

  In addition, the map display device further includes a partial map area calculation unit that calculates a shape or a scale of the partial map based on a reference point that is a point on the movement route, and the partial display unit includes the partial display unit, The partial map having the shape or scale calculated by the partial map area calculating means is displayed.

  Furthermore, the partial map area calculation means calculates a plurality of reference points on the movement route, and calculates the shape of the partial map based on the calculated position of the reference points. Thereby, the said map display apparatus can calculate the shape of the partial map display area match | combined with the shape of the movement path | route, and can display the movement path | route of a long distance with one partial map.

  The partial map area calculation means calculates a plurality of reference points on the movement route, and calculates a scale of the partial map to be displayed in the partial display area based on the calculated position of the reference point. calculate. Thereby, the scale of the partial map to be displayed in the partial display area can be changed according to the position of the reference point on the movement path.

  Further, the moving path is a path from the current position of the moving body to a destination, and the map display device further detects a position of a second moving body different from the moving body. In the case where the position detected by the second moving body detection unit is the destination, the information display unit has an intersection information acquisition unit that acquires information about the intersection to the destination, and the partial display unit includes: Based on the information regarding the intersection, it is determined whether or not the number of intersections with the destination exceeds a predetermined number, and the scrolling is started when the number of intersections exceeds the predetermined number. Thereby, in the map display device of the present invention, when the number of intersections between the moving body and the second moving body exceeds a predetermined number, the route to the second moving body is immediately confirmed by scroll display. There is an effect that can be done.

  The map display device further includes input means for receiving a user operation input, and input effective area control means for controlling an effective area of the user operation input by the input means, and the input effective area The control means includes an area including the reference point and related to the reference point at a certain distance as the effective area, and the partial display means allows the input means to input a user operation within the effective area. When accepted, the scrolling is started.

  The map display device further includes a current position information display means for displaying information on a current position other than the map in a predetermined area in the display screen, and the current position information display means relates to the current position. When the area where the information is displayed as a menu overlaps with the partial display area, the information regarding the current position is moved to another predetermined area that does not overlap with the partial display area and displayed. Therefore, the user can confirm the partial map and the information on the current position at the same time in the same screen on which the map is displayed by the whole display unit.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the map display device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Hereinafter, each part will be described first, and then the operation of the map display method of the present invention will be described. The map display device 100 displays a map around the current position on the main map, and displays a partial map representing a partial map on the route to the destination not displayed on the main map on the route displayed on the main map. A car navigation device that scrolls and displays along a route in another window provided at an end on the ground side, and includes a current position detection unit 101, a current position storage unit 102, a partial map display area storage unit 103, and a map information storage unit 104, a partial map display position determination unit 105, a display area determination unit 106, a route storage unit 107, a route calculation unit 108, a route setting unit 109, and a display unit 110.

In FIG. 2, the current position detection unit 101 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the current position of the moving body, an antenna, and the like. The current position storage unit 102 is a memory that stores the current position detected by the current position detection unit 101.

  The partial map display area storage unit 103 stores the size and position for displaying the partial map in a part of the display area of the main screen on which the current position information is displayed, and controls the partial map display (partial map display control is described below). , Described in operation description).

  The partial map display position determination unit 105 determines the position where the partial map generated in the partial map display area storage unit 103 is displayed, and controls partial map display (partial map display control will be described in the operation description below). .

  The map information storage unit 104 is a memory such as an IC memory or a hard disk that stores map information, commercial information such as shops, and facility information, or a recording medium such as a CD in which such information is written. The map information is information representing a map to be displayed on the display unit 110 and includes information such as a scale and a latitude / longitude. The map information storage unit 104 may be provided in the map display device body of the present invention, or may be acquired by an information providing server or the like via a network or the like.

  The route storage unit 107 stores a route to a destination or destination set by a user input from a route setting unit 109 for performing destination setting or route setting such as “destination setting”. The route calculation unit 108 acquires the route to the destination from the map information stored in the map information storage unit 104 or the information providing server via the network based on the destination set by the route setting unit 109, for example. It is calculated as the optimum route based on traffic information such as traffic congestion. The route storage unit 107 stores information related to the route such as traffic information related to the optimum route and route calculated by the route calculation unit 108 and information related to the intersection as route information. Further, commercial information and facility information regarding the destination may be stored at the same time. Hereinafter, commercial information, facility information, etc. regarding the destination and destination, route to the destination, and traffic information about the route to the destination are defined as “route information”. Further, the route storage unit 107 may separately store a destination predicted by a processing unit provided and a route to the destination.

  The route setting unit 109 may be provided with a touch panel or the like on the display, or may be input by voice using voice recognition or the like. In a terminal with limited operability such as a car navigation system, it is not always necessary to use an operation button. By using a touch panel or voice recognition, the driver can easily operate.

  The display area determination unit 106 displays the current position detected by the current position detection unit 101 and stored in the current position storage unit 102, the map information related to the current position stored in the map information storage unit 104, and the like on a display or the like. Displayed on the unit 110. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the current position display screen 304 displayed by the display area determination unit 106 shown in FIG. 2 and a scroll reference point calculated on the optimum route 302. For example, 304 in FIG. 3 is a current position display screen displayed on the display screen as a display unit, and is stored in the map information storage unit 104 and the position of the vehicle (301 in FIG. 3) detected by the current position storage unit 102. Current position information such as the current travel route (340 in FIG. 3) is displayed from the map information (hereinafter, defined as “current position information”). Further, the display area determination unit 106 controls the map area to be displayed among the current position information to be displayed (the control of the current position display area will be described in the operation description below).

  In the following, the correspondence between each processing unit provided in the map display device and each means described in the claims will be described. The route calculation unit 108 is an example of a map information acquisition unit that acquires map information stored in the map information storage unit 104 by reading map information or receiving map information from an external information providing server connected via a network. It is.

  The current position detection unit 101, the current position storage unit 102, the display unit 110, and the route calculation unit 108 display a map indicated by the map information about the current position of the moving object stored in the map information storage unit 104 (display unit 110). ) Is an example of a whole display means for displaying the whole.

  The route setting unit 109, the route calculation unit 108, the route storage unit 107, the map information storage unit 104, the display area determination unit 106, and the display unit 110 are a part of the display unit 110 that displays the map indicated by the map information about the travel route. It is an example of the partial display means displayed on a partial display area. The partial display area referred to in the claims refers to the scroll screen or the partial map screen in the embodiment, and has a different meaning from the partial display area referred to in the embodiment. As will be described below, the partial display area referred to in the embodiment indicates a range on the map that should be displayed once on the partial map screen. The reference point in the claims means a point on the route displayed on the current position display screen. In the embodiment, a fixed distance is placed on the route from the current position to the destination. Say the point provided.

The current position detection unit 101 is an example of a position detection unit that detects the current position of the moving object.
The operation input unit 116 is an example of an input unit that receives a user operation input.

  The effective input determination unit 117 is an example of an input effective area restriction unit that controls an effective area of a user operation input from the input unit.

  The route reference point calculation unit 1111, the reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112, the partial map shape calculation unit 1121, and the partial map region scale calculation unit 113 are an example of a partial map region calculation unit that calculates the shape or scale of the partial map. The “reference reference point” in the claims is the same as the reference reference point in the embodiment. That is, from the reference points, the maximum and minimum reference points are calculated for the vertical and horizontal axes of the partial map, and the calculated reference points are generated when generating the partial map. The reference reference point to be referred to.

  The second current position detection unit 1160, the second current position storage unit 1170, the second current position transmission unit 1180, and the second current position reception unit 119 detect the position of the second moving body different from the moving body. It is an example of 2 mobile body detection means.

  The intersection information acquisition unit 121 is an example of an intersection information acquisition unit that acquires information about an intersection up to the destination when the position detected by the second moving body detection unit is the destination.

  The menu display area storage unit 1130, the display area determination unit 1140, and the menu display area switching unit 115 are an example of a current position information display unit that displays information related to the current position other than the map in a predetermined area in the display screen.

Next, the operation of the map display in the present invention provided with the processing unit will be described.
The partial map display area storage unit 103 and the partial map display position determination unit 105 store the traffic information, commercial information, and route information related to the destination and the optimum route to the destination and the route stored in the route storage unit 107. For example, using another window, control for scrolling and displaying the entire route is performed.

  The current location information such as the current location of the user, traffic information related to the current location, commercial information, facility information, etc., and route information (to the destination and destination) are displayed on a display unit such as a car navigation system that has a limited display screen. In order to display the route, etc., it is necessary to enlarge the scale and display the entire route, or temporarily stop displaying the current position information and scroll the route. However, the former makes it difficult to grasp detailed information by enlarging, and the latter hinders current information, and hinders current information that a driver needs more during driving. Even if another window is set and information is displayed, the consistency between the separate window displaying the route information and the main screen displaying the current position information cannot be obtained. That is, when the vicinity of the current location is displayed, the road on the main map and the road in another window are not connected, making it difficult for the driver to understand. Further, depending on the position of another window, there is a risk that the grasping of the current position information may be hindered. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display when another window is provided at a fixed position on the current position display screen 304 shown in FIG. 3 and a partial map is displayed there. For example, FIG. 4 displays the current position area on the main screen, and further sets a destination map of the vicinity of “restaurant” as a partial map at a predetermined position (for example, upper left of the screen) with a predetermined size (for example, horizontal 2W). FIG. 4 shows an example (2101 in FIG. 4) displayed in a fixed manner at x high 2H). When another window is simply provided at a fixed position and the partial map is scrolled, consistency with the main map cannot be obtained. Conventionally, there is an example in which a separate window is provided in the map display area of the main screen, and a partial map is displayed in the separate window. The effect of the present invention that scrolls and displays information related to the route to the destination cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the partial map display area storage unit 103 and the partial map display position determination unit 105 can cause the driver to grasp the route information by scrolling the route information without disturbing the current position information. It becomes possible.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 303 denotes a destination “restaurant” set by route setting or the like, and 302 (black thick line) denotes an optimum route set by optimum route search. The route search to the destination has been disclosed in various inventions such as the Dijkstra method and is not questioned here. The map display device 100 stores the route information such as the set optimum route 302 and commercial information related to the destination “restaurant”, information on traffic congestion related to the optimum route 302, information on difficult intersections, and the like in the route storage unit 107. In the present invention, the partial map is displayed, for example, by scrolling the entire route so that the route information is traced from the destination to the current travel position.

  On the other hand, for example, a partial map screen that is displayed while being scrolled (hereinafter referred to as a “scroll screen”), the partial map display position determination unit 105 calculates a certain reference point, and scrolls display along the calculated reference point. I decided to. For example, it is calculated as a reference point at an interval (for example, sampled at an interval of 1 cm) to be scrolled on a set route. , The width is 2 Wcm), and the route information such as commercial information and traffic information is displayed as a scroll screen (310 in FIG. 3). Note that H and W may be determined based on the number of dots of pixels. Hereinafter, these reference points are defined as “scroll reference points”. Stars such as 311, 312, 313, 314, 315,..., 328 in FIG.

  The partial map display position determination unit 105 generates a scroll screen based on the calculated scroll reference point. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F are diagrams illustrating an example of the transition of the display screen of the car navigation in which the scroll screen is sequentially displayed from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of each scroll screen when the optimum route 302 is traced from the destination toward the current position. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the optimum route 302 is traced from the destination restaurant 303 to the current position 301, a “3-chome” three-way crossing along the optimum route 302, “Super”, “Odori intersection” , “2-chome post office”, “convenience store”, “1 chome” intersection, “bookstore”, “police station”, “city hall bus stop”, “city hall”, etc. appear in this order. Reference numeral 401 in FIG. 6 denotes a scroll screen generated in a region having a vertical height Hcm and (horizontal width) Wcm around the scroll reference point 311 (a scroll screen has a height of 2 Hcm and a width of 2 Wcm). The restaurant 303 as the ground, the nearby parking lot as the facility information, and the optimum route 302 are displayed as a scroll screen. The scroll screen 401 is displayed in another window of the current position display screen shown in FIG. Furthermore, the distance to the destination and the estimated arrival time are displayed as part of the route information. On the scroll screen 401, a “3-chome” three-way road is displayed in a direction from the destination restaurant 303 toward the current position.

  In addition, it is good also as displaying traffic information, such as traffic congestion, simultaneously. Furthermore, commercial information such as a restaurant recommendation menu may be displayed on the scroll screen at the same time. On the other hand, since there is a limit on the amount of information that can be displayed on the scroll screen and the display screen, the display content may be controlled according to the importance of the destination. Similarly, a scroll screen 402 is generated based on the scroll reference point 312 and a scroll screen 403 is generated based on the scroll reference point 313. The scroll screen 402 displays a partial map around the “3-chome” three-way crossing displayed on the scroll screen 401. In addition, the scroll screen 403 displays a partial map in which the optimum route 302 is curved toward the south. The scroll screen 402 is displayed in another window of the current position display screen shown in FIG. 5B, and the scroll screen 403 is displayed in another window of the current position display screen shown in FIG. As described above, when scrolling, these scroll screens 401, 402, and 403 are displayed at any time, so that the scroll screen is displayed so as to follow the destination restaurant 303 to the current position.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route 302 is traced from the destination toward the current position. As in FIG. 6, the scroll screen 404 is generated based on the scroll reference point 314, the scroll screen 405 is generated based on the scroll reference point 315, and the scroll screen 406 is generated based on the scroll reference point 316. On the scroll screen 404, it is displayed that “super” is present at a position closer to the current position 301 than the scroll screen 403. The scroll screen 405 displays “Odori intersection”, and the scroll screen 406 displays “2-chome post office” as a landmark. The scroll screen 404 is a separate window of the current position display screen of FIG. 5D, the scroll screen 405 is a separate window of the current position display screen of FIG. 5E, and the scroll screen 406 is a current position of FIG. Displayed in a separate window on the display screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route 302 is traced from the destination toward the current position. A scroll screen 407 is generated based on the scroll reference point 317, a scroll screen 408 is generated based on the scroll reference point 318, and a scroll screen 409 is generated based on the scroll reference point 319. The scroll screen 407 displays that there is a “convenience store”. The scroll screen 408 displays that there is an intersection of “1-chome” after passing the “convenience store” on the scroll screen 407, and the landmark on the scroll screen 408 is closer to the current position than the intersection of “1-chome”. “Bookstore” is displayed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route 302 is traced from the destination toward the current position. Further, the scroll screen 410 is generated based on the scroll reference point 320, the scroll screen 411 is generated based on the scroll reference point 321, and the scroll screen 412 is generated based on the scroll reference point 322. On the scroll screen 410, it is displayed that there is a “police station” when proceeding further from the “bookstore” shown in the scroll screen 409 of FIG. 8 toward the current position. The scroll screen 411 displays that there is a “city hall bus stop” past the “police station” on the scroll screen 410, and the scroll screen 412 displays the “city hall” position closer to the current location from the “city hall bus stop”. A T-junction is displayed.

  Note that, after the scroll screen 412 is displayed, two scroll screens are displayed based on the scroll reference points 323 and 324. However, since this is the same as the scroll screen already described, illustration and description thereof are omitted. As described above, the map display device 100 sequentially displays the scroll screen based on the scroll reference points 311 to 323 on the optimum route 302 from the restaurant 303 as the destination to the current position.

  Note that 401 in FIG. 6 displays the distance to the destination restaurant and the estimated arrival time, but displays the distance to the scroll reference point and the estimated arrival time as in 402 in FIG. 6 and 403 in FIG. It is good to do. The driver may not only want to know only the distance and time to the destination, but also to know the required time and distance to a certain intersection. In this way, it is easier to display at the same time when scrolling. It becomes possible to grasp. Furthermore, not only the entire route but also route information related to the route can be grasped simultaneously.

  On the other hand, the partial map display position determination unit 105 determines a position (hereinafter, referred to as “scroll screen display point”) at which the scroll screen generated based on the scroll reference point is displayed on the current position information display screen. . This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and FIGS. 11 and 12.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the calculation procedure of the scroll screen display point by the partial map display position determination unit 105 illustrated in FIG. The route setting unit 109 such as a touch panel sets the destination (step S100), and the route information such as commercial information, facility information, route to the destination, traffic information on the route, etc. regarding the destination and the destination is displayed on the map. The information is acquired from the information storage unit 104 and the information providing server via the network, and stored in the route storage unit 107 (step S101). This storage may be performed at any time during scroll display. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a calculation procedure of scroll screen display points on a map. In FIG. 11, reference numeral 301 denotes the vehicle position, and current position information such as the set optimum route 302 is displayed on the display screen (304 in FIG. 11). Next, a scroll reference point serving as a reference point of the scroll display screen is calculated on the stored path (step S102), and the scroll reference point closest to the current position is selected (step S103). In FIG. 11, the asterisk is a scroll reference point calculated by the partial map display position determining unit 105. In this case, the scroll reference point 501 closest to the current vehicle position is selected.

  Based on the selected scroll reference point, first, the vertical height is the display area (hereinafter referred to as “current position display screen”) on the main screen displaying the current position display area (Hcm in the embodiment). ) Is exceeded (step S104). If not (No in step S104), it is next determined whether the left and right widths exceed the display area (step S105). If not (No in step S105), it is determined whether there is a next scroll reference point (step S106). If there is (Yes in step S106), the next scroll point is selected (step S107). This procedure is repeated, and if the vertical height exceeds Hcm (Yes in step S104), or the left and right width exceeds Wcm (Yes in step S105), the scroll reference point is returned to the previous one and scrolling is performed. A scroll screen is displayed with a height Hcm and a width Wcm around the scroll screen display point as a screen display point (step S108). On the other hand, if the next scroll reference point does not exist (No in step S106), that is, if the destination is displayed in the current position display screen, the scroll screen is displayed in a separate window. There is no need to generate a scroll screen (step S109).

  This will be described with reference to FIG. Since the scroll reference point 501 closest to the current position does not exceed the height Hcm and the width Wcm on the current position display screen 304, the next scroll reference point 502 is selected and the display area is similarly determined (from step S104). Step S107 loop). If the determination is made at any time, the display area of the width Wcm is exceeded at the scroll reference point 503 (Yes in step S105). Therefore, the scroll screen is displayed using the previous scroll reference point 504 as the scroll screen display point. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the scroll screen 601 displayed at the scroll screen display point of the current position display screen 304. That is, the scroll screen 601 is displayed on the current position display screen (main screen displaying the current position information) 304 using the above method. A scroll screen having a height of 2 Hcm and a width of 2 Wcm as the entire scroll screen is displayed with the previous scroll reference point that exceeds the display area of the height or width as the scroll screen display point. By using the display method of the present invention, the scroll screen is displayed at a predetermined position (one area before the region) just in accordance with the current position display area (height 2Hcm, width 2Wcm in the present embodiment). The

  In the case of a terminal with a limited display screen such as a car navigation system, the amount of information that can be displayed is limited, and the screen needs to be used effectively. On the other hand, in the case of a car navigation system or the like, it is important for the driver to grasp information on the current position such as the current vehicle position and travel route on the map. Therefore, when displaying other information, it is necessary not to disturb this. Thus, by scrolling and displaying the current position information and the route information to the destination in a separate window in this way, the user can grasp the current position information and display the route and the route to the destination and the destination. It becomes possible to easily grasp route information such as traffic information concerned. Furthermore, the effect of grasping the entire route is produced by scroll display.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the display position of the scroll screen is on the scroll screen display point calculated on the route, and the scroll screen display point is updated at any time using the procedure along with the movement of the vehicle position. For example, when scrolling backward from the destination to the current position, the display is finally made to match the map on the current position display screen 304.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scroll screen 901 displayed at various positions in accordance with the position of the optimum route on the current position display screen 304. For example, in the case of FIG. 13, the scroll screen 901 is displayed on the upper right of the current position display screen 304 and is displayed based on the scroll reference point calculated on the route. When the scroll reference point returns to the display area, the map on the current position display screen matches the map displayed on the scroll screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll screen 1001 displayed at various positions in accordance with the position of the optimum route in the current position display screen 304. In the case of FIG. 14, the scroll screen 1001 is displayed at the lower right of the current position display screen 304, and the partial map displayed when returning is displayed so as to match the map of the current position display screen 304. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scroll screen 1101 displayed at various positions according to the position of the optimum route on the current position display screen 304. In the case of FIG. 15, the scroll screen 1101 is displayed at the upper left, and is displayed so as to match the map on the current position display screen 304 when returning.

  When the driver refers to the map of the car navigation system, the driver pays attention to whether or not new information such as traffic jam information is obtained regarding the destination of the driver. Therefore, the scroll screen display point is calculated on the optimum route stored in the route storage unit 107 in the present invention, the scroll screen is displayed on the route toward the driver (FIGS. 13, 14, and 15), and the driver is required. By displaying the information that seems to be, the driver can acquire information intuitively and continue driving smoothly. If the information is displayed in a different direction from the destination, the information will be displayed in a location different from the driver's intuition, making it difficult to grasp the route to the destination at a glance. .

  Furthermore, by scrolling the entire route and displaying not only the route but also route information such as traffic information, the display screen can be used effectively on terminals with limited screen display capacity, such as car navigation, and necessary information can be obtained. It is possible to display and let the driver grasp. Furthermore, by matching the scroll screen with the current position display screen, display of route information on the scroll screen and display of current position information such as the driver's own vehicle position without switching the large screen, It becomes possible to change smoothly without disturbing the driving load of the driver. If the information is displayed in a complicated manner throughout the screen, the driver's attention may be excessively attracted in order to read the car navigation information. However, by calculating the scroll screen display point of the present invention, it is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen (a position on the destination route that does not interfere with the current position information), thereby minimizing the movement of the viewpoint of the driver. Therefore, the visibility of the current position information and the route information to the destination is improved.

<Move current position display screen>
Further, the display area determination unit 106 may move the current position display screen (main screen displaying the current position information) to display a scroll screen. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the current position display screen when the display area of the current position display screen is moved on the map according to the situation. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 1401 denotes a current position display screen. When a scroll screen is displayed at the scroll screen display point on this screen, the scroll screen may be displayed at a position close to the current vehicle position. For example, when a very large number of scroll reference points closer to the destination in the current position display screen 1401 are located at the periphery of the current position display screen 1401, such as the current position display screen 1401, When a scroll screen of 2Hcm × 2Wcm is to be displayed centering on the scroll reference point, the scroll screen protrudes from the upper end of the current position display screen 1401. Therefore, as a result, the position of the scroll screen display point is determined as the closest scroll reference point in the traveling direction of the current vehicle position. In addition, in this case, the scroll screen must be displayed for a large number of scroll reference points even in the current position display screen 1401, so that a scroll screen is displayed for a relatively long time immediately in front of the current vehicle position. When the driver wants to know the situation around the current vehicle position quickly, the scroll screen gets in the way.

  On the other hand, the display area determination unit 106 can control the display area of the main screen without fixing the screen around the current vehicle position, for example, display the areas of the display areas 1402, 1403, and 1404. Can be controlled. Therefore, the display area determination unit 106 controls the display area based on the scroll reference point, and performs display control of the current position display screen so that the current position display screen and the scroll screen are matched. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of display when the current position display screen is moved so that the scroll screen display point is positioned at the optimum position on the current position display screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display when a scroll screen 1602 is displayed in the current position display screen 1601 moved to the optimal position. For example, the current position display area 1501 is shifted to the upper right based on the scroll reference point (FIG. 17), the current position information is displayed, and the scroll screen 1602 is displayed (FIG. 18). For example, the display area determination unit 106 (1) when the number of scroll reference points from the destination to the current position display screen exceeds 10, or (2) the destination side on the optimum route in the current position display screen When two or more scroll reference points cannot be taken between the end and the current position, the display area of the main screen is changed. The numerical value here is not limited to “10” in the case of (1) or “2” in the case of (2), but may be set to other values. The criterion for changing the display area of the main screen is not limited to (1) or (2). Furthermore, the display area determination unit 106 determines the display area of the main screen after the change as follows, for example. (1) It determines so that the distance of the optimal path | route displayed on a present position display screen may become the longest. (2) The number of landmarks such as intersections and shops along the optimum route displayed in the current position display screen is determined to be the largest. Or (3) It is determined that a landmark along the optimum route is displayed near the boundary in the current position display screen. The method for determining the display area of the main screen after the change is not limited to the above method, and may be another method. By controlling in this way, the number of times of scrolling can be reduced, so that the user can easily understand the optimum route and can easily view the current position display screen.

  In general, there is a high need for a driver to grasp information on a destination direction even with the same current position information, and further, it is necessary to grasp route information to a destination at the same time. In the present invention, by displaying the route information such as the destination and the current position information in the destination direction using the scroll display, the driver can easily grasp the information.

  In this embodiment, the scroll reference point and the scroll screen display point are provided and the scroll screen is displayed on the route. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the route information is scrolled and displayed, for example, from the destination It includes all the ideas that produce the effect of smoothly matching the current position information without complicating the driver's information grasping when tracing back to the position.

<Memory of optimal route>
For example, the route storage unit 107 stores the optimum route as a shape, and further stores it as an approximate shape. When scrolling, the route information is traced and the route information is scrolled from the destination to the current vehicle position. When the scroll screen returns to the current position information on the main screen, the map on the optimum route may match the map on the scroll screen. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display of the shape of the optimum route when the optimum route is stored in an approximate shape. Reference numeral 801 in FIG. 19 denotes a “restaurant” set as a destination by the route setting unit 109. Based on this destination “Restaurant”, an optimum route is calculated (802 in FIG. 19) and stored in the route storage unit 107. Based on the stored optimum route, the scroll start point (803 in FIG. 19), the scroll end point (804 in FIG. 19), and the shape of the route connecting them are approximated. For example, in the case of FIG. 19, it approximates to a straight line (805 in FIG. 19). The partial map display position determination unit 105 generates a scroll screen 807 in an approximate shape from the scroll start point 803 to the scroll end point 804 and displays it on the current position display screen 806. Therefore, on the scroll screen 807, the optimal route from the scroll start point 803 to the scroll end point 804 is displayed in a straight line.

  Rather than storing each point as a scroll reference point on the path, the memory saving effect and the further complicated path result in scrolling simplification, making it easier for the driver to grasp the entire path. Produce an effect.

<Scroll speed, scroll screen size>
In this embodiment, the size of the scroll screen to be scrolled and the scrolling speed are set to predetermined values. However, control is performed according to route information such as route traffic congestion information, whether or not the vehicle is near an intersection, and the amount of commercial information. It is good as well.

  The driver not only knows the entire route to the destination, but also needs information on the route to the destination, such as traffic jam information, intersections where accidents occur frequently, points where driving lanes are difficult to change, and nearby commercial information It is also necessary to grasp in advance. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display when a scroll screen based on an important scroll reference point is displayed larger than a scroll screen based on a normal scroll reference point. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, when the scroll screen is shifted to the vicinity of a traffic intersection where it is congested, for example, the driver can more easily grasp the route information by increasing the scroll screen and slowing down the scroll speed. Is possible. For example, when a point that needs to be alerted by the driver is acquired by the route storage unit 107, such as in the vicinity of the XX intersection in FIG. 20, and the scroll reference point is calculated, this point is set as the important scroll reference point. The left side of FIG. 20 shows the scroll screen displayed for the normal scroll reference point, and the left side of FIG. 20 shows the scroll screen displayed for the important scroll reference point. For example, the partial map display position determination unit 105 adds a flag indicating an important scroll reference point to the coordinates indicating the important scroll reference point, and stores the flag in the partial map display region storage unit 103. This makes it possible to refer to the flag of each scroll reference point to distinguish whether it is an important scroll reference point, and when displaying the important scroll reference point, display it with a screen size and scroll speed different from the normal scroll reference point. Can do. This important scroll reference point 1701 (star in FIG. 20) is different from other scroll reference points, and is large (for example, HAcm obtained by adding a predetermined value to height H, which is a predetermined size), and similarly width WAcm. Etc.) may be displayed at a reduced speed.

<Synchronized display of routes to multiple destinations>
In this embodiment, the destination is set by setting the destination, etc., but the destination is predicted using the destination prediction unit or the like, and the predicted destination is displayed on the scroll screen using this method. It may be displayed. Further, when a plurality of destinations are calculated, a plurality of scroll screens may be displayed using this method for the plurality of destinations and route information to the destination. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of sampling of the scroll reference point when the number of samples of the scroll reference point is synchronized so that scrolling is simultaneously completed at both destinations for each route to a plurality of destinations. That is, FIG. 21 shows that the destination 1 “restaurant” and the destination 2 “supermarket” were calculated later by the destination prediction unit. The destination prediction method is disclosed as a conventional technique (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-173145), and is not questioned here. Reference numerals 1801 and 1802 in FIG. 21 indicate the scroll screen displayed on the current position display screen using this method based on the predicted destination. By scroll-displaying the predicted destination in this way, the destination and route information to the destination can be grasped in advance.

  When scrolling the route to the destination, or when scrolling from the destination to the current position, the scroll timings of a plurality of scroll screens may be synchronized by pressing an operation button or the like. For example, in the case of FIG. 21, the supermarket that is the destination 2 is closer to the current vehicle position than the restaurant that is the destination 1, so if scrolling is performed in the same manner, the timing of the end of scrolling will be shifted, and the driver It may be difficult to grasp the information. Therefore, the scrolling may be synchronized by synchronizing the number of samples of the scroll reference point so that the scrolling is completed simultaneously at both destinations, or by controlling the speed. Further, by setting the touch panel or the like as an area in which a signal indicating that the scroll screen has been touched can be input, complicated operations such as setting a destination simply by touching the scroll display can be reduced.

<Change the display area range>
Furthermore, instead of changing the size of the display screen, the range of the display area may be changed. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example of a scroll screen centered on the important scroll reference point 1701. For example, in FIG. 22, the scroll display screen has a height of 2 Hcm and a width of 2 Wcm. However, the display area is not limited to this, and a normal scroll is performed with a height of 3 Hcm and a width of 3 Wcm centered on the important scroll reference point 1701. It is also possible to display a screen reduced to the screen size (2301 on the left side of FIG. 22), and conversely, in order to describe details, an area smaller than the normal scroll display of height Hcm and width Wcm is enlarged. Further, it may be displayed on a normal scroll screen having a height of 2 Hcm and a width of 2 Wcm (2302 on the right side of FIG. 22).

<Synchronization based on arrival time>
In addition, it is good also as synchronizing based on the arrival time to a scroll reference point. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example in which scroll display is performed synchronously up to a scroll reference point that is scheduled to arrive at the same time on each route to a plurality of destinations. In FIG. 23, it is assumed that “restaurant” is predicted as the destination 1 and “super” is predicted as the destination 2 as in FIG. Information on the route to the two destinations is displayed on the scroll screens 1902 and 1903 on the current position display screen 1901 by operation of the driver such as “scroll display” or voice input. Further, the predicted arrival time to the scroll reference point that is the reference for scrolling is also displayed. In this case, the predicted arrival time 11:50 to “XX intersection” is displayed on the route to the restaurant. On the other hand, on the route to the supermarket, a point where the arrival time is 11:50 is displayed. In this way, the scroll display may be displayed in synchronization with the arrival time up to that point. The driver needs to know not only the predicted destination but also the route information to the destination and the elapsed time to the passing point where the route is. Supports driving without complicated operations such as prompting the user to select a destination with an earlier arrival time or a passing point by knowing in advance the arrival time to a certain passing point on the route to the destination It becomes possible.

<Display both selected route and detour>
In the above example, a plurality of destinations are calculated by the destination prediction, and a plurality of scroll windows are displayed for each route. However, one destination is selected and the route is selected by the destination setting. When a plurality of calculations are performed, it may be displayed in a plurality of windows as described above. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of scroll display on a plurality of scroll screens when a plurality of routes are calculated for one destination. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 2001 denotes a destination “restaurant” set by destination setting or the like. The route storage unit 107 calculates a route to the restaurant. At this time, a plurality of routes such as a main road (route 2002 in FIG. 24) and a detour route (route 2003 in FIG. 24) are calculated as routes, and each route information, traffic information, and the like are stored in the route storage unit 107. The partial map display area storage unit 103 and the partial map display position determination unit 105 perform scroll display using this method. 24 in FIG. 24 is a scroll screen that travels along the route 2002 and scrolls from the current position to the destination, and is scheduled to reach the XX intersection at 11:50, 10 minutes after 11:40 at the current time. In addition, traffic information such as traffic congestion near the XX intersection is displayed at the same time. On the other hand, the scroll screen of the route 2003 similarly scrolls and displays the vicinity reaching 11:50.

  In this way, when each route 2002 and route 2003 is scrolled from the current position to the destination, since the predicted arrival time is simultaneously displayed on the route, for example, the route using the main road and the one-way route are used. In this case, the route to the predetermined point and the arrival time can be grasped, so that the driver can easily grasp in advance without performing complicated operations such as avoiding traffic jams.

<Touch panel>
In the present embodiment, the scroll screen display point is used as a reference point for displaying the scroll screen. However, the scroll screen display point may be used for an operation for scroll display using the reference point.

  In a mobile terminal such as a car navigation system, it is not preferable that a driving driver performs a complicated operation such as a remote control, and it is troublesome to perform a complicated operation even when the vehicle is stopped. On the other hand, when using a touch panel or the like, it is necessary to display a cursor indicating the operation candidate on the screen. If a number of operation candidates are displayed in a limited display area such as a car navigation system, current position information may be hindered. . Therefore, the calculated scroll screen display point may be used for a scroll display operation on a display unit such as a touch panel. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are diagrams showing an example of an input area when the area around the scroll screen display point on the current position display screen is used as an input area for a scroll display start instruction. In FIG. 25, reference numeral 2101 denotes a scroll screen display point calculated by the partial map display position determination unit 105 based on the route information to the supermarket as the destination. At this time, in the present embodiment, the scroll display is triggered by an operation such as “scroll display” performed by the user, but in the case of a touch panel or the like, a certain area based on this scroll screen display point, for example, When the screen is touched within a radius R dot around the scroll screen display point, scroll display may be performed. The inside of a circle with a radius R dot centering on the scroll reference point 2101 shown in FIG. 25A is the touch panel operation area. This scroll screen display point is always calculated on the destination route and within a predetermined range (one preceding the width W dots and height H dots) by the above algorithm, so that the driver always has a destination route. It will be around the screen cut above. In other words, when you need the route information to the destination, just touch the screen break in the direction of the destination, the information ahead will be displayed, making it easier to grasp the necessary information without complicated operations Is possible. Here, the input portion by the touch panel is a circular area, but the shape of the area based on the scroll screen display point is not limited to a circle, and may be a rectangular area or an elliptical area.

  FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the map display device 100 when the operation input unit 116 such as a touch panel is provided. The operation input unit 116 is a unit that receives a user operation input. In the case of a touch panel or the like, the coordinates of the part touched by the user are received. The valid input determination unit 117 is a unit that refers to the coordinates received by the operation input unit 116 and determines whether or not the coordinates are in a valid region. Further, the determination is performed by referring to the calculated coordinates of the scroll reference point from the partial map display area storage unit 103 and calculating a predetermined effective range. If the operation is within the effective region, the control for displaying the scroll screen is performed by the partial map display control unit 118, and the scroll screen is displayed. FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams illustrating control for displaying a scroll screen when the user's operation input is within the valid area. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 27, reference numeral 2101 denotes a calculated scroll screen display point. Further, the coordinates of the scroll screen display point 2101 are acquired. For example, the coordinates are represented with the origin at the upper left of the screen, the X coordinate in the horizontal direction, and the Y coordinate in the vertical direction (unit is, for example, a pixel). In this case, the scroll screen display point 2501 has an X coordinate of 150 pixels and a Y coordinate of 120 pixels. Further, the area in which the user operation is valid is set within a radius of 100 pixels with the scroll screen display point 2501 as the center.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that a point having an X coordinate of 150 pixels and a Y coordinate of 120 pixels is pressed in the operation input unit 116. The valid input determination unit 117 determines that the operation is valid because the area within the valid area is pressed, and displays a scroll screen.

<Start scrolling according to the route information acquired from time to time>
Note that not only scroll display by an operation by a user but also scroll control may be performed depending on the status of route information acquired as needed. For example, in the traffic jam information that is one of the route information, when the road condition changes and new information is acquired, scroll display may be performed based on the information. This will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B are diagrams showing an example of scroll display when traffic information and the like are updated for a scroll reference point on a traveling route. In FIG. 28, 2401 is one of the scroll reference points. On the other hand, the route storage unit 107 stores route information, that is, route, traffic information related to the route, and the like, and is updated as needed. At this time, it is assumed that traffic information “XX intersection 3 km traffic jam” is newly acquired. Since the scroll reference point 2401 is also a reference point for displaying the vicinity of the XX intersection, at this time, a scroll screen near the “XX intersection” is displayed using the scroll display according to the present invention. It is good also as scrolling back. Also, if the route information acquisition timing is, for example, during the scroll display of the optimum route on the destination side from the scroll reference point 2401, the scroll reference point 2401 is set as the important scroll reference point when the route information is acquired. The scroll screen based on the scroll reference point 2401 may be enlarged and displayed, scrolled slowly, or scrolling may be paused and displayed for a predetermined time (for example, only for 3 seconds).

  The driver needs to grasp not only the information on the destination but also information related to the route to the destination. For example, when new information such as traffic jams is acquired on the route to the destination, it is possible to cause the driver to grasp necessary information in advance by automatically scrolling and displaying as shown in FIG. Become.

  In a mobile terminal such as a car navigation system, the user needs to grasp not only information relating to the current position but also route information relating to a destination and a route to the destination. For example, take a detour by grasping the destination, for example, business hours or lunch time of a restaurant in advance, or detour by grasping traffic information on the route to the destination, etc. Can be aroused.

  On the other hand, it is difficult to display all of them in a terminal having a limited screen such as a car navigation system, and there is a problem that the current position information is blocked when the route information is scrolled by switching the screen. By using the route display of the present invention, the route information is scroll-displayed while displaying the current position information, so that the driver can easily grasp the route information without complicated operations. Further, displaying the display position on the destination route that the driver is always aware of has an effect of making it easier to grasp. Furthermore, by scrolling backward from the destination to the current position and scrolling and displaying so as to match the current position information, it is possible to smoothly focus on the current driving task without causing confusion to the driver by switching the screen. It becomes possible.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, it has been shown that the display position for displaying the scroll screen on the current position display screen is controlled, and the route information and the like can be grasped more easily. Specifically, the partial map display area storage unit 103 generates a scroll screen in a predetermined area based on the scroll reference point, the partial map display position determination unit 105 calculates the scroll screen display point, and displays the current position display. It was displayed on the screen. Thereby, the map on the scroll screen matches the map on the current position display screen when scrolled, and the route information can be easily grasped while grasping the information on the current traveling.

  In the first embodiment, the size and scale of the generated scroll screen can be changed. However, the shape of the scroll screen can be further controlled. In a mobile terminal such as a car navigation system, the size of the screen is limited, and the amount of information that can be displayed is limited. In the case of car navigation systems, there is a high need for grasping route information while grasping current position information, which is information related to the present, on a driving task. Therefore, it is possible to provide necessary information more smoothly by controlling the shape and size of the scroll screen according to the route information.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a method for controlling the size, scale, and shape of the scroll screen will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a map display device that performs shape control of a scroll screen. The same reference numerals are given to the components shown in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

  The current position detection unit 101 and the current position storage unit 102 are means for detecting the current position of the user and storing the detected latitude / longitude information and the like, as in the first embodiment. Similarly to the first embodiment, the route setting unit 109, the route calculation unit 108, and the route storage unit 107 set a destination or the like in the route setting unit 109, and the route to the destination set by the route calculation unit 108. Is calculated and stored in the route storage unit 107. The map information storage unit 104 is also a means for accumulating map information, as in the first embodiment. Then, the display area determining unit 1061 determines a display area of the current position display screen using the map information, the detected current position, the calculated route to the destination, and the like. Displayed on the display unit 110 under control.

  In FIG. 30, a region indicated by a black thick rectangle is the current position display screen. On the map, a current position display screen such as the detected current position of the user and a route to the set destination is written.

  In the first embodiment, the display control of the two screens, the current position display screen and the scroll screen, is performed by the display area determining unit 106 (FIG. 2), but in the first embodiment, for the sake of explanation. The display control unit 2901 is newly provided, and the display control unit 2901 performs display control of the two screens.

  The route reference point calculation unit 1111 is a unit that calculates a scroll reference point at a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 10 dots) on the route set by the route setting unit 109. The reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 is means for acquiring coordinate information of the calculated scroll reference point, for example, coordinates expressed by latitude and longitude. In the first embodiment, the calculation of these scroll reference points is performed by the route calculation unit 108. However, for the sake of explanation here, a route reference point calculation unit 1111 and a reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 are newly provided, and the route reference point is provided. The point calculation unit 1111 calculates the scroll reference point, and the reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 acquires the coordinate.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of a path that is scroll-displayed with shape control of the scroll screen. FIG. 30 is a current position display screen that displays the user's current position information and the like, as in FIG. 3. The set route is indicated by a thick black line, and the scroll reference points calculated at a predetermined interval are indicated by an asterisk on the route (scroll reference points 3201 to 3215). The reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 acquires the coordinates of these scroll reference points. In the map information, shape points indicating the shape of the route are accumulated, and the shape points have values that can specify the position, such as latitude / longitude coordinates or xy coordinates on the screen. It is common. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the latitude and longitude coordinates are accumulated, and the coordinates of the scroll reference point are also acquired by the latitude and longitude information.

  The partial map shape calculation unit 1121 is means for calculating the shape of the scroll screen using the coordinates of the scroll reference point. In the first embodiment, the area of the generated scroll map is centered on the scroll reference point, for example, a predetermined area such as vertical H dots and horizontal W dots. In the present embodiment, the shape of the scroll screen is further controlled in consideration of, for example, the shape of the route. In order to consider the shape of the path, the scroll reference point is used here.

  Further, a scroll screen is generated based on the shape calculated by the partial map generation unit 1022, and a scroll screen display point is calculated by the partial map display position determination unit 105 and displayed on the current position display screen.

  In the first embodiment, the scroll map is generated by the partial map display area storage unit 103 and the partial map display position determination unit 105. However, in this embodiment, the partial map generation is performed for the sake of explanation. A part 1122 is newly provided, and a scroll map is generated by the partial map generation part 1122 and stored in the partial map display area storage part 103.

  In order to determine the position for displaying the scroll screen stored in the partial map display area storage unit 103, the partial map display position determination unit 105 calculates the scroll screen display point and displays it on the current position display screen. In the first embodiment, the coordinates of the display position (scroll screen display point) are determined by the partial map display position determination unit 105 with reference to the current position display screen under the control of the display area determination unit 106. It was. Then, using the determined scroll screen display point, the display area 110 is again displayed on the display unit 110 under the control of the display area determination unit 106. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, a display control unit 2901 is newly provided, and the determined scroll screen display point is used to display on the display unit 110 under the control of the display control unit 2901.

  Hereinafter, calculation and generation of the shape of the scroll screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 31, 32, and 33.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of shape control of a scroll screen that is scroll-displayed around the scroll reference point on the route from the destination. In FIG. 31, a scroll reference point 3201 is the closest scroll reference point to the set destination “Restaurant”. For example, when the user scrolls backward from the destination, the scroll reference point 3201 becomes the scroll start point. Therefore, first, the shape of the scroll screen is calculated by the partial map shape calculation unit 112 based on the scroll reference point 3201, and the partial map generation unit 1122 generates the scroll screen.

  When the scroll reference point is the start point, for example, as in the first embodiment, a scroll screen is generated with the vertical H dot and the horizontal W dot as the partial map area centered on the scroll reference point. In FIG. 31, a scroll screen 3301 having a height H dot and a width W dot centering on the scroll reference point 3201 is generated.

  Next, it is assumed that the scroll reference point advances by one (in the case of reverse scrolling, it advances one closer to the current position). That is, it is assumed that a scroll screen is generated based on the scroll reference point 3202. In this case, the partial map shape calculation unit 1121 does not calculate the display area of the scroll screen in consideration of only the scroll reference point 3202, but further generates the scroll screen in consideration of the previous and subsequent scroll reference points. For example, in the case of the scroll reference point 3202, the scroll screen is generated in consideration of the previous scroll reference point 3201 and the previous scroll reference point 3203. A scroll screen 3302 having vertical Y1 dots and horizontal X1 dots is generated in consideration of the front and rear scroll reference points 3201 and the scroll reference points 3203. Similarly, a scroll screen 3302 of Y2 dots in the vertical direction and X2 dots in the horizontal direction is generated with the scroll reference point 3203 as the center and considering the scroll reference points 3202 and 3204 before and after. Details of scroll screen generation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 32 is a detailed diagram for generating a scroll screen 3302 based on the scroll reference point 3202 shown in FIG. The reference point coordinate acquisition unit 111 acquires the coordinates of each scroll reference point as latitude and longitude information. The coordinates of the scroll reference point 3202 are 135 degrees 25 minutes 28 seconds east longitude and 35 degrees 33 minutes 20 seconds north latitude. In addition, the coordinates of the scroll reference point 3201 immediately before (that is, the restaurant side) are 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude and 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude. In addition, the coordinates of the scroll reference point 3203 that is one point ahead (that is, the current location side) are 135 degrees 25 minutes 21 seconds east longitude and 35 degrees 33 minutes 10 seconds north latitude. A scroll screen is generated using the coordinates of these reference points. For example, in the present embodiment, a rectangle including the scroll reference points before and after and further added to the east, west, south, and north by 5 seconds is used as the scroll screen.

  First, the center scroll reference point 3202, the previous scroll reference point 3201, and the previous scroll reference point 3203 are referred to, and among them, the latitude and longitude coordinates having the maximum and minimum coordinates are calculated. Furthermore, the rectangle which added 5 seconds to the east, west, south and north is calculated.

  In the case of FIG. 32, the latitude is 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north of the scroll reference point 3201, and 35 degrees 33 minutes 10 seconds north of the scroll reference point 3203 is the minimum. Therefore, the area from 35 degrees 33 minutes 10 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 05 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 35 seconds vertically A screen is generated as a Y1 dot region.

  Similarly, regarding longitude, the scroll reference point 3201 has a maximum of 135 degrees 25 minutes and 38 seconds east longitude, and the scroll reference point 3203 has a minimum of 135 degrees 25 minutes 21 seconds east longitude. Therefore, the area from 135 degrees 25 minutes 21 seconds east longitude 135 degrees 25 minutes 16 seconds east longitude 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude 5 seconds plus 135 degrees 25 minutes 43 seconds east longitude A screen is generated as an area of X1 dots.

  In this way, by considering the center scroll reference point and the front and rear scroll reference points, it is possible to calculate the shape of the scroll screen according to the route. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another example of the shape control of the scroll screen that is scroll-displayed around the scroll reference point on the route. That is, in this example, scrolling further proceeds, and a scroll screen is generated based on the scroll reference points 3205, 3506, and 3507. In the case of the scroll reference point 3205, a scroll screen 3501 of vertical Y3 dots and horizontal X3 dots is generated in consideration of the previous scroll reference point 3204 and the previous scroll reference point 3206. Similarly, in the case of the scroll reference point 3206, a scroll reference point 3204 and a scroll screen 3502 of vertical Y4 dots and horizontal X4 dots in consideration of the scroll reference point 3206 are generated. In the case of the scroll reference point 3207, a scroll screen 3502 of Y5 dots in the vertical direction and X5 dots in the horizontal direction is generated in consideration of the scroll reference point 3206 and the scroll reference point 3208.

  In the case of the scroll reference point shown in FIG. 31, since the route is a route that is relatively long in the east and west direction (a route that is long in the side), the scroll screen is automatically generated in a shape that is long in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, in the case of the scroll reference point shown in FIG. 33, since the route is a route that is relatively long in the north and south (a route that is long in the vertical direction), the scroll screen is automatically generated in a vertically long shape.

  When scrolling and displaying the route to the destination, the information required by the user may be information on the shape of the route, such as turning left and right at the intersection, how much it goes straight, or what route it follows Many. Therefore, it is preferable to display the entire route of the scroll screen as much as possible so that the end of the route can be seen more. On the other hand, in the case of a car navigation system or the like, it is necessary to grasp not only information related to the route but also information related to the current travel, and it is not preferable that the amount of information is occupied on the scroll screen. Therefore, it is possible to display the scroll screen while displaying the current position display screen by controlling the shape of the scroll screen according to the route using the scroll reference point calculated on the route as shown in the present invention. It becomes. When the route is relatively long from east to west, the scroll screen can be displayed horizontally, while when the route is relatively long from north to south, the scroll screen can be displayed vertically while displaying the current position display screen. It becomes.

  The partial map display position determination unit 105 is a means for calculating a scroll screen display point, which is a display position when the generated scroll screen is displayed on the current position display screen. For example, as in the first embodiment, the scroll screen display point is determined from the reference point closest to the current point. In the first embodiment, the display area is obtained with a fixed value of 2H dots in height and 2W dots in width. In the case of the present embodiment, the screen shape is variable as described above, and the scroll screen display point is calculated in consideration of the shape of the scroll screen.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining calculation of display points on a scroll screen in the current position display screen. Here, scroll screen display points when the shape of the scroll screen is variable are shown. In FIG. 34, a scroll screen 3302 having a vertical Y1 dot and a horizontal X1 dot in consideration of the front and rear is generated with the scroll reference point 3202 as the center. The partial map display position determination unit 105 calculates the scroll screen display point in consideration of the shape of the scroll screen having the vertical Y1 dot and the horizontal X1 dot. As in the first embodiment, the scroll reference points 3601 to 3602, 3603, 3604, and 3605 are determined as needed, and the scroll reference point 3606 exceeds the horizontal Y1 at the scroll reference point 3606. It becomes a display point.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram for explaining a scroll display operation with shape control of the scroll screen. That is, a current position display screen in which scroll screens are sequentially displayed is shown. A scroll screen generated so as to follow the route from the destination “restaurant” in reverse is a current position display screen (a), a current position display screen (b), a current position display screen (c), and a current position display screen (d ) Are displayed in this order. On the current position display screen (a), a partial map display area including the periphery of the destination “Restaurant” is displayed in the scroll screen, and on the current position display screen (b), for example, a partial map centering on “3-chome” The display area is displayed on a horizontally long scroll screen. Next, on the current position display screen (c), a partial map display area that travels south along the route via “supermarket” and “main street intersection” is displayed on a vertically long scroll screen. Furthermore, on the current position display screen (d), a partial map display area along the route that goes south from the “bookstore” to the “city hall bus stop” and turns right at the corner where “city hall” is displayed on the vertically long scroll screen Has been. Thus, it can be seen that the screen shape of the scroll screen is controlled according to the reference point. Thereby, the information regarding the route can be grasped from the scroll screen without interfering with the current position, the information regarding the current position, and the like. The position at which the scroll screen is displayed is also automatically controlled. Further, on the current position display screen (d), the scroll reference point is calculated on the route, and the scroll screen is generated based on the scroll reference point. Since the screen display point is calculated, it can be seen that the map on the current position display screen matches the map on the scroll screen when returning to the current position.

  The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a procedure for scroll-displaying a partial map centered on the scroll reference point on the route on the scroll screen in the current position display screen. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the procedure for controlling the shape of the scroll screen (partial display area). In the present embodiment, the process from the path setting (step S100) to the calculation of the scroll reference point (step S102) is the same as in the first embodiment. First, a destination is set in the route setting unit 109 such as a touch panel (step S100), route information relating to the destination and the destination is acquired from the map information storage unit 104, and stored in the route storage unit 107 (step S101). ).

  Next, a scroll reference point is calculated on the stored route (step S102). FIG. 33 is a current position display screen showing the current position of the user. Further, the set destination “restaurant” and the route to the destination are shown. Further, the calculated scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk. In the present embodiment, the scroll screen is generated by using the scroll reference point to calculate the shape of the scroll screen.

  Therefore, next, the reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 acquires the coordinates of the scroll reference point (step S201). Then, the partial map shape calculation unit 112 generates a scroll screen for each scroll reference point (step S202).

  In the present embodiment, the scroll screen is generated in consideration of the coordinates of the scroll reference point as the center and the coordinates of the previous and subsequent scroll reference points.

  First, a flag is set at the scroll reference point closest to the destination (step S301). In the case of FIG. 31, a flag is set at the scroll reference point 3201 closest to the destination “Restaurant”. Next, it is determined whether or not the scroll reference point with the flag set is the scroll start point, that is, whether it is the destination or the current location (step S302). Since the scroll reference point 3201 is the destination that is the starting point of scrolling (Yes in step S302), the width of the partial display area is set as a reference W dot (step S303), and the height is set as a reference H dot (step S303). Step S304). In order to generate the next scroll screen, a flag is set at the next scroll reference point (step S312). Then, when generating the next scroll screen, instead of step S301, the flag set at the next scroll reference point is referred to.

  The flow for calculating the scroll screen display point using the width and height of the partial display area calculated by the partial map shape calculation unit 1121 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  A scroll reference point closest to the current position is selected (step S103). Next, based on the selected scroll reference point, it is first determined whether the vertical height exceeds the display area Y (in this case, H dots) on the current position display screen displaying the current position display area (step S1). S203). If not (No in step S203), it is next determined whether the left and right widths exceed the display area (step S204). If not (No in step S204), it is determined whether there is a next scroll reference point (step S106). If there is (Yes in step S106), the next scroll point is selected (step S107). This procedure is repeated, and when the vertical height exceeds Y dots (in this case, H) (Yes in step S203), or the left and right width exceeds X dots (in this case, W) (in step S204) Yes), the scroll reference point is returned to the previous one and used as the scroll screen display point, and the scroll screen is displayed with the height Y dot and the width X dot around the scroll screen display point (step S108). On the other hand, if the next scroll reference point does not exist (No in step S106), that is, if the destination is displayed in the current position display screen, the scroll screen is displayed in a separate window. There is no need to generate a scroll screen (step S109). By performing these series of steps as needed for each scroll screen, a crawl screen generated in a predetermined shape (height Y, width X) in consideration of the reference point is centered on the scroll screen display point. It will be displayed at a predetermined position.

  Here, the scroll screen advances by one, and the display of the scroll screen centered on the scroll reference point 3202 in FIG. 34 will be described along the flow. The process from setting the route (step S100) to calculating the scroll reference point (step S102) is as described above.

  Next, the reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 acquires the coordinates of the scroll reference point (step S201). Then, the partial map generator 1122 generates a scroll screen of the scroll reference point 3202 (step S202).

  In the above loop, since the flag is set at the scroll reference point 3202 in step S312, whether or not the scroll reference point to which the flag is set next is the scroll start point, that is, whether it is the destination or the current location. Is determined (step S302). Since the scroll reference point 3202 is not the destination that is the starting point of scrolling (No in step S302), the coordinates of the scroll reference point 3201 immediately before the scroll reference point 3202 that is the scroll reference point for which the flag is set are referred to. (Step S305). Further, the coordinates of the next scroll reference point 3203 are referred to (step S306). Then, the coordinates of the scroll reference point 3202 are referred to (step S307). Among the three referenced, the maximum value and minimum value of the Y coordinate are calculated (step S308). Further, the maximum value and the minimum value of the X coordinate among the three referred to are calculated (step S309). Then, a value obtained by adding the allowable range α (5 seconds in the present embodiment) to the value obtained by subtracting the minimum Y coordinate from the calculated maximum Y coordinate is calculated as the height Y of the partial display area (step S310). Similarly, a value obtained by subtracting the minimum X coordinate from the calculated maximum X coordinate and an allowable range α is calculated as the width X of the partial display area (step S311). Here, the coefficient β used in the calculation of the height Y and the width X in step S310 and step S311 is the height Y and the width X calculated by the coordinate values, and is displayed on the display unit (that is, the map display device). The scale of conversion into the number of dots in accordance with the size of the car navigation screen). For example, β = 1 when the coordinate value represented by latitude and longitude can be expressed by the number of dots as it is.

  In the case of FIG. 32, 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north of the scroll reference point 3201 is the maximum, and 35 degrees 33 minutes 10 seconds north of the scroll reference point 3203 is the minimum. Therefore, the area from 35 degrees 33 minutes 10 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 05 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 35 seconds vertically A screen is generated as a Y1 dot region.

  Similarly, regarding longitude, the scroll reference point 3201 has a maximum of 135 degrees 25 minutes and 38 seconds east longitude, and the scroll reference point 3203 has a minimum of 135 degrees 25 minutes 21 seconds east longitude. Therefore, the area from 135 degrees 25 minutes 21 seconds east longitude 135 degrees 25 minutes 16 seconds east longitude 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude 5 seconds plus 135 degrees 25 minutes 43 seconds east longitude A screen is generated as an area of X1 dots.

  The flow for calculating the scroll screen display points using the width X and height Y of the partial display area calculated by the partial map shape calculation unit 1121 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  A scroll reference point closest to the current position is selected (step S103). Next, based on the selected scroll reference point, it is first determined whether the vertical height exceeds the display area Y (Y1 dot in the case of FIG. 32) on the current position display screen displaying the current position display area. (Step S104). If not (No in step S104), it is next determined whether the left and right widths exceed the display area (step S105). If not (No in step S105), it is determined whether there is a next scroll reference point (step S106). If there is (Yes in step S106), the next scroll point is selected (step S107). This procedure is repeated, and when the vertical height exceeds Y dots (Y1 in the case of FIG. 32) (Yes in step S104), or the left and right widths exceed X dots (X1 in the case of FIG. 32) (steps). (Yes in S105), the scroll reference point is returned to the previous one, and it is set as the scroll screen display point, and the scroll screen is displayed with the height Y dot and the width X dot centering on the scroll screen display point (step S108).

  FIG. 35 shows a scroll screen generated in each shape displayed on the current position display screen. Since the map scale on the scroll screen is the same as the map scale on the current position display screen, the current position display is displayed when the scroll screen returns to the current position as shown in the current position display screen (d). It will match the map on the screen.

(Modification 1)
In the present embodiment, the shape of the scroll screen is changed as needed using the scroll reference point. For example, by considering the scroll reference point before and after, if the scroll reference point is relatively long in the east and west, it becomes a horizontally long shape, securing the scroll screen with a minimum space, and grasping the current position display screen, The route to the ground can be grasped. However, the shape of the scroll screen is changed from time to time, and it may be difficult to grasp in some cases. Therefore, in this modification, an example will be described in which the shape of the scroll screen is determined according to the route to the destination and the scroll direction, and scrolling is performed in the shape.

  FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the partial map shape calculation unit shown in FIG. The partial map shape calculation unit 1121 is a means for calculating the shape of the scroll screen. In this modification, the partial map shape calculation unit 1121 further includes a current position coordinate reference unit 1123, a destination coordinate reference unit 1124, and a partial map aspect ratio calculation unit 1125.

  The current position coordinate reference unit 1123 is means for referring to the coordinates of the scroll base point closest to the current position among the calculated scroll base points. The destination coordinate reference unit 1124 is means for referencing the coordinates of the scroll base point closest to the destination among the calculated scroll base points. The partial map aspect ratio calculation unit 1125 is a means for calculating the shape of the scroll screen using both reference points. Details will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of the case where the shape of the scroll screen is controlled based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. In the same figure, as in FIG. 30, the current position display screen showing the current position of the user, the destination “restaurant”, and the route to the destination are shown. The scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk. The scroll reference point 3201 is a scroll reference point closest to the destination, and is a starting point for scrolling. A scroll reference point 4001 is a scroll reference point closest to the current position, and is a point that is the end point of scrolling. In the first embodiment, a scroll screen is generated and displayed in a predetermined shape around each scroll reference point. In the second embodiment, the scroll screen is generated by automatically controlling the shape of the scroll screen at any time in consideration of the scroll reference points before and after each reference point. Here, as yet another example, a shape control method for determining a scroll screen having a predetermined shape based on the reference points of the start point and the end point will be described.

  For example, when the scroll start point and end point are relatively long from north to south, the scroll is performed in the north-south direction. Accordingly, the vertically long shape of the scroll screen makes it possible to grasp the path ahead. On the other hand, when the start point and the end point are relatively long from east to west, scrolling is performed from east to west. Therefore, the scroll screen has a horizontally long shape, so that it is possible to grasp the path ahead. Therefore, referring to the coordinates of the start point and end point of the scroll reference point, the shape of the scroll screen is determined according to the scroll path.

  The reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112 acquires the coordinates of the scroll reference point. In FIG. 39, the coordinates of the scroll reference point 3201 are 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude and 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude. The coordinates of the scroll reference point 4001 are 135 degrees 24 minutes 38 seconds east longitude and 35 degrees 32 minutes 00 seconds north latitude. The difference between the start point and the end point of the scroll reference point is 1 minute (about 1.51 km) at 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude and east longitude 135 degrees 24 minutes 38 seconds east longitude. On the other hand, the north latitude is 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds, and the north latitude 35 degrees 32 minutes 00 seconds is 1 minute 30 seconds (about 2.77 km). That is, when scrolling from the destination “restaurant” to the current location, the scrolling distance in the north-south direction is longer than in the east-west direction. Therefore, the partial map shape calculation unit 112 generates a scroll screen in consideration of the distance in the scroll direction. For example, the horizontal axis X is 150 dots in consideration of a distance of 1 minute (1.51 km) from east to west, and the vertical axis Y is 270 dots in consideration of a distance of 1 minute 30 seconds (2.77 km) from north to south. Generate a scroll screen that takes direction into account.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a vertically long scroll screen having a fixed shape is calculated based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. The scroll screen is generated at each scroll reference point in the form of vertical Y dots and horizontal X dots in consideration of the scroll direction described above. A scroll screen 4101 of vertical Y dots and horizontal X dots is generated around the scroll reference point 3201. Similarly, a scroll screen 4102 with vertical Y dots and horizontal X dots centered on the scroll reference point 3205 and a scroll screen 4103 with vertical Y dots and horizontal X dots centered on the scroll reference point 3208 are generated.

  The partial map display position determination unit 105 calculates a point (scroll screen display point) for displaying the scroll screen generated at each scroll reference point and displays the calculated point on the current position display screen. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example in which the vertically long scroll screen calculated as shown in FIG. 40 is displayed on the current position display screen. As shown in FIG. 41, the scroll screen 4101 generated around the scroll reference point 3201 is displayed at the scroll reference point 4201 on the current position display screen. The above-described calculation of the scroll screen display point is the same as the method described in the first embodiment and the present embodiment, and in this case, the scroll reference point that does not exceed the vertical Y (150 dots) and the horizontal (270 dots) is applicable. Will be. In this way, when the route is relatively long from north to south, the shape of the scroll screen is set to be vertically long so that when the route is scrolled, the point can be grasped more.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a horizontally long scroll screen is calculated based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. That is, it is a diagram for explaining a case where the scroll screen is horizontally long, unlike the above-described vertically long. FIG. 42 shows the current position display screen, the destination “tennis field”, and the route to the destination, as in FIG. 39. The scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk.

  Considering the position of the scroll reference point 4301 closest to the destination “tennis ground” and the scroll reference point 4302 closest to the current position, it is 2 minutes east-west (3.02 km), 1 minute north-south (1.51 km) Suppose there is a difference. In this case, a scroll screen in which the vertical Y is 300 dots and the horizontal X is 150 dots is displayed at a position with the scroll reference point 4303 as a reference. Thus, when the route is relatively long from east to west, a horizontally long scroll screen is generated and displayed on the current position display screen.

  Note that one half or one third of the current position display screen may be a scroll screen. For example, the start and end points of the scroll reference point are calculated, and the east-west distance and north-south distance are compared. If the north-south distance is long, the current position display screen can be divided vertically and one of them can be used as a scroll screen. It is. Alternatively, when the east-west distance is long, the current position display screen may be divided horizontally and one of them may be a scroll screen.

(Modification 2)
In the present embodiment, the shape of the scroll screen is controlled using the scroll reference point, but the scale of the map on the scroll screen may be changed.

  For example, when the distance to the destination is long, it is possible to shorten the moving distance of the scroll as much as possible (that is, to reduce the number of scrolls) by increasing the scale of the partial map. It is also possible to reduce the map and display the reduced map to the destination on the current position display screen in consideration of the entire route to the destination. When the route to the destination does not enter the current screen, the information of the entire map such as the approximate route to the destination can be grasped more easily.

  FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the map display device in the present modification. That is, FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a map display device that reduces a partial map along a route to a destination and displays the reduced partial map in a scroll screen with a smaller number of scrolls. The same reference numerals are given to the components shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description will be omitted.

  The partial map area scale calculation unit 113 is means for calculating the map scale to the destination with reference to the coordinates of the scroll reference point acquired by the reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1112. Similarly to the second embodiment, the partial map generation unit 114 is a unit that generates a partial map based on the scale calculated by the partial map area scale calculation unit 113. In this modification, the display is not a scrolling display but a reduced partial map. Therefore, in this modification, it is referred to as a “partial map”. The partial map display area storage unit 103 is a means for storing the generated partial map, as in the second embodiment. Moreover, the partial map display position determination part 105 is a means which determines the point which displays the stored partial map similarly to the said Embodiment 2. FIG. In the first and second embodiments, since it is a scroll screen, it is defined as “scroll display point”, but here it is referred to as “partial map display point”.

  Details of the partial map area scale calculation unit 113 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the partial map area scale calculation unit shown in FIG. The partial map region scale calculation unit 113 further includes a partial map display point reference unit 1131, a destination coordinate reference unit 1132, a partial map region acquisition unit 1133, a partial map scale control unit 1134, and a partial map reference point calculation unit 1135. The partial map display point reference unit 1131 considers the current position display screen among the calculated scroll reference points, and calculates the calculated partial map display points (corresponding to the scroll display points in the first embodiment). It is a means for referring to the position. On the other hand, the destination coordinate reference unit 1132 is means for referring to the scroll base point closest to the destination among the scroll base points. The partial map area acquisition unit 1133 is a means for acquiring a partial map area using both reference points. Then, the partial map scale control unit 1134 reduces the acquired partial map, and the partial map generation unit 114 generates a reduced map. On the other hand, the partial map reference point calculation unit 1135 calculates the coordinates of the partial map display points on the reduced map. Specific examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of partial map scale control in a case where a partial map display area to a destination is reduced and displayed in a scroll screen of a certain size. In the figure, the current position and the set destination “Restaurant” and the route to the destination are shown. The scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk. First, in this modification, the shape of the partial map screen (corresponding to the scroll screen in the first embodiment and the second embodiment) is set to 2H vertical and 2W horizontal. A map in which the route to the destination is reduced is displayed in an area of 2H dots in the vertical direction and 2W dots in the horizontal direction.

  First, a partial map display point for displaying a partial map screen is calculated. In the first embodiment, since the scroll screen is displayed around the scroll reference point, the point not exceeding the height H dot and the width W dot is set as the scroll screen display point. In the second embodiment, since the scroll screen is calculated for each scroll reference point at any time, a point that does not exceed the calculated height X dot and width Y dot is set as the scroll screen display point. On the other hand, in this modification, the partial map screen displays the scroll reference point as one of the four corners on the left, right, top, and bottom. Therefore, a scroll reference point in a region not exceeding 2H dots in height and 2W dots in width is set as a partial map display point.

  As shown in FIG. 45, the scroll reference point 4501 is an area that does not exceed 2H dots in height and 2W dots in width. Therefore, the scroll reference point 4501 is a point for displaying a partial map screen, that is, a partial map display point.

  Next, the partial map area scale calculation unit 113 calculates an area including the partial map display point 4501 and the entire map up to the destination. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of a partial map display area displayed in the scroll screen shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 46, the destination “Restaurant” is located in the northeast (upper right) with respect to the scroll reference point 4501 serving as the partial map reference point (scroll display point). Therefore, a map of a region surrounded by a dotted rectangle is acquired so that the scroll reference point 4501 is the opposite lower left and the entire map up to the destination is included. Details will be described with reference to FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the scale of the partial map display area shown in FIG. For example, the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the destination “Restaurant” are 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds north latitude and 135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude. On the other hand, the coordinates of the partial map display point 4501 are assumed to be 35 degrees 24 minutes 40 seconds north latitude and 135 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds east longitude. Furthermore, as an allowable range, for example, a rectangle with coordinates plus 5 seconds in the vertical and horizontal directions is acquired as a partial map. That is, 12 minutes (distance 18.2km) from 135 degrees 13 minutes 43 seconds east longitude (135 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds -5 seconds east) to 135 degrees 25 minutes 43 seconds east longitude (135 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds east longitude + 5 seconds) Is the width of the partial map. Also, 9 minutes from north latitude 35 degrees 24 minutes 35 seconds (north latitude 35 degrees 24 minutes 40 seconds -5 seconds) to north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 35 seconds (north latitude 35 degrees 33 minutes 30 seconds + 5 seconds) (distance 13.5 km) Becomes the vertical of the partial map.

  Next, the acquired map is reduced to a rectangle having a height of 2H dots and a width of 2W dots. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 48 shows an example in which the partial map from the reference point to the destination in the current position display screen is reduced, and the whole is displayed at once in a scroll screen determined to have a certain shape and size. FIG.

  In FIG. 48, reference numeral 4601 denotes a partial map 4601 including a partial map display point 4501 and the entire destination “restaurant”. A partial map 4701 is obtained by reducing the partial map 4601 into a rectangle having a height of 2H dots and a width of 2W dots.

  On the other hand, the coordinates of the partial map display point in the reduced partial map are calculated by the partial map reference point calculation unit 1135, and the partial map display point on the entire display screen matches the partial map display point on the reduced partial map. To display. Hereinafter, the calculation of the partial map display point in the reduced partial map will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of calculating a scale of partial map reduction from the partial map display point to the destination.

  FIG. 49 is a diagram in which the partial map 4601 is reduced to a height of 2H dots (for example, 144 dots) and a width of 2W dots (for example, 108 dots). In this case, one dot is 5 seconds. Therefore, in the reduced partial map 4601, when the origin is 35 degrees 24 minutes 35 seconds north latitude and 135 degrees 13 minutes 43 seconds east longitude, the partial map is located at 35 degrees 24 minutes 40 seconds north latitude 135 degrees 13 minutes 48 seconds east. The display point 4501 is positioned at a point of 1 dot vertically and 1 dot horizontally. As described above, the partial map reference point calculation unit 1135 calculates the coordinates of the partial map display points in the reduced partial map. On the current position display screen, which is the entire screen, the partial map display point on the current position display screen and the partial map display point on the reduced partial map are displayed so as to match.

  FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which the partial map display point 4501 is set to the lower left and the generated partial map 4601 is displayed on the current position display screen. Here, the generated partial map is stored in the partial map display area storage unit 103, and the partial map display point 4501 is displayed on the current position display screen as the lower left of the scroll screen. In this modification, the reduced partial map is generated so that the partial map display point 4501 is located at the lower left. Further, the partial map display point 4501 is set to the lower left on the current position display screen, and the scroll screen is displayed. Therefore, the route on the current position display screen and the route on the scroll screen match at the partial map display point 4501. As a result, the route to the destination that is not displayed on the current screen is displayed as a partial map, and further displayed so as to match the current route, so that the information can be easily grasped. For example, in the case of FIG. 50, turn right at the “fourth intersection” and go straight for a while (partial map display point 4501) matches the route of the partial map. It is possible to easily grasp the route to the destination. Here, the entire map from the current position to the destination is reduced and displayed on the partial map screen at one time. However, the partial map beyond the destination may be scrolled. Also, if the partial map from the current position to the destination is too small to make it difficult to see the partial map, set the degree of reduction so that it does not fall below a predetermined ratio (threshold), and once in the scroll screen A partial map on the route that could not be displayed may be scrolled. Also, if there is a waypoint between the current location and the destination, this route is taken as the first destination, the map from the current location to the first destination is reduced, and the whole is displayed at once. A scroll display may be used from the first destination to the final destination or from the current position to the final destination.

  Next, another example will be described. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example when the partial map display points are located at different corners of the scroll screen shown in FIG. 46. For example, FIG. 51 shows the current position at the same position as FIG. 46, the destination “tennis field” in a different direction from the “restaurant” shown in FIG. 46, and the route to the destination. is there. The scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk. Also, the scroll reference point 4501 does not exceed 2H dots in height and 2W dots in width, and a reduced map to the destination is displayed based on these points (becomes a partial map display point). In the case of FIG. 51, since the destination “tennis ground” is located in the southeast (lower right) with respect to the partial map display point 4501, the destination is at the lower right and the partial map display point 4501 is at the upper left. Get a partial map. The black dotted rectangle is the acquired partial map. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which the partial map display area shown in FIG. 51 is displayed in the current position display screen. 52 is obtained by reducing the acquired partial map to 2H vertical and 2W horizontal and displaying it on the current position display screen with the partial map display point 4501 at the upper left. The reduced partial map and the route on the current position display screen match, and the route to the destination can be grasped.

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a partial map display area from a partial map display point to a destination is reduced and displayed as a whole on a scroll screen of a certain size. FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing details of the procedure for calculating the partial display area in step S404 shown in FIG. The operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the present embodiment, the process from the path setting (step S100) to the calculation of the scroll reference point (step S102) is the same as in the first embodiment. First, a destination is set in the route setting unit 109 such as a touch panel (step S100), route information relating to the destination and the destination is acquired from the map information storage unit 104, and stored in the route storage unit 107 (step S101). ).

  Next, a scroll reference point is calculated on the stored route (step S102). FIG. 45 is a current position display screen showing the current position of the user. Further, the set destination “restaurant” and the route to the destination are shown. Further, the calculated scroll reference point is indicated by an asterisk. In this modification, a scroll screen display point is calculated using this scroll reference point.

  First, the scroll reference point closest to the current position is selected (step S103). Next, based on the selected scroll reference point, first, it is determined whether the vertical height exceeds the display area 2H on the current position display screen displaying the current position display area (step S401). If not (No in step S401), it is next determined whether the left and right widths exceed the display area (step S402). If not exceeded (No in step S402), it is determined whether there is a next scroll reference point (step S106). If there is (Yes in step S106), the next scroll point is selected (step S107). If this procedure is repeated and the vertical height exceeds 2H dots (Yes in step S401), or the left and right widths exceed 2W dots (in this case, W) (Yes in step S402), the scroll reference point Is returned to the previous position and used as a scroll screen display point (step S403). In the case of FIG. 45, the scroll reference point 4501 is the scroll screen display point.

  Next, a scaled partial map to the destination is generated using the selected scroll screen display point (step S404). First, the coordinates of the selected scroll screen display point are referred to (step S411). Next, reference is made to the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the destination (step S412). A partial map is created by taking coordinates so that the position of the scroll reference point closest to the destination is at a position symmetrical to the selected scroll screen display point. That is, the following cases are performed depending on the relative relationship between the position of the scroll reference point closest to the current position and the position of the scroll reference point closest to the destination (step S413).

  If the scroll reference point closest to the destination is located at the upper right with respect to the scroll screen display point, a partial map is generated so that the scroll screen display point is at the lower left of the control (step S414). On the other hand, when the scroll reference point closest to the destination is located at the lower right with respect to the scroll screen display point, a partial map is generated so that the scroll screen display point is at the upper left of the control (step S415). If the scroll reference point closest to the destination is located at the upper left with respect to the scroll screen display point, a partial map is generated so that the scroll screen display point is at the lower right of the control (step S416). If the scroll reference point closest to the destination is located at the lower left relative to the scroll screen display point, a partial map is generated so that the scroll screen display point is at the upper right of the control (step S417).

  The generated partial map is reduced to a height of 2H dots and a width of 2W dots (step S418).

  Next, the generated partial map is displayed on the aforementioned scroll reference point (step S405).

  For example, in the case of FIG. 46, since the destination is located on the upper right side with respect to the scroll screen display point, the scroll screen display point is set on the lower left, and a partial map shown by a dotted rectangle is created (step S414). Then, as shown in FIG. 43, the image is reduced to 2H dots in height and 2W dots in width (step S418).

  Then, as shown in FIG. 50, the generated partial map is displayed at the aforementioned scroll reference point. As a result, the scroll reference point 4501 serving as the scroll screen display point matches. In other words, the route on the current position display screen matches the route on the reduced partial map, and it is possible to more easily grasp the information on the subsequent route while grasping the information on the current position. .

  The partial map to be reduced in the above example calculates the partial map area based on the partial map display point and the reference point close to the destination. For example, in the case of FIG. 46, the calculated partial map display point 4501 and the reference point closest to the destination located in the northeast (the vertical axis is latitude and the horizontal axis is longitude) with respect to the partial map display point are used. The rectangular area indicated by the dotted line is used as the area of the partial map. Thereby, the route to the destination is included in the area, and the user can grasp the information on the route to the destination as a partial map while grasping the information on the current position display screen. However, when the area of the partial map is calculated in this way, depending on the route, the partial part of the route may not be included in the partial map. Therefore, for example, the maximum value and the minimum value for each axis of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis among the reference points may be obtained, and the partial map may be calculated so that the route is included in the partial map area without interruption. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

  FIG. 55 is a diagram for explaining the generation of a partial map from the reference points, for example, by obtaining reference points having the maximum value and the minimum value on each axis among the reference points. FIG. 55A shows an example of a display screen when the coordinate of the vertical axis of the reference point 4801 shown in FIG. 55C is the minimum of the ordinate of the partial map. FIG. 55 (b) shows an example of a display screen when the coordinate of the vertical axis of the reference point 4802 shown in FIG. 55 (c) is set to the minimum of the ordinate of the partial map. FIG. 55 (c) is a diagram showing the coordinates of main reference points on the route from the reference point 4801 to the destination. Similar to the above method, a partial map display point 4801 on the current position display screen for displaying the partial map is calculated. The destination is a restaurant, and the reference point is indicated by an asterisk on the route to the restaurant. Here, when the partial map is generated so that only the partial map display point 4801 and the reference point 4803 closest to the restaurant are included as shown above, the route is not included as shown in the display screen (a). A partial map will be generated. Therefore, from the reference points, the maximum and minimum reference points for each axis are calculated, and the calculated reference points are used as reference reference points for reference when generating the partial map. A partial map is generated using points. Here, for example, in the case of north-up display (in the case of a car navigation system, north is always displayed on the top), the vertical axis is latitude and the horizontal axis is longitude. In the case of a heading-up display (in which the direction in which the person is facing is always upward) is displayed, the direction in which the heading is directed is the vertical axis, and the horizontal direction is the horizontal axis.

  First, the maximum value and minimum value of the horizontal axis (longitude) are calculated. For example, the maximum value and the minimum value are calculated with reference to the coordinates indicated by the latitude and longitude of the reference point 4803 closest to the destination from the partial map display point 4801. In this case, the minimum value of the horizontal axis (longitude) is 135 degrees 33 minutes and 20 seconds east longitude of the partial map display point 4801, and the maximum value is 135 degrees 35 minutes and 20 seconds east longitude of the reference point 4803. Let it be a point.

  Similarly, the maximum value and minimum value of the vertical axis (latitude) are calculated. By referring to the coordinates indicated by the latitude and longitude of the reference point 4803 closest to the destination from the partial map display point 4801, the maximum and minimum values of latitude are calculated. In this case, the minimum value is 35 degrees 34 minutes 20 seconds north of the reference point 4802, and the maximum value is 35 degrees 31 minutes 12 seconds north of the reference point 4803, which is the reference reference point on the vertical axis.

  A partial map area is determined using the calculated reference reference point on each axis. In FIG. 57B, a region 4804 indicated by a dotted rectangle is a partial map region. A display screen (b) is a map obtained by displaying the map reduced by the above-described method on the display screen. Unlike the display screen (a), a partial map including the entire route to the destination restaurant is displayed.

(Modification 3: Change the position of the menu according to the position of the scroll screen)
In the first and second embodiments, the display position and shape of the scroll screen, the control of the scale, and the like have been described. By controlling the position where the scroll display screen is displayed, it becomes easier to grasp information such as the route to the destination. On the other hand, the display screen of a mobile terminal such as a car navigation system displays not only map information but also information necessary for current driving, such as current time information and menu candidates for operating the terminal such as route search. Is generally (hereinafter referred to as a menu screen). Further, the positions where these menu screens are displayed are generally determined in advance. On the other hand, in the present invention, the position where the scroll screen is displayed is calculated based on the scroll reference point, and may overlap with the menu screen in some cases. Therefore, in this modification, a method for controlling the display position of the menu screen according to the display position of the scroll screen will be described.

  FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map display device of the present modification in which a plurality of menu screen display patterns are held and the menu screen is displayed at another position when the menu screen overlaps the scroll screen. FIG. The same reference numerals are given to the components shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

  The menu display area storage unit 1130 is a means for storing the display area of the menu screen. FIG. 57 is a diagram showing an example (pattern 1) of a menu screen displayed in the current position display screen displaying the current position and the like. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing another example (pattern 2) of the menu screen displayed in the current position display screen. Also, as shown in the figure, the menu screen shows the current time “current time”, the destination “restaurant”, and, in the case of a touch panel, operation candidate menus “peripheral search”, “purpose” Land change "and" detour route search "are shown. The positions where these menu screens are displayed are generally determined in advance. On the other hand, the display position of the menu screen in this modification is variable, and some patterns are accumulated. For example, in FIG. 57, the menu screen is displayed on the right side of the current position display screen. On the other hand, in FIG. 58, the same menu screen is displayed on the left side of the current position display screen. Thus, the menu display area storage unit 1130 stores, for example, the pattern 1 (FIG. 57) on the right side and the pattern 2 (FIG. 58) on the left side where the menu screen is displayed.

  FIG. 59 is a diagram showing an example of the current position display screen when the scroll screen overlaps the menu screen due to the calculated scroll screen display point 5601. In the figure, similarly to the method shown in the first embodiment, a point (scroll screen display point) 5601 for displaying the scroll screen is calculated based on the scroll reference point. In this case, if the scroll screen is displayed as it is, it overlaps the menu screen and the menu screen becomes invisible. In view of this, the display area determination unit 1140 refers to the position of the scroll screen display point and the display position of the menu screen, and in the case where they overlap, the menu display area switching unit 115 switches the display position of the menu screen. To do. For example, assume that the menu screen is displayed with pattern 1 (left side). Next, it is assumed that a scroll screen display point 5601 is calculated. At this time, with reference to the coordinates of the scroll screen display point 5601, it is determined whether the scroll screen is located on the left side or the right side of the screen. And when it is on the right side, it is possible to display both the menu screen and the scroll screen by switching the menu screen to pattern 2 (left side). FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the current position display screen displayed on the left side by switching the display pattern of the menu screen when the scroll screen is displayed on the right side of the current position display screen as illustrated in FIG. 59. is there.

  When scrolling and displaying the route to the destination, etc., if it is displayed at a preset position as in the prior art, it will be displayed at a position different from the direction in which it is going, which may lead to confusion for the user. Considering a current position display screen displaying a map of the current position, displaying the scroll screen on the direction of the destination and the route to the destination makes it possible to easily grasp visually. Furthermore, by controlling the menu screen such as operation candidates according to the scroll display screen, necessary information can be easily grasped.

(Variation 4: Scrolling up to a car (accompanied car) traveling with friends, etc.)
In the embodiment, the route information to be scrolled is the set destination. On the other hand, as a modification of the above-described embodiment, it is possible to display a scroll by using the second mobile terminal as the destination instead of the destination. For example, an application is possible in which the position of the second mobile terminal is detected, the detected position is used as a destination, and the route to the destination is scrolled. For example, in the case of a car navigation system or the like, there may be traveling with a friend. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to grasp not only the information related to the vicinity of the own vehicle but also the position and route of the accompanying vehicle. In addition, even when heading to the same destination, the route calculated by the car navigation system is not always the same, and the set route between the vehicle leading while driving ahead and the vehicle following following the vehicle is different. In this case, the following vehicle side may be confused because the leading vehicle in front is different from the set route in the car navigation system. In addition, when traveling with the passenger, even if the destination is the same, there may be a break along the way, and the position information of the second moving body is one of the important interests of the user. Therefore, in this modification, an example in which the position of the accompanying vehicle is detected and the route to the accompanying vehicle is scroll-displayed will be described.

  FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a configuration of a map display device in the present modification in the case where a route to an accompanying vehicle is scroll-displayed with an accompanying vehicle traveling with the own vehicle as a destination. The same reference numerals are given to the components shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Second current position detector 1160 is means for detecting the position of the second mobile terminal. The second current position storage unit 1170 is means for storing the detected position of the second mobile terminal. The second current position transmission unit 1180 is means for transmitting the detected position of the second mobile terminal directly or via a server or the like.

  On the other hand, the mobile terminal is provided with means for receiving the transmitted position information of the second mobile terminal, and a second current position receiving unit 119. This makes it possible to detect not only the position of the mobile terminal but also the position information of the second mobile terminal. Using the position information detected by the second current position receiving unit 119 as a destination, the route calculation unit 108 calculates the route to the destination and stores it in the route storage unit 120 as in the above embodiment. It is the same. Further, as in the above embodiment, the scroll reference point calculation unit 1111 calculates the scroll reference point to the second mobile terminal, and the scroll screen is generated.

  Note that when the destination is a mobile terminal such as a companion vehicle, it is also important at which timing the scroll display is performed. As a vehicle that follows later, it is preferable to support traveling so as not to be separated from the leading vehicle. Therefore, for example, the number of intersections on the route to the second mobile terminal is calculated, and the generation of the scroll screen is controlled according to the number of intersections.

  The intersection information acquisition unit 121 is a means for calculating the number of intersections on the calculated route to the second mobile terminal. A predetermined threshold value (for example, when turning right or left twice or more) is provided, and the partial map generation control unit 122 controls whether or not to generate a scroll screen. Details will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a current position display screen for displaying the current position and the like of the mobile terminal. Further, here, the current position of the second mobile terminal that is not displayed on the current position display screen detected by the second current position receiver 119 is shown. In FIG. 62, the second mobile terminal is shown in the northeast (upper right) with respect to the current position of the mobile body.

  Furthermore, in this modification, the detected position of the second mobile terminal is regarded as the destination, and the route to the second mobile terminal is scroll-displayed. In the first embodiment, the route setting unit 109 sets a predetermined position on the map as the destination, and the route calculation unit 108 calculates the route to the destination. Here, the position information detected by the second current position detection unit 1160 is acquired through communication such as the second current position transmission unit 1180, the second current position reception unit 119, and the like. The route calculation unit 108 calculates a route using the acquired position of the second mobile terminal as the destination. In FIG. 62, a thick black line indicates a route to the second mobile terminal. In addition, as in the previous embodiment, the scroll reference point to the destination is calculated and is indicated by an asterisk. Further, in the present embodiment, the number of intersections to the second mobile terminal is calculated in order to control whether or not to perform scroll display.

  FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the host vehicle and the second mobile terminal serving as a trigger for partial map scroll display from the host vehicle to the second mobile terminal. In FIG. 63, white circles are intersections, and it can be seen that there are two intersections on the current position and the route to the second mobile terminal. The intersection information acquisition unit 121 acquires the number of intersections between the current position as the vehicle position and the second mobile terminal on the calculated route. In this case, two intersections are acquired. In the case where the vehicle travels while accompanying the vehicle, passing through an intersection can be considered as one of cases where the vehicle is separated. For example, when a leading vehicle passes through an intersection, while a following vehicle stops at the intersection because of a red signal or the like, the leading vehicle is not noticed and travels as it is, and the result is often lost. Alternatively, when the leading vehicle turns right or left at the intersection, the leading vehicle may be lost as a following vehicle. Therefore, the trigger for starting the scroll display is performed based on the number of intersections.

  For example, by setting the number of intersections that perform scroll display to two, in this case, scroll display is started. The scroll display method is the same as that in the above embodiment, and a scroll screen is generated based on the scroll reference point, and the scroll screen is displayed at the calculated scroll screen display point, thereby performing the scroll display. be able to. However, in this modification, the destination is not a point but a second mobile terminal, and the route to the second mobile terminal can be scroll-displayed. FIG. 64 is a diagram showing an example when a scroll screen of a route from the own vehicle to the second mobile terminal is displayed on the current position display screen. When moving with a plurality of users instead of only the own vehicle, the position of the other user is a matter of interest of the own vehicle user. On the other hand, in the case of car navigation, complicated operations during driving are not preferable. By using the scroll screen to display the position of another user, or the route to the position, etc., it becomes possible to easily comprehend information on the accompanying vehicle without disturbing the driving task of the own vehicle user.

  In the present modification, the number of intersections up to the second mobile terminal is used as a trigger for scroll display. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, not only the intersection but also the distance to the second mobile terminal may be considered. Of course, the greater the distance, the more likely it will be off. Therefore, it is possible to perform control in consideration of both the intersection and the distance, for example, by providing a predetermined threshold value, for example, even if the intersection does not pass but scrolling is displayed when a certain distance exceeds a certain distance. Become. Alternatively, it is possible to consider traffic information such as route type and traffic jam. For example, when traveling on an expressway or the like, there are many relatively straight lines, and there is often a low possibility that they will come off even if they are a little apart. Therefore, when the travel route is an expressway, control such as increasing the threshold value of scroll display, and decreasing the threshold value when there is a high possibility of coming off in an urban area or the like may be performed.

  A map display device according to the present invention has a current position storage unit, a route storage unit, a map information storage unit, a display region determination unit, a partial map display region storage unit, and a partial map display position determination unit, It is effective as a mobile terminal such as a car navigation system that performs scroll display so that the user can easily understand route information on the current position display screen.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a display example of the conventional route map scroll described in Patent Document 1. In FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map display device in the present embodiment (Embodiment 1). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the current position display screen displayed by the display area determination unit shown in FIG. 2 and scroll reference points calculated on the optimum route. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display when another window is provided at a fixed position on the current position display screen shown in FIG. 3 and a partial map is displayed there. FIG. 5A to FIG. 5F are diagrams illustrating an example of the transition of the display screen of the car navigation in which the scroll screen is sequentially displayed from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of each scroll screen when the optimum route is traced from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route is traced from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route is traced from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another example of a scroll screen showing a position closer to the current position when the optimum route is traced from the destination toward the current position. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure for calculating a scroll screen display point by the partial map display position determination unit illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a calculation procedure of scroll screen display points on a map. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the scroll screen displayed at the scroll screen display point of the current position display screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scroll screen displayed at various positions according to the position of the optimum route in the current position display screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating other examples of the scroll screen displayed at various positions according to the position of the optimum route in the current position display screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing still another example of the scroll screen displayed at various positions according to the position of the optimum route in the current position display screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the current position display screen when the display area of the current position display screen is moved on the map according to the situation. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of display when the current position display screen is moved so that the scroll screen display point is positioned at the optimum position of the current position display screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display when a scroll screen is displayed in the current position display screen that has been moved to the optimal position. FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating an example of the display of the shape of the optimum route when the optimum route is stored in an approximate shape. FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display when the scroll screen based on the important scroll reference point is displayed larger than the scroll screen based on the normal scroll reference point. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of sampling of the scroll reference point in the case where the number of samples of the scroll reference point on each route is synchronized so that scrolling is simultaneously completed on each route to a plurality of destinations. 22 (a) and 22 (b) are diagrams showing display examples of a scroll screen centered on the important scroll reference point. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example in which scroll display is performed synchronously up to a scroll reference point that is scheduled to arrive at the same time on each route to a plurality of destinations. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of scroll display on a plurality of scroll screens when a plurality of routes are calculated for one destination. FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B are diagrams showing an example of an input area when the area around the scroll screen display point on the current position display screen is used as an input area for a scroll display start instruction. FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a map display device when an operation input unit such as a touch panel is provided. FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams illustrating control for displaying a scroll screen when the user's operation input is within the valid area. FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B are diagrams showing an example of scroll display when traffic information and the like are updated for a scroll reference point on a traveling route. FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a map display device that performs shape control of a scroll screen (second embodiment). FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of a path that is scroll-displayed with shape control of the scroll screen. FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of shape control of a scroll screen that is scroll-displayed around the scroll reference point on the route from the destination. FIG. 32 is a detailed diagram showing a method for generating a scroll screen based on the scroll reference point shown in FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing another example of the shape control of the scroll screen that is scroll-displayed around the scroll reference point on the route. FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining calculation of display points on a scroll screen in the current position display screen. FIG. 35A and FIG. 35B are diagrams for explaining a scroll display operation with shape control of the scroll screen. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a procedure for scroll-displaying a partial map centered on the scroll reference point on the route on the scroll screen in the current position display screen. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the procedure for controlling the shape of the scroll screen (partial display area). FIG. 38 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the partial map shape calculation unit shown in FIG. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the shape of the scroll screen is controlled based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a vertically long scroll screen having a fixed shape is calculated based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example in which the vertically long scroll screen calculated as shown in FIG. 40 is displayed on the current position display screen. FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a horizontally long scroll screen is calculated based on the coordinates of the destination and the coordinates of the scroll reference point closest to the current position. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a configuration of a map display device that reduces a partial map along a route to a destination and displays the reduced partial map in a scroll screen with a smaller number of scrolls. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the partial map area scale calculation unit shown in FIG. FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating an example of partial map scale control in a case where a partial map display area to a destination is displayed in a reduced size on a scroll screen having a certain size. FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of a partial map display area displayed in the scroll screen shown in FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of a method for calculating the scale of the partial map display area shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example in the case of reducing the partial map from the reference point in the present position display screen to the destination, and displaying the whole at once in the scroll screen defined by the fixed shape and size. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of calculating a scale of partial map reduction from the partial map display point to the destination. FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which the partial map display point 4501 is set to the lower left and the generated partial map is displayed on the current position display screen. FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example when the partial map display points are located at different corners of the scroll screen shown in FIG. 46. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing an example of a display in which the partial map display area shown in FIG. 51 is displayed in the current position display screen. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a partial map display area from a partial map display point to a destination is reduced and displayed as a whole on a scroll screen of a certain size. FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing details of the procedure for calculating the partial display area in step S404 shown in FIG. 55 (a), 55 (b), and 55 (c), for example, determine the reference points that have the maximum value and the minimum value on each axis from among the reference points, and explain the generation of the partial map from these reference points. It is a figure to do. FIG. 56 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map display device of the present modification in which a plurality of menu screen display patterns are held and the menu screen is displayed at another position when the menu screen overlaps the scroll screen. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example (pattern 1) of the menu screen displayed in the present position display screen which displayed the present position etc. FIG. FIG. 58 is a diagram showing another example (pattern 2) of the menu screen displayed in the current position display screen. FIG. 59 is a diagram illustrating an example of the current position display screen when the scroll screen overlaps the menu screen due to the calculated scroll screen display point. FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the current position display screen displayed on the left side by switching the display pattern of the menu screen when the scroll screen is displayed on the right side of the current position display screen as illustrated in FIG. 59. is there. FIG. 61 is a diagram showing a configuration of a map display device in the present modification in the case where a route to an accompanying vehicle is scroll-displayed with an accompanying vehicle traveling with the own vehicle as a destination. FIG. 62 is a diagram showing a current position display screen for displaying the current position and the like of the mobile terminal. FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship between the host vehicle and the second mobile terminal serving as a trigger for partial map scroll display from the host vehicle to the second mobile terminal. FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating an example when a scroll screen of a route from the own vehicle to the second mobile terminal is displayed on the current position display screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Own vehicle position 22 Optimal road 23 Destination 31 Display screen 100 Map display apparatus 101 Current position detection part 102 Current position memory | storage part 103 Partial map display area memory | storage part 104 Map information memory | storage part 105 Partial map display position determination part 106 Display area determination Unit 107 route storage unit 108 route calculation unit 109 route setting unit 110 display unit 111 reference point coordinate acquisition unit 112 partial map shape calculation unit 113 partial map region scale calculation unit 114 partial map generation unit 115 menu display region switching unit 116 operation input unit 117 Effective Input Determination Unit 118 Partial Map Display Control Unit 119 Current Position Reception Unit 120 Route Storage Unit 121 Intersection Information Acquisition Unit 122 Partial Map Generation Control Unit 301 Current Location 302 Optimal Route 303 Restaurant 304 Current Location Display Screens 311 to 323 Scroll Reference Point 401 to 412 Scroll screen 501 to 504 Scroll reference point 601 Scroll screen 803 Scroll start point 804 Scroll end point 806 Current position display screen 807 Scroll screen 901 Scroll screen 1001 Scroll screen 1022 Partial map generation unit 1061 Display area determination unit 1101 Scroll screen 1111 Route reference point calculation unit 1112 Reference point coordinate acquisition unit 1121 Partial map shape calculation unit 1122 Partial map generation unit 1123 Current position coordinate reference unit 1124 Destination coordinate reference unit 1125 Partial map aspect ratio calculation unit 1130 Menu display area storage unit 1131 Partial map Display point reference section 1132 Destination coordinate reference section 1133 Partial map area acquisition section 1134 Partial map scale control section 1135 Partial map reference point calculation section 1140 Display area determination 1160 Current position detection unit 1170 Current position storage unit 1180 Current position transmission unit 1401 Current position display screen 1402 Display region 1501 Current position display region 1601 Current position display screen 1602 Scroll screen 1701 Important scroll reference point 1901 Current position display screen 1902 Scroll screen 2002 Path 2003 Path 2101 Scroll screen display point 2401 Scroll reference point 2501 Scroll screen display point 2901 Display control unit 3201-3208 Scroll reference point 3301 Scroll screen 3302 Scroll screen 3501 Scroll screen 3502 Scroll screen 3601 Scroll reference point 3605 Scroll reference point 3606 Scroll reference Point 4001 Scroll reference point 4101 to 4103 Scroll screen 420 Scroll reference point 4301-4303 scroll reference point 4501 scroll reference point 4601 the partial map 4701 scaled partial map 4801 partial map display point 4802 reference point 4803 reference point 4804 area 5601 scroll screen display point

Claims (2)

A map display device for displaying a map relating to a moving path of a moving object,
A display screen;
Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information about a current position of the mobile body and a travel route from the current position of the mobile body to a destination;
An overall display means for displaying a map indicated by the map information about the current position of the acquired mobile object on the entire display screen;
Second moving body detecting means for detecting a position of a second moving body different from the moving body;
When the position detected by the second moving body detection means is the destination, an intersection information acquisition means for acquiring information about the intersection to the destination;
Partial display means for displaying a plurality of partial maps, which are maps relating to a part of the movement path of the acquired moving body, in a partial display area that is a part of the display area of the display screen while scrolling along the movement path And
The partial display means determines whether or not the number of intersections with the destination exceeds a predetermined number based on the information about the intersections, and scrolls when the number of intersections exceeds the predetermined number . Display on the partial display area is started. The partial display means uses the geographical range based on the reference point as the partial display area when the point on the movement path included in the map displayed by the whole display means is a reference point, and the movement route a map display device according to claim 1, while the partial map is a map is scrolled along the movement path of a portion, characterized in that simply showing the table.

Images