JP4885632B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, and more particularly to a navigation device that automatically scrolls a map displayed on a screen according to a change in the current location.

Conventionally, a map displayed on the screen has a function of automatically scrolling according to a change in the current location, and the user can directly designate a desired position in the image displayed on the screen using a touch panel with a finger. There is a navigation device that can be used (for example, see Patent Document 1). If the touch panel is used, the user touches a point on the touch panel corresponding to a desired point on the map displayed on the screen, a facility icon, or a traffic jam mark (mark displayed on a road in a traffic jam). Thus, the destination can be easily specified, the detailed explanation of the facility can be displayed, and the details of the traffic jam information can be displayed (see FIG. 10).
International Publication No. 2006/013783 Pamphlet

  However, in the navigation device as described above, when the user tries to specify a desired point on the map using the touch panel during automatic scrolling of the map (that is, during movement of the vehicle), the map is automatically scrolled. Since the positions of these points on the screen move, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to specify the desired points accurately. For example, when the user wants to select the facility B icon in FIG. 10 and touches a point on the touch panel corresponding to the display position of the facility B icon on the screen, the user moves his / her finger to that point on the touch panel. While the vehicle is moving, the map display area (that is, the area displayed on the screen) changes according to the movement of the vehicle as shown in FIG. In particular, when the scale of the map is large (that is, when displaying in detail), the scroll speed of the map is faster than when the scale of the map is small (that is, when displaying in a wide area). Easy to specify.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to accurately specify a desired point on a map using a touch panel in a navigation device that automatically scrolls a map displayed on a screen according to a change in the current location. It is to be.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following configuration.

  The navigation device according to the present invention includes a current location acquisition unit that acquires a current location, a map display control unit that displays a map on a screen based on map information, a touch panel that indicates a position on the screen, and the touch panel. An approach detecting means for detecting the approach of the object, wherein the map display control means displays a map displayed on the screen in accordance with a change in the current location acquired by the current location acquiring means. An automatic scroll function for automatically scrolling is provided, and the automatic scroll is paused according to a detection result of the approach detection means.

  The approach detection unit may detect an approach of an object to the touch panel based on a video signal output from an imaging unit that captures the vicinity of the touch panel. An approach of an object to the touch panel may be detected based on a signal output from an installed infrared sensor. Furthermore, the approach of an object to the touch panel may be detected by another known method.

  The map display control means may pause the automatic scrolling while an object is approaching the touch panel. Thus, since the automatic scrolling of the map temporarily stops when the user's hand approaches the touch panel, the user can accurately indicate a desired point on the map using the touch panel.

  The approach detection means includes hand identification means for determining whether or not an object approaching the touch panel is a hand, and the map display control means performs the automatic scrolling while the hand is approaching the touch panel. You may pause. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the automatic scrolling of the map from being unnecessarily stopped when an object other than a hand approaches the touch panel.

  The approach detecting means includes hand identifying means for determining whether or not the object approaching the touch panel is a predetermined one of a right hand and a left hand, and the map display control means is the predetermined display. The automatic scrolling may be paused while the hand on the touched side approaches the touch panel. Thus, for example, in the case where the input operation by the user at the driver's seat is not accepted during movement for safety, the user's hand in the driver's seat (left hand in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle, When the right hand) approaches the touch panel, the automatic scrolling of the map is not stopped (the input operation is not accepted, so there is no need to stop the automatic scrolling of the map), and the passenger's hand (right hand in the case of a right-hand drive vehicle) If the left hand in the case of a left-hand drive vehicle approaches the touch panel, the automatic scrolling of the map can be temporarily stopped.

  The map display control means includes information combining means for combining information to be provided to the user with a map to be displayed on the screen, and temporarily pauses the automatic scroll according to the detection result of the approach detection means. In the meantime, the update of the information to be provided to the user may be continued. Thus, the user can obtain the latest information while the automatic scrolling is paused. Note that examples of “information to be provided to the user” synthesized and displayed on the map include current location information and traffic jam information.

  The touch panel may be installed at a position away from the screen. Thereby, a touch panel can be arrange | positioned at a user's hand and it can operate now more easily. Further, since the screen is not touched directly, the visibility of the screen is not deteriorated due to the attachment of the fingerprint.

  Further, the map display control means displays a hand image corresponding to the user's hand on the map to be displayed on the map on the map corresponding to the position of the user's hand when the user's hand approaches the touch panel. Hand approach compositing means for compositing at a position, and the approach detecting means determines that an object has approached the touch panel when the hand image composing means is in a state of being displayed on the screen. May be. Thereby, in a navigation device adopting a method of displaying on the screen a user's hand operating a touch panel installed at a position away from the screen, a state in which a hand image should be displayed on the screen (this is It is possible to easily detect the approach of an object to the touch panel by determining whether or not the user's hand is approaching the touch panel). The effect of the present invention can be obtained by a slight design change of the navigation device without adding additional hardware.

  Further, the approach detection means includes a motion detection means for determining whether or not an object approaching the touch panel is moving, and the map display control means is configured to perform the automatic operation while the object approaching the touch panel is moving. You may pause scrolling. As a result, the user does not stop the automatic scrolling of the map when he / she is standing still with the hand floating on the touch panel instead of trying to indicate the desired point / facility, etc. You can temporarily stop the automatic scrolling of the map when you move your hand to indicate

  The touch panel may be installed on an armrest of the vehicle. As a result, when the user puts his arm on the armrest and rests his hand on the touch panel to stop the automatic scrolling of the map, the user moves his hand in order to specify a desired point, facility, etc. The automatic scrolling of the map can be temporarily stopped.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the user can accurately specify a desired point, facility, or the like on the map displayed on the screen using the touch panel.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a map around the current location is displayed on the screen of the display device 10. As the display device 10, a liquid crystal display, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, an EL (Electronic Luminescence) display, or the like can be used. A touch panel 20 is installed on the armrest between the driver seat and the passenger seat. Each point on the touch panel 20 has a one-to-one correspondence with each point on the screen of the display device 10, and the user touches the surface of the touch panel 20 to select an arbitrary point on the screen of the display device 10. Can be specified. Note that the installation position of the touch panel 20 is not limited to the position illustrated in FIG. 1, but on the screen of the display device 10, on the center of the steering, on the armrest provided in the doors of the driver seat and the passenger seat, and on the rear seat. You may install in other arbitrary positions, such as on the provided armrest.

  A space is provided below the touch panel 20 (that is, inside the armrest), and a camera 30 and a light source 32 are installed in this space as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. 2A is a diagram viewed from the side surface of the touch panel 20, and FIG. 2B is a diagram viewed from the top surface of the touch panel 20. In the present embodiment, a transparent touch panel is used as the touch panel 20. Thus, an object entering the space above the touch panel 20 can be photographed using the camera 30 installed on the back side of the touch panel 20. As the camera 30, for example, a visible light camera, a near-infrared camera, an infrared camera, or an ultrasonic camera can be used. When a near-infrared camera is used as the camera 30, a light source that irradiates near-infrared light is used as the light source 32, and a visible light cut filter 22 is disposed on the back surface of the touch panel 20 as shown in FIG. 2A. Is preferred.

  In the present embodiment, the camera 30 is installed on the back side of the touch panel 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, any position where the vicinity of the touch panel 20 can be photographed, such as the ceiling of a vehicle (that is, the touch panel 20). You may install the camera 30 in the arbitrary positions) which can image | photograph the object which approachs upper space.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device. In FIG. 3, the navigation device includes a display device 10, a touch panel 20, a camera 30, a map display control unit 40, an approach detection unit 50, a current location acquisition unit 60, and a map information storage unit 70.

  The current location acquisition unit 60 is for acquiring current location information (for example, information indicating longitude / latitude) indicating the current location of the vehicle. The current location acquisition unit 60 typically acquires current location information using GPS (Global Positioning System). Of course, you may acquire present location information using well-known techniques other than GPS.

  The map information storage unit 70 stores map information (including road data and image data) for generating a map image to be displayed on the screen of the display device 10. In addition, you may acquire map information by communication from the outside of a navigation apparatus as needed.

  The map display control unit 40 uses the current location information acquired by the current location acquisition unit 60 and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 70 to generate a map image showing the state around the current location and display it. 10 is displayed. In this map image, a current location mark indicating the current location, a facility icon indicating the facility, and a traffic jam mark indicating the road section in the traffic jam are combined. When the vehicle moves, the current location information acquired by the current location acquisition unit 60 changes, and accordingly, the map display area displayed on the display device 10 by the map display control unit 40 changes (that is, the display device 10 changes). The displayed map scrolls). The map display control unit 40 also has a function of executing processing corresponding to a point when any point on the screen is designated by the user. For example, when a facility icon is designated by the user, a detailed description of the facility indicated by the facility icon is displayed on the map. Further, for example, when a traffic jam mark is designated by the user, a detailed explanation of the traffic jam information indicated by the traffic jam mark is displayed superimposed on the map.

  The approach detection unit 50 determines whether an object has approached the touch panel 20 based on the video signal output from the camera 30, and notifies the map display control unit 40 of the determination result. For example, when the user tries to touch the touch panel 20 and enters his / her hand into the space above the touch panel 20, the user's hand is displayed on the video captured by the camera 30 regardless of whether or not the hand is touching the touch panel 20. It is reflected. Whether or not any object (here, the user's hand) is captured in the video imaged by the camera 30 can be determined using a known technique. As an example, an image when an object does not enter the space above the touch panel 20 is stored as a reference image, and the image captured by the camera 30 is compared with the reference image, whereby the touch panel 20 is displayed. It is possible to detect the approach of an object.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the detail of operation | movement of the navigation apparatus comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated.

  When the power of the navigation device is turned on, the map display control unit 40 acquires current location information from the current location acquisition unit 60 in step S10.

  In step S12, the map display control unit 40 determines a map display area based on the current location information. Typically, the map display area is determined so that the current location of the vehicle is in the center.

  In step S <b> 14, the map display control unit 40 generates a map image corresponding to the current display area based on the map information stored in the map information storage unit 70. As a map image, the image which expressed the map two-dimensionally may be sufficient, and the image which expressed the map three-dimensionally may be sufficient.

  In step S16, the map display control unit 40 combines the current location mark, facility icon, and traffic jam mark with the map image. The current location mark is a mark indicating the current location of the vehicle, and is combined with a position on the map corresponding to the current location information acquired from the current location acquisition unit 60. The facility icon is an icon indicating the position of various facilities. Information regarding the location of each facility is included in the map information stored in the map information storage unit 70. The traffic jam mark is a mark indicating a road section in a traffic jam. Information (congestion information) related to a road section in a traffic jam is typically included in the traffic jam information supplied by wireless communication from the outside of the navigation device.

  In addition, the map display control part 40 may synthesize | combine other information (a mark, an icon, a character, a symbol, etc.) to a map image as needed. For example, as disclosed in WO 2006/013783 pamphlet, when a user's hand approaches the touch panel 20, a hand image corresponding to the user's hand (for example, the contour of the user's hand) is displayed on the map image. May be combined with a position on the map image corresponding to the position of the user's hand. Thus, the user can confirm the position of his / her hand on the touch panel 20 by simply looking at the hand image displayed on the screen of the display device 10 without moving the viewpoint to the touch panel 20. It can be specified accurately. Note that in the navigation device that employs a method of combining and displaying a hand image corresponding to the user's hand approaching the touch panel 20 on the map, the approach detection unit 50 simply displays the hand image on the screen. It is possible to easily detect the approach of the object to the touch panel 20 by determining whether or not the state has been reached. Therefore, it is not necessary to add new hardware (camera, infrared sensor, etc.) for detecting the approach of an object to the touch panel 20, and the same effect as the present embodiment can be obtained by a slight design change of the navigation device. .

  In step S18, the map display control unit 40 causes the display device 10 to display a map image.

  In step S <b> 20, the map display control unit 40 determines whether the touch panel 20 has been touched based on a signal output from the touch panel 20. When the touch panel 20 is touched, the map display control unit 40 executes processing corresponding to the touch position based on information indicating the touch position included in the signal output from the touch panel 20 in step S22. For example, when the icon of the facility B is displayed at a position corresponding to the touch position, the map display control unit 40 displays a detailed description regarding the facility B on the screen of the display device 10. Further, for example, when a traffic jam mark is displayed at a position corresponding to the touch position, the map display control unit 40 displays a detailed description on the traffic jam section indicated by the traffic jam mark on the screen of the display device 10.

  In step S <b> 24, the map display control unit 40 acquires the latest current location information from the current location acquisition unit 60.

  In step S <b> 26, the approach detection unit 50 acquires an image based on the video signal from the camera 30.

  In step S <b> 28, the approach detection unit 50 determines whether an object has approached the touch panel 20 based on the acquired image. This determination method is as described above. The determination result is notified to the map display control unit 40.

  If the approach detection unit 50 does not detect the approach of the object to the touch panel 20, the map display control unit 40 displays the map display area based on the latest current location information acquired from the current location acquisition unit 60 in step S 30. Update. Thereafter, the process returns to step S14.

  On the other hand, when the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of an object to the touch panel 20, the process returns to step S14 without updating the map display area.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of an object to the touch panel 20, the map display area is automatically updated according to the movement of the current location (that is, the map is automatically scrolled). Is paused. For example, if the user moves his / her hand into the space above the touch panel 20 in the state shown in FIG. 5, even if the current location changes, the map display area does not change as shown in FIG. Only the location of the traffic mark, etc.). Thereafter, when the user withdraws his / her hand from the space above the touch panel 20, the map display area is updated so that the display area is centered on the current location as shown in FIG. 7, and automatic scrolling of the map is resumed. .

  As a result of the processing as described above, the user can accurately specify a desired point on the map using the touch panel.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the automatic scrolling of the map is immediately resumed when the user leaves the space above the touch panel 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user is not limited to this. The automatic scrolling of the map may be resumed after a certain period of time has passed since the hand is withdrawn from the space above.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the approach detection unit 50 detects the approach of an object to the touch panel 20 based on the video signal from the camera 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any known method may be used. May detect the approach of an object to the touch panel 20. For example, an infrared sensor is installed in the vicinity of the touch panel (that is, a position where an approach of an object to the touch panel 20 can be detected), and the approach detection unit 50 detects an object to the touch panel based on a signal output from the infrared sensor. May be detected.

  Note that the approach detection unit 50 not only simply detects the approach of an object to the touch panel 20, but also has a function of determining whether the object is a hand (and whether it is a right hand or a left hand) by image recognition processing. Also good. Such image recognition processing itself is a known technique (see, for example, pamphlet of International Publication No. 2006/013783). For example, as an example of a method for determining whether or not an object in an image is a hand, data indicating a typical hand shape is stored in advance, and the contour of an object obtained by contour extraction processing is typically It is conceivable to determine whether or not it is similar to data indicating the shape of a large hand (pattern matching).

  If the approach detection unit 50 has a function of determining whether or not the object approaching the touch panel 20 is a hand, the automatic scrolling process of the map is paused only when the hand approaches the touch panel 20, When an object (such as a luggage or an insect) approaches the touch panel 20, an operation of not temporarily pausing the automatic scrolling process is possible. Thereby, when an object other than a hand approaches the touch panel 20, it is possible to prevent a malfunction in which the automatic scrolling process of the map pauses.

  If the approach detection unit 50 has a function of determining whether the object approaching the touch panel 20 is a right hand or a left hand, the automatic scrolling process of the map is paused only when the right hand approaches the touch panel 20 and the left hand approaches. In this case, the automatic scroll process can be temporarily stopped. When the touch panel 20 is installed between the driver seat and the passenger seat as shown in FIG. 1, the user sitting in the driver seat operates the touch panel 20 with the left hand, and the user sitting in the passenger seat touches the touch panel 20 with the right hand. (However, in the case of a left-hand drive vehicle, each hand will be in the opposite direction.) Therefore, by determining whether the object approaching the touch panel 20 is the right hand or the left hand, it is determined whether the user who is operating the touch panel 20 is a user sitting in a driver seat or a passenger seat. Can do. By the way, since it is not preferable from the safety aspect to perform the input operation of the navigation device during driving, the input operation by the user sitting in the front passenger seat is accepted during driving, but the specification does not accept the input operation by the user of the driver seat. The case where it employ | adopts is considered (for example, refer international publication 2006/013783 pamphlet). In this case, even if it is detected that the user's hand sitting in the driver's seat has approached the touch panel 20, it is not for specifying a point on the map, so it is necessary to pause automatic scrolling of the map. Rather, it is preferable to continue automatic scrolling of the map. Therefore, by providing the approach detection unit 50 with a function of determining whether the object approaching the touch panel 20 is the right hand or the left hand, a map is displayed when the hand approaching the touch panel 20 is the hand of the user sitting in the passenger seat. The automatic scrolling of the map is paused, and when the hand approaching the touch panel 20 is the hand of the user sitting in the driver's seat, the automatic scrolling of the map can be continued.

  In addition, as a simple method for determining whether the object approaching the touch panel 20 is the right hand or the left hand, whether the hand has entered the space above the touch panel 20 from the driver seat side or the passenger seat side. May be determined. That is, when a hand enters the space above the touch panel 20 from the driver's seat side, it is determined that the hand is the left hand of the user sitting in the driver's seat, and the passenger seat is positioned in the space above the touch panel 20. When the hand is approaching from the side, it can be determined that the hand is the right hand of the user sitting in the passenger seat.

  Note that the approach detection unit 50 may not only simply detect the approach of the object to the touch panel 20 but also have a function of determining whether or not the object is moving. Hereinafter, this modification will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

  When the touch panel 20 is installed on the armrest as shown in FIG. 1, depending on the installation position of the touch panel 20, even if the user simply puts his arm on the armrest as shown in FIG. Hands may be located. In addition, the user may not immediately leave his / her hand from the space above the touch panel 20 in spite of the designation of the point on the map. In these situations, the user is not trying to designate a point on the map, so it is inconvenient for the user to pause the automatic scrolling of the map. Therefore, in this modification, the approach detection unit 50 determines whether or not an object approaching the touch panel 20 is moving, and when the movement of the object is detected (that is, the user tries to specify a point on the map). The automatic scrolling of the map is paused, and when the movement of the object is not detected, the automatic scrolling of the map is continued.

  The operation of the navigation device according to this modification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, the processes in steps S10 to S26 and S30 in FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIG.

  In step S32, the approach detection unit 50 compares the image acquired this time (the image acquired based on the video signal from the camera 30 in step S26) with the previously acquired image. As an example of the comparison method, the brightness difference (absolute value) between the currently acquired image and the previously acquired image is calculated for each pixel, and the difference is calculated by summing the calculated brightness differences between the pixels. It is conceivable to compare the degree of difference with a predetermined threshold value. The result of the comparison is notified to the map display control unit 40. Note that the motion detection method described here is merely an example, and a known more complicated or simpler motion detection method may be used.

  In step S <b> 34, the map display control unit 40 determines whether the movement of the object has been detected based on the movement detection result by the approach detection unit 50. Whether or not the movement of the object has been detected is determined based not only on the result of motion detection by the approach detection unit 50 but also on the result of determination of whether or not the hand is the image recognition process (or right hand or left hand). May be.

  If the movement of the object is not detected by the approach detection unit 50, the map display control unit 40 updates the map display area in step S30, and then the process returns to step S14.

  On the other hand, when the movement of the object is detected by the approach detection unit 50, the process returns to step S14 without updating the map display area.

  In addition, in this modification, after the movement of the object is detected and the automatic scrolling of the map is paused, the automatic scrolling of the map is immediately resumed when the movement of the object is not detected. The invention is not limited to this, and automatic scrolling of the map may be resumed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the movement of the object is no longer detected.

  The present invention is suitable, for example, as a navigation device that presents a map around a vehicle to a user and allows a user to specify points, facilities, and the like on the map using a touch panel.

Example of installation of display device and touch panel of navigation device according to one embodiment of the present invention The figure which looked at the touch panel of the navigation device concerning one embodiment of the present invention from the side. The figure which looked at the touch panel of the navigation device concerning one embodiment of the present invention from the upper surface. Functional block diagram of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the scroll process of the map of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the scroll process of the map of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the scroll process of the map of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the usage condition of the navigation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention by a user. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention. The figure which shows the scroll process of the map of the conventional navigation apparatus The figure which shows the scroll process of the map of the conventional navigation apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Display apparatus 20 Touch panel 22 Visible light cut filter 30 Camera 32 Light source 40 Map display control part 50 Approach detection part 60 Present location acquisition part 70 Map information storage part

Claims (1)

Current location acquisition means for acquiring the current location;
Map display control means for displaying a map on the screen based on the map information;
A touch panel that accepts designation of an arbitrary position on the screen;
A navigation device comprising an approach detection means for detecting an approach of an object to the touch panel,
The touch panel is installed at a position away from the screen,
The map display control means displays a hand image corresponding to the user's hand on the map to be displayed on the screen when the user's hand approaches the touch panel, and a position on the map corresponding to the position of the user's hand. A hand image synthesizing unit for synthesizing , and having an automatic scroll function for automatically scrolling a map displayed on the screen in accordance with a change in the current location acquired by the current location acquiring unit, and the touch detection unit by the approach detection unit When the approach of an object to is detected, the automatic scrolling is paused,
When the approach detection means determines that an object has approached the touch panel when the hand image is displayed on the screen by the hand image synthesis means , the map display control means automatically In a state where scrolling is paused, a desired point or facility on a map is designated by the touch panel accepting designation of a position on the screen by the user's hand. .

Images