JPH08226825A - Navigation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a navigation apparatus by which the load such as the operation or the like of a user is reduced and by which map information necessary for the user can be displayed effectively. CONSTITUTION: On the basis of inputs of a destination point dn and a veering point di by a user, a route R and a route width (z) from a starting point d1 are set. On the basis of positioning data by a GPS, the present position I of an own ship A is found, and it is displayed on a display device together with the route R so as to be overlapped with a map. The display center P of a screen is made to agree with the present position I, and the, upper direction of the screen is made to agree with the advance direction of the own ship A. A shortest distance (a) between the present position I and the route R is found, and the reduced scale of the map is changed automatically in such a way that the map in a wide range can be displayed the larger a separation distance from the route R becomes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for displaying the current position of a moving body such as a vehicle such as an automobile, a ship and an aircraft together with a map.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a navigation device (electronic navigation device) mounted on a ship or a vehicle obtains the current position of its own ship (own vehicle) based on GPS or the like, and the current position is displayed together with a map on a CRT display or LCD. Are configured to be displayed on a display device such as. In this type of device,
By setting and inputting the starting point and the destination point and the intermediate target position (change point) between them, the user automatically sets the route connecting these points, and the one displayed on the display device is also displayed. is there. In this case, the user can reach the destination by traveling (running) along the route while watching the display.

By the way, in this type of navigation device, since the size of the screen of the display device is limited,
If the scale of the displayed map is too large, the destination will be off the display screen and the relationship between the current position and the destination cannot be confirmed, or if the scale of the displayed map is too small, the route will be lost. For example, when it is desired to know a detailed road in the vicinity, inconvenience may occur in that detailed map information around the current position cannot be obtained. Therefore, conventionally, the user operates the operation switch to scroll the screen display or switch the scale of the map to obtain an appropriate display.

[0004]

However, since the user of the navigation device is a ship operator (driver) at the same time, it is possible that the user cannot bother to operate the operation switch for changing the display. It is desired that the user does not perform the operation as much as possible.

In order to meet such demands, the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-88615 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-298597 have been considered. The technology disclosed in these publications changes the scale of the map according to the distance between the current position and the destination point, and controls the display so that both the current position and the destination point are always in one screen. It is the one. As a result, the display is automatically changed so that the scale of the map becomes larger as it gets closer to the destination point, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

The technique disclosed in the above publication can obtain a certain effect in that the scale of the displayed map can be automatically changed without requiring the user's operation. However, with this model, even if the ship (own vehicle) is sailing (running) on the route, if the current position is far from the target position, a small-scale map will be displayed and used. There is room for improvement, such as spending a large portion of the screen on displaying areas that are not so much information that people need.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a navigation system capable of effectively displaying the map information required by the user while reducing the burden of the user's operation. To provide the equipment.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the navigation device of the present invention has a configuration shown in FIG. That is, the navigation device of the present invention is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship, and includes position detecting means M1 for detecting the current position of the moving body and map information storing means M2 for storing map information. , A display device M3 for displaying the current position of the moving body together with a map on the display device M3, wherein the moving body sequentially provides at least one change point as an intermediate target position from the starting point. Route storage means M4 for storing the route through which the vehicle arrives at the destination point and error detection means M5 for detecting how far the current position of the moving body deviates from the route.
Display control means M6 that changes the scale of the map so that a wider map is displayed on the display device M3 as the departure distance increases based on the detection of the error detection means M5.
The invention is characterized by the configuration provided with and (claim 1).

In this case, the error detecting means M5 may be configured to detect the shortest distance between the current position of the moving body and the route as the departure distance (the invention of claim 2), or the moving body The distance between the current position and the needle change point to pass next may be detected as the departure distance (the invention of claim 3).

Further, it is more effective if the display control means M6 is configured to control the display so that the display center is at an intermediate point between the current position of the moving body and the route (claim 4). invention). Furthermore, the display control means M6
The display can be controlled so that the direction along the route or the direction from the current position to the destination point matches the upper direction of the screen (invention of claim 5).

[0011]

[Operation and Effect of the Invention] When a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship is moving along a route from a starting point to a destination, if the vehicle is moved along the route thereafter, it will reach the destination. Since it arrives, there is no need for the map information of the area apart from the current position in particular, and it is considered that the user is more interested in the detailed map information near the current position. On the other hand, if the moving body deviates from the route, it is important to quickly return to the route and head to the next turning point (or destination).
First, it is necessary to know the positional relationship between the current position and the route (or the next change point). In this case, the larger the distance the mobile body departs from the route, the more useful the comparatively wide range of map information that allows the user to know the approximate direction and distance to go.

According to the navigation device of the first aspect of the present invention, the error detecting means detects how far the current position of the moving body deviates from the route stored in the route storing means, and the display control means. As a result, the scale of the map displayed on the display device is automatically changed so that a wider map is displayed as the distance of departure of the moving body from the route increases.

Therefore, according to the navigation device of claim 1 of the present invention, the scale of the displayed map is automatically changed without the user performing an operation for changing the display. It is possible to reduce the burden of operations and the like. Then, the map is displayed on the display device at a scale that can provide more important information according to the distance of departure of the moving body from the route. As a result, it is possible to effectively use the limited display screen, and it is possible to effectively display the map information necessary for the user, which is an excellent practical effect.

In this case, if the leaving distance detected by the error detecting means is the shortest distance between the current position of the moving body and the route (navigation apparatus of claim 2), the original leaving distance can be accurately obtained. Therefore, it is possible to display a map with a scale according to the shortest departure distance between the current position and the route. Further, if the distance between the current position of the moving body and the change point to be passed next is detected as the departure distance (navigation apparatus of claim 3), the departure distance is compared with the case where the shortest distance is obtained. The amount of calculation when calculating can be reduced.

The current position of the moving body is generally set as the display center, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the display center is set at an intermediate point between the current position of the moving body and the route. Display can also be performed (navigation device according to claim 4), and according to this, the current position and the route are displayed on both sides of the center of the display screen, and from the current position to the route. The area between the areas can be displayed large, the information density is increased, and the display screen can be effectively used.

Further, the north direction and the traveling direction of the moving body are generally set as the upper direction of the display screen. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and the traveling direction along the route or the current position to the destination point. It is also possible to control the display so that the direction in which it is headed corresponds to the upper direction of the screen (the navigation device according to claim 5), and according to this, whether or not the moving body is moving in the desired direction can be checked by looking at the display. It is possible to obtain the advantage that it can be seen at a glance.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment (corresponding to claims 1 and 2) to which the present invention is applied for a ship will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. First, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a navigation device (electronic navigation device) 1 according to this embodiment. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS antenna 2, a storage device 3, an operation switch 4, a microcomputer 5, and a display device 6, and is a ship A as a moving body (indicated by triangles in FIGS. 3 to 5 for convenience). ) Is installed. Hereinafter, the ship A will be referred to as own ship A in some cases.

The GPS antenna 2 is, for example, a microstrip type antenna, and receives a positioning signal from GPS. The storage device 3 is composed of, for example, a large-capacity storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk or a memory card and its drive device, and functions as a map information storage means for storing map information of each place at each scale. . Further, the storage device 3 is adapted to store a route as will be described later, and also functions as a route storage means.

The operation switch 4 is used by the user to operate various instructions and settings. In this embodiment, the user inputs a destination point, a change point, etc., as will be described later. It is also used to The display device 6 is composed of, for example, a CRT display or LCD, and the current position, route, turning point, etc. of the own ship A are displayed so as to be superimposed on the map. In this case, the display device 6
The display screen has a rectangular shape with a horizontal dimension x and a vertical dimension y.

Then, the microcomputer 5 is
A CPU 7, a ROM 8, a RAM 9, and an input / output interface 10 are connected to each other by a bus line 11, and the GPS antenna 2, the storage device 3, the operation switch 4, and the display device 6 are connected to the microcomputer 5. There is.

In this case, the microcomputer 5 has a software configuration, and based on the positioning signal from the GPS antenna 2, the current position I (longitude,
The latitude), the traveling direction c, and the speed v (see FIGS. 3 and 4) are obtained. Therefore, the GPS antenna 2 and the microcomputer 5 constitute a position detecting means. The microcomputer 5 controls the display device 6 so as to display the current position I of the ship A thus obtained and the like on the map based on the map information read from the storage device 3 in an overlapping manner. Has become.

Further, the microcomputer 5 uses the route R set by the user at the time of departure (see FIGS. 3 to 5).
Is stored in the storage device 3, and the route R is also displayed on the display device 6. At this time, in the present embodiment, the departure point d1, the destination point dn set and input by the user, and one or more needle change points (points changing the traveling direction or intermediate destination points or passing points) di as intermediate target positions di To remember. Therefore, the storage device 3 also has a function as a route storage device.

Further, in this case, when setting and inputting the destination point dn and the change point di, for example, the starting point d1
And a relatively wide area map including the destination dn
The user can specify the point on the map while being displayed on the screen. A route R (indicated by a thick line in FIG. 3 and the like) is formed by connecting these points with a straight line in order. In this case, particularly when it is applied to a vehicle, it is configured to automatically set a plurality of turning points di (intersections and intermediate points on the road) and a route R by only designating a destination point dn. May be.

Now, as described above, the display device 6 displays its own ship A.
When displaying the present position I and the like together with the map, it is easy for the user to see and sufficiently displays necessary information. In other words, the scale of the map on the display screen of the display device 6, the orientation of the map, the center of the display, etc. It is important to be appropriate. At this time, it is desired that an appropriate display be performed on the display device 6 without burdening the user with a change in the scale of the map or a switch operation for scrolling.

Therefore, as will be described in detail later in the description of the operation, the microcomputer 5 detects how far the current position I of the own ship A departs from the route R by its software configuration. At the same time, the scale of the displayed map is changed so that a wider map is displayed on the display device 6 as the departure distance (error) increases. Therefore, the microcomputer 5
It functions as an error detection means and a display control means. Further, in the present embodiment, the current position I of the own ship A is set as the center position P of the display, and the traveling direction c of the own ship A is matched with the upper direction of the screen.

Next, the operation of the navigation device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the north side (directly above in the figure) is the land, and along the coastline S extending approximately east and west, from the departure point d1 at the right end in the figure to the destination point d at the left end in the figure.
A case of navigating the route R that is not far from the coastline S up to n will be described as a specific example. In this case, as described above, the user has previously input and set the destination point dn and the three change points di (i = 2 to 4) in this case, and the storage device 3 has three departure points d1 and three departure points. Change point d2
, D3, d4 and the destination point dn are stored.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a predetermined route width z (shown by a broken line) is set on both sides of the route R. The route width z means that the moving body is the ship A, and therefore, if the vehicle is not strictly traveling on the route R, but is traveling within a certain range in the vicinity of the route R, the route width is z. For example, the user sets a width of 100 m. The navigation device 1 is configured to give an alarm and the like when the ship A departs from the route width z, as if it departed from the route R.

The flowchart of FIG. 1 is executed by the microcomputer 5 when the ship A is navigating,
The processing procedure for determining the scale of the map to be displayed on the display device 6 is shown. It should be noted that this processing is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 1
sec) and the display of the display device 6 is updated every time the ship A sails for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time), for example.

First, in step S1, the positioning data is read from the GPS antenna 2, and step S2
At that time, the current position I, the traveling direction c, and the speed v of the own ship A are calculated from the positioning data. Next, in step S3, the route R, that is, the departure point d1 and the change point di
(D2, d3, d4) and the destination point dn are stored in the storage device 3
And the next change point Dt is detected based on the information of the route R in step S4.

This next needle change point Dt means any needle change point di (or destination point dn) that should be the next intermediate target position at the present time. As shown in a), when the ship A is traveling on the route R (within the route width z) (track L), the next change point di on the route R becomes the next change point Dt.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the current position I of the own ship A departs from the route R by sailing like a track L, it is heading just before leaving the route R. The changed needle change point di is set as the next changed needle change point Dt. this is,
This is because the change point di may be an intermediate destination instead of a mere passing point. However, even in the case as shown in FIG. 5 (b), if the ship A returns to the route R as shown by the broken line arrow thereafter, it is determined that the ship A intentionally passed the previous turning point di. Then, the next change point Dt is updated to the next change point di.

In the next step S5, an error (departure distance) of how far the current position I of the ship A departs from the route R is obtained. In this embodiment, the current position I
The shortest distance between the route R and the route R is obtained as an error. In the example of FIG. 3, a vertical line is drawn from the current position I of the ship A to a route R (a line segment connecting the change point d2 and the change point d3), and the length a between the intersection point g and the intersection point g is an error (the deviation distance)
Is calculated as

In step S6, a display center position P for displaying on the display device 6 and a display angle U (which direction on the map is matched with the upper direction of the display screen) are obtained. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the current position I of the ship A is set as the display center position P, and
The traveling direction c of the ship A is made to coincide with the upward direction of the display screen (this is called the heading up mode). It should be noted that various modifications of these can be considered as described later.

Then, in step S7, the scale r of the map to be displayed is obtained. As described above, the scale r is determined so that a wider map is displayed on the display device 6 as the departure distance (error) increases. Here, the scale r is calculated by the following equation (1). Desired.

[0035]

## EQU00001 ## r = k.MIN (x, y) / 2a (1) where x and y are the horizontal and vertical lengths of the display screen,
MIN (x, y) is the minimum value (smaller value). Further, a is the above-mentioned separation distance (error). Furthermore, k is a predetermined coefficient close to 1, for example, 1
Is.

However, in this case, the scale r0 of the map that can be actually displayed on the display screen does not take a continuous value, for example, 120,000, 14,000, 18,000, ..., 1
/ 256,000, which is a gradual step. Therefore, the actual scale is the maximum scale r0 out of the scales not exceeding r.
Is decided. When the value of r exceeds the maximum scale of 20,000, the scale r0 is determined to be 20,000,
When the value of r is equal to or smaller than the minimum scale of 1/256 million, the scale r0 is determined to be 1/256 million.

When the display center position P, the display angle U, and the scale r0 are thus determined, the map information is read from the storage device 3 according to the determination, and the screen of the display device 6 displays
The current position I, the route I (change point di) and the like are displayed so as to be superimposed on the map. 3 and 4 show
The map display range V at this time is shown by being surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the ship A departs from the route R, the map scale r0 becomes small,
A relatively wide range V is displayed so that the positional relationship between the ship A and the route R can be clearly understood. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the ship A is navigating along the route R, the scale r0 of the map is increased and a detailed map near the current position I is displayed. It will be.

Here, if the ship A is moving along the route R from the starting point d1 to the destination point dn, if it also moves along the route R thereafter, it will reach the destination point. Therefore, it is considered that detailed map information in the vicinity of the current position I is more useful rather than requiring map information of an area far from the current position I.

On the other hand, when the ship A deviates from the route R, it is important to quickly return to the route R and head to the next turning point Dt (or destination point dn). First, it is necessary to know the positional relationship with (or the next needle change point Dt). In this case, as the departure distance a (error) of the ship A from the route R increases,
A relatively wide range of map information that allows the user to know the approximate direction and distance to go is more useful.

According to this embodiment, the scale of the map displayed on the display device 6 is automatically changed so that a wider map is displayed as the departure distance a of the ship A from the route R increases. Since the display center position P and the display angle U are also automatically changed, a small scale map is displayed when the current position is far from the target position even when the ship is traveling on the route. The technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-88615 can be further improved, and the display device 6 has a higher degree of importance according to the departure distance a from the route R of the ship A. Maps will be displayed at a scale that can provide information.

Further, unlike the conventional one in which the user scrolls the screen display or switches the map scale by operating the operation switch, the scale of the displayed map is automatically changed. Therefore, the user does not have to perform an operation for changing the display.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively use the limited display screen of the display device 6 while reducing the burden of the user's operation and the like, and the map information necessary for the user can be obtained. It is possible to obtain an excellent practical effect that can effectively display.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various modifications such as the following are possible. That is, in the above embodiment, the shortest distance a between the current position I of the ship A and the route R is calculated as an error.
As shown in FIG. 3, a distance b between the current position I of the ship A and the above-mentioned next change point Dt may be obtained as the departure distance (corresponding to claim 3). In this case, the scale r is obtained by the following equation (2) instead of the above equation (1).

[0045]

## EQU00002 ## r = k.MIN (x, y) / 2b (2)

According to this, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the limited display screen of the display device 6 can be effectively used while reducing the burden of the user's operation and the like, which is necessary for the user. The map information can be displayed effectively, and in addition, it is not necessary to obtain the intersection point g as compared with the case of obtaining the shortest distance a, and thus the calculation amount for obtaining the departure distance b can be reduced. . Further, the needle change point Dt is always displayed on the display screen of the display device 6 next time.

In the above-described embodiment, the current position I of the ship A is set as the display center P of the screen of the display device 6. However, an intermediate point between the current position I and the route R is displayed as the display center P. It is also possible (corresponding to claim 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the display center is the midpoint e between the current position I and the intersection point g, or the display center is the midpoint f between the current position I and the next needle change point Dt. is there. In these cases, the equations for obtaining the reduced scale r are the following equation (3),
Equation (4) is obtained.

[0048]

## EQU00003 ## r = k.MIN (x, y) / a (3)

## EQU00004 ## r = k.MIN (x, y) / b (4)

According to this, the current position I and the route R (or the next needle change point Dt) are displayed on both sides of the screen of the display device 6 with the center of the screen interposed therebetween. Thus, the area between the current position I and the route R can be displayed in a larger size, the information density is increased, and the display screen can be used more effectively.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the traveling direction c of the own ship A is made to coincide with the upper direction of the screen.
As shown in FIG. 3, it goes without saying that the north direction may be fixed to the upper direction of the display screen, and further, the direction h along the route R or the direction from the current position I to the destination point dn. It is also possible to control the display so that q coincides with the upper direction of the screen (corresponding to claim 5). According to this, it is possible to obtain an advantage that whether or not the own ship A is moving in a desired direction can be seen at a glance by looking at the display.

Although the present invention is applied to the ship in the above embodiment, it may be applied to a vehicle. In the case of a vehicle, the route will be set along the road. For example, in order to avoid a congested road, the user (driver) intentionally runs on a road away from the route. In such a case, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

In addition, the route (change point) may be automatically set, and in the case of, for example, a vehicle, the current position is not limited to the positioning data from GPS but is based on the traveling distance detection sensor and the azimuth detection sensor. The present invention may be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope not departing from the gist such as detection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for obtaining a scale of a map to be displayed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the overall configuration.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display area and the like when a route and a ship deviate from the route.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display area when a ship is traveling along a route.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how to obtain the next change point.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawings, 1 is a navigation device, 2 is a GPS antenna, 3 is a storage device (map information storage means, route storage means), 4 is an operation switch, 5 is a microcomputer (position detection means, error detection means, display control means). , 6 is a display device, A is a ship (moving body), I is a current position, d1 is a departure point, di is a change point, dn is a destination point, P is a display center, and R is a route.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle or a ship, comprising a position detecting means for detecting the current position of the moving body, a map information storing means for storing map information, and a display device. However, in the one in which the current position of the moving body is displayed on the display device together with a map, a route in which the moving body reaches the destination point through one or more turning points as intermediate target positions in order from the starting point Route storage means for storing, an error detection means for detecting how far the current position of the moving body departs from the route, and the display device is displayed as the departure distance increases based on the detection of the error detection means. A navigation device comprising: display control means for changing the scale of the map so as to display a wide range of maps. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the error detecting means is configured to detect the shortest distance between the current position of the moving body and the route as a departure distance. 3. The error detecting means is configured to detect a distance between the current position of the moving body and a needle change point to be passed next as a leaving distance.
The described navigation device. 4. The display control means controls the display so that a display center is located at an intermediate point between the current position of the moving body and the route. Navigation device. 5. The display control means displays a direction along a route or a direction from a current position toward a destination point,
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the display is controlled so as to match the upward direction of the screen.