JPH07198401A - Map display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To facilitate the design of the route from an arbitrary starting point to a destination. CONSTITUTION:In a central processing unit 1, route setting 32 between at least two points, which are inputted with a point setting means 10, is performed, and the set route is displayed on a display screen means 15. The scroll of the display screen is performed with a scroll control means 34 for realizing the virtual running instructed by a user when a virtual mode is executed. When the virtual running is performed along the preset route, the scroll is performed along the preset route on the display screen when the command is given with a scroll indicating means 11. The state, wherein the running on the route is performed, is formed. The route information designed by the Virtual running is stored in a memory means 35 and preserved in media such as an IC card and a floppy disk as required.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is applicable to any starting point (present point).
The present invention relates to a map display device suitable for setting a route from a destination to a destination and facilitating route design to the destination on this route.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation system as a map display device has a function of searching for an optimum route to a destination and guides the destination along the searched route.
Therefore, various devices for displaying the searched route on the map screen have been proposed. In a conventional navigation system, a course can be designed by inputting a destination, but the departure point is always the information from GPS, that is, the current location. In these navigation systems, when setting a destination, manually scrolling on a map, setting points by a list according to genre, or calling and setting points registered in advance, GPS is set in the vehicle. Upon reception, the direction from the current location to the destination and the linear distance are calculated and displayed. The user tries to reach the destination by referring to it and selecting the road and direction to travel. Further, in the VNS system having the search function, if the destination is registered as described above, the recommended route from the current position is automatically searched and the destination is guided by voice and image. This kind of navigation device
For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-5-66131.

[0003]

However, in the conventional system, it is not possible to design a course assuming an arbitrary departure place, that is, a virtual departure place. That is,
We were unable to answer the request to design a course in advance to a destination starting from a place away from the current location. Thus, it has been impossible to set a route by inputting arbitrary starting points and destinations, that is, freely inputting arbitrary two points, and to make a course plan based on the routes. Moreover, in the conventional technology,
You can display the recommended route, but if you want to check the route before you leave the drive, you need to manually scroll the screen along the road you want to see. Manual scrolling is (typically) 8 on the buttons and joystick on the controller or on the touch switch on the display.
By pressing any one of the direction indicating switches, the screen ahead of the selected direction is sequentially moved while the switch is pressed and can be seen. However, the user must watch the movement of the map display on the screen and always operate the controller or the like according to the movement, which is very troublesome. In any case, since it is the information such as the GPS reception information and the straight line distance from the current position detected from the vehicle side sensor information, the direction or the recommended route, a route plan from one arbitrary point to another arbitrary point is made. In some cases, the specifications are difficult to use.

Further, regarding the calculation of the required time, average speed data unique to the road type such as highways and general national roads is held, and the distance for each road type on the set route or the searched route is calculated. A method of detecting the map data and calculating the required time is generally considered. However, in the above method, since only the average vehicle speed data for each road type is available, for example, the number of intersections per unit distance, the number of lanes, the number of lanes, the day of the week, the time of day, the degree of congestion, etc. Alternatively, the average vehicle speed varies depending on various conditions such as the number of curves. Therefore, there is a problem such as a large deviation between the estimated value of the required time and the actual required time. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device capable of easily designing a route from an arbitrary starting point to a destination point.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention described in claim 1 has at least any two aspects.
Point setting means for setting a point, route setting means for setting a route between two set points, display means for displaying the set route, and display displayed on the display means along the set route The configuration includes scroll instruction means for scrolling the screen, and scroll control means for receiving a command from the scroll instruction means to scroll the display screen along the set route.

According to another aspect of the invention, in the invention described in claim 1, any one of the following components or a plurality of items is provided. That is, (1) the vehicle position display means for displaying the position of the vehicle on the route is provided, and the vehicle position is fixed on the map display screen and scrolled. (2) The display means is provided with a calculating means for calculating the time required between the two points input by the point setting means
It is configured to display the time required between points. (3) Equipped with an input means for inputting a departure time and a calculation means for calculating an elapsed time based on the required time from the departure place input by the point setting means to the vehicle position on the route and the input departure time. The display means is configured to display the elapsed time to reach the vehicle position on the route based on the departure time.

Further, the present invention as set forth in claim 5 displays at least an arbitrary point setting means, a route setting means for setting a route between the set two points, and the set route. Display means, scroll instruction means for scrolling the display screen displayed on the display means along the set route, and scroll control for scrolling the display screen along the set route in response to a command from the scroll instruction means Means and a detecting means for detecting information necessary for vehicle navigation, and a navigation mode for guiding along a set route, and a vehicle position fixed and a map scrolled on the set route. It is configured to have a virtual traveling mode for virtually traveling.

[0008]

According to the invention described in claim 1, the route setting means carries out the route setting between at least two arbitrary points set by the point setting means, for example, the virtual present location and the destination. Display the set route on the map screen. When the virtual traveling is performed along the set route, when the scroll instructing means issues an instruction, the display screen is scrolled along the set route, and the situation where the vehicle is traveling on the route is created. Further, when the vehicle position is fixed and scrolled on the route on the map display screen, the reference point of the map scroll becomes clear and the display screen becomes easy to understand. Also, by displaying route information on the screen during virtual travel, it is possible to accurately estimate the required time and travel distance when actually traveling. For example, use a route giving priority to toll roads or a route giving priority to general roads. Can be used as a reference when selecting whether to use. According to the invention described in claim 5, by designing the system so that it can be carried between the home and the vehicle, the designed course information is stored in the storage medium, and the storage medium is installed in the vehicle. You can read and use it at home, and you can immediately use the drive plan that you set up while enjoying the feeling of traveling at home in the vehicle on the day of driving.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the function realizing means of the map display device of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a system configuration when the function realizing means of FIG. 1 is implemented by an EPU system. The means surrounded by a dotted frame in FIG. 1 is a configuration necessary for using as a navigation system, but it can be naturally used in a form used at home (home type). The present embodiment is a home-type map display system for assisting in confirming driving to a destination in advance, designing a route, etc. at a place such as a home, that is, a place other than a vehicle. It can also be used as a navigation device in which a vehicle is mounted on a vehicle and guidance is provided along the searched route. Here, a virtual traveling function (hereinafter referred to as a virtual traveling mode) that tentatively travels on the display screen along the searched route and a navigation function that performs traveling guidance based on navigation information such as the current location, speed, and traveling direction of the vehicle (hereinafter The navigation mode will be described below.

In FIG. 1, the map display device stores an input / output device 1 for inputting / outputting information required for the virtual traveling mode and the navigation mode, map data required for route calculation, data required for route confirmation, etc. The data processing medium 2 is a central processing unit 3 that executes a route search for searching a route between at least two points and a process related to both modes, and controls the entire system. The input / output device 1 is a starting point, a passing point, and a destination.
A point setting means 10 for inputting at least two points of origin and destination, a scroll instruction means 11 for instructing scrolling of a display screen along the searched route, and a route information display instructing means 12 for instructing display of route information, Virtual travel instruction means 13 for instructing virtual travel based on the searched route, navigation instruction means 14 for instructing navigation based on the searched route, display means 15 for displaying the searched route and route information on a screen, route Printout means 1 for printing out data required for guidance, route confirmation, route design, route information, map screen, etc.
6. The voice output means 17 is composed of a speaker for guiding the route by voice.

By the above means, the user can display route information by voice and / or screen when necessary, instruct to scroll the display screen displayed along the searched route, and display a peripheral map at a certain point on the screen. In order to be able to display, map display processing is instructed to the central processing unit 3 according to the user's intention, and the processed data and the like are printed out by the print output means 16, voice output from the speaker, or displayed. It can be displayed and output. Explaining the configuration of each means, the point setting means 10 indicates the departure place (current location) and the destination as the address,
It consists of operation switches for inputting phone numbers, coordinates, etc., and for requesting route confirmation. The display means 15 is composed of a color CRT or a color liquid crystal display, and has a point setting screen, a route guidance screen based on map data or guidance data processed by the central processing unit 3,
All screens necessary for navigation and virtual driving such as section map screens and intersection map screens are output in color. The route guidance screen has at least a screen for displaying an entire route map, route information, and a surrounding map.

As means for setting points and operating a screen, a display device equipped with a touch switch (soft switch) that emits a signal corresponding to the function by touching a function button displayed on the screen, or on a panel It is configured by a controller provided with a push button switch (hard switch) that emits a signal corresponding to the function of the remote controller or a remote controller that enables remote operation. Further, the output means displays the input data on the screen, a display device for automatically displaying a screen for route request or user request, and prints out the data processed by the central processing unit or the data stored in the storage medium. It consists of a printer and a speaker that outputs route guidance in the navigation mode, route confirmation in the virtual running mode, background music during virtual running, sound effects, and guidance of main names by voice. The sound effect is, for example, a running sound whose tone color changes according to the vehicle speed, a turn signal sound when turning left or right, and the like. The main name is, for example, a passing IC, a toll road, a route number, or the like.

The satellite navigation system (GPS) receiver is
This system is installed in a vehicle as a navigation device,
To get the current location, or when using at home,
For example, it is possible to register the position of the home and perform virtual traveling with the home as the departure place. The media is CD-ROM, I
It is composed of C card, magneto-optical disk, etc., and these data media include maps, intersections, nodes, roads, photographs,
Destination point, guidance point, detailed destination, road name, branch point,
All data necessary for route guidance such as display guidance, voice guidance, vehicle speed by road, and route design are recorded.
The auxiliary information includes destination information and toll road tariffs. Here, a memory driver for reading the data recorded in the medium is provided in the central processing unit.

The central processing unit 3 judges whether or not the present system can handle at least two input points, and recognizes the point recognition processing means 31 for executing processing for recognizing the two points. A search processing unit 32 that performs a route search based on a point, a map drawing process for displaying the searched route on the screen, and a display control for performing map display and data processing on the route information instructed by the user and displaying the screen. From the means 33, the scroll control means 34 for performing screen control for realizing the virtual travel instructed by the user when executing the virtual travel mode, and the storage means 35 in which all data necessary for the navigation mode and the virtual travel mode are stored. Has become.

The means constituting the above-mentioned central processing unit is shown in FIG.
It is realized by the EPU system shown in FIG. That is, a main CPU 40 that executes arithmetic processing, a program for performing processing such as route search, a display control required for route guidance, a program for performing voice output control required for voice guidance, and data required for that are stored. Program ROM 41, SRAM 42 for storing searched route guidance information and data being processed, DRAM for storing display information data required for route guidance and map display
43, a VRAM 44 for storing image data used for screen display on the display, a VR by a command from the CPU
The image control function unit 4 which writes the image data in the AM and sends the display data from the VRAM to the image signal conversion function unit 46.
5. Image signal conversion function unit 46 for converting RGB digital signals output from the image control function unit into RGB analog signals or video signals according to the specifications of the display device, communication data such as position information sent from the GPS receiver GP that converts the electrical specifications of the above into specifications that can be read by the main CPU
S receiver communication function unit 49, controller input / output signal conversion function unit 48 for converting a signal exchanged with an externally installed controller, memory driver 50 constituting a data reading device of a recording unit, and internal diagnostic information. It is composed of a clock function unit 51 for entering a date and time, and a ROM 52 in which a mark used for displaying route information and a Chinese character pattern are stored.

The controller 60 is provided with various function button switches and a speaker for audio output necessary for remotely setting a point and remotely operating screen operations from a remote place. For example, point setting, map scale selection, map display, Functions such as menu display can be performed by key operation. This system is configured so that the driver can select either route display, voice output, or both route guidance.

Next, the virtual traveling mode will be described. FIG. 3 shows the procedure of the virtual travel mode applied by the map display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the power of the system is turned on, a startup screen is displayed first, and a menu for selecting how to set the route in the virtual travel mode is displayed on the startup screen. If there is a file prepared in advance, the route search is omitted by designating the corresponding file, and the entire route display screen is displayed. On the other hand, if there is no applicable file, display the point setting screen, display the submenu window for setting the point such as destination and departure point on this screen, and specify the point in this submenu to set the point ( (Initial setting) and conduct route search. When the route search is completed, all routes are displayed on the screen.

When the execute key (start button) is pressed from the all-routes display screen, the virtual traveling screen opens, and the vehicles on the route are displayed at a substantially central position. Then, with the displayed vehicle in the center of the screen, the map display is scrolled in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle to create a situation where the vehicle is traveling along the route (virtual traveling). . Scrolling the map screen during virtual driving is
The vehicle is fixed toward the upper part of the screen, the map is scrolled by so-called heading up, or the direction is fixed such that N is the upper part of the screen, and the direction of the vehicle is rotated 360 ° to scroll the map. Can be applied.

During the virtual travel on the virtual travel screen, the course can be designed in advance in consideration of a detour to a place off the route, a change in the route, a break at a certain place, etc. . In particular, when the route is changed, the search is performed again (re-search), and the virtual running is performed again according to the route after the re-search. When you want to know the route information by stopping the virtual driving, open the route information screen and open the main points on the route, expressways, interchange (IC) names, national road route numbers, distances between points, time, and high speed. You can see route information such as road charges. In this route information, details of the course design other than the map can be confirmed. After that, it is possible to return to the virtual traveling mode and confirm the route and design the course. When the navigation device is installed in the vehicle, the navigation mode can be started based on the route confirmation in the virtual traveling mode or the course design.

Next, the display screen in the virtual traveling mode will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the layout of the startup screen (screen A). On the initial start-up screen, the entire area map included in the database is displayed, and after the second time, the screen at the end of the previous time is displayed. Next, display the main menu and select "from the beginning" to initialize the memory information related to virtual driving, set a point on the map from the beginning and search for the route, and run the virtual driving on the searched route. carry out.
If "File-Call" is selected, the preset route prepared in the file can be used.

When "from the beginning" is selected, the cursor is positioned at an arbitrary point on the map from the wide area map including all the areas of the database displayed as the initial screen, and the set key is pressed to set the point set menu. Is displayed, and the starting point (current position), passing point, destination, etc. are specified from this menu and set. Next, the search condition setting menu is used to set whether to prioritize toll roads as a search condition, whether to use a passing point, or the like.
When "File-Call" is selected, a file call display screen (lower part in the figure) is displayed, and a list is displayed according to the file number assigned to each route, the file registration date, and the contents of the route. When the file number is designated from this list, the all-routes display screen (screen B) based on the route is displayed.

In FIG. 5, which is shown as an example of the layout of the all-routes display screen, a vehicle mark is displayed at the departure point, and search conditions, travel toll road information, distance information, required time information, high-speed toll information, etc. are displayed. The route information for confirming the entire route is displayed. In the example shown in the figure, the current location is "Fujii-cho", the destination is "Wakayama City", and the route searched under the condition that the toll road is prioritized is displayed. The "ride" IC of the toll road on this route is displayed. And "get down" ICs are from "Otaka" to "Highway Wakayama". In addition, the route distance (KM) is 350 km, the required time (TIME) is 5 hours 30 minutes, and the highway toll (¥) is 35.
It is 00 yen. After confirming the route on this all-routes display screen, when the virtual traveling mode is selected, the virtual traveling screen (FIG. 6) is displayed.

In FIG. 6, which is shown as an example of the layout of the virtual traveling screen, the upper part of the screen is set to the N direction, and the map on which the vehicle travels is displayed in that direction, and the controller is operated to start the vehicle. That is, by fixing the position of the vehicle mark and scrolling the map on the screen, it is possible to make the vehicle appear to be traveling along the route. In this example, since the vehicle position is fixed and displayed at the center of the display screen, it is easy to understand the surroundings of the virtual current location. As the route information when the vehicle is traveling on the route, the remaining distance to the destination, the traveling distance from the departure place, and the speed of the vehicle are displayed. In the illustrated example, the remaining distance (GOAL) is 250 km, the mileage is 100 km, and the current speed is 200 km / h. In this virtual travel mode, the speed of the vehicle can be selected by the controller at a speed multiplication factor according to the scale of the map. If you want to know the route in detail during virtual driving, open the route information screen (Fig. 7).

In FIG. 7, which is shown as an example of the layout of the route information screen, the route is drawn in a straight line on the left and right on the screen, and the road name, the main point name, the distance between the main points, and the main point are displayed on this route. Route information such as the scheduled arrival time is displayed, and this display screen can be scrolled in the left-right direction. Here, the part surrounded by a frame on the left side of the drawing is displayed on the route information screen. In the example shown, drive 25km from "Fujii-cho" to "Otaka IC" on the Nagoya Expressway on Route 23, then take the Kusunoki IC, which is 19km from "Otaka IC" to the Nagoya Expressway. Take the Higashimeisaka Expressway. It is displayed that the virtual current location during virtual travel is in Kusu IC. The scheduled arrival time at each point is displayed at the top of the screen. That is, the departure time is displayed in Fujii town, and the passing time is displayed in Otaka IC and Kusunoki IC.
In addition, the high-speed toll is also displayed at the interchange with the toll payment gate. For example, between the Otaka IC and Kusunoki IC, "600 yen" is displayed on the Otaka IC. After that, when the virtual traveling is further performed, the screen scrolls from the right to the left, and the route information similar to the above is displayed.

In addition, information set for detours and breaks is also displayed on the route information screen, so that a detailed route such as a place to take a rest and a place to take a detour and its time is displayed. Information can be confirmed on the screen and reflected in route design. After confirming the designed route on the route information screen, the search condition can be changed again to perform the route search, and the virtual travel by this route can be appropriately performed.

Next, screens other than the above which are used during virtual travel will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of a main menu display screen displayed during virtual travel. This main menu display screen can be opened from all screens, select map search, spot registration, departure time setting, search condition change, file processing, date and time setting, and display those setting screens. The conditions required for route design can be set. In the main menu, "Map search" displays a map of an arbitrary point by a method such as a telephone number and a place name index. "Point registration" registers an arbitrary point as a home and a memory point. The "departure time" sets the time at the departure place to calculate the arrival time based on the required time. “Change search conditions” does not change the origin and destination, but changes only the search conditions (“whether toll roads are prioritized” or “passage points are used”). "File" is called, registered and deleted from the memory of the route where the virtual run was performed. “From the beginning” initializes all settings and starts a new virtual run from the settings. "Date and time setting" sets the date and time. “Mode switching” enables switching of the mode from the virtual traveling mode to the navigation mode or from the navigation mode to the virtual traveling mode when the GPS receiver is connected.

FIG. 9 is an example of a point set menu display screen. This point set menu display screen is automatically displayed when a point is set, and destinations, present locations, passing points, etc. are provided as selectable points. According to this function, it is possible to easily select what kind of place the set place should be treated as. FIG. 10 is an example of the search condition menu display screen. This search condition menu display screen is automatically displayed when the point required for the search is set, and every time the point is set, "priority / no" for toll roads and pass points are set as search conditions for the point. "Pass / Do not pass" can be selected. This function facilitates selection of search conditions.

FIG. 11 is an example of a screen displayed by pressing the current position key on the controller during virtual traveling. This display screen shows where your current position is during the entire journey, so you can see at a glance how much you have run and how much distance you have left. In this example, the entire process is displayed by a linear bar, and the virtual current position mark is displayed on this bar. According to this function, the position of the virtual current position in the entire journey is displayed in analog form, so that it is possible to easily confirm where the vehicle is traveling. FIG. 12 shows an example of the speed setting screen. This speed setting screen is displayed when the set key on the controller is pressed during virtual traveling, and the virtual traveling speed can be arbitrarily set by operating the joystick. According to this function, when the user wants to know the current speed, the set speed can be known at a glance by pressing the set key.

In addition to the above display screen, there are a peripheral list display screen (not shown), a display screen during re-search, and the like. The surrounding list can be displayed by a submenu when it is desired to know the situation around the destination, for example, the road or the building in detail. In addition, by preparing guides for registration points by destination such as date spots, campgrounds, and amusement parks, detailed information can be provided according to the purpose of the drive. In addition, as a result of implementing virtual running on the searched route,
When a user wants to change all or part of the route, a new point can be set and a re-search can be performed to reset the route, and the changed portion by virtual traveling can be confirmed again.

Next, the overall processing of this system will be described. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the embodiment of the present invention. First, when the system is turned on and the system is started up, the GPS connection is determined (S100), and if it is in the connected state, the navigation mode is entered, and the navigation mode startup screen display process shown in FIG. 16 is performed. (S101). The screen of FIG. 16 is a map display screen based on the current location. Further, when the GPS is not connected, that is, when it is used as a so-called home type, the virtual traveling mode is entered, and the display processing of the virtual traveling mode startup screen shown in FIG. 4-1 is performed. (S11
2).

When entering the navigation mode, FIG.
It is determined whether or not the mode switching operation is performed on the screen of No. 6 (S102). If not, it is determined whether a file call operation has been performed (S103).
Here, when a file call operation is performed, "file call process by key input" in FIG.
(S108). Then, the route of the called file is displayed on the map screen (S109). on the other hand,
If the file calling operation is not performed, it is determined whether the destination is set by key input (S10).
4). When it is performed, the "destination setting process by key input" in FIG. 15 is entered (S105). Then, a route search is performed (S106), and the route obtained by the search is displayed on the map screen (S107). The guidance is started through step 107 or 109 (S110). When it is determined that the process is not performed in step 104 and when the guidance ends (S111), the process returns to step 101.

If it is determined in step 100 that the GPS is not connected, and if it is determined in step 102 that the mode switching operation has been performed, the virtual traveling mode is entered and the startup screen display processing of the virtual traveling mode is performed. (S122). From step 102 to step 109
The same processing as the above processing is performed (S113 to 120).
However, if it is determined in step 113 that the mode switching operation has been performed, the process returns to step 100. By going through step 118 or step 120, the course design starts (S121). It is determined whether the route is stored in the storage device (S122), and if it is stored, a storage process is performed (S123). After the storage process is completed and when it is determined that the data is not stored in step 122,
Return to step 113.

The "file call processing by key input" in FIG. 15 is started by operating the main menu key. First, by operating the main menu key, a main menu as shown in FIG. 4-2 or FIG. 17-1 is displayed (S135), and "file" is selected (S136). When the file menu appears (Fig. 4
-3 or FIG. 17-2) "Call" is selected (S137), the file call list as shown in FIG. 4-4 or 18 is displayed (S138). A file to be executed is selected from the list (139), and the file is read from the storage device with the set key (S14).
0). This completes step 108 or step 119 and proceeds to the next step.

The "destination or point setting process by key input" is started by first operating the joystick or the main menu key. By operating the joystick, the scroll screen process is started (S124). After the cursor is moved to an arbitrary point in step 124, the point is set with the set key (S125). Next, point set menu (Fig. 9)
Is displayed (S126), the attribute of the point is selected from the starting point, the destination, and the passing point by the joystick, and the set key is determined (S127). here,
It is determined whether or not the setting of points required for the search has been completed (S128). The minimum point required for searching indicates the starting point and the destination in the virtual traveling mode, and the destination in the navigation mode. If not finished,
Step 105 in FIG. 13 is repeated. When finished, the search condition setting menu (Fig. 10) is displayed.
The condition is selected with the joystick and determined with the set key (S129). When the search condition setting is completed, step 105 or step 116 is completed and the process proceeds to the next.

Here, there is also a method of displaying a map screen including an arbitrary point by using the map search function in the main menu before entering the operation with the joystick. In this case, first, the main menu key is operated to display the main menu (S130), and "map search" is selected (S131). Then, a search condition is set or a spot name is selected (S132). Examples of the search conditions shown here include a telephone number and a memory location. In addition, the point name is the address, hotel,
Here's how to do this by displaying a list of stations and other genres. When the search condition is determined by the set key (S133), a map screen centering on that point is displayed and a scroll screen by joystick operation is entered (S134).

Next, the processing in the virtual running mode will be described. FIG. 19 shows a processing flow from system startup to display of search results. Start up the system, and on the route setting screen, set the departure time (S200), departure point and destination (S2).
01) is set and a route search is performed (S202). In the route search process, distance data for each road name (S20
3) and speed data (S204) are read, and the required time is calculated (S205). Then, the toll road charge data such as expressways are read (S206), the toll road charges on the searched route are processed, and the search results including route information such as distance, required time, required charge are displayed on the entire route. It is displayed on the screen (see FIG. 6) (S207). It is determined whether any key is pressed on the all route display screen (S208),
When the key is pressed, the virtual running mode is entered.

In FIG. 20, when the virtual traveling mode is entered, a map screen centering on the starting point which is the first current position is displayed (S209). A current location mark (vehicle mark) is displayed at the virtual current location in this map (S210). The virtual traveling screen shown in FIG. 16 is displayed by the processing of steps 209 and 210. Then, after identifying which road the virtual current location is on (S211), the speed data obtained by the search is read (S212). Next, the speed magnification value at the current scale is read (S213), the virtual current position is fixed on the screen, and the map is scrolled along the searched route according to the speed based on the speed data (S214). During the virtual traveling, the elapsed time, the traveling distance and the remaining distance are calculated one by one, and the information is displayed on the screen. It is determined whether or not the type and name of the road on which the vehicle is running have changed (S215), and if so, the process returns to step 211 to identify the type and name of the road. If it does not change, it is judged whether the scale of the map shown in FIG. 15 is changed (216).

In FIG. 21, when the map scale change is instructed, the scale change display is performed (S217), and the process returns to step 213 to obtain the current speed magnification value. Slow down to do detailed course design in an area, or simply pass through without detailed course design, or drive in areas where nothing can be done, such as between interchanges on a highway. In such a case, speed operation such as speed increase can be performed. It is determined whether such a speed control operation is performed (S21
8) If the control operation is performed, the process returns to step 214, and the map scrolling process is performed according to the operated speed. On the other hand, when the control operation is not performed, the step scroll operation is determined (S22).
0). If the step scroll operation is not performed, it is determined whether "all route screen" is selected from the menu (S
221), when a step scroll operation is performed, step scroll processing is performed (S222), and the process returns to step 220.

Here, the step scroll operation means a stepwise feed such as an intersection, a service area, or a fixed time in a geographically bright area such as the vicinity of a departure place, and by this, an interface close to a destination is obtained. It is possible to slowly and virtually drive ahead of the point such as chienji and check the details. If all route screens are not selected in step 221, the process moves to the process shown in FIG. That is, it is determined whether the "route information screen" has been selected from the menu (S223), and if not selected, the route is stored in the memory (S2).
24) If necessary routes are stored in memory. If the route does not need to be stored, the process returns to step 214 to continue the virtual travel. In addition, when the route information screen is selected in the determination of step 223, route information such as the section distance, elapsed time, and section charge is displayed as the route information screen shown in FIG. 8 in addition to the distance, required time, and required fee. It Check the details of the route information on this route information screen.

It is judged whether or not the "all route screen" is selected from the menu on the route information screen (S226), and if selected, the all route display screen is displayed at step 207. If the "all-routes screen" is not selected, it is determined whether the "virtual travel screen" has been selected (S227), and if selected, the screen in which the virtual travel is being performed is displayed in step 214. On the other hand, when the virtual travel screen is not selected, it is determined whether or not the route is stored in the memory (S22
8) Then, if necessary, it is stored in the memory, and if not necessary, the process returns to step 225.

Next, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described. 23 to 25 show a processing flow for virtually running by scrolling the screen displaying the searched route. In this example, at least two arbitrary points (a starting point and a destination) are set, a route search is performed, the searched route is displayed, and the display screen is scrolled along the searched route by a scroll instruction. is there. In FIG. 23, the system is started up, a departure place and a destination (S300) are set on the route setting screen, and a route search is carried out (S301). In route search,
The data required for virtual travel are processed, and the search result is displayed on the all-routes display screen (S302). It is determined whether or not any key is pressed on the all route display screen (S303), and when the key is pressed, a predetermined coordinate A on the screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed.
And the map is displayed so that the coordinates of node 0 (departure point) match (S304). Next, the scroll process is executed by the scroll start key. When the scroll start key and the reverse scroll start key are not pressed, any coordinate on the route is left at the predetermined coordinate A on the screen (S305).

FIG. 24 shows a flow of the one-touch automatic scrolling process. First, it is determined whether or not the scroll start key has been pressed (S306), and when the scroll start key has been pressed, the search route that has passed a certain length in the direction of the destination from the map coordinates that currently match the coordinates A on the screen. The coordinates obtained by interpolating the above nodes and between the nodes are searched (S307). A map is displayed so that the retrieved coordinates match the coordinates A on the screen (S308). By the processing of steps 307 and 308, the screen is scrolled, and it is as if the vehicle is traveling along the searched route. In this traveling situation, it is determined whether the reverse scroll start key is pressed (S
309), if the stop key is not pressed, the operation of the stop key is determined (S310), and if pressed, the scrolling is stopped. On the other hand, if the reverse scroll start key is pressed, the reverse scroll processing of step 312 and thereafter is executed. Further, when neither the reverse scroll nor the stop key is pressed, the process returns to the scroll 307 and the scroll process is continued.

In step 306, when the scroll start key is not pressed, it is determined whether the reverse scroll start key is pressed (S311). If it is pressed, the same processing as steps 307 and 308 is performed and the screen is displayed. Is scrolled in the reverse direction (S312, S313). When the scroll start key is pressed during reverse scrolling (S31
4) Then, returning to step 307, the scroll process is executed. Return to any point and press the stop key (S31
5), scrolling stops. By switching scrolling forward and backward in this manner, it is possible to return to an arbitrary point during virtual traveling any number of times, perform virtual traveling again from there, and study in detail.

In the one-touch automatic scrolling process, when neither the scroll start key nor the reverse scroll start key is pressed, the manual scroll process is executed. FIG. 25 shows the flow of the manual scroll process. First, it is determined whether or not the joystick is being operated in the direction of the destination (S316). When the joystick is being operated, the direction of the destination is determined from the map coordinates currently matching the coordinates A on the screen as shown in FIG. The coordinates obtained by interpolating the nodes on the search route and between the nodes that have passed a certain length are searched (S317). A map is displayed so that the retrieved coordinates match the coordinates A on the screen (S31).
8). By the processing of steps 317 and 318, the screen scrolls toward the destination, and it is as if the vehicle is traveling along the searched route. In this traveling situation, the operation of the joystick is judged (S31
9) When the operation is stopped, scrolling is stopped. When the joystick is not operated toward the destination in step 316, it is determined whether the joystick is operated toward the departure place (S320).
The same process as 17 and 318 is performed to scroll the screen in the opposite direction (S321, S322). This scroll in the direction of the departure place can be performed in the same manner as the reverse scroll of the automatic scroll. When returning to an arbitrary point in the direction of the departure place and stopping the operation of the joystick (S323), the scrolling is stopped.

Next, the map scroll will be described. In this embodiment, at least two arbitrary points (a starting point and a destination) are set to perform a route search, and a virtual current position is displayed on the searched route. In the system, the virtual current position is fixed on the display screen by a scroll instruction. Then, it scrolls along the route searched. Figure 1
In the example shown in FIG. 6, a line drawing designing a vehicle is displayed as a virtual current position mark, and this mark is fixed to the center of the display screen. In particular, in the case where the vehicle position is fixedly displayed in the center of the display screen, the state around the virtual current position can be easily understood. As a means to display the virtual current location mark,
In the processing flow shown in FIG. 23, steps 305 and 3
During 06, processing by the vehicle position display means is inserted. That is, after entering the virtual traveling mode and displaying the map according to the searched route (S304), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a virtual current position mark, for example, a vehicle mark indicating a vehicle that is virtually running is displayed at the coordinate A on the screen (S304A). As the display position of the coordinate A on the screen, an optimum position is set so that the screen around the virtual current position or in the traveling direction of the virtual travel is widened to make it easy to see. Preferably, it is set at the center of the screen to make it easier to see the surroundings of the virtual current position, and the direction of travel from the center of the screen is displayed to make it easier to see the destination ahead by broadly displaying the traveling direction of the virtual travel Set in the opposite direction. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.

Next, the scroll control process will be described. FIG. 28 shows the relationship between the speed control selection screen displayed by pressing the set key during virtual travel and the speed control key provided on the controller. On the scroll selection screen, a function for switching the speed of virtual travel in three stages and a function for switching between forward and backward travel of virtual travel are set.
As an operation means for setting, in this example, a joystick is used to enable control of [forward running ⇔ stop ⇔ backward running]. By tilting the joystick to the + side, it becomes [reverse running → stop → forward running] and vice versa.
By pushing it to the side, it becomes [forward traveling → stop → reverse traveling]. Further, the forward traveling and the backward traveling are each divided into three speeds (LOW, MID, HIGH), and in the case of forward traveling, by tilting the joystick to the + side, [(stop) → LOW → MID → HIGH] By increasing the speed and moving it to the negative side, [HIGH → MID → LO
W (→ stop)] to decelerate. The reverse is true for reverse travel. In this example, the joystick is used as the speed switching means, but the controller is provided with a forward / backward key and a key for switching the speed each time the key is pressed, and the key operation is used to switch the traveling direction and the speed. You can also

By providing the scroll speed control function described above, it is possible to easily reduce the speed in an area where detailed course design and course confirmation are required, or to increase the speed in an area where the course is passing, and operability is improved. Can be improved. In particular, by providing a forward-reverse switching function, even if you want to review the area around the point where traveling has already ended, instead of stopping virtual traveling midway and executing virtual traveling from the beginning, it is to switch to reverse. You can return to the point and review the route again from this point.

The calculation of the traveling vehicle speed value on the route will be described. As shown in FIG. 30, the route obtained by the search has a data structure in which the route from the starting point to the destination is divided by the node n, and the road number and the road type in each node are associated with each other. When calculating the traveling vehicle speed value, the node No., the road No., the road type, and the vehicle speed setting value shown in FIG. 31 are stored in the storage means as a table, and the vehicle speed setting value corresponding to the virtual traveling road No. is read. . As another method, as shown in FIG. 32, the searched route information is used, the road type and the vehicle speed value are stored in the storage means, and the vehicle speed value corresponding to the road type is read during virtual traveling. Is also good.

FIG. 33 shows the processing flow of the scroll control means. When the route search is completed (S400), a reference speed is calculated for each road type (S401), and a virtual travel screen corresponding to the speed is displayed (S402). The type of the road having the virtual current location is determined (S403), and the speed value x serving as the reference of the road type is detected from the determination result (S4).
04). The speed magnification value r is detected from the map scale (S40
5). Here, "detection" in steps 404 and 405 means reading the speed data obtained by the above calculation for the vehicle speed, and setting the speed magnification value by the scale and speed control of the selected map. That is, the stored data corresponding to the specified speed range is read.

The map is scrolled by a value (x × r) obtained by multiplying the detected speed value x by the speed multiplication value r (S40).
6). Then, it is judged whether the type (name) of the road on which the vehicle is running has changed (S407), and if it has changed, step 40
Returning to step 3, the type of road having the virtual current location is determined. If the road type has not changed, it is determined whether the scroll speed control operation has been performed, that is, whether the speed mode has been operated to the + side (S408). If not, whether the speed mode has been operated to the − side. Is determined (S409). If the speed mode has not been switched, the process returns to step 406 to continue scrolling at the speed value (x × r). In step 408 or 409, when the speed mode operation is performed, the scroll speed control processing is executed. That is, when the speed mode is operated to the + side, the speed mode is shifted to the + side by one step, for example, transition from LOW to MID (S410), and then the operation to the-side of the speed mode is determined (S409). When the speed mode is operated to the-side, the speed mode is changed to the-side in one step (S411), and then the process returns to step 405 to detect the speed multiplication value r.

Next, the speed magnification for each map scale will be described. In this example, a case will be described in which three speed scales can be set for each map scale. FIG. 29 shows an example of velocity magnification values at a map scale. Here, the controller is provided with a speed control key for changing the speed multiplying factor. The speed control key is provided with a + button that changes the magnification to the + side and a-button that changes the magnification to the-side, and the speed is shifted by one range each time the + button or the-button is pressed, and the set speed range is the scroll selection screen. Is displayed in reverse video.

When the + button of the speed control key shown in FIG. 28 is operated to switch the speed range, and the joystick is tilted to the + side and the vehicle travels forward as a set value of the speed multiplying factor, a map of 1 / 10,000 is displayed. In the Low range, the speed multiplication value is set to 1, and the actual running speed is 100 km /
When h, the actual distance will be 100 km in one hour. Also, when switching to the Mid range, the speed multiplication value is 1.5.
It will be doubled, and if it travels virtually the same distance as the Low range at the same speed, it will reach in 40 minutes. Higher
In the range, the speed multiplication value is doubled, and the virtual running is executed at a speed twice as fast as in the Low range. Therefore, in the high range, it is possible to travel in half the time if the vehicle travels virtually at the same distance and speed.

As described above, by setting the speed multiplying factor according to the scale of the map, it is possible to shorten the traveling time in accordance with the scale of the map and perform virtual traveling. In other words, if the map scroll is fixed and the map scale is changed, the speed of virtual travel changes according to the map scale rate. Therefore, for example, if you want to roughly check the route information for each important point and display a wide area map screen and perform virtual travel, if the wide area map at this time is 640,000, then the Low range (1
(Double speed), virtual travel can be performed at a speed of 8 times in the low range, 16 times in the mid range, and 32 times in the high range.

In this function, when a detailed course design or course confirmation is desired, the speed magnification is lowered, virtual traveling is performed at a relatively slow speed, and there is no need to change the course design such as a place where a course confirmation is unnecessary or a detour. When driving in an area such as a place, the operability for course design and confirmation can be improved by increasing the speed multiplying factor and increasing the speed. That is, when the detailed view is selected, it is expected that the user wants to see the surroundings of the virtual current location in detail. Therefore, the speed magnification value for the detailed diagram is set to a low magnification so that the virtual travel of the low magnification is started at the same time when the scale is changed. On the contrary, when the wide area map is selected, it is expected that the user wants to see (or pass) the route roughly. Therefore, the speed magnification value for the wide area map is set to a high magnification so that the virtual travel of the high magnification is started at the same time when the scale is changed.

Next, step scroll control for skipping the route for each unit, which is a virtual run, will be described. FIG. 34 shows a flow of the step scroll process. In this example, a step scroll key or the like is provided on the controller, and the step scroll process is started by the operation thereof. Here, the case of steps at fixed distances will be described. When the step scroll processing is started, it is determined whether a forward step scroll operation is performed (S420), and if not, it is determined whether a reverse step scroll operation is performed (S421). When neither operation is performed, the step scroll processing ends. Step 420
At step S422, when a forward step scroll operation is performed, a point on the route that is ahead of the virtual current position by a fixed distance determined in the forward direction is searched (S422). A map of the searched point is displayed (S423). When the backward step scroll is operated, the same processing as described above is performed (S
424, S425). According to this function, for example, by designing the course design by step-by-step sending at intersections, fixed distances, etc. between points that are bright in the geographical area, such as the area around the place of departure, or places that do not require detailed study of the route. The operability for confirmation can be improved.

FIG. 35 shows an example of a step scroll setting operation using a menu and a joystick. When a submenu is displayed on the virtual travel screen and "step setting" is selected from the menu, a step setting window is displayed, and a step scroll reference is selected. In this example, an intersection, an interchange (IC) / service area (SA) / parking area (PA), a fixed time, and a fixed distance can be selected. When the step scroll for each specific point such as an intersection, interchange, service area, parking area, etc. is selected, a node in the forward direction of the specific point is searched and a map of the searched point is displayed. When a fixed time and a fixed distance are used as a reference, a window for inputting the value is displayed. FIG. 36 shows an example of the step scroll operation, in which the “STEP” key for selecting the step scroll is arranged in the speed control displayed on the screen in the speed control operation. By selecting "STEP", "step scrolling" in which the virtual current location moves at regular intervals is started according to the criteria set in the menu.

37 and 38 show the processing flow of the step scroll control by the menu and the joystick. At present, while the virtual traveling is performed at the speed multiplication factor x, the operation of the submenu key is determined (S450), and if pressed, the submenu shown in FIG. 35 is displayed (S45).
1). "Step setting" is selected from this submenu (S452), and the step scroll reference is set (S453). At the same time as the setting of the selected reference is completed, the sub menu is deleted (S454). Then, it is determined what the scrolling standard set in the "step setting" is (S455), and in the route obtained by the search from the determination result, the point set by the above standard on the destination side from the virtual current location, For example, 1 with an intersection
The second node is searched and that node is set as the node a (S456). The node a is matched with the coordinate A on the screen and the map is displayed for a certain period of time (S457). It is determined whether the speed change key has been pressed (S458), and if not, it is determined whether the submenu key has been pressed (S45).
9). Step 4 if none of the keys are pressed
Returning to 56, step processing for the next standard is performed. When the sub menu is pressed, the process returns to step 451 and the selection process by the sub menu is performed.

In step 450 of FIG. 37, if it is determined that the submenu key is not operated,
Moving to the processing flow of FIG. That is, when the sub menu key is not pressed, it is determined whether the speed change key is pressed (S460), and when none of the keys is pressed, the vehicle continues to travel at the currently set speed multiplying factor. When the speed change key is pressed, the step selection and its direction are determined (S461), and when the forward step is selected, the scroll reference is determined in step 455 of FIG. 37, and the step is determined from the result. Processing is performed.
On the other hand, when the step on the reverse side is selected, the same processing as steps 455 to 457 is performed (S463 to 4).
67). When the speed change key is pressed, the process returns to step 461 and scroll processing is performed. When the submenu key is pressed, the process returns to step 451 and the submenu is displayed. If scrolling in either direction is not selected, it is determined whether the speed multiplying factor has been changed, and if it is left as it is, the vehicle continues to travel at the currently set speed multiplying factor x. When the speed multiplying factor is changed to "y", x = y is set (S469), and the virtual traveling is performed at the speed multiplying factor y.

Next, the processing of distance, speed and required time will be described. FIG. 39 shows a processing flow of distance, speed, and required time. This function scrolls the display screen along the searched route to carry out virtual travel, and calculates and displays the time required between the two input points. In FIG. 39, when the virtual travel starts, the road type data of the node 0 is read (S500), the road type data of the next node is read (S501), and it is determined from the road type data of each node whether the road type has changed. Do (S
502). If the road type has not changed, the distance between the nodes on the road is calculated (S503), and the calculated value is accumulated (S504). These steps 501-5
By repeating 04, the distance on the same road type is calculated. If the road type has changed at a certain node, the speed determination routine shown in FIG. 40 is activated to calculate the speed for the road type in that section. After the speed determination is completed, the required time (distance / speed) of the section is calculated based on the calculated speed (S505), and the accumulated distance, the required time, and the speed data are stored in the road type (S50).
6), clear the accumulated distance value between the nodes (S50)
7). Then, it is judged whether or not this series of processing has been performed up to the end of the route (S508), and if not completed, the flow returns to step 501 to perform data processing in the subsequent node. When all the processes between the nodes on the route are completed, the distance cumulative value (S509) and the arrival time (S51) on all the routes are completed.
0) is calculated and the result is displayed (S51).
1, S512).

A specific example of determining the speed to be assigned to the above-mentioned classified road will be described below. Here, for the highways, average vehicle speed data is set for each road.
o. Another) is calculated by the function (A) using the number Xa of signalized intersections within a certain distance as a variable, and other general roads is calculated by the function (B) using the number of signalized intersections Xb within a certain distance as a variable. Speed calculation function (A): f (Xa) = AXa + B Speed calculation function (B): f (Xb) = CXb + D The constant of the function is set according to various conditions such as the number of lanes and the day of the week. FIG. 41 shows the relationship between the average speed representing the functions (A) and (B) and the number of signal intersections per unit distance.

FIG. 40 shows an example of the speed determination method. When the road type changes, the road type is determined (S520),
If it is an expressway, the name of the expressway is determined (S52
1) Read the individual speed data of the expressway (S52
2), end. On the other hand, if it is not a highway, it is judged whether it is a national road (S523), and if it is a national road, the number of signalized intersections in the section is read (S524), and the number Xa of signalized intersections per unit distance in the section is calculated ( S525), and the speed is calculated by substituting it into the speed calculation function (A) (S526).
For highways and roads other than national roads, the same processing as for national roads is performed. That is, the number of signalized intersections in the section is read (S5
27), the number Xb of signalized intersections per unit distance in the section is calculated (S528), and is substituted into the speed calculation function (B) to calculate the speed (S529).

According to the above method, it is possible to accurately estimate the time required for actually traveling, and for example, when selecting whether to use a route giving priority to a toll road or a route giving priority to a general road. Can be used as a reference. Also, individually, the vehicle speed data and function (A) for each highway,
By changing each coefficient A, B, C, D in the function (B) based on various conditions such as the number of lanes, day of the week, time of day, and congestion level, it is possible to calculate the required time with higher accuracy. Becomes Further, the average vehicle speed data for each road type may be preset and stored as a table shown in FIG. 42, for example. Furthermore, conditions such as the number of lanes and the day of the week may be added to the table shown in FIG. Moreover, it is possible to calculate the average speed by appropriately combining the above two means.

FIG. 43 shows the processing flow for displaying the elapsed time. This function is to display the elapsed time from the time required from the departure place to the virtual current position when the vehicle position is fixed on the map display screen and the map is scrolled to perform virtual travel. As a process before the start of virtual traveling, first, the estimated total required time (the required time for all routes) tr obtained by the process of FIG. 39 and the hourly speed Vn for each road type corresponding to each node are set (S600, S601), The cumulative required time t is set to 0 (S602), the position of the virtual current position is defined as L (S603), and L = node n, n =
0, that is, the starting point (node 0) is set. Elapsed time t from the starting point and remaining time tr-t to the destination
Are displayed respectively (S605, S606), and virtual traveling is started (S607).

It is judged whether or not the virtual current location has reached the node n + 1 (S608), and when it has not reached the next node, the elapsed time of the same content and the remaining required time are continuously displayed.
In other words, the displayed contents do not change until the next node. When reaching the next node, the elapsed time t is calculated by the following formula (S609). t = t + (distance between nodes n and n + 1) / Vn and n = n + 1 is set (S610), and the process returns to step 605, elapsed time t, and remaining required time tr.
-Change and display the contents of t. In this virtual running, in step 610, node 0 → node 1 → node 2 → ... node n changes, and t and tr accordingly.
The content of -t is displayed. In the flow shown in FIG. 43,
The condition is satisfied under the condition that the process transits to step 609 only when the virtual current position comes on the node. However, the route on the map is composed of each node and the line connecting the nodes. Therefore, the virtual current location may actually be on the line between the nodes instead of on the node. Even in such a case, in step 608, L interpolates the nodes n and n + 1 to calculate the required time,
Further detailed changes over time can be provided to the user.

FIG. 44 shows a processing flow of time display at the virtual present location. This function calculates the time required from the place of departure to the position of the vehicle on the route when the vehicle position is fixed on the map display screen and the map is scrolled to perform virtual travel, and is calculated based on the departure time. The elapsed time is displayed. First, in steps 700 and 701, the estimated total required time t obtained by the processing of FIG.
r, the hourly speed Vn for each road type corresponding to each node is set, and the scheduled departure time tsr at the departure point is input (S7).
02). Then, the cumulative required time t = 0, the position L of the virtual present position is set (S703, S704), and the distance (L = node n, n = 0) to the virtual present position and the virtual time (t = tsr + t) at that point are set. Request (S705, S70
6). The contents of the obtained virtual time t are displayed (S707),
Virtual traveling is continued (S708). Virtual current location is node n
It is determined whether or not the number has reached +1 (S709), and if it is in the middle of the node n and the node n + 1, the process returns to step 707 to display the previously obtained time. When the node n + 1 is reached, the time is calculated by the following equation for updating the time (S710). t = t + (distance between nodes n and n + 1) / Vn Then, the node is updated to the next node (n = n + 1) and the process returns to step 707 to display the time t obtained in step 710.

When this system is used in a vehicle after having been planned at home, the route actually traveled in the past, the date and time traveled, the required time, etc. are based on the planned route planned in advance. Is stored in the storage means, and it is possible to display and display the file for each destination. This allows
By comparing the required time calculated by the system with the time required in the past, it is also possible to use it when making the next plan. Further, it is also possible to store the date and time that the vehicle has traveled in the past, the required time, etc., and accumulate them as data, and calculate the past average value and the like based on this to calculate the required time.

FIG. 45 shows a processing flow for displaying the traveling distance and the remaining distance. This function displays the distance traveled from the starting point to the vehicle position on the route and the remaining distance from the virtual current position to the destination when the vehicle position is fixed on the map display screen and the map is scrolled to perform virtual travel. It is something to display. In FIG. 45, first, the total distance K _T from the starting point to the destination, the cumulative distance K = 0, and the position L of the virtual current position are set (S800, S801.S802), and the accumulation between the nodes obtained by the processing of FIG. The content of the distance, that is, the traveling distance K from the departure place is displayed (S804), and the remaining distance ( _KT- K) obtained by subtracting the traveling distance from the total distance is calculated and displayed (S805), and the virtual traveling is continued ( S80
6). Then, it is determined whether or not the virtual current location has reached the node n + 1 (S807), and if not, step 804.
Return to and display each information of the mileage and the remaining distance as it is. When the virtual current position reaches the node n + 1, the traveling distance K is calculated by the following equation (S808). K = K + (distance between nodes n and n + 1) and node update (n = n + 1) is performed (S80
9) Then, the process returns to step 809, and the traveling distance and the remaining distance are updated.

The present invention includes the following embodiments. (1) In this embodiment, as a means for setting the set route between two points, the system is configured to search for a route between two points and realize a virtual traveling function along the searched route. However, in setting the route between two points, the user may specify the point, road, etc. in advance to determine the route. The route can be determined by tracing the road display portion on the display map screen. (2) In the present embodiment, the virtual travel screen is configured to scroll from top to bottom, but it may be configured to scroll from bottom to top, conversely. It is also possible to provide an inversion function for switching the scroll direction from top to bottom or bottom to top, and to switch the scroll direction according to the user's selection. (3) In the present embodiment, the map display device is configured to be usable as a navigation device, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, the navigation function is separated, and only the virtual traveling mode is provided. It can be implemented as a device. In this case, the route information designed by the map display device is stored in a medium such as an IC card or a floppy disk, which is read by the navigation device mounted on the vehicle and used for route guidance. (4) By combining with a computer graphic screen or image data such as photographs, it can be used to feel like traveling on a home TV.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a map display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a map display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation procedure and screen transition of the map display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a startup screen.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an all-routes display screen.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a basic screen for virtual traveling.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a route information screen.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a main menu display screen.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a point set menu display screen.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a search condition menu display screen.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a current location display screen in the entire process.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a speed setting screen.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of the entire system.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart following the processing flow of the entire system shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a destination or point setting process and a file calling process by key input.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a startup screen in the navigation mode.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a main menu display screen during virtual traveling.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a file call display screen when a file is selected from the main menu.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing from system startup to display of a search result in the processing of the entire system.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing from displaying a map screen in a virtual traveling mode to scrolling a map.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing from determination of map scale to selection of all route screens.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process from selecting a route information screen to storing a route in a memory.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing the processing of the entire system including scroll control.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process of one-touch automatic scroll control.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a manual scroll control process.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of map data.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart of the virtual traveling current position mark display processing in step 304 of FIG. 22.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a speed control display screen and speed control keys.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between map scale and speed magnification.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram of a data structure of a searched route.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of vehicle speed set values corresponding to road types between nodes of a searched route.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of a case where a vehicle speed set value corresponding to each road type is stored separately from the map data of the searched route.

[Fig. 33] Fig. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of scroll control.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the flow of step scroll processing started by operating a step scroll key or the like arranged on the controller.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of a step scroll setting screen and screen transition of an operation procedure.

FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen for selecting step scroll and speed control.

37 is a flowchart showing the flow of step scroll processing started by operating the menu and joystick shown in FIG. 35. FIG.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the process flow following FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of distance, speed, and required time display processing.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of speed determination processing.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the relationship between the average speed and the signalized intersection per unit distance according to the functions (A) and (B).

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a specific example of average speed data for each road type.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of elapsed time display processing.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of virtual current time display processing.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a travel distance and remaining distance display processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... I / O device, 2 ... Storage medium, 3 ... Central processing unit, 4
… Current location detector, 60… Controller

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Yasunobu Ito 10 Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, within AIN W Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Souzo Moroto 2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor, Koji Sumiya, 2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Within Equus Research Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points, a route setting means for setting a route between the set two points, a display means for displaying the set route, and a set route. A map display device comprising: scroll instruction means for scrolling a display screen displayed on the display means along the scroll screen; and scroll control means for receiving a command from the scroll instruction means and scrolling the display screen along a set route. 2. The map display device according to claim 1, further comprising vehicle position display means for displaying the position of the vehicle on the route, wherein the vehicle position is fixed and scrolled on the map display screen. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising calculation means for calculating the required time between the two points input by the point setting means, and the display means displaying the calculated required time between the two points. Map display device. 4. Input means for inputting a departure time, and calculation means for calculating an elapsed time based on the time required from the departure place to the vehicle position on the route input by the point setting means and the input departure time. 3. The map display device according to claim 2, wherein the display means displays the elapsed time to reach the vehicle position on the route based on the departure time. 5. A point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points, a route setting means for setting a route between the set two points, a display means for displaying the set route, and a set route. Scroll instruction means for scrolling the display screen displayed on the display means along with, scroll control means for receiving the command of the scroll instruction means and scrolling the display screen along the set route,
And has the necessary information for vehicle navigation,
A map display device comprising: a navigation mode in which guidance is provided along a set route; and a virtual traveling mode in which a vehicle position is fixed and a map is scrolled to virtually travel on the set route.