JPH08115493A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To relieve the driving burden on a driver by generating a solid information image, a photograph information image and an animation information display image based on information incidental to a road map and combining them with a road map image so as to execute display. CONSTITUTION: A display range by a display range deciding means 12 based on the present position of a vehicle or the position designated by the driver as reference is decided. Then, map data corresponding to the decided display range is read from a map information storage means 11 by a map screen generating means 13. Then, the map screen generating means 23 generates the map image based on read map data. Next, a solid information image generating means 14 having a solid information image data base generates a solid information image corresponding to information with the road map. The generated map image and the solid information display image are combined by a display screen generating means 15 and a display screen is generated. Thus, the generated display screen is displayed by a display means 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device, and is useful as a navigation device for vehicles, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation device for a vehicle will be described as an example of the navigation device.

In a conventional vehicle navigation system, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-38813, target data and target name data indicating the type of the target are displayed.
The target information is stored in the map storage means, and when the target object name is selected by the menu operation of the driver, the corresponding target object is highlighted.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-319985, a window is provided in a part of the display screen so that the vicinity of the current position, the vicinity of the destination, an arbitrarily selected map, etc. can be displayed. The map in the window is enlarged or reduced to estimate the positional relationship with other positions shown outside the window.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, since only the planar position information regarding the target object of the specific type in the map can be obtained, the information of the entire map can be effectively obtained in a short time. There was a problem that it could not be done.

Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to grasp the map around the current position and the map around the destination or the positional relation of the arbitrarily selected position without the operation of enlarging or reducing.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is to provide a three-dimensional display or a live-action display for each type of information included in a map.
The video display makes it easier to understand the correspondence between the actual target and the target on the map, information can be acquired from the entire map in a short time, and the burden of watching the navigation display during use can be reduced. To provide a simple navigation device.

In the display of the map around the designated arbitrary two points, the map around the designated arbitrary two points,
By displaying the map including the above two points on the same screen, while displaying the map near the two points in detail,
An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device capable of grasping a positional relationship between points without an operation such as enlarging or reducing, and reducing an operation load of the navigation device at the time of use and a load of gazing a display. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the navigation device of the present invention has a map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map, and a current position of the vehicle or a designated position. Display range deciding means for deciding the display range of the map based on the position, and map image generating means for reading out information existing in the display range decided by the display range deciding means from the map information storage means and producing a map image. A stereoscopic information image generating means for reading information existing in the display range determined by the display range determining means from the map information storage means and generating a stereoscopic information image; and a map image generated by the map image generating means. And a display screen generating means for generating a display screen by combining the stereoscopic information image generated by the stereoscopic information image generating means with It has a configuration comprising a display means for displaying a screen generated by the display screen generating means.

Further, in the above means, a photographed information image or a moving image information image may be used instead of the stereoscopic information image.

Further, when displaying map information including two arbitrary points, the navigation device of the present invention comprises map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map,
Depending on the current position of the vehicle or the specified position, the two detailed map display ranges for the two determined reference positions and the wide area map display range including the two reference positions are determined, and the two detailed maps have the same display range. Display range / prepared map determination means for determining whether or not to include the map data existing in the two detailed map display ranges determined by the display range / created map determination means from the map information storage means and two details A detailed map image generating means for generating a map image and a wide area map image for reading out the map information existing in the wide area map display range determined by the display range / created map determining means from the map information storage means to generate a wide area map image. Generated by the generating means, the two detailed map images generated by the detailed map image generating means, and the wide area map image generating means. A display screen generating means for generating a screen displaying the wide-area map image, and has a structure consisting of a screen display means for displaying a screen generated by the display screen generating means.

[0012]

By means of the above means, various character information is prevented from being clutteredly displayed on the map, and at the same time, the map information is displayed in a stereoscopic display, a live-action display or a moving image display according to the type of information in a form close to the actual one. Since it is possible to realize a display screen that makes it easy to understand the correspondence with the scenery of the driver, the driver can intuitively understand the entire map information, shorten the watching time of the display screen, and improve the safety during driving. You can

In addition to the map information around the two reference positions, a map showing the relationship between the two points is displayed, so that the positional relationship between the two reference positions can be displayed on the same display screen without performing the scaling operation. You can learn about it and improve driving safety.

[0014]

【Example】

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation device will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 is a map information storage means, such as a CD-ROM, which stores a road map and information associated with the map, and 12 is a current position of a vehicle equipped with a navigation device or designated. It is a display range determining means that determines the display range of the map based on the position.

The display range determining means 12 is, for example, G
The current position of the vehicle calculated based on the absolute position information from the PS receiver, or an arbitrary position determined by the driver's key operation, etc. is set as the reference position, and the periphery of the determined reference position is set as the display range. There is something to do.

Reference numeral 13 is a map image generation means for reading out map data corresponding to the display range determined by the display range determination means 12 from the map information storage means 11 and generating a map image, and 14 is a display range determination means. Information corresponding to the display range determined by 12 is stored in the map information storage means 11
It is a stereoscopic information image generation means for reading out the stereoscopic information image from the.

Reference numeral 15 is a display screen generating means for generating a display screen by combining the map image generated by the map image generating means 13 and the stereoscopic information image generated by the stereoscopic information image generating means 14, and 16 is a display. Is a screen display unit configured by a display output device such as.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 21, the driver
By selecting [normal map display mode] or [stereoscopic image map display mode], either normal map display or stereoscopic image display mode is set.

Next, in step 22, the display range determining means 12 determines the display range based on the current position of the vehicle or the position designated by the driver.

Next, in step 23, the map data corresponding to the display range determined in step 22 is read from the map information storage means 11 by the map screen generating means 13.

Next, in step 24, a map image is generated by the map screen generating means 23 based on the map data read in step 23. An example of the map image generated is shown in FIG.

Next, in step 25, the display mode is judged. If the [stereoscopic image display mode] is selected, the process proceeds to step 26, and if the [normal map display mode] is selected, the process proceeds to step 27.
Proceed to.

In step 26, the stereoscopic information image generating means 14 having the stereoscopic information image database generates a stereoscopic information image corresponding to the information associated with the road map.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a stereoscopic information image database. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 is an information type code obtained by classifying information existing on the map by type, and 42 is a state in which a stereoscopic information image corresponding to the information type code 41 is stored.

For example, when the information type code is C470,
A stereoscopic information image showing the stadium is read. Therefore,
When the associated information including the information type code, the position on the map, the information content, etc. is read from the map information storage means 11, it corresponds to the information type code 41 from the stereoscopic information image database. The stereoscopic information image 42 is further read, and the stereoscopic information display image is generated at the corresponding position on the map together with the information content. FIG. 5 shows an example of the stereoscopic information display image generated.

Next, in step 27, the map image generated in step 24 and the stereoscopic information display image generated in step 26 are combined by the display screen generating means 15 to generate a display screen.

FIG. 6 shows the combined stereoscopic information display map. Here, in order to prevent the existing map information and the stereoscopic information image from being displayed in duplicate, only the stereoscopic map information is displayed when both pieces of information exist for the same map information. Avoid complications.

If it is determined in step 25 that the [normal map display mode] is selected, the stereoscopic information display image is not generated, and only the map image generated in step 24 is output as a display screen. To be done.

Next, in step 28, the display screen generated in step 27 is displayed by the display means 16 and the process returns to step 22.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information attached to the road map can be displayed on the stereoscopic information display map according to the type of information, so that the time for the driver to gaze on the screen can be shortened. It is possible and the burden on driving can be reduced.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 7, only the map information near the current position is displayed as a stereoscopic image to distinguish it from the distant map information so that only the map information near the current position can be easily obtained. it can.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to easily recognize the target intersection by displaying only the intersection name on the traveling route in the stereoscopic information image.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the stereoscopic information image is displayed on the ordinary two-dimensional plane map has been described.
For example, by implementing stereoscopic information display on a perspective-processed map such as a bird's-eye view map as shown in FIG. 9, a map that has a more three-dimensional effect and the whole map is represented in a shape close to the real world is provided. It can also be realized.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 10, those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Reference numeral 104 denotes the map information storage means 1 which stores information corresponding to the display range determined by the display range determination means 12.
It is a live-action information image generating means for reading out from the first image and generating a live-action information image.

The display screen generating means 105 generates a display screen by combining the map image generated by the map image generating means 13 and the stereoscopic information image generated by the photographed information image generating means 104.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 111, the driver selects either "normal map display mode" or "real image information image map display mode" to set either the normal map display or the actual image information image map display mode.

Next, from step 22 to step 24, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed, and the map image shown in FIG. 3 is generated.

Next, in step 115, the display mode is determined. Here, [real image information image display mode]
If is selected, the process proceeds to step 116, and if [normal map display mode] is selected, the process proceeds to step 117.

In step 116, the photographed information image generating means 104 having the photographed information image database
A photographed information image corresponding to the information attached to the road map is generated.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the photographed information image database. In FIG. 12, reference numeral 121 is an information type code obtained by classifying information existing on the map by type, and 122 is 12
It shows that a photographed information image corresponding to the information type code 1 is stored.

For example, when the information type code is C1270, the photographed information image showing the stadium is read. Therefore, when the associated information composed of the information type code, the position on the map, the information content, etc. is read from the map information storage means 11, the actual photographed information image database is changed to the information type code 121. The corresponding photographed information image 122 is further read, and the photographed information display image is generated at the corresponding position on the map together with the information content. FIG. 13 shows an example of the generated photographed information display image.

Next, the routine proceeds to step 117, step 24
The display screen generating means 105 combines the map image generated in step (1) and the photographed information display image generated in step 116 to generate a display screen. FIG. 15 shows the real image information image display map combined with FIG. 14.

Here, in order to prevent the existing map information and the photographed information image from being displayed in duplicate, when both pieces of information exist for the same map information, the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, only the live-action map information is displayed to prevent the screen from being complicated.

If it is determined in step 115 that the [normal map display mode] is selected, the actual image display image is not generated, and only the map image generated in step 24 is output as a display screen. To be done.

Next, in step 28, step 117
The display screen generated in step 3 is displayed by the screen display means 16 and the process returns to step 22.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information associated with the road map can be displayed on the real-world information display map that is close to the real world, so that the driver's time to look at the screen can be shortened. It is possible and the burden on driving can be reduced.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 15, those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 154 denotes a moving image information image generating means for reading out the map data corresponding to the display range determined by the display range determining means 12 from the map information storage means 11 and generating a moving image information image on the display screen. The generation unit 155 combines the map image generated by the map image generation unit 13 and the moving image information image generated by the moving image information image generation unit 154 to generate a display screen.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 161, the driver selects either "normal map display mode" or "moving image information image map display mode" to set either normal map display or moving image information image map display mode.

Next, from step 22 to step 24, the same processing as in the first embodiment is performed. FIG. 17
The map image generated in FIG.

Next, in step 165, the display mode is determined. Here, [Movie information image display mode]
If is selected, the process proceeds to step 166, and if [normal map display mode] is selected, the process proceeds to step 167.

At step 166, the moving image information image generating means 154 having the moving image information image database,
A moving image information image corresponding to the information associated with the road map is generated.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the moving image information image database. In FIG. 18, reference numeral 181 denotes an information type code obtained by classifying the information existing on the map by type, and 182 denotes 18
It shows that a frame-by-frame image of image information corresponding to the information type code 1 is stored.

For example, when the information type code is C1870, a batter's moving image showing a stadium is read.

Therefore, when the associated information including the information type code, the position on the map, the information content, etc. is read from the map information storage means 11, the information type is determined from the moving image information image database. The moving image information image 182 corresponding to the code 181 is further read, and the moving image information display image is generated at the corresponding position on the map together with the information content.
FIG. 19 shows an example of the moving image information display image generated.

Next, the process proceeds to step 167 and step 24
The display screen generating unit 155 combines the map image generated in step S6 and the moving image information display image generated in step 166 to generate a display screen.

FIG. 20 shows the combined moving image information image display map. In FIG. 20, the moving image information display image is
The frame-by-frame images shown in FIG. 18 are sequentially displayed and displayed as a moving image.

Here, in order to prevent the existing map information and the moving image information image from being displayed in duplicate as in the case of the first embodiment, when both pieces of information exist for the same map information, the moving image map is displayed. Only the information is displayed to prevent the screen from becoming complicated.

If it is determined in step 165 that the [normal map display mode] is selected, the moving image information display image is not generated, and only the map image generated in step 24 is output as a display screen. To be done.

Next, the process proceeds to step 28 and step 167
The display screen generated in step 3 is displayed by the screen display means 16 and the process returns to step 22.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by displaying the information associated with the road map as a dynamic landmark, it is easy to distinguish it from other statically displayed information, and the information content Since a moving image information display map that can be easily imagined can be displayed, it is possible to reduce the time taken for the driver to gaze on the screen and reduce the burden during driving.

(Embodiment 4) An embodiment of a fourth problem solving means of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

21, those having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 21, reference numeral 11 is a map information storage means composed of a CD-ROM or the like for storing a road map and information associated with the map, and 212 is two of them based on the current position of the vehicle or a designated position. By determining the detailed map display range and the wide area map display range and determining whether the two detailed map display ranges include the same display range,
It is a display range / prepared map determining means for determining a map to be generated.

Reference numeral 213 is a display range / prepared map determination means 21.
It is a detailed map image generation unit that reads out map data corresponding to the display range of the detailed map determined by 2 from the map information storage unit 11 and generates a detailed map image.

Reference numeral 214 is a display range / prepared map determination means 2
It is a detailed map image generation means for reading out map data corresponding to the display range of the wide area map determined by 12 from the map information storage means 11 and generating a wide area map image.

The display screen generating means 215 is a display screen adapted to a preset divided window from the two detailed map images generated by the detailed map image generating means 213 and the wide area map image generated by the wide area map image generating means 214. To generate. Reference numeral 16 is a screen display means composed of a display output device such as a display.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 221, the display range / prepared map determination means 212 determines two detailed map display ranges and a wide area map display range based on the current position of the vehicle or the specified position.

Next, in step 222, it is determined whether the two detailed maps include the same display range. Here, if the two detailed map display ranges include the same range, the process proceeds to step 224, and if not, the step 2
Proceed to 23.

In step 223, the map data corresponding to the wide area map display range determined in step 221 by the wide area map image generating means 214 is read out from the map information storing means 11 and the wide area map image including two reference positions. Is generated. FIG. 23 shows an example of the generated wide area map image.

In step 224, the map data corresponding to the detailed map display range determined in step 221 by the detailed map image generating means 213 is read out from the map information storing means 11 and the detailed map corresponding to the two reference positions. An image is generated. 24 and 25 show examples of detailed map images.

Next, in step 225, the display screen generation means 215 generates a display screen from the wide area map image generated in step 223 and the detailed map image generated in step 224.

Here, when the two detailed map images do not include the same display range, a display screen in which the two detailed map images and the wide area map image are assigned to independent windows is generated, and the two detailed map images are generated. When the images include the same display range, a display screen in which two detailed maps are combined is generated.

FIG. 26 shows an example of the display screen when the two detailed map images do not include the same display range, and FIG. 27 shows an example of the display screen when the two detailed map images include the same display range.

Next, the process proceeds to step 28 and step 225
The display screen generated in step 1 is displayed by the screen display means 16 and the process returns to step 221.

[0080]

As described above, the first, second, and third means for solving the problems of the present invention generate a stereoscopic information image, a photographed information image, and a moving image information display image based on information associated with a road map. However, by displaying the road map in combination with the road map image, information associated with the road map can be classified and displayed as a stereoscopic information image, a photographed information image, or a moving image information image.

Therefore, the driver can obtain an easy-to-see screen without being confused by the complicated character information on the map, and can shorten the watching time on the screen.
It is possible to realize an excellent vehicle navigation device that can reduce the driving load on the driver.

Further, the fourth means for solving the problems of the present invention, in addition to the map information of the range centering on the present position, the destination or any other two reference positions, the relationship between the two points can be further understood. The map can be displayed on one screen.

Therefore, while displaying the map around the two points in detail, it is easy to grasp the positional relationship between the two points, and the operation such as enlargement / reduction for knowing the positional relationship between the two points can be omitted, and the driver's It is possible to realize an excellent vehicle navigation device that can reduce the burden of operating the navigation device and watching the display while driving.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a database of stereoscopic information maps in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a road map image in the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a stereoscopic information image diagram in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a combination generation diagram of a road map image and a stereoscopic information image in the same embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a map in which only the vicinity of the current position is displayed as stereoscopic information in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a map in which road signs are displayed as stereoscopic information in the same embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a map in which stereoscopic information is displayed on a bird's-eye view in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a database of a photographed information map in the same embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen of a photographed information image in the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a combined generation diagram of a road map image and a photographed image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a navigation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a screen of a road map image in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a moving image information image database in the example.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a moving image information display image in the same example.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a moving image information image display map in the example.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a navigation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a wide area map image in the same example.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a detailed map image in the example.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a detailed map image in the same example.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing one form of a display screen in the example.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another form of the display screen in the example.

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Ihara 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Nobuyuki Nakano 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map, a display range determination means for determining a display range of the map based on a current position or a designated position, and the display range determination means. The map image generating means for reading out the map data existing in the determined display range from the map information storage means and the map image generating means for generating the map image, and the information existing in the display range determined by the display range determining means are described above. A three-dimensional information image generation unit that reads out from the map information storage unit and generates a three-dimensional information image, and a display screen by combining the three-dimensional information image generated by the three-dimensional information image generation unit A navigation system including a display screen generation means for generating and a screen display means for displaying the screen generated by the display screen generation means. Shon apparatus. 2. A map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map, a display range determining means for determining a display range of the map based on the current position or a designated position, and the display range determining means. A map image generating means for reading out map data existing in the determined display range from the map information storage means and a map image generating means, and a map for displaying information existing in the display range determined by the display range determining means. A display image is generated by combining a photographed information image generation unit that reads out the photographed information image from the information storage unit, the map image generated by the map image generation unit, and the photographed information image generated by the photograph information image generation unit. And a display image generating unit for displaying the image generated by the display screen generating unit. ® down apparatus. 3. A map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map, a display range determination means for determining a display range of the map based on the current position or a designated position, and the display range determination means. A map image generating means for reading out map data existing in the determined display range from the map information storage means and a map image generating means, and a map for displaying information existing in the display range determined by the display range determining means. A moving image information image generating unit that reads out from the information storage unit and generates a moving image information image, a map image generated by the map image generating unit, and a moving image information image generated by the moving image information image generating unit are combined to generate a display image. And a display image generating unit for displaying the image generated by the display screen generating unit. ® down apparatus. 4. The map image generated by the map image generating means is displayed in a bird's eye view.
3. The navigation device according to any one of 3. 5. A map information storage means for storing a map and information associated with the map, and two detailed map display ranges and two reference positions for two reference positions determined by the current position or a designated position. A display range / prepared map determining means for determining a wide area map display range and further determining whether two detailed maps include the same display range;
2 determined by the display range / created map determination means
The detailed map image generation means for reading out the map data existing in one detailed map display range from the map information storage means and the detailed map image generation means for generating two detailed map images, and the wide area map display range determined by the display range / created map determination means. A wide area map image generating means for reading existing map information from the map information storing means and generating a wide area map image, two detailed map images generated by the detailed map image generating means and the wide area map image generating means are generated. A display screen generating means for generating a screen for displaying the wide area map image and a screen displaying means for displaying the screen generated by the display screen generating means, and the present position, the destination or any other two criteria. In addition to the map information of the range centered on the position, 2
A navigation device, which displays a map showing the relationship between points.