JPH09113289A - Navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively support the driver of a vehicle by simultaneously displaying a plurality of pictures. SOLUTION: While a map designated from pre-selected map data is displayed as a still picture 24 on the left side of a screen, a scroll picture 25 showing the present location 23 of a vehicle at the center is displayed on the right side. When a vehicle travels on a highway, etc., it is not necessary to display the present location of the vehicle and its vicinity in the scroll picture 25, but it is preferable to display a specific place, such as the exit from the highway, destination, etc., in detail. However, since the picture 25 showing the present location 23 of the vehicle at the center is displayed together with the still picture 24, the present location 23 can be recognized at a glance and the driver of the vehicle can drive the vehicle without anxiety.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention is mounted on a vehicle,
The present invention relates to a navigation device that provides route guidance to a driver of a vehicle while displaying the current position of the vehicle in association with map data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation apparatus can automatically or manually set a route to a destination in advance, and displays an image for guiding and guiding a vehicle along the set route. For example, as shown in FIG.
The current vehicle position 1 is displayed so as to be substantially at the center of the screen displaying the map. The display screen is scrolled as the vehicle runs, and is controlled so that the current position 1 is always located at the center of the screen. Further, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the vehicle approaches an intersection or the like, the enlarged screen 2 displays the current vehicle position 1 and the screen is switched to a screen where the driver can easily select a course. When a wider map is required, the current vehicle position 1 is switched to the reduced screen 3 as shown in FIG. 13B.

The prior art for displaying a plurality of maps on the screen is as follows:
For example, JP-A-4-335390 and JP-A-6-3078
79 and JP-A-2-61690. In the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-335390, the screen of a CRT monitor that displays an image is divided into two parts, left and right, an enlarged screen is displayed on the right side, and a reduced screen is displayed on the left side at the same time. On the enlarged screen, it is possible to obtain detailed map information around the current position of the vehicle. In the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-307879, a guide route of a vehicle is displayed in a straight line by using a part of a map display screen, and main targets existing on the guide route are simply displayed. In the prior art of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-61690, a large scale enlarged screen is displayed around the current position of the vehicle, and a continuous scale change region connecting both screens is provided between the surrounding small scale reduced screen and the surrounding small scale reduced screen. It is provided to enable detailed map around the current position of the vehicle and guidance of the entire route.

[0004]

In the image display centering on the current vehicle position 1 on the enlarged screen 2 as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the remaining portion of the route to the destination or the like which is not displayed is displayed. In order to see the map, the user himself needs to perform an operation for scrolling the screen or an operation to reduce the map. In the state where the reduced screen 3 is displayed as shown in FIG. 13B, since a wide range can be displayed, it is possible to simultaneously see the part ahead of the route. However, comparing with the enlarged screen 2 shown in FIG.
Since the detailed information around the current vehicle position 1 such as the town name and the landmarks is not displayed, the obtained information is limited.

Next, when scrolling the map screen, the current map data is often stored in a CD-ROM or the like, which is the mainstream. Therefore, it is necessary to newly read a map screen that is separate from the current vehicle position 1.
The reading takes time. Furthermore, for scroll display, it is necessary to read consecutive map screens.
More time is needed. Further, in order to perform the scrolling or the enlargement / reduction display, the user needs to intervene to perform the operation.

Users, such as vehicle drivers, do not want to be guided on all roads. For example, when traveling on an expressway, it is relatively easy to get out of the expressway if the name of the point exiting the expressway is known. On highways with few intersections, confluences, and branches with other roads, it does not make much sense to enlarge the area around the vehicle's current position to fill the screen. It is more important to know in advance. Furthermore, for general roads, there are times when you want to collect information in advance from the current location, such as points that enter unknown areas, complicated intersections, and residential areas that are always lost. It is difficult for the conventional navigation device to sufficiently deal with such a case.

Further, in the case where only the vicinity of the current position of the vehicle is displayed at a large scale as in the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-335390, an area where detailed information is not always required, as in the case of traveling on the highway mentioned above. Information is displayed in detail, and it is not possible to display information in a region such as a destination that needs to be known in detail.

Further, in the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-307879, although it is possible to easily understand a target in the middle of a route to be displayed in a simplified manner, information about how far the vehicle has progressed on the route, etc. Is difficult to obtain. Further, in the prior art of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-61690, similarly to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-335390, a map around the current position of the vehicle is displayed in detail, but sufficient information about the destination and the like within the reduced screen is obtained. I can't.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation device which enables a more effective image display for traveling of a vehicle by using a plurality of screen displays.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the map data is read from the map storage means in which the map data is stored, the current position of the vehicle is measured by the positioning means, and the current position of the vehicle is associated with the map data. In a navigation device for displaying an image, designation means for designating at least a part of the area from preselected map data, area storage means for storing map data of the area designated by the specification means, and area storage means A display control unit that controls to simultaneously display a first screen that displays the stored contents in a stationary state and a second screen that performs scroll display centering on the current position of the vehicle according to the movement of the vehicle. It is a characteristic navigation device. According to the present invention, at least a part of the area is specified from the map data preselected by the specifying means, and the map data is stored in the area storage means. The display control means includes:
Since the first screen in a stationary state based on the map data stored in the area storage means and the second screen for scrolling around the current position of the vehicle are simultaneously displayed, the user of the navigation device can The information required for driving can be effectively obtained from the display screen.

Further, the present invention reads a map data from the map storage means in which the map data is stored, measures the current position of the vehicle by the positioning means, and displays an image by correlating the map data with the current position of the vehicle. In, the input means for inputting the starting point and the destination point, the route between the starting point and the destination point input to the input means is searched, and image data showing a simplified map showing the whole is displayed on the map. A map forming means formed using the map data stored in the storing means, a first screen displaying a simplified map showing the entire route from the map forming means, and a vehicle centering on the current position of the vehicle And a display control means for controlling to simultaneously display the second screen for performing scroll display according to the movement of the navigation device. According to the present invention, by inputting the starting point and the destination point of the traveling of the vehicle to the input means, the map forming means searches for a route between the starting point and the destination point, and shows the whole in a simplified manner. Form the image data of the map. The display control means displays the simplified map showing the entire route formed by the map forming means as the first screen simultaneously with the second screen for scrolling the display centering on the current position of the vehicle. With the detailed information around the position, the arrival state of the vehicle on the route from the departure point to the destination can be easily grasped. Since the map forming means may form a simplified map showing the entire route from the map data, it is possible to easily form the simplified map showing the entire route without user intervention.

Further, the display control means of the present invention is characterized in that the current position of the vehicle from the positioning means is controlled so as to be displayed in the first screen. According to the present invention, the current position of the vehicle is also displayed in the first screen by the display control means, so that when the area displayed on the first screen and the area displayed on the second screen overlap. Easy to understand the mutual correspondence.

Further, the display control means of the present invention switches to a predetermined one of the first screen and the second screen when the current position of the vehicle reaches within a predetermined range in the first screen. It is characterized by controlling as follows. According to the present invention, when the vehicle reaches the position corresponding to the specific range of the first screen, the display can be switched to one of the predetermined ones of the first screen and the second screen.
Duplication can be avoided when the display range overlaps.

Further, according to the present invention, the navigation device reads out the map data from the map storage means in which the map data is stored, measures the current position of the vehicle by the positioning means, and displays the image by associating the map data with the current position of the vehicle. In, in the input means for inputting the destination point, the route between the current position of the vehicle from the positioning means and the destination point input to the input means is searched, and image data showing a simplified map showing the whole is displayed. , A map forming means formed using the map data stored in the map storing means, a first screen displaying a simplified map showing the entire route from the map forming means, centering on the current position of the vehicle And a display control unit that controls to simultaneously display a second screen that performs scroll display according to the movement of the vehicle. According to the invention, the first screen displays the guide route of the vehicle from the current position of the vehicle to the destination point input to the input means, and the second screen displays the current position of the vehicle as a center. On the 1st screen, the route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination is displayed in a simplified manner, the state of the route that follows can be easily grasped, and the map information around the current position of the vehicle can be known in detail. You can

Further, the display control means of the present invention is characterized in that the display screen is vertically divided into two, and the second screen is controlled so as to be on the driver's seat side. According to the present invention, the display screen is vertically divided into two, and the second screen is controlled so as to be on the driver's side, so that the current position of the vehicle can be seen more on the driver side, and driving assistance can be provided. It can be effective.

Further, the display control means of the present invention normally displays only either the first screen or the second screen, and the first screen or the second screen is displayed according to a preset instruction.
It is characterized in that the other one of the screens is controlled to be displayed as a window in an overlapping manner. According to the present invention, when only one of the first screen and the second screen is displayed, the other one can be displayed as a window in a superimposed manner according to a preset instruction.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a schematic electrical configuration of a navigation device for carrying out the present invention. An electronic control unit (hereinafter abbreviated as “ECU”) 10 receives a signal indicating the current position of the vehicle from the positioning means 11 and displays an image on the display unit 13 in association with the map data stored in the map data storage unit 12. indicate. Map data storage unit 12
Is realized by, for example, a CD-ROM and stores a plurality of map data. It is possible to select one of the plurality of map data from the operation unit 14 and further specify a part of the map data to be stored in the set map screen storage unit 15. The setting map screen storage unit 15 is composed of a RAM capable of storing a plurality of designated areas, the stored contents are backed up by a battery of the vehicle, etc., and the designated contents are stored for a long time. You can

In the positioning means 11, a GPS receiver 16 for receiving a plurality of radio waves from GPS satellites and measuring the current position of the vehicle, and a vehicle speed sensor 1 for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle.
7 and a direction sensor 17 for detecting the traveling direction of the vehicle. The operation unit 14 includes a cursor key, a map expansion / contraction key, and the like. The route is also set by operating the operation unit 14. Further, the map stored in the set map screen storage unit 15 is set by the operation unit 14 while the selected map is displayed on the display unit 13 while the area range is designated. The display unit 13 is realized by a color liquid crystal display device or the like, and the screen is displayed by the ECU 10 serving as a display control unit.
It is possible to divide the display into a and the second screen 13b.

When a user such as a driver of a vehicle inputs a destination point from the operation unit 14, a route from the previously input starting point or the current point of the vehicle is automatically set.
In order for the user to confirm the set route, the map displayed on the display unit 13 is scrolled to display a map which is a key point for reaching a destination such as a branch point where the road is unknown. Let

FIG. 2 shows a state in which a map which is a key point for reaching the destination is displayed. For example, when designating the half area displayed near the center as the designated range 20, the boundary line 21,
22 is specified. By this selection operation, the map screen corresponding to the designated range 20 is stored in the set map screen storage unit 15.

FIG. 3 shows a state of image display according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, assuming that the navigation device is mounted on a vehicle with a right-hand drive, the set map screen storage unit 1 is provided on the left half on the passenger side far from the driver's seat.
The map of the designated range 20 stored in 5 is displayed in a stationary state as the first screen 13a, and the current position display 23 of the vehicle is displayed on the right side close to the driver's seat side while the scroll display centering on the current position display is displayed. The second screen 13b is displayed. The display of the second screen is similar to the scroll display centering on the current position display 23 in the conventional navigation device.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of selecting and storing the map of the designated range 20 in the set map screen storage unit 15. Step a
The operation starts from 1 and waits until the route selection mode is selected in step a2. At step a3, the destination is input, and at step a4, the shortest route to the destination is searched and selected. In step a5, the process waits until the map screen designation mode is entered. When the map screen is designated for the designated range 20 as shown in FIG. 2 in step a6, the designated screen is stored in the set map screen storage unit 15 in step a7, and the operation ends in step a8.

The current position display 23 as shown in FIG.
In the state of invading the left still screen, it is easier to understand the display by switching to the display centering on the still image rather than displaying both screens at the same time. Furthermore, if the current position display 23 reaches the center of the stationary display screen and scrolls around the current position display 23, it is easy to grasp the state around the vehicle.

FIG. 5 shows the operation as described above.
After step a8 in FIG. 4, the operation is started from step b1, and in step b2, guidance according to a preset route is started. In step b3, the display of the memory map screen and the current position screen are simultaneously performed as shown in FIG. At step b4, it is judged whether or not the current position has reached a predetermined position on the memory map screen. If it has not arrived, the process returns to step b3. When it is determined in step b4 that the current position has reached the predetermined position, in step b5 the display is switched to a display for updating the map while scrolling at the scale of the stored map screen. In the embodiment described above, the map screen is specified and stored in the route setting, but the map screen to be the point can be stored and displayed in advance without being limited to the route setting.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
When the vehicle reaches the stationary screen 24, the current position display 23
Shows a state in which is performed simultaneously with the scroll screen 25. Furthermore, when the vehicle enters the stationary screen 24, which is a memory map screen, it is possible to provide more easy-to-understand guidance. FIG.
The simultaneous display of two screens as shown in (a) is achieved by switching to the single screen display as shown in FIG. 6 (b) when the current vehicle position reaches a preset point near the center of the still screen 24. The normal scroll display can be performed at a large scale, and the display screen can be switched more smoothly. When the two screens are simultaneously displayed in FIG. 6A, if the storage range 26 corresponding to the still screen 24 is also displayed on the scroll screen 25, the mutual relationship becomes easier to understand.

FIG. 7 shows the entire route from the starting point to the destination point as the first screen 13a, and also the second screen 1
3b shows a state in which scroll display centering on the current position of the vehicle is performed. FIG. 7A shows an entire route screen 27 in which the map scale from the starting point to the destination point is enlarged and the entire route is displayed in the same screen. The current position display 2
Do 3 and about 6/1 of the route to the destination
It indicates that the process has progressed to about 0. In FIG. 7B, only the route image is simplified and shown on the entire route screen 28, and the progress state is, for example, 4/10. In FIG. 7 (c), the route is wide and the image cannot be displayed.
In addition, the current position display 23 is performed and the extent to which the vehicle has traveled along the entire route is displayed, for example, 5/10. Further, the scroll screen 25 and the entire route screen 29 are not limited to being divided into left and right, but may be divided into upper and lower parts for display.

FIG. 8 shows the operation for performing the display as shown in FIG. The operation starts from step c1 and waits until the route setting mode is selected in step c2. The starting point and the destination point are input in step c3, and the optimum route to the destination point is selected in step c4. In step c5, it is determined whether or not the start point and the destination point can be displayed together. When the map from the starting point to the destination can be displayed by increasing the scale of the map, the scale of the map that can display both is selected in step c6, and the whole route screen 2 in FIG.
The current position display 23 and the departure / destination display, as shown by 7, are displayed. When it is determined in step c5 that it is not possible to display between the departure point and the destination point, a simplified route is created in step c8. At step c9, the current position display 23 and a simplified departure / destination display are displayed as in the whole route screen 28 of FIG. 7B. When an appropriate image cannot be displayed due to the wider area, the straight line marking as shown in the whole route screen 29 of FIG. 7C is performed as described above. In addition, FIG.
The display of the relative arrival route in (c) is performed based on the ratio of the route distance from the departure point to the destination point and the traveling distance of the vehicle from the departure point to the current position.

FIG. 9 shows an image display state according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A shows a state in which only the scroll screen 30 centering on the current position of a normal vehicle is displayed as a window. For example, when it is necessary to display the destination screen 31 indicating the vicinity of the destination, both screens are displayed side by side as windows as shown in FIG. 9B. Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, the destination screen 31 may be displayed first, and the scroll screen 30 may be superimposed and displayed as a window thereon if necessary.

FIG. 10 shows a scroll screen 30 centered on the current position of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 9A, in which a destination point for navigation is input and a destination screen 31 is displayed side by side. The operation is shown. The operation starts from step d1, and the destination is input in step d2. At step d3, a two-screen display of a scroll screen 30 near the current position and a destination screen 31 near the destination is displayed as shown in FIG. 9B. In step d4, it is determined whether the vehicle has reached the destination. When the destination is reached, the screen is returned to the single screen display of the scroll screen 30 centering on the current position at step d5, and then step d6.
To end the operation.

FIG. 11 shows that the destination point is input and 2
The operation of displaying a screen and returning to the one-screen display by activating a switch or operating a switch is shown. The operation from step e1 to step e4 is basically the same as the operation from step d1 to step d4 in FIG. At step e5, it is determined whether or not the OFF operation for stopping the two-screen display is performed by the user. When the OFF operation has not been performed, the process returns to step e4. If the OFF operation is performed, the process proceeds to step e6, and similarly to the case where it is determined that the destination is reached in step e4, step e
The screen is returned to the one-screen display in 6 and the operation ends in step e7.

FIG. 12 shows an operation of switching between two-screen display or cancellation of the two-screen display as necessary by operating the switch after inputting the destination. The operation starts from step f1, and the destination is input in step f2. In step f3, it is determined whether or not a switch for designating whether or not the two-screen display is performed is ON. When it is not ON, the one-screen display is continued. If it is ON, the process moves to step f4, and a two-screen display of the current position and the destination is performed. Step f4 below
11 to step f8 correspond to steps e3 to e7 in FIG. 11, respectively.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the first screen and the second screen are displayed simultaneously, a large amount of information can be known at a glance by the two screens. Since the area designated in advance by the designating means is displayed on the first screen, for example, the area to be entered is displayed, and even if the area does not know the way, the place name and topography near the area will be displayed. Understand and enable the direction of travel from the road signs you saw while driving. In addition, since the map is displayed as a still image on the first screen, even if the vehicle enters the area displayed as the first screen, the display is centered on an unknown area, so that it is possible to perform driving that is hard to get lost. . Also on the second screen,
Since the current position is also displayed, you can quickly check the route even if you get lost in the way you know.

Further, according to the present invention, since the entire route between the departure point and the destination point is simplified and displayed, it is easy to grasp the outline of the entire route.

Further, according to the present invention, since the current position of the vehicle is displayed in the first screen in which the designated area is displayed in a stationary state, the current position of the vehicle with respect to the entire area can be easily grasped. it can.

According to the invention, the current position of the vehicle is
When it reaches within the preset range on the 2nd screen,
Since the screen is switched to one, it is possible to avoid the troublesome operation.

Further, according to the present invention, since the entire route to the current position of the vehicle and the destination is displayed on the first screen,
From now on, the overall state of the route to be traveled can be easily grasped.

Further, according to the present invention, the display screen is vertically divided into two parts, and the second screen for scroll display centering on the current position is on the driver's side, so that the driver can easily confirm the current position. is there.

Further, according to the present invention, the first screen and the second screen
In the state where one of the screens is displayed, the other is overlaid and displayed as a window according to a preset command. By setting the timing at which the window is displayed in advance, it is possible to support the driving of the vehicle at a more appropriate timing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a map selection screen according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a two-screen display state in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen corresponding to the operation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display screen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of Codes] 10 ECU 11 Positioning Means 12 Map Data Storage Section 13 Display Section 13a First Screen 13b Second Screen 14 Operation Section 15 Setting Map Screen Storage Section 20 Specified Range 23 Current Position Display 24 Still Screen 25 Scroll Screen 26 Storage Range 27, 28, 29 Overall route screen 30 Scroll screen 31 Destination screen

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Masayuki Katsuno 1-2-2 Goshodori, Hyogo-ku, Hyogo-Kobe, Fujitsu Ten Limited

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A navigation device for reading map data from a map storage means in which map data is stored, measuring a current position of a vehicle by a positioning means, and displaying an image by associating the current position of the vehicle with the map data in advance. Designating means for designating at least a part of the area from the selected map data, area storing means for storing the map data of the area designated by the specifying means, and storage contents of the area storing means are displayed in a static state. A navigation device, comprising: a first screen; and a display control unit that controls to simultaneously display a second screen that performs scroll display with the current position of the vehicle as the vehicle moves. 2. A navigation device which reads out map data from a map storage means in which map data is stored, measures the current position of the vehicle by the positioning means, and displays an image by correlating the current position of the vehicle with the map data. The input means for inputting the point and the destination point and the route between the departure point and the destination point input to the input means are searched, and the image data showing a simplified map showing the whole is stored in the map storage means. A map forming means formed using stored map data, a first screen displaying a simplified map showing the entire route from the map forming means, and a movement of the vehicle centered on the current position of the vehicle A navigation device, comprising: a second screen that performs scrolling display; and a display control unit that controls to display the second screen at the same time. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit controls the current position of the vehicle from the positioning unit so as to be displayed in the first screen. 4. The display control means switches to a predetermined one of the first screen and the second screen when the current position of the vehicle reaches within a predetermined range in the first screen. It controls, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
3. The navigation device according to any one of 3 above. 5. A navigation device for reading map data from a map storage means in which map data is stored, measuring the current position of a vehicle by a positioning means, and displaying an image by associating the current position of the vehicle with the map data. Image data showing a simplified map of the entire map is searched for the route between the input means for inputting points and the current position of the vehicle from the positioning means and the destination point input to the input means. The map forming means formed by utilizing the map data stored in the means, the first screen displaying a simplified map showing the entire route from the map forming means, the current position of the vehicle A navigation device, comprising: a second screen that performs scrolling display according to movement; and a display control unit that controls to display the second screen at the same time. 6. The display control means vertically extends a display screen into two.
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the navigation device is divided and controlled so that the second screen is on the driver's seat side. 7. The display control means normally displays only one of the first screen and the second screen, and displays the other of the first screen and the second screen as a window in accordance with a preset instruction. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the navigation device is controlled so as to be superimposed and displayed.