JPH11142177A - Route information displaying system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately calculate required time, by calculating the required time for a specified route using the means value of actual time records in past route-drivings by means of a control unit, which are stored in a required time memory means. SOLUTION: A map information is stored in a memory media 2 and at least more than two points, namely starting and arrival points are specified by a point setting means 10 of an input/output apparatus 1. A CPU(Central Processing Unit) 3 specifies a route based upon the map information and guide information, and shows a point setting image and a route guiding image in a display output means 15. Also, it shows required time for driving through a specified route that is calculated based upon the map information of the specified route. In this case, a highly accurate required time to meet road condition such as actual traffic congestion is determined by calculating the required time for a specified route using a mean value of actual time records in past route-driving, which are stored in a memory means 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a route information providing apparatus for setting a route from an arbitrary departure place (current location) to a destination and accurately obtaining a required time for traveling along this route. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional navigation system, an average vehicle speed is set for each road type when calculating a required time on a preset route, and calculation is performed based on the average vehicle speed and the road length. I have. For example,
On a highway, the average time per hour is set at 80 km / h. On a general national road, the average time per hour is set at 40 km / h. And the required time for the entire route is calculated. This type of navigation device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 64-8619.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional system, the required time is estimated by setting the average vehicle speed according to the type of road, but only the average vehicle speed data unique to each road type. For example, the average vehicle speed varies depending on various conditions, such as congestion degree and traffic light conditions, depending on the road, for example, even on the same highway and highway. For this reason, there is a problem that a difference between the estimated value of the required time and the actual required time increases. An object of the present invention is to provide a route information providing device that can set a route from an arbitrary departure place (current location) to a destination and accurately obtain a required time for traveling along the route.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing map information, and a point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points. Route setting means for setting a route between two set points, display means for displaying information on the set route, required time storage means for storing an actual required time for traveling the route, and the route setting means And control means for calculating the required time for traveling on the route set according to the map information on the route and displaying the required time on the display means, wherein the control means is stored in the required time storage means. It is characterized in that the required time of the set route is calculated by averaging the required time in the past.

According to the present invention, a storage medium storing map information, point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points, and setting a route between the set two points. Route setting means, display means for displaying information on the set route, and calculating a required time for traveling on the route set by the route setting means based on map information on the route, and displaying the required time on the display means. Control means for displaying, wherein the control means calculates the required time of the set route based on the number of intersections per unit distance.

In another aspect of the present invention, the number of intersections per unit distance is determined for each predetermined section on the route, the required time for each section is calculated, and the required time for the route is calculated. It is characterized by calculating. Still another invention is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 2, the intersection is an intersection where a traffic light is installed.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the actual time required for traveling on the route is stored, and the time required for traveling on the route set by the route setting means is map information on the route. When calculating based on
It is characterized by averaging and calculating the stored past required times. Therefore, when determining the required time of the route, the required actual time in the past is determined by reflecting the actual required time in the past, so that the required time with high accuracy is predicted so as to match the actual road condition such as the actual congestion degree.

According to the invention described in claim 2,
When calculating the required time for traveling on the set route based on the map information on the route, the time is calculated based on the number of intersections per unit distance. Therefore,
When determining the required time of the route, the required number of intersections that greatly affect the average vehicle speed is determined, so that the required time with high accuracy that matches the actual traffic condition is predicted.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the function realizing means of the map display device of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a system configuration when the function realizing means of FIG. 1 is implemented by an EPU system. The means enclosed by a dotted frame in FIG. 1 is a necessary configuration when used as a navigation system, but can be naturally used in a form used at home (home type). The present embodiment is a home-type map display system for confirming traveling to a destination in advance in a place such as a home, that is, a place other than a vehicle, or designing a route, etc. Is mounted on a vehicle, and can be used as a navigation device that provides travel guidance along a searched route. Here, a virtual traveling function (hereinafter, referred to as a virtual traveling mode) for temporarily traveling on a display screen along a searched route and a navigation function for providing traveling guidance based on navigation information such as the current position, speed, and traveling direction of the vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a virtual traveling mode). Navigation mode).

In FIG. 1, a map display device stores an input / output device 1 for inputting and outputting information necessary for a virtual driving mode and a navigation mode, map data necessary for calculating a route, data necessary for confirming a route, and the like. The data medium (media) 2 includes a central processing unit 3 that executes a route search for searching for a route between at least two points and processes related to both modes, and controls the entire system. The input / output device 1 includes a departure point, a passing point, and a destination,
Point setting means 10 for inputting at least two points of a departure place and a destination, scroll instruction means 11 for instructing scrolling of a display screen along a searched route, route information display instructing means 12 for instructing display of route information, Virtual travel instructing means 13 for instructing virtual travel based on the searched route; navigation instructing means 14 for instructing navigation based on the searched route; display means 15 for displaying the searched route and route information on a screen; Print output means 1 for printing out data necessary for guidance, route confirmation, route design, route information, map screen, etc.
6. It comprises audio output means 17 comprising a speaker for guiding the route by audio.

According to the above means, the user can display route information by voice and / or screen when necessary, instruct a scroll of a display screen displayed along a searched route, and display a peripheral map at a certain point on the screen. In order to display the data, the map display processing is instructed to the central processing unit 3 by the user's will, and the processed data and the like are printed out by the printout means 16, sound output from the speaker, or displayed on the display. It can be displayed and output. The configuration of each means will be described. The point setting means 10 sets a starting point (current position) and a destination as an address,
It is composed of operation switches for inputting a telephone number, coordinates, etc., and requesting a route confirmation. The display means 15 is constituted by a color CRT or a color liquid crystal display, and includes a point setting screen, a route guidance screen based on map data and guidance data processed by the central processing unit 3,
All screens required for navigation and virtual driving, such as section map screens and intersection map screens, are output in color. The route guidance screen includes a screen that displays at least a whole route map, route information, and a surrounding map.

Means for setting a point and operating a screen include a display device provided with a touch switch (soft switch) that emits a signal corresponding to the function by touching a function button displayed on the screen, or a display on a panel. And a pushbutton switch (hard switch) that generates a signal corresponding to the function when pressed, or a remote controller that enables remote operation. The output unit displays input data on a screen, displays a screen for a user's request or automatically displays route guidance, and prints out data processed by the central processing unit or data stored in a storage medium. It is composed of a printing device and a speaker for outputting route guidance in the navigation mode, route confirmation in the virtual traveling mode, background music during virtual traveling, sound effects, and guidance of main names by voice. The sound effects include, for example, a running sound whose tone varies according to the vehicle speed, a turn signal sound when turning right and left, and the like. The main names are, for example, a passing IC, a toll road, a route number, and the like.

A satellite navigation system (GPS) receiver comprises:
This system is mounted on a vehicle as a navigation device,
If you want to get that location or use it at home,
For example, it is possible to register the location of the home and perform virtual traveling starting from the home. Media are CD-ROM, I
It consists of C cards, magneto-optical disks, etc., and these data media include maps, intersections, nodes, roads, photographs,
Destination point, guide point, detailed destination, road name, junction,
All the data necessary for route guidance such as display guidance, voice guidance, vehicle speed by road, and route design are recorded.
The auxiliary information includes destination information, a toll road fee table, and the like. Here, a memory driver for reading data recorded on the medium is provided in the central processing unit.

The central processing unit 3 determines whether or not the present system can handle at least two input points, and executes a process of recognizing the two points. Search processing means 32 for performing a route search based on a point, and display control for performing a map drawing process for displaying a searched route on a screen and a map display and data processing for route information designated by a user and displaying the screen on a screen. Means 33, scroll control means 34 for performing screen control for realizing the virtual running instructed by the user when executing the virtual running mode, and storage means 35 storing all data necessary for the navigation mode and the virtual running mode. Has become.

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

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

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

When the execution key (start button) is pressed from the all route display screen, a virtual traveling screen is opened, and the vehicle on the route is displayed substantially at the center. Then, with the displayed vehicle positioned at the center of the screen, the map display is scrolled in a direction opposite to the traveling direction of the vehicle to create a situation in which the vehicle is traveling along a route (virtual traveling). . The scrolling of the map screen during virtual driving,
A method of scrolling the map by fixing the vehicle toward the upper part of the screen, so-called heading up, and a method of scrolling the map by rotating the direction of the vehicle by 360 ° with the azimuth fixed at, for example, N above the screen. Can be applied.

During execution of virtual driving on the virtual driving screen, a course can be designed in advance in consideration of a detour to a place deviating from the route on the way of the route, a change in the route, a break at a certain place, and the like. . In particular, when the route is changed, the search is performed again (research), and the virtual travel is performed again according to the route after the research. If you want to stop virtual driving and get route information, open the route information screen to open the main points on the route, expressway, interchange (IC) name, national route number, distance between points, time, high speed. You can see route information such as road tolls. With this route information, details of the course design other than the map can be confirmed. After that, returning to the virtual running mode, route confirmation and course design can be performed. When the vehicle is mounted as a navigation device, the navigation mode can be started based on route confirmation or course design in the virtual traveling mode.

Next, the display screen in the virtual traveling mode will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the layout of the start-up screen (screen A). On the initial start-up screen, a map of all areas included in the database is displayed, and after the second time, the screen at the end of the previous time is displayed. Next, display the main menu and select "From the beginning" to initialize the storage information related to virtual travel, set a point on the map from the beginning, search for a route, and perform virtual travel on the searched route. carry out.
When "file-call" is selected, a setting route prepared in advance in a file can be used.

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

FIG. 5 shows an example of the layout of the entire route display screen. A vehicle mark is displayed at the departure point, and search conditions, travel toll road information, distance information, required time information, and high-speed toll information are displayed. The route information for confirming the entire route is displayed. In the example shown in the figure, the current location is "Fujiimachi", the destination is "Wakayama City", and the route on which the search was performed under the condition of giving priority to the toll road is displayed. And "Get off" IC range from "Odaka" to "High-speed Wakayama". The route distance (KM) is 350 km, the required time (TIME) is 5 hours 30 minutes, and the high-speed charge ($) is 35
It is 00 yen. After confirming the route on the all route display screen, when the virtual traveling mode is selected, the virtual traveling screen (FIG. 6) is displayed.

In FIG. 6 showing an example of the layout of the virtual traveling screen, the upper part of the screen is set to the N direction, a map in which the vehicle travels is displayed in that direction, and the controller is operated to start the vehicle. That is, by fixing the position of the vehicle mark and scrolling the map on the screen, the vehicle is made to appear as if it is traveling along the route. In this example, since the vehicle position is displayed fixed at the center on the display screen, the situation around the virtual current location is easy to understand. As the route information when the vehicle is traveling on the route, the remaining distance to the destination, the traveling distance from the departure point, and the speed of the vehicle are displayed. In the illustrated example, the remaining distance (GOAL) is 250 km, the traveling distance is 100 km, and the current speed is 200 km / h. In this virtual traveling mode, the speed of the vehicle can be selected by the controller according to the scale of the map. When the user wants to know the route in detail during virtual running, the user opens the route information screen (FIG. 7).

In FIG. 7 showing an example of the layout of the route information screen, the route is drawn in a straight line on the screen on the left and right, and the name of the road, the name of the main point, the distance between the main points, and the Route information such as scheduled arrival time is displayed, and this display screen can be scrolled in the left and right directions. Here, a portion surrounded by a frame on the left side in the figure is displayed on the route information screen. In the example shown, drive 25km on National Route 23 from "Fujiicho" to "Odaka IC" at Nagoya Expressway. At "Kusu IC" located 19km from "Odaka IC" on Nagoya Expressway Take the Higashi-Meihan Expressway. It indicates that the virtual present location during the virtual running is located at Kusunoki IC. At the top of the screen, the scheduled arrival time at each point is displayed. That is, the departure time is displayed in Fujii-cho, and the passing time is displayed in Odaka IC and Kusunoki IC.
The high-speed toll is also displayed at the interchange where the toll gate is used. For example, “600 yen” is displayed on the Odaka IC between the Odaka IC and the Kusunoki IC. After that, when the virtual traveling is further performed, the screen scrolls from right to left, and the same route information as above is displayed.

In addition, the route information screen also displays information set for detours and breaks, so that detailed information such as where and how long to take a break, the location of detours, the time, etc. Information can be checked on the screen and reflected in route design. After confirming the designed route on the route information screen, the search condition is changed again to perform a route search, and the virtual traveling by the route can be appropriately performed.

Next, other screens used during virtual running will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of a main menu display screen displayed during virtual traveling. This main menu display screen can be opened from all screens, select map search, point registration, departure time setting, search condition change, file processing, date and time setting, display those setting screens, new Conditions required for route design can be set. In the main menu, "map search" displays an arbitrary point on a map by a method such as a telephone number and a place name index. “Point registration” registers an arbitrary point as a home and a memory point. “Departure time” sets the time at the departure place to calculate the arrival time based on the required time. “Change search conditions” changes only the search conditions (“whether to give priority to toll roads” or “whether to use passing points”) without changing the departure place and destination. "File" refers to calling, registering and deleting from the memory the route of the virtual travel. “From the beginning” initializes all settings and starts a new virtual run from the settings. “Date and time setting” sets the date and time. “Mode switching” enables switching from the virtual traveling mode to the navigation mode or from the navigation mode to the virtual traveling mode when the GPS receiver is connected.

FIG. 9 is an example of a point set menu display screen. The point set menu display screen is automatically displayed when a point is set, and a destination, a current position, a passing point, and the like are provided as selectable points. According to this function, it is possible to easily select what kind of set point is to be treated. FIG. 10 is an example of a search condition menu display screen. This search condition menu display screen is automatically displayed when a point required for the search is set, and each time a point is set, the priority condition for the toll road is “priority / not”, and for the passing point, "Pass / Not pass" can be selected. According to this function, selection of a search condition becomes easy.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed by pressing the present location key on the controller during virtual traveling. By displaying on this display screen the position of the current position in all the trips, it is possible to know at a glance how much the car has run and how much distance is left. In this example, the entire process is displayed by a linear bar, and a virtual current position mark is displayed on this bar. According to this function, since the position of the virtual present position in all the trips is displayed in an analog manner, it is possible to easily confirm where the vehicle is traveling. FIG. 12 shows an example of the speed setting screen. This speed setting screen is displayed when the set key on the controller is pressed during the virtual traveling, and the virtual traveling speed can be arbitrarily set by operating the joystick. According to this function, when the user wants to know the current speed, the set speed can be known at a glance by pressing the set key.

In addition to the above display screens, there are a peripheral list display screen not shown and a display screen during re-searching. The surrounding list can be displayed by a submenu when it is necessary to know the surroundings of the destination, for example, roads and buildings in detail. Guide information for registered points can be provided for each destination such as date spots, campsites, and amusement parks, so that detailed information can be provided according to the purpose of the drive. In addition, as a result of performing virtual travel on the searched route,
When it is desired to change all or a part of the route, a new point is set, and a re-search is performed, the route can be reset, and the portion changed by the virtual traveling can be confirmed again.

Next, the overall processing of the present system will be described. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the embodiment of the present invention. First, when the power of the present system is turned on and the system is started, the connection of the GPS is determined (S100). If the connection is established, the navigation mode is entered, and the display process of the start screen of the navigation mode shown in FIG. This is performed (S101). The screen in FIG. 16 is a map display screen based on the current location. When the GPS is not connected, that is, when the GPS is used as a home type, a virtual travel mode is entered, and a virtual travel mode start-up screen display process shown in FIG. 4-1 is performed. (S11
2).

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

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

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

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

Here, there is also a method of displaying a map screen including an arbitrary point by using a map search function in the main menu before starting operation by the joystick. In this case, first, the main menu is operated to display the main menu (S130), and "map search" is selected (S131). Subsequently, search conditions are set or a location name is selected (S132). The search conditions shown here include, for example, telephone numbers, memory locations, and the like. The location name is the address, hotel,
The method performed by displaying a list classified by genre such as a station will be described. When the search condition is determined by the set key (S133), a map screen centering on the point is displayed, and the screen enters the scroll screen by the joystick operation (S134).

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

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

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

Here, the step scroll operation means a geographically bright area such as the vicinity of the departure point, for example, stepping at an intersection, at a service area, at a certain time interval, etc. It is possible to perform a virtual run slowly from a point such as a change to a point ahead to check in detail. If all the route screens have not been selected in step 221, the processing moves to the processing shown in FIG. That is, it is determined whether the "route information screen" is selected from the menu (S223). If not, it is determined whether the route is stored in the memory (S2).
24) If it is a necessary route, store it in the memory. If the route does not need to be stored, the process returns to step 214 to continue the virtual travel. When the route information screen is selected in step 223, route information such as section distance, elapsed time, section fee, etc., as well as distance, required time, and required fee, are displayed as the route information screen shown in FIG. You. Check the details of the route information on this route information screen.

It is determined whether or not "all route screen" has been selected from the route information screen by a menu (S226). When the "all route screen" is selected, an all route display screen is displayed in step 207. If the entire route screen has not been selected, it is determined whether the "virtual traveling screen" has been selected (S227). If it has been selected, the screen becomes a virtual traveling screen at step 214. On the other hand, when the virtual traveling screen is not selected, it is determined whether or not the route is stored in the memory (S22).
8) If necessary, store it in the memory; otherwise, return to step 225.

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

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

In step 306, if the scroll start key has not been pressed, it is determined whether the reverse scroll start key has been pressed (S311). If the key has been pressed, the same processing as in steps 307 and 308 is performed, and the screen is displayed. Is scrolled in the reverse direction (S312, S313). When the scroll start key is pressed during the reverse scroll (S31)
4) Returning to step 307, scroll processing is executed. Return to any point and press the stop key (S31
5), scrolling stops. By switching the scroll between the forward and reverse directions in this way, it is possible to return to an arbitrary point during the virtual traveling as many times as possible and to perform the virtual traveling again from there to examine in detail.

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

Next, map scrolling will be described. In the present embodiment, a route search is performed by setting at least two arbitrary points (a starting point and a destination), and the virtual current position is displayed on the searched route. The user scrolls along the searched route. FIG.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, a line drawing that designs a vehicle is displayed as a virtual current position mark, and this mark is fixed at the center of the display screen. In particular, when the vehicle position is fixedly displayed at the center of the display screen, the situation around the virtual current position can be easily understood. As a means to display the virtual location mark,
In the processing flow shown in FIG.
During 06, processing by the vehicle position display means is inserted. That is, after entering the virtual traveling mode and displaying a map corresponding to the searched route (S304), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a virtual current position mark indicating a vehicle running virtually, such as a vehicle mark, is displayed at coordinates A on the screen (S304A). As the display position of the coordinates A on the screen, an optimal position is set as a specification for widening the screen around the virtual present location and the traveling direction of the virtual travel so as to make it easier to see. Preferably, it is set at the center of the screen to make it easier to see the surroundings of the virtual current location. Set in the opposite direction. The following processing is the same as in FIG.

Next, the scroll control process will be described. FIG. 28 shows the relationship between the speed control selection screen displayed by pressing the set key during virtual traveling and the speed control keys provided on the controller. On the scroll selection screen, a function for switching the virtual traveling speed in three stages and a function for switching the virtual traveling forward and backward are set.
As an operating means for setting, in this example, the control of [forward traveling / stop / reverse traveling] is enabled by using a joystick. When the joystick is tilted to the + side, [reverse travel → stop → forward travel], and conversely-
By tilting to the side, [forward traveling → stop → reverse traveling] is achieved. Further, the forward running and the backward running are each divided into three stages of speed (LOW, MID, HIGH). In the case of the forward running, the joystick is tilted to the + side to [(stop) → LOW → MID → HIGH]. Increase the speed and tilt to the negative side to change [HIGH → MID → LO
W (→ stop)]. The reverse is true for reverse travel. In this example, the joystick is used as the speed switching means. However, the controller is provided with a forward / backward key and a key that switches the speed each time the key is pressed, and is configured so that the traveling direction and the speed are switched by operating these keys. You can also.

By providing the scroll speed control function, it is easy to reduce the speed in an area where detailed course design and course confirmation is required, or to increase the speed in an area where the course is passed. Can be improved. In particular, by providing a forward / backward switching function, even when it is desired to review the vicinity of a point where traveling has already been completed, virtual traveling is stopped in the middle and virtual traveling is not performed from the beginning, but is switched to reverse traveling. You can return to the point, and you can review the route again from this point.

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

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

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

Next, the speed magnification for each scale of the map will be described. In this example, a case will be described in which three speed magnifications can be set for each map scale. FIG. 29 shows an example of the speed magnification value at the scale of the map. Here, a speed control key for changing the speed magnification is provided in the controller. The speed control key has a + button for changing the magnification to the + side and a-button for changing the magnification to the-side. Each time the + or-button is pressed, the speed shifts by one range, and the set speed range is displayed on the scroll selection screen. Is displayed in reverse video.

As a set value of the speed magnification, for example, when the speed range is switched by operating the + button of the speed control key shown in FIG. , In the Low range, the speed magnification value is set to 1 and the actual running speed is 100 km /
In the case of h, the vehicle travels a distance of 100 km in one hour of actual running. When switching to the Mid range, the speed magnification value becomes 1.5
When the vehicle virtually travels at the same speed at the same distance as the Low range, it will arrive in 40 minutes. Further High
In the range, the speed magnification value is doubled, and virtual traveling is performed at twice the speed in the Low range. Therefore, in the High range, if the vehicle travels virtually at the same distance and speed, the vehicle can travel in half the time.

As described above, by setting the speed magnification value according to the scale of the map, the traveling time can be reduced according to the scale of the map, and the virtual traveling can be performed. In other words, if the map scrolling is constant and the map scale is changed, the speed of the virtual travel changes according to the map scale. Therefore, for example, when it is desired to roughly confirm the route information for each important point, a wide area map screen is displayed and virtual driving is performed. If the wide area map at this time is 640,000 maps, the low range (10000)
Virtual traveling can be performed at a speed 8 times in the Low range, 16 times in the Mid range, and 32 times in the High range.

In this function, when a detailed course design or course confirmation is desired, the speed magnification is reduced, virtual running is performed at a relatively low speed, and no change in the course design is required at places where the course confirmation is not required or at a sidewalk. When traveling in an area such as a place, by increasing the speed magnification to increase the speed, operability for course design and confirmation can be improved. That is, when the detailed view is selected, it is expected that the user wants to see the surroundings of the virtual current location in detail. Therefore, the speed magnification value for the detailed view is set to a low magnification, and the virtual traveling with the low magnification is started at the same time as the scale is changed. Conversely, when the wide area map is selected, it is expected that the user wants to roughly see (or want to pass) the route. Therefore, the speed magnification value for the wide area map is set to a high magnification, and the virtual traveling with the high magnification is started at the same time as the scale is changed.

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

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

FIGS. 37 and 38 show a processing flow of step scroll control using a menu and a joystick. At present, during the virtual travel at the speed magnification x, the operation of the submenu key is determined (S450), and if pressed, the submenu shown in FIG. 35 is displayed (S45).
1). "Step setting" is selected from this submenu (S452), and a step scroll reference is set (S453). At the same time when the setting of the selected reference is completed, the submenu is deleted (S454). Then, it is determined what the reference of the scroll set in the “step setting” is (S455), and on the route obtained by the search based on the result of the determination, the point where the above reference is set on the side of the destination from the virtual current position; For example, one with an intersection
The second node is searched, and that node is set as the node a (S456). The map is displayed for a certain period of time by making the node a coincide with the coordinates A on the screen (S457). It is determined whether the speed change key has been pressed (S458), and if not, it is determined whether the submenu key has been pressed (S45).
9). If no key is pressed, step 4
Returning to step 56, step processing for the next reference is performed. If the submenu is pressed, the process returns to step 451, and a selection process based on the submenu is performed.

If it is determined in step 450 in FIG. 37 that the submenu key has not been operated,
It moves to the processing flow of FIG. That is, when the sub-menu key is not pressed, it is determined whether or not the speed change key is pressed (S460), and when no key is pressed, the vehicle continues traveling at the currently set speed magnification. When the speed change key is pressed, the step selection and its direction are determined (S461). When the forward step is selected, the scroll reference is determined at step 455 in FIG. Processing is performed.
On the other hand, when the backward step is selected, the same processing as in steps 455 to 457 is performed (S463 to S463).
67). When the speed change key is pressed, the flow returns to step 461, and scroll processing is performed. When the submenu key is pressed, the process returns to step 451 to display the submenu. If scrolling in any direction is not selected, it is determined whether the speed magnification has been changed. If it is not changed, the vehicle continues traveling at the currently set speed magnification x. When the speed magnification is changed to “y”, x = y is set (S469), and the virtual traveling is performed with the speed magnification y.

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

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

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

According to the above method, the required time when the vehicle actually travels can be accurately estimated. For example, when selecting whether to use a route that gives priority to a toll road or a route that gives priority to a general road. Can be helpful. In addition, the vehicle speed data and the function (A),
By changing each of the coefficients A, B, C, and D in the function (B) based on various conditions such as the number of lanes, the day of the week, the time zone, and the degree of congestion, it is possible to calculate the required time with further increased accuracy. Becomes The average vehicle speed data for each road type may be set in advance as a table shown in FIG. 42, for example. Further, the table shown in FIG. 43 may be additionally provided with conditions such as the number of lanes and the day of the week. In addition, it is possible to calculate the average speed by appropriately combining the above two means.

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

It is determined whether or not the virtual current location has reached the node n + 1 (S608). If it has not reached the next node, the elapsed time of the same content and the remaining required time are displayed.
That is, the display contents are not changed until the next node. When reaching the next node, the elapsed time t is calculated by the following equation (S609). t = t + (distance between nodes n and n + 1) / Vn Then, n = n + 1 is set (S610), and the process returns to step 605, where the elapsed time t and the remaining required time tr
-T is changed and displayed. In this virtual traveling, the state changes from node 0 → node 1 → node 2 →... Node n in step 610, and accordingly t and tr
The contents of -t are displayed. In the flow in FIG.
The condition is satisfied under the condition that a transition to step 609 is made only when the virtual current position comes on the node. However, the route on the map is constituted by each node and a line connecting the nodes. Therefore, the virtual present location may not actually be on a node but on a line between nodes. In such a case as well, in step 608, L interpolates the nodes n and n + 1 to calculate the required time,
More detailed time changes can also be provided to the user.

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

When the system is planned at home and mounted on a vehicle for use, the route actually traveled in the past, the date and time of travel, the required time, etc. are determined based on the planned route planned in advance. Is stored in the storage means, and the file can be called and displayed for each destination. This allows
By comparing the required time calculated by the system with the time required in the past, it is also possible to help in making the next plan. In addition, the date and time of traveling in the past, the required time, and the like may be stored and stored as data, and the average required in the past may be calculated based on the data to calculate the required time.

FIG. 45 shows a processing flow for displaying the traveling distance and the remaining distance. This function fixes the vehicle position on the map display screen and scrolls the map to perform virtual travel.When the virtual travel is performed, the travel distance from the departure point to the vehicle position on the route and the remaining distance from the virtual current location to the destination are displayed. To display. In FIG. 45, first, the total distance KT from the departure point to the destination, the cumulative distance K = 0, and the position L of the virtual current position are set (S800, S801, S802), and the cumulative distance between the nodes obtained by the processing of FIG. That is, the content of the travel distance K from the departure place is displayed (S804), and the remaining distance (KT-K) obtained by subtracting the travel distance from the total distance is obtained and displayed (S805), and the virtual travel is continued (S80).
6). Then, it is determined whether the virtual current location has reached the node n + 1 (S807).
Then, each information of the running distance and the remaining distance is displayed as it is. When the virtual current position reaches the node n + 1, the travel distance K is obtained by the following equation (S808). K = K + (distance between nodes n and n + 1) Then, node update (n = n + 1) is performed (S80).
9) Return to step 809 to update the traveling distance and the remaining distance.

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

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 14 is a flowchart that follows the processing flow of the entire system shown in FIG. 13;

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

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

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

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

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing from the start-up of the system to the display of search results in the processing of the entire system.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a process from display of a map screen in a virtual traveling mode to scrolling of a map.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing processing from determination of a map scale to selection of an entire route screen.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing processing from selection of a route information screen to storage of a route in a memory.

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

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

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

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of map data.

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

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

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

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

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a vehicle speed setting value corresponding to a road type between nodes of a searched route.

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

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of scroll control processing.

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

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

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

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

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing subsequent to FIG. 36.

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

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of a speed determination process.

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

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

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of an elapsed time display process.

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

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a mileage and remaining distance display process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... I / O device, 2 ... Storage medium, 3 ... Central processing unit, 4
... Current position detection device, 60 ... Controller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasunobu Ito 10 Takane, Fujii-cho, Anjo-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside Aisin AW Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shuzo Moroto 2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Equos Research Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Koji Kakutani Equos Research Co., Ltd. 2-19-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A storage medium storing map information, a point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points, a route setting means for setting a route between the two set points, and information on the set route. Display means for displaying the required time, a required time storage means for storing an actual required time when traveling on the route, and a required time for traveling on the route set by the route setting means is calculated based on the map information on the route, and the display is performed. Control means for displaying the required time on the means, wherein the control means calculates the required time of the set route by averaging the past required times stored in the required time storage means. Route information providing device. 2. A storage medium storing map information, a point setting means for setting at least two arbitrary points, a route setting means for setting a route between the two set points, and information on the set route. Display means for displaying the required time for traveling on the route set by the route setting means, based on map information on the route, and control means for displaying the required time on the display means, the control means Is a route information providing apparatus for calculating a required time of a route set based on the number of intersections per unit distance. 3. The control means calculates the number of intersections per unit distance for each predetermined section on the route, calculates the required time for each section, and calculates the required time for the route. The route information providing device according to claim 2. 4. The route information providing device according to claim 2, wherein the intersection is an intersection where a traffic light is installed.