JP7250378B2 - System and program - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a display control device and the like, and more particularly to a display control device and the like for guiding information related to a map.

A navigation system is known as a display control device that guides information related to a map. A navigation system generally has a function of displaying a map on a display means such as a liquid crystal display, and further displaying a current position, a route to a destination, and the like on the map. Further, navigation systems have been provided that have a function of providing various information incidental to map information, such as neighborhood information. There are various types of navigation systems, such as an in-vehicle type and a portable type, and a navigation system equipped with a navigation function on a smartphone is also used.

In recent years, there have been proposed navigation systems that do not simply guide a route to a destination, but provide guidance in an interesting manner such as making the movement fun or tickling the user's playfulness. there is For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a navigation system that displays a character on a screen and uses the character to guide information.

JP 2012-242187 A

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 discloses a technique for displaying map information and displaying an animation of a character unrelated to a warning target when the position specified by the position information of the warning target and the current position of the vehicle have a predetermined close relationship. discloses a navigation system capable of preventing an alert target from being overlooked. However, Patent Literature 1 does not disclose the display of characters whose correspondence with regions is defined, and the effect of increasing interest is not sufficient.

As described above, no effort has been made to add a high level of interest to the guidance of information controlled by the display control device by displaying a character whose correspondence to the region is defined.

The present application discloses, for example, the inventions described in the following aspects.
<Viewpoint 1>
A display control device for guiding information related to a map including a plurality of regions,
A display control device, comprising control means for controlling display means to display an image of one of a plurality of characters for which correspondence with a plurality of regions is defined.
<Viewpoint 2>
The control means displays on the display means an image of the character selected from a group of permitted characters, which is a set of all or part of the plurality of characters,
The control means adds the character corresponding to the destination area to the permitted character group on condition that the display control device has moved to the area where the correspondence relationship with the character is defined. A display controller characterized by:
<Viewpoint 3>
The control means displays on the display means an image of the character selected from a group of permitted characters, which is a set of all or part of the plurality of characters,
The control means newly adds one of the characters selected from the plurality of characters to the permitted character group on condition that the display control device has moved a predetermined distance. Display controller.
<Viewpoint 4>
the plurality of characters includes at least one default character;
A display control device, wherein the control means displays an image of the default character on the display means when the character is not included in the allowed character group.
<Viewpoint 5>
further comprising mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of modes for selecting the character in different modes based on a user's operation;
The display control device, wherein the control means displays the character selected according to the mode selected by the mode selection means on the display means.
<Viewpoint 6>
wherein the plurality of modes includes a first mode;
A display control device, wherein when the first mode is selected, the control means displays an image of the character specified by the user on the display means.
<Viewpoint 7>
wherein the plurality of modes includes a second mode;
A display control device, wherein when the second mode is selected, the control means displays an image of the character associated with the area where the display control device is currently located on the display means.
<Viewpoint 8>
the plurality of modes includes a third mode;
A display control device, wherein when the third mode is selected, the control means displays a different image of the character on the display means each time the display control device moves a predetermined distance.
<Viewpoint 9>
further comprising display mode selection means for selecting a display mode or a non-display mode based on a user's operation;
The control means performs control to display the image of the character on the display means when the display mode is selected, and controls to display the image of the character on the display means when the non-display mode is selected. A display control device characterized by not performing

In the first aspect of the invention, the user, looking at the character displayed on the display means, becomes interested in the character and becomes interested in the area associated with the character. Motivation can be given to receive guidance of information related to the region.

In a preferred embodiment, the display control device preferably has display means for displaying images and the like. In a further preferred embodiment, the display control device includes correspondence storage means for storing correspondences between regions and characters in the form of a table or the like, position detection means for detecting the position of the display control device, movement distance, movement distance detection means, and the like. It is good to have more. In another preferred embodiment, the display control device does not have all or part of the display means, correspondence storage means, position detection means, and movement distance detection means. For example, as these means, general-purpose products that are usually commercially available can be used.

A region is preferably a geographical region. Each region preferably does not overlap each other. The regions are more preferably administrative divisions, and particularly preferably prefectures or municipalities.

A character is preferably a symbol, figure, or the like in the form of a real or fictitious person or animal. The character is preferably, for example, a character (eg, local character) managed by an area (eg, local government). The character is preferably a so-called loose character. The Yuru-chara is preferably a mascot character that is used for regional PR, such as regional revitalization and introduction of local products. A particularly cute illustration or the like is preferable.

A correspondence relationship between a plurality of regions and a plurality of characters is preferably one-to-one or one-to-many. In a preferred embodiment, character correspondences are defined for all regions included in the map. In another preferred embodiment, correspondence with characters is defined only for some areas (for example, 4 prefectures in Shikoku out of 47 prefectures in the map of Japan) among the areas in the map.

The guidance of information preferably includes guidance of information regarding events such as crackdowns. Information guidance is particularly preferably route guidance to a destination. Information guidance is preferably performed by displaying an image on the display means.

In the second aspect of the invention, one of the characters selected from the permitted character group is displayed on the display means. When the display control device moves to a new area, a new character corresponding to the destination area is added to the allowed character group (the number of characters that can be displayed increases). can motivate.

The permitted character group may include all or some of the plurality of characters in the initial state (for example, factory shipment state), but in the initial state, the permitted character group does not include any of the plurality of characters (the permitted character group is the empty set). A character once added to the permitted character group is preferably not deleted from the permitted character group. Particularly preferably, the display control device is configured to store and hold the characters of the permitted character group even when the display control device is powered off.

Preferably, movement to each area is determined based on information from the position detection means. Preferably, the display control device performs the process of adding the character corresponding to the destination area only when the character corresponding to the destination area is not included in the permitted character group.

In the third aspect of the invention, when the display control device moves a predetermined distance, a new character is added to the allowed character group (the number of characters that can be displayed increases), thereby motivating the user to move a longer distance. can be done. Preferably, the movement distance is calculated based on information from the position detection means.

It is particularly preferable for the display control device to have both the configuration of the aspect 2 and the aspect 3. This solves the problem in the second aspect of the invention that a user who moves only in the same area cannot increase the number of characters that can be displayed. Thus, in the invention of aspect 2, when a second condition different from the condition (first condition) that the display control device has moved to the area in which the correspondence relationship with the character is defined is established , preferably one of the characters selected from the plurality of characters is newly added to the permitted character group. A second preferable condition different from the third aspect is the condition that the usage time (for example, cumulative usage time) of the display control device reaches a predetermined time, and the number of days elapsed after manufacture, shipment, etc. of the display control device is a predetermined number of days. There is a condition that it is equal.

In the aspect 4 of the invention, even if characters are not included in the permitted character group (for example, in an embodiment in which the permitted character group at the time of shipment from the factory is an empty set, the power is turned on for the first time after shipment from the factory, etc.) It becomes possible to display. In a preferred embodiment, the default character should be a character for which region correspondence is not defined. In other preferred embodiments, the default character is a character that has a defined correspondence with any region.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, the user can select a method of selecting characters to be displayed.

In the sixth aspect of the invention, the user can display a character arbitrarily selected from the permitted character group, thereby increasing the degree of discretion.

In the seventh aspect of the invention, since the character associated with the area where the display control device is currently located is displayed, it is possible to motivate the user to move between areas. Preferably, the current position of the controller is determined based on information from the position detection means.

In the eighth aspect of the invention, a different character is displayed each time the display control device moves a predetermined distance, so that it is possible to motivate the user to move a longer distance. Preferably, the movement distance is calculated based on information from the position detection means.

It is preferable that the second mode in the seventh aspect of the invention and the third mode in the eighth aspect of the invention can be selected simultaneously. This makes it possible to change the displayed character regardless of whether the condition of movement to a different area or movement of a predetermined distance is satisfied. The plurality of modes may include modes different from aspects 6-8. Other preferred modes include a mode in which different characters are displayed each time a predetermined period of time elapses or each period of time, and a mode in which different characters are displayed according to the movement speed.

Inventions of aspects 5 to 8 that refer to aspects 2 or 3 are particularly preferred. This makes it possible to add characters to the permitted character group independently of the characters to be displayed. For example, in the display control device of the aspect 6 of the invention, even if the user displays only a specific character in the first mode, characters of the permitted character group are added depending on the area, distance, etc., which the user has moved. Other characters can be displayed if desired.

In the ninth aspect of the invention, it is also possible to hide the character according to the user's preference.

It should be configured as follows.
<Viewpoint A>
When the state in which the image of the character is not displayed on the display means changes to the state in which the image of the character is displayed, the name of the character is displayed together with the image of the character for a predetermined time, and then the name is hidden. It is preferable to perform processing for displaying. In particular, together with the name of the character, the information of the region to which the character corresponds may be hidden after being displayed for the predetermined time.

In this way, the appearance of the character can attract the user's line of sight to the character on the display means, and the name of the character and the region to which the character corresponds can be known, and the character can be known more deeply. In addition, interest in the character's corresponding area can also be aroused. Moreover, after a predetermined period of time has passed, the character name and corresponding area information are erased, and the character is displayed. When the name of the character or the corresponding area is forgotten, the characters are not displayed, so that the answer cannot be found immediately, so that the next appearance becomes impatient.
In particular, the change from the state in which the character is not displayed to the state in which the character is displayed should be accompanied by the movement of the character. In particular, it is preferable that the character is displayed while gradually moving from the edge of the screen toward the center of the screen. By doing so, it is possible to impress the appearance of the character, and it becomes easier to attract the user's line of sight to the display means.

<Viewpoint B>
When changing from a state in which the image of the character is not displayed on the display means to a state in which the image of the character is displayed, or from a state in which the image of the character is displayed on the display means to an image of the character Display control may be performed such that the character greets the user at least one of the times when the character changes to a state in which the character is not displayed.
In this way, attachment to the character increases, and the possibility of awakening attachment to the area corresponding to the character increases.
<Viewpoint C>
It has a function of outputting information by voice and a selection function of selecting whether or not to display the character. In the case where it is selected to output the voice unrelated to the character and to display the character, the voice of the character being displayed may be used for the output of the voice.

<Viewpoint D>
When the character being displayed on the display means is a character set not to talk, it is preferable to output the information in a common voice for the character.

<Viewpoint E>
The output of the information by voice of the character is performed when the information matching the image of the character is output, and when the information not matching the image of the character is output, the information is output by a voice different from that of the character. do it. For example, when outputting a crackdown warning, it is preferable not to output the character's voice. In this case, the crackdown warning may be issued by a voice other than the character's voice.
In this way, a necessary warning can be obtained while maintaining the image of the character.

<Viewpoint E>
The correspondence between the character and the area may be an area wider than the area in which the character is active. In this way, it is possible to increase attention to a specific area within a wider area. In particular, it is preferable to have the configuration of aspect 7. For example, if the character is a character for promotion of a city, the region should be a prefecture that is wider than the city. In this way, when entering a certain prefecture, a character corresponding to a specific city within that prefecture will be displayed. It will motivate people to want to go to the city when they enter the prefecture.

<Viewpoint F>
It has a function to display a character corresponding to the area related to the acquired current position, and if the current position becomes unacquirable from the state where the current position can be acquired, it will be displayed before the current position cannot be acquired. It is preferable to have a function to maintain the display of the character that was previously displayed.
In this way, it is possible to prevent the character from suddenly disappearing when the current position cannot be obtained. This is especially effective when the current position is acquired using GPS.

<Viewpoint G>
a character mode in which the information is output by a character; a standard mode in which the information is not output by the character; and a switching function for switching between the character mode and the standard mode. It is preferable not to judge the condition of viewpoint 3.
In this way, the permitted character group is updated only when the character mode is set. It is possible to update the permitted character group at one's own pace without being disturbed by others without updating the permitted character group by.

<Viewpoint H>
Equipped with a function of detecting a user's touch on a display position of the character while the character is displayed on a display means, and when a touch on the character is detected, the character is erased and the character is displayed. It is preferable to perform control to display other information in the place where the information was displayed.
In this way, by touching the character, the character can be erased and other information can be displayed.

<Viewpoint I>
It is preferable that the character currently being displayed on the map screen is displayed on the button for displaying the information display screen about the character or the button for displaying the settings related to the display control of the character. .
In this way, the character to be displayed on the current map can be known by looking at the character displayed on the button of the menu screen or the like without actually performing an operation to return to the map screen.

<Viewpoint J>
It is preferable that a function of displaying a screen displaying the attributes of the character by character information is provided, explanatory information about the same attribute is provided among the plurality of characters, and display information indicating the same attribute is different. For example, for an attribute a of a character "name", character A displays "name" and its name is displayed after the attribute, character B displays "nickname" and its name is displayed near it. . For example, for the character attribute b of "age", character A displays "age" and its age is displayed near it, and character B displays "born" and its age is displayed near it. indicate.
By doing so, it is possible to deepen mutual understanding of attributes common to a plurality of characters without destroying the world view of each of the plurality of characters.

<Viewpoint K>
A function is provided for displaying a screen on which a list of the plurality of regions can be listed, and the display mode of the regions corresponding to the characters existing in the permitted character group is different from the display mode of the regions corresponding to the characters not existing in the permitted character group. It is preferable to set it as a display mode.
In this way, it is possible to easily grasp which region's characters are included in the permitted character group. For example, it is possible to easily grasp the acquisition status of permitted character groups for all character groups. For example, when a map of Japan is displayed, the regions are 47 prefectures, and the character and the region correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis, the map of Japan is divided into each prefecture and displayed. The prefectures to which the characters in the group correspond should not be shaded, and the prefectures to which the characters in the permitted character group correspond should be shaded. .

<Viewpoint L>
It is preferable that a function for outputting the time signal by voice is provided, and when the time signal is announced, the time and a predetermined word are output by the voice of the character being displayed.

<Viewpoint M>
A predetermined effect may be performed when all the characters are included in the permitted character group. This production should be a complete production. For example, it is preferable to create an effect to celebrate that all the characters have been acquired. At this time, it is preferable that a character set to be able to speak and a character set to be unable to speak exist in the allowed character group, and the predetermined effect is performed by the voice of the character who can speak. The content may include information indicating that the character in the area representing the region to which all the characters correspond has entered the permitted character group. For example, when all the characters are characters of 47 prefectures, it is preferable to output that the region representing the region to which all the characters correspond is the whole country, such as "Conquer the whole country!". After performing the predetermined effect, it is preferable to return to the information output screen of the original character.

<Viewpoint N>
A route guidance function to a destination as the information guidance, and a demonstration driving function that provides route guidance by performing virtual driving in a situation where the vehicle is not actually driven to the destination, and in the case of the demonstration driving function Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a configuration that does not consider the movement in the viewpoints 2 and 3. By doing so, it is possible to prevent characters from being added one after another to the permitted character group due to the demonstration run.

Aspects 1 to 9 and A to N can be arbitrarily combined to form a display control device as long as there is no contradiction between constituent elements. At that time, it is advisable for a person skilled in the art to use his/her ordinary creative ability to derive a specific configuration based on a combination that produces a unique and remarkable effect. Further, it is preferable to construct a program that causes a computer to realize the functions of the display control device described above.

1 is an external view of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3(a) shows exemplary Yuru-chara information. FIG. 3(b) shows an exemplary allowed character list. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary first voice correspondence table defined for route guidance events. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary second voice correspondence table defined for route guidance events. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary third audio correspondence table defined for POI events. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary action correspondence table FIG. 8(a) shows an exemplary main menu screen. FIG. 8(b) shows an exemplary navigation menu screen. FIG. 9(a) shows an exemplary mode switching screen. FIG. 9(b) shows an exemplary guidance screen. FIG. 9(c) shows an exemplary mode switching screen. FIG. 9(d) shows an exemplary guidance screen. FIG. 10(a) shows an exemplary search screen. FIG. 10(b) shows an exemplary registration/edit screen. FIG. 10(c) shows an exemplary registration/edit screen. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of exemplary Yuru-chara acquisition processing. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of an exemplary display mode selection process. FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of exemplary Yuru-chara selection processing. FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of exemplary audio output processing. FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of exemplary audio output/character display processing. FIG. 16(a) shows an exemplary Yuru-chara screen. FIG. 16(b) shows an exemplary Yuru-chara information screen. FIG. 17(a) shows an exemplary Yuru-chara list screen. FIG. 17(b) shows an exemplary National Yuru-chara picture book screen. FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of an exemplary completion rendering process. FIG. 19 shows an exemplary assisted guidance screen.

An embodiment in which the display control device of the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device will be described below.

[Basic configuration]
FIG. 1 shows an external view of an embodiment of a navigation device suitable as an electronic device constituting the system of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows its functional block diagram. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a portable device main body 2 and a cradle 3 that is a mounting member for holding it. When the device body 2 is attached to the cradle 3, it functions as a vehicle-mounted device, and when it is removed from the cradle 3, it functions as a portable navigation device (PND). In this embodiment, the device main body 2 can be attached to and detached from the cradle 3, and the device main body 2 can be installed on the dashboard of the vehicle together with the cradle 3 and used, or the device main body 2 can be removed from the cradle 3 and used as a portable type (PND). Although it is a type that can be used, it may be a vehicle-fixed type that cannot be easily attached to and detached from the cradle 3, or it may be a dedicated portable type. Furthermore, it may be realized by installing (including pre-installing) a predetermined application program in a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. The application program may be the navigation system itself, or may be a program for accessing a server on which the navigation system is installed and using the system. The present invention is applicable to various types of such navigation systems.

The device main body 2 is detachably attached to the cradle 3 . The apparatus main body 2 includes a flat rectangular case main body 4 . A display unit 5 is arranged on the front surface of the case body 4, and a touch panel 8 is provided on the display unit 5 for detecting which part of the display unit 5 is touched, and alarm lamps 9 are provided on both sides of the front surface. It has The cradle 3 includes a cradle body 6 that holds the device body 2, and a pedestal 7 that supports the cradle body 6 in an arbitrary posture at a predetermined position (dashboard or the like) inside the vehicle. The pedestal portion 7 is fixed by suction on a dashboard or the like with a suction cup provided on the bottom surface. The pedestal 7 and the cradle body 6 are rotatably connected within a predetermined angular range via a connecting mechanism such as a ball joint. Since it is a ball joint, the pedestal 7 and the cradle body 6 can relatively rotate within an arbitrary angular range in three-dimensional directions, and remain in that position at an arbitrary angular position due to the frictional resistance of the joint portion. Therefore, the device main body 2 attached to the cradle main body 6 can also be arranged in any posture on the dashboard.

Further, an SD memory card slot portion 21 is provided on one side surface of the case body 4, and an SD memory card 22 in which map data and the like are recorded can be inserted into the SD memory card slot portion 21. The SD memory card slot section 21 includes a memory card reader/writer for reading and writing information on the inserted SD memory card 22 . A DC jack 10 is provided on the side of the case main body 4 where the SD memory card slot 21 is provided. The DC jack 10 is for connecting a cigar plug cord (not shown), and is connected to a cigar socket of a vehicle via the cigar plug cord so that power can be supplied.

On the other hand, a power switch and a USB terminal 23 are provided on the side surface opposite to the SD memory card slot portion 21 . It is possible to connect to a personal computer via the USB terminal 23 and perform software application upgrades.

Inside the case main body 4, the following devices and parts are arranged. That is, the microwave receiver 11 is arranged inside the back side of the case body 4 . The microwave receiver 11 receives microwaves in a predetermined frequency band, and upon receiving microwaves in the set frequency band, detects the signal level of the received microwaves. Specifically, the RSSI voltage corresponding to the signal level and electric field strength is used. The above predetermined frequency band is, for example, a frequency band that includes the frequency of microwaves emitted from a vehicle speed measuring device.

A GPS receiver 12 for receiving GPS signals and determining the current position is arranged inside the upper surface of the case body 4 . An infrared communication device 14 is arranged inside the front side of the case body 4 . The infrared communication device 14 transmits and receives data to and from a communication device having an infrared communication device such as a cellular phone 15 or the like. Furthermore, a speaker 20 is also built in the case main body 4 .

Furthermore, the navigation device 1 has a radio receiver 13 and a remote control receiver 16 . A remote controller receiver 16 performs data communication with a remote controller (portable device: child device) 17 and performs various settings for the navigation device 1 . The radio receiver 13 receives incoming radio waves in a predetermined frequency band. This predetermined frequency can be, for example, a radio frequency band used when an emergency vehicle notifies a base station of its own vehicle position.

The navigation device 1 also has a navigation function of outputting a guidance voice at each occurrence of various events for the purpose of route guidance, notification of target objects such as vehicle speed measuring devices and other traffic monitoring points existing in the surroundings. In this embodiment, in addition to the normal mode in which the guidance voice is output without displaying the character on the guidance screen such as the map information, the so-called Yuru-chara (local character) is displayed on the guidance screen as the guidance voice output mode. Equipped with Yuru Navi mode that outputs guidance voice. The normal mode and Yuru-navi mode are stored in the EEPROM of the control unit 18 as programs to be executed by the control unit 18, and are realized by the control unit 18 executing the programs.

The database 19 can be realized by a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM) inside the microcomputer of the control unit 18 or externally attached to the microcomputer. In the database 19, certain landmarks, maps, and other information necessary for implementing each function are registered at the time of shipment, and the data of the landmarks added after that are updated after predetermined processing. can do.

The database 19 stores Yuru-chara image data for displaying various characters on the display unit. Yuru-chara image data includes 47 types of yuru-chara that are associated one-to-one with a plurality of regions (47 prefectures) and one type of default character displayed on a guide screen GV (see FIGS. 9B and 9D). ) is data to be displayed on the guidance screens GV1 and GV2) illustrated in FIG. Yuru-chara image data can be 3D model data that can be displayed in animation according to action data described later.

The database 19 further stores Yuru-chara information about 47 types of Yuru-chara. FIG. 3(a) shows exemplary Yuru-chara information. As shown in the figure, the Yuru-chara information defines correspondence relationships between 47 types of Yuru-chara and 47 prefectures. The management body is, for example, a local public body that manages each yuru-chara.

The yuru-chara information further includes field data DA to DE defining setting information regarding the characteristics of each yuru-chara. The field data DA-DE each have their own limit on the number of characters, for example, about 15-300.

For many yuru-chara (for example, more than half of yuru-chara), the field data DA contains the name, the field data DB contains the hometown, the field data DC contains the gender, the field data DD contains the birthday, the field Data DE defines standard attribute data such as a profile.

However, depending on the type of yuru-chara, there are some that define attributes different from the standard, such as a nickname defined in the field data DA and a haunting place defined in the field data DB. Furthermore, there is also a field data DD that defines a part of the profile and a field data DE that defines the remaining part of the profile. By allowing the attributes of the field data DA to DF to be freely set in this way, it is easy to appropriately explain Yuru-chara, which has various characteristics.

The 47 types of Yuru-chara are permitted to be displayed on the guidance screen GV under certain conditions. In the present application, the fact that the display on the guidance screen GV is newly permitted is sometimes referred to as "acquiring" the Yuru-chara. In the present application, a group of Yuru-chara permitted to be displayed on the guidance screen GV may be referred to as a "permitted character group". Yuru-chara permitted to be displayed on the guidance screen GV is added to the permitted character list illustrated in FIG. 3(b). The control unit 18 determines that the Yuru-chara included in the permitted character list is permitted to be displayed on the guidance screen GV, and otherwise determines that it is not permitted. In addition, when all yuru-charas are acquired (completed), that is, when the 47th yuru-chara is added to the permitted character list, the control unit 18 executes a completion effect.

The database 19 also stores voice data of guidance voices output from the speaker 20 each time various events occur, and motion data defining motions of yuru-chara characters. There are two types of action data: regular action data that defines regular actions that the yuru-chara performs while the guidance voice is not output, and specific action data that defines multiple specific actions that the yuru-chara performs while the guidance voice is being output. . The regular motion can be a motion that does not strongly attract the user's attention, such as a Yuru-chara slowly repeating turning to the right and turning to the left, for example. A total of 15 types of characteristic motions are defined for the motion data of the specific motions, such as motions of turning to the right, jumping, happy motions, displeased motions, and motions performed by mascot characters.

Further, the database 19 stores a voice correspondence table (first to third voice correspondence tables) and an action correspondence table that define the relationship between various events, guidance voices, and specific actions guided by navigation actions, which will be described later. there is

Events include route guidance events that require guidance when providing route guidance to the destination, and information related to route guidance, such as notifications about service areas and famous places, and warnings about accident-prone areas and checkpoint areas. are classified into categories such as POI (Point of Interest) events with low values, and the audio correspondence table is stored for each category.

In addition, the voice output as the guide voice includes the normal voice used in the normal mode and a specific Yuru-chara (hereinafter referred to as a “specific Yuru-chara”). Daimyo Ieyasu-kun (registered trademark)" is set as a specific loose character.) is displayed, and the loose character used when other loose characters are displayed. There are three types of voice. These voices are output by reproducing recorded data obtained by recording phrases defined in each voice correspondence table by a voice actor or an announcer (hereinafter referred to as "voice actor, etc.").

4 and 5 show exemplary first and second voice correspondence tables defined for route guidance events. As shown in FIG. 4, the first audio correspondence table defines an event number, a phrase number, guidance time, normal audio phrases, and Yuru-chara audio phrases. As shown in FIG. 5, the second voice correspondence table defines the event number, phrase number, guidance time, and person's voice phrase. In the first and second audio correspondence tables, the event number is a number (or symbol) attached to each type of event. There are, for example, about 500 types of events. A phrase number is a number assigned to each phrase. The guidance time indicates the time it takes to output the guidance voice. The normal voice phrase, the Yuru-chara voice phrase, and the original voice phrase are text representations of voices output as the normal voice, the Yuru-chara voice, and the original voice, respectively.

As can be seen from the figure, the normal voice phrases are more and more formal expressions, while the yuru-chara voice phrases and the original voice phrases are friendly, informal, or unique expressions. ing. Also, when creating the recording data, the normal voice is recorded by the announcer speaking the normal voice phrase in a standard or formal tone, while the yuru-chara voice and the person's voice are the yuru-chara voice phrases. And the voice phrases of the person himself/herself are recorded by a voice actor or the like in a familiar, familiar, loose, and unique tone.

In addition to the information to be guided, the yuru-chara voice phrase and the person's own voice phrase may include additional information related to the information. For example, in the Yuru-chara voice phrase and the person's voice phrase for a time announcement event (for example, event 413), in addition to information on the time to be notified ("It's noon", "It's noon"), additional information ("I'm hungry Sukitayo~” and “Can I eat even Una-don?”).

Also, the person's voice phrase may include information, advertisements, solicitations, etc. related to the region corresponding to the specific Yuru-chara. For example, in response to the event 392, which is an event of approaching the destination, the person himself/herself voice phrase such as "It's the destination. ... I want you to come to *** next time." can be done. In this case, "***" is the name of the area corresponding to the specific Yuru-chara (for example, Shizuoka prefecture). As a result, the user can be invited to a place other than the current destination. It is also conceivable to use "***" as a wild card and change the word corresponding to "***" according to the number of occurrences of the event, the time of occurrence, the display mode at that time, and the like.

Also, the number of phrases for each event is one in the case of the normal voice, but may be plural in the case of the Yuru-chara voice and the person's voice. It is a diversification of the guidance voice when Yuru-chara is displayed. One of the reasons for this is that it is highly necessary to reduce user boredom because unique expressions and tone-of-speech voices tend to be memorized by the user.

When a plurality of phrases are defined for a single event, different phrases are sequentially selected each time the event occurs, and a guidance voice is output. Phrases may be selected randomly instead of sequentially.

Furthermore, the number of phrases for the Yuru-chara voice and the person's voice differs for each event. For example, the event 391 (guidance start event) has four phrases, while the event 393 (reroute event) has ten phrases. This is because the more frequently the event occurs, the more it is necessary to reduce the user's boredom due to frequent output of the same phrase.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary third audio correspondence table defined for POI events.

The meanings of the event number, phrase number, guide time, and normal voice phrase in the third voice correspondence table are the same as in the first voice correspondence table. As can be seen from the figure, for each POI event, only normal voice phrases are defined, and Yuru-chara voice phrases and original voice phrases are not defined. Therefore, when a POI event occurs, the guidance voice in the normal voice is always output, and the guidance voice in the Yuru-chara voice and the person's voice is not output. This is because POI events (particularly warning events) are often unfamiliar to informal guidance by yuru-chara voice or the like due to their nature.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary action correspondence table. As shown, an action number is defined for each phrase number defined in the first to third voice correspondence tables of FIGS. The action number consists of a mode part (such as right) indicated by Roman characters and a time part (such as 03) indicated by numbers. The mode section defines the type of specific action data. The time part indicates how long the specific action lasts. If the action correspondence table determines the phrase number of the voice output as the guidance voice (the phrase numbers of the first to third voice correspondence tables), the specific action performed by the Yuru-chara is uniquely determined. As mentioned above, there are 15 types of specific actions in total. Of these, specific actions that are frequently displayed, such as the action of turning to the right, are performed in a plurality of different modes (right and right1). prepared.

Next, the operation of the navigation device 1 having the above configuration will be described.
<Menu operation>
As described above, the navigation device 1 has a normal mode and a loose navigation mode, and these modes are switched by the control unit 18 in response to a touch operation on the display unit 5 or the like.

When the "navigation" button is touched on the main menu screen of FIG. 8(a) displayed on the display unit 5 when the power of the navigation device 1 is turned on, the navigation menu screen of FIG. 8(b) is displayed.

When the user selects the "mode switching" button from the navigation menu screen when the operation mode is the normal mode, the mode switching screen exemplified in FIG. 9A is displayed, and when the user selects the "YES" button, the operation The mode can be switched to loose navigation mode. In the yuru-navi mode, as shown in FIG. 9B, navigation is performed using a guidance screen GV1 displaying an image C of a yuru-chara together with map information and the like. When the user selects the "switch mode" button from the navigation menu screen when the operation mode is the loose navigation mode, the mode switching screen shown in FIG. 9(c) is displayed. The operating mode is switched to normal mode. In the normal mode, as illustrated in FIG. 9(d), navigation is performed using a guidance screen GV2 that displays only map information and the like without displaying the Yuru-chara image C. FIG.

The switching screens shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(c) have backgrounds, character fonts, icons, etc., so that the user can easily imagine the operation mode to be shifted to when switching (when "YES" is selected). It is preferable to use a design adapted to the destination operation mode. For example, the switching screen in FIG. 9(a) uses a cartoonish design and a fairy tale design, and the switching screen in FIG. 9(b) uses an urban design and an urban design.

When the "Search" button is touched on the navigation menu screen, the search screen shown in FIG. When the "registration/edit" button is touched on the navigation menu screen, the registration/edit screen shown in FIG. In addition, when the "Setting" button is touched on the navigation menu screen, the registration/editing screen shown in Fig. 10(c) is displayed. Screen priority can be set.

<Acquisition of Yuru-chara>
FIG. 11 shows Yuru-chara acquisition processing that is always executed by the navigation device 1 when the Yuru-chara mode is selected as the operation mode. Note that the Yuru-chara acquisition process is executed only when the operation mode is the Yuru-chara mode, and is not executed in the normal mode.

The control unit 18 acquires the current position of the navigation device 1 by performing positioning processing using the GPS receiver 15 at a predetermined cycle, usually a one-second cycle (step S11).

Next, the control unit 18 identifies the area (prefecture) to which the current position obtained by the positioning process belongs (step S12).
Next, referring to the permitted character list (FIG. 3(b)) on the database 19, it is determined whether or not Yuru-chara associated with the prefecture specified in step S12 has already been acquired (step S13). .
If not acquired (step S13; No), the Yuru-chara corresponding to the specified prefecture is added to the permitted character list (step S14).

If it is determined in step S13 that the Yuru-chara of the specified prefecture has been acquired (step S13; Yes), step S14 is skipped.

Subsequently, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the power has been turned off between the previous positioning process and the current positioning process (step S15). If the power has not been turned off (step S15; No), the distance between the previous and current positioning positions is obtained (step S16), and the obtained distance is added to the accumulated value of past travel distances (step S17). .

Next, it is determined whether or not the cumulative value of traveled distance has newly exceeded a multiple of a predetermined value (200 km in this embodiment) (step S18). If it exceeds (step S18; Yes), one of the unacquired yuru characters is randomly selected and acquired (step S19), and the current process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the power has been turned off between the previous positioning and the current positioning (step S15; Yes), and if the cumulative traveled distance does not exceed a multiple of 200 km (step S18; No), terminate the current process.

Through such processing, for example, when the user drives to another prefecture for the first time across a prefectural border, the Yuru-chara of that prefecture is acquired. Also, even if you are traveling only within the same prefecture, you can acquire a new Yuru-chara every time you travel 200 km. However, for example, when the power is turned off, the navigation device 1 travels by ferry from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and the power is turned on, the movement distance of the navigation device 1 exceeds 200 km, but as a result of skipping steps S16 to S19, this movement distance is Since it is not counted in the accumulative area, it is not possible to acquire a new Yuru-chara by moving while the power is off. You can get Yuru-chara corresponding to Okinawa with).

The Yuru-chara acquisition process is executed regardless of which mode is selected as a display mode, which will be described later. Therefore, even if only the same Yuru-chara is always displayed in the fixed mode, the user can move between regions or travel long distances with the power of the navigation device 1 turned on. , You can proceed with the acquisition of loose characters.

In addition, Yuru-chara is added (steps S14 and S19) under two conditions: when the user moves to a new area and when the user moves a predetermined distance. It is possible to proceed with character acquisition.

<Selecting/switching the display mode>

Next, the process of selecting a Yuru-chara to be displayed on the guidance screen GV1 in the navigation operation when the Yuru-navi mode is selected as described above will be described.

The navigation device 1 has three display modes: a fixed mode, a prefectural border mode, and a travel distance mode. The fixed mode is a mode in which a specific loose character is continuously selected. The prefectural border mode is a mode for displaying the Yuru-chara of the prefecture of the current position. The running distance mode is a mode in which the displayed Yuru-chara is changed every time the navigation device 1 moves a predetermined distance, for example, 200 km.

Selection of the display mode is performed, for example, by operating a selection screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 5 by touching the "local character" button on the navigation menu screen (FIG. 8(b)). . FIG. 12 shows display mode selection processing executed by the control unit 18 in response to the operation.

In the display mode selection process, when the user selects the fixed mode (step S31; Yes), the control unit 18 subsequently displays Yuru-chara included in the permitted character list in the form of a list or the like, and the user can select one of them. A favorite mascot character is selected (step S32). The control unit 18 stores the fixed mode and the selected Yuru-chara.

When the user selects the prefectural border mode (step S33; Yes), the control unit 18 selects the mascot character corresponding to the prefecture specified in the latest step S12 of the mascot acquisition process executed in parallel ( step S34). The control unit 18 stores the "prefectural border mode" and the selected Yuru-chara.

When the user selects the travel distance mode (step S35; Yes), the control unit 18 selects one of the mascots included in the permitted character list (step S36). The loose character may be selected at random from the permitted character list, or the loose character displayed in the mileage mode immediately before the current display mode selection process may be selected. The control unit 18 stores the "mileage mode" and the selected Yuru-chara.

When "prefectural border mode" and "mileage mode" are selected, Yuru-chara is appropriately selected and changed during the navigation operation.

The Yuru-chara selection is performed by the Yuru-chara selection process shown in FIG.
When the Yuru-chara selection process starts, the control unit 18 first determines whether the "normal mode" or the "Yuru-navi mode" is set (step S41).
If the "normal mode" is set, there is no need to select a Yuru-chara, so this process ends.

On the other hand, if the "loose navigation mode" is set, then it is determined which selection mode is set (steps S42 to S44). In the case of the fixed mode (step S42; Yes), there is no need to newly select a Yuru-chara, so the process ends.

In the case of the prefectural border mode (step S42; No, step S43; Yes), based on the prefecture specified in the latest step S12 of the Yuru-chara acquisition process that is being executed in parallel, Determine whether a new region has been entered. Then, when it is determined that a new area has been entered, a Yuru-chara corresponding to the new area is selected (step S45), and the process ends.

In the case of travel distance mode (step S42; No, step S43; No, step S44; Yes), the accumulated value of the travel distance in the latest step S17 of the Yuru-chara acquisition process executed in parallel is a multiple of 200 km. It is determined whether or not it has exceeded (step S46), and if it has exceeded, a loose character different from the currently selected loose character is selected from among the permitted character list (step S47), and the process ends. This selection may be, for example, a sequential selection. In this case, it is conceivable to select characters in a specific order, such as selecting characters in order from the one added to the permitted character list in descending order.

<Navigation operation>
When the "current location" button is touched on the navigation menu screen or the like of FIG. 8(b), the control unit 18 executes the navigation operation. In the navigation operation, various cautions and warning information regarding traffic are provided. Route guidance is provided based on route information generated based on the destination, current position, and the like.

FIG. 14 shows voice output processing in navigation operation when the operation mode is set to the normal mode. In the navigation operation in the normal mode, the display unit 5 displays a guidance screen GV2 illustrated in FIG. 9(d). The guidance screen GV2 displays the map including the current position acquired in step S11, as well as information such as the place name, direction, scale, and time. The Yuru-chara image C is not displayed on the guide screen GV2.

In step S61 of FIG. 14, the control unit 18, based on the current position acquired in step S11, the set route information, etc., selects the event corresponding to either the event number defined in the first or third audio correspondence table. is occurring. If no event has occurred, step S61 is repeatedly executed (step S61; No).

If an event has occurred (step S61: Yes), the phrase number and guidance time corresponding to the event number are specified from the first or third voice correspondence table (step S62), and correspond to the specified phrase number. A guidance voice is output by reproducing the recorded data (step S63). Step S63 ends when the guidance time specified in step S62 elapses, and then the process returns to step S61.

As a result, navigation is performed by displaying the guidance screen GV2 without the Yuru-chara image C and by outputting the guidance voice in the normal voice.

FIG. 15 shows voice output/character display processing in the navigation operation when the operation mode is set to the Yuru Navi mode. In the navigation operation of the Yuru Navi mode, the display unit 5 displays a Yuru-chara image C superimposed on a guidance screen GV1 similar to the guidance screen GV2 of FIG. 9(d), as shown in FIG. 9(b). Is displayed. The Yuru-chara image C displayed here is the image of the Yuru-chara selected at that time (the Yuru-chara selected in the display mode selection process of FIG. 12 or the Yuru-chara selection process of FIG. 13).

In step S71, the control unit 18 determines whether an event corresponding to one of the event numbers defined in the first to third audio correspondence tables has occurred based on the current position acquired in step S11, the set route information, and the like. determine whether the

If the event has not occurred, in step S72, the Yuru-chara image C is operated according to the normal operation, and then the process returns to step S71. As described above, unless an event occurs, steps S71 and S72 are repeatedly executed, and image C of Yuru-chara performing normal actions is continuously displayed. During this time, guidance voice is not output.

If an event has occurred in step S71 (step S71: Yes), the process moves to step S73, and it is determined whether or not the event that has occurred is a POI event specified in the third audio correspondence table. , in step S74, it is determined whether or not the Yuru-chara currently selected is a specific Yuru-chara.

If the determination in step S73 is affirmative (Yes), in step S75, the phrase number and guide time corresponding to the occurred event are identified from the third voice correspondence table.

If the determination in step S74 is negative (No) (if a mascot character other than the specific mascot character is selected), then in step S76, the phrase number and guidance time corresponding to the event that occurred are identified from the first voice correspondence table. be done.

If the determination in step S74 is affirmative (Yes) (if a specific Yuru-chara is selected), in step S77, the phrase number and guide time corresponding to the event that occurred are specified from the second voice correspondence table.

In steps S75 to S77, if a plurality of phrase numbers and guide times corresponding to events occurring in the first to third voice correspondence tables are specified, one of the phrase numbers and guide times selected from among them is specified. is identified. The selection here is preferably made in a sequential manner. For example, when an event (for example, event 391) occurs in which a specific loose character is selected, the phrase number specified in the latest step S77 executed in the past for the same event (event 391) is the third "IE_AN_470", in this step S77, the fourth phrase number "IE_AN_471" and the guide time ("11.844") are specified. As a result, even when the same event occurs frequently, the same phrase can be prevented from being output repeatedly.

After steps S75-S77, the process proceeds to step S78. At step S78, the action number corresponding to the phrase number specified at steps S75 to S77 is specified from the action correspondence table of FIG.

In subsequent step S79, guidance voice is output by reproducing voice data corresponding to the phrase number specified in steps S75 to S77, and an image of Yuru-chara is displayed according to the specified action data of the specified number specified in step S78. Processing to activate C is performed.

As a result, the guidance screen GV1 displaying the Yuru-chara image C is displayed, and the guidance voice is output by the normal voice (in the case of step S75), the Yuru-chara voice (in the case of step S76), or the person's own voice (in the case of step S77). is performed, and the Yuru-chara image C speaks or listens to the voice of the content corresponding to each event in a specific action corresponding to each event, which is different from the regular action, with gestures. It can be a production as if you were there.

Step S79 ends when the guidance time specified in steps S75 to S77 elapses, and then the process returns to step S71.

<Navigation behavior in the initial state>
In the initial state (for example, when the power is turned on for the first time after shipment from the factory), it is preferable to display a default character on the screen and provide guidance such as operation instructions.

After that, when the operation mode is set to the normal mode and the navigation operation is started, the voice output processing similar to that described with reference to FIG. 14 is executed while displaying the guide screen GV2 in which the character is not displayed.

On the other hand, when the Yuru Navi mode is set and the navigation operation is started in a state where the display mode selection process of FIG. 12 has not been performed, the image of the default character is displayed on the guidance screen GV in the same manner as in FIG. 9B. In this state, the same voice output/character display processing as in FIG. 15 is executed. As a result, the product concept of displaying the Yuru-chara corresponding to the display mode selected in the display mode selection process can be maintained even in the operation immediately after the initial state. In the voice output/character display processing at this time, the default character should be treated as a normal yuru-chara (not a specific yuru-chara).

<Navigation operation immediately after power-on or resume>
Processing when the navigation operation is started immediately after the power is turned on or resumed after the display mode selection processing of FIG. 12 is executed will be described.

In the normal mode, there is no difference from the normal mode navigation operation described with reference to FIG.

When the navigation operation is started in the Yuru-navi mode immediately after the power is turned on or resumed, the same navigation operation as in the normal mode is performed until the positioning information is acquired in step S11. That is, the voice output process described with reference to FIG. 14 is executed while the guidance screen GV2 is displayed.

After that, when the acquisition of the positioning information in step S11 succeeds, the Yuru-chara currently selected appears on the guide screen GV2, and then the normal navigation operation in the Yuru-navi mode is executed. That is, the voice output/character display processing described with reference to FIG. 15 is executed while the guide screen GV1 is displayed. By performing the above effects, it is possible to notify the user that positioning has been successful.

<Display of mascot information>
When the "Yuru-chara" button is touched on the navigation menu screen shown in FIG. 8(b), the control unit 18 displays the Yuru-chara screen shown in FIG. 16(a). Here, when the "yuru-chara information" button is operated, the control unit 18 reads the setting information of the currently selected mascot from the mascot information, and displays the mascot information screen of FIG. 16(b).

Broken lines in FIG. 16(b) are descriptive lines indicating fields A to E set in the screen. Field data DA to DF are displayed in fields A to E, respectively. With this Yuru-chara information screen, the user can know the selected Yuru-chara in more detail. In addition, since the layout of fields A to E is fixed and the field data DA to DF displayed in each field A to E are the standard attributes of many Yuru characters, explanations that are easy for the user to understand should be provided. can provide. On the other hand, depending on the type of yuru-chara, non-standard attribute data can be displayed in fields A to E, making it easy to explain yuru-chara with special characteristics that are difficult to explain in a conventional way.

16(a), the controller 18 displays the Yuru-chara list screen shown in FIG. display. On the Yuru-chara list screen, a list of the names of each region (47 prefectures) is displayed. For Yuru-chara that has already been acquired, the image of that Yuru-chara is displayed in the corresponding region of the list. Furthermore, a mark M made up of characters such as "with voice" is displayed for a specific yuru-chara that speaks its own voice. The mark M may be displayed even if the specific Yuru-chara is not included in the permitted character list. As a result, it is clearly shown to the user that the specific Yuru-chara has not yet been acquired, and the user can be motivated to acquire it.

On the Yuru-chara list screen, you can scroll the list by touching the scroll button on the right side.

When "map display" is touched on the Yuru-chara list screen of FIG. 17(a), the control unit 18 displays the National Yuru-chara picture book screen shown in FIG. 17(b). On the national Yuru-chara screen, regions corresponding to Yuru-chara that have already been acquired and regions corresponding to Yuru-chara that have not yet been acquired are displayed on a simple map in a manner that allows identification. As a mode of identification, it is preferable to hide the name of the area corresponding to the obtained Yuru-chara, as shown in the figure. Clearly indicating an area that has not yet been acquired makes it easier for the user to recognize Yuru-chara in that area as an acquisition target. Alternatively, areas corresponding to acquired or unacquired Yuru-chara may be shaded.

When the user touches a desired region on the National Yuru-chara picture book screen of FIG. 17(b), the Yuru-chara information screen of FIG. 16(b) may be displayed for the Yuru-chara corresponding to that region. In this case, display of the yuru-chara information screen only for acquired yuru-chara may be permitted.

On the Yuru-chara list screen and the National Yuru-chara picture book screen, the number of obtained and unobtained Yuru-chara is also displayed. When the "current location" button is touched on the Yuru-chara list screen and the Nationwide Yuru-chara picture book screen, the screen returns to the guide screen GV1 or GV2 of FIG. 9(b) or (d) depending on the operation mode at that time.

<Complete production>
As described above, the user can increase the number of yuru-charas that have already been acquired by mounting the navigation device 1 on a vehicle or the like and moving around. Then, when the user has acquired Yuru-chara for all prefectures, the control unit 18 performs a completion effect to inform the user that the acquisition of Yuru-chara has been completed.

That is, when the 47th Yuru-chara is added to the permitted character list, it is determined that event 428 has occurred. Then, if the yuru-chara selected at that time is not the specific yuru-chara, the complete rendering process shown in FIG. 18 is executed.

In the complete effect process, in step S81, if the guidance screen GV1 is being displayed in the Yuru Navi mode, the Yuru-chara image C is removed from the guidance screen GV1. Otherwise, the guide screen GV2 without the image C of Yuru-chara is displayed.

In the subsequent step S82, an image C of a specific Yuru-chara appears on the guide screen GV of step S81.

After that, in step S83, the phrase number ("IE_AN_600") and guide time ("8.434") corresponding to the event 428 are specified, and in step S84, the action data ("comp_08 ”) is identified.

In the subsequent step S85, the voice data corresponding to the voice phrase specified in step S83 is reproduced to output guidance voice, and the Yuru-chara image C is moved according to the motion data of the specified motion specified in step S84. processing is performed.

As a result, while the image C of the specific Yuru-chara is displayed on the guidance screen GV, a special guidance voice such as "All Yuru-chara complete! Conquer the whole country!" is output.

Step S85 ends when the guidance time specified in step S83 elapses, after which the image C of the specified Yuru-chara is withdrawn from the screen (step S86). , and the completion effect process ends.

Such a completion effect using the guidance voice and the display of the specific action by the image C of the specific Yuru-chara can impress the user that acquisition of the Yuru-chara has been completed. In addition, the user can be reliably notified of the completion by performing the completion effect even when the navigation operation is not in progress. It is also conceivable to set the completion effect to be performed only during the navigation operation or during the navigation operation in the Yuru-chara mode.

If the Yuru-chara selected at the time when the occurrence of the event 428 is determined to be a specific Yuru-chara, steps S77 to S79 of the voice output/character display processing are executed as they are, in the same manner as above. , A complete production is performed.

<Hiding Yuru-chara images>
When a specific situation (for example, approaching an intersection to change course) occurs during the navigation operation in Yuru Navi mode, the priority of the auxiliary screen set on the registration/edit screen of FIG. The screen display is switched from the guidance screen GV of (b) to the guidance screen GV3 with assistance shown in FIG. In the guide screen GV3 with assistance, map information similar to that of the guide screen in FIG. 9B is displayed on the left side of the screen, and an auxiliary screen such as an enlarged intersection view is displayed on the right side of the screen.

In such a guidance screen with assistance, the Yuru-chara image C is not displayed in order not to impair the visibility of the information displayed on the assistance screen.

The guidance screen GV1 of FIG. 9B may also be configured so that the Yuru-chara image C can be hidden by touching the Yuru-chara image C, for example. Thereby, the visibility of the information at the display position of the mascot image C can be improved.

It should be noted that, during the demonstration run, neither acquisition of Yuru-chara nor display of Yuru-chara is performed. In this case, for example, the user instructs the control unit 18 to indicate that the vehicle is a demonstration run. In this case, the control unit 18 can set only the normal mode.

The invention disclosed in the present application is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, a total of 47 yuru-charas, one for each prefecture, are used, but the number is arbitrary. In addition, the size and number of regions to which Yuru-chara are assigned are arbitrary, such as collecting Yuru-chara in units of towns and villages.

In the above embodiment, the case of using the recorded data of the announcer, the voice actor, etc. as the voice data for all guidance voices was explained, but for example, all or part of the guidance voice (for example, for normal mode guidance voice) may be output by converting text data into TTS (Text to Talk).

Below is a copy of each claim as filed.
<Claim 1>
A display control device for guiding information related to a map including a plurality of regions,
A display control device, comprising control means for controlling display means to display an image of one of a plurality of characters for which correspondence with a plurality of regions is defined.
<Claim 2>
The control means displays on the display means an image of the character selected from a group of permitted characters, which is a set of all or part of the plurality of characters,
The control means adds the character corresponding to the destination area to the permitted character group on condition that the display control device has moved to the area where the correspondence relationship with the character is defined. 2. The display control device according to claim 1.
<Claim 3>
The control means displays on the display means an image of the character selected from a group of permitted characters, which is a set of all or part of the plurality of characters,
The control means newly adds one of the characters selected from the plurality of characters to the permitted character group on condition that the display control device has moved a predetermined distance. The display control device according to claim 1 or 2.
<Claim 4>
the plurality of characters includes at least one default character;
4. The display control device according to claim 2, wherein when the character is not included in the allowed character group, the control means displays an image of the default character on the display means.
<Claim 5>
further comprising mode selection means for selecting one of a plurality of modes for selecting the character in different modes based on a user's operation;
5. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein said control means displays said character selected according to said mode selected by said mode selection means on said display means.
<Claim 6>
wherein the plurality of modes includes a first mode;
6. The display control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the first mode is selected, the control means displays an image of the character specified by the user on the display means.
<Claim 7>
wherein the plurality of modes includes a second mode;
6. When the second mode is selected, the control means displays on the display means an image of the character associated with the area where the display control device is currently located. 7. The display control device according to 6.
<Claim 8>
the plurality of modes includes a third mode;
When the third mode is selected, the control means displays a different image of the character on the display means each time the display control device moves a predetermined distance. 8. The display control device according to any one of 7.
<Claim 9>
further comprising display mode selection means for selecting a display mode or a non-display mode based on a user's operation;
The control means performs control to display the image of the character on the display means when the display mode is selected, and controls to display the image of the character on the display means when the non-display mode is selected. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the display control device does not perform
<Claim 10>
A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Claims (3)

a function to detect the movement distance;
A function to display the character corresponding to the acquired area,
a function of acquiring a character corresponding to the region in response to the cumulative value of the movement distance exceeding a predetermined value;
has
When the distance between the previous positioning process and the current positioning process exceeds the predetermined value, and the power is turned off between the previous positioning process and the current positioning process, the acquisition function is A system that does not count the distance between the positioning positions of the previous time and this time in the accumulated value. 2. The system of claim 1, mounted on a vehicle. A program for causing a computer to implement the functions of the system according to claim 1 or 2 .

Images