JPH11325921A - Navigator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigator which can easily retrieve a desired spot and reduce retrieving time. SOLUTION: Sorts of traffic means, name character rows of traffic means, imaged data of outline maps, longitudes and latitudes of spots capable of getting on and off a car, and traffic means data composed of name character rows are stored in a traffic means data storage device by every traffic means. When an outline map display is indicated, traffic means selection image selecting traffic means is drawn and displayed by an outline map image-drawing part 70. When a traffic means is selected out of the traffic means selection images, an outline map of the selected traffic means is image-drawn and displayed by the outline map drawing-drawing part 70. In the state that a spot capable of getting on and off a car is selected on the outline map, switching to map display is enabled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device for displaying map information around the position of a vehicle or a specific point.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An on-vehicle navigation device detects a current position of a vehicle and displays a map image near the current position on a screen, a map display function for displaying a map image around an arbitrary location on a screen, and the like. And a route search / guidance function for searching for an optimal route connecting the departure place and the destination and guiding the vehicle according to the route obtained by this search operation. As a typical method for a user to search for and specify a desired facility or the like in these various functions,
Scroll the map on the screen according to the user's operation to display the desired facility etc. on the screen and specify it, or display the genre list of facilities and select the desired facility etc. from it There is a method of displaying a map of a predetermined range including this facility.

[0003]

By the way, a conventional designation method for specifying a desired facility or the like by scrolling a map (
Method), since the displayed map image contains a wide variety of information such as roads, buildings, and rivers, when searching for a point buried between them, the map on the screen There is a problem that image retrieval is not easy.
For example, even if the wide area display is once used to search for the vicinity of the desired point and then return to the detailed display to display the desired point, if the exact position of the desired point on the map is not known, the wide area is displayed after the detailed display. , And it takes time and effort to search for a desired point.

In a conventional designation method of displaying a list of facilities by category and selecting from the list, the name of each facility to be selected is displayed, and a user selects from the names. Therefore, a desired facility cannot be selected unless the name is known.
Alternatively, even if a part of the name of the desired facility to be searched is known, if there are a plurality of facilities with similar names as selection candidates, perform appropriate operations until the target facility can be selected. Therefore, it takes time and effort to search for a desired point. For example, even if you want to take a break in a parking area just before an interchange on an expressway and set that parking area as the destination for route search, if you do not know the name of the parking area, Even if a list of parking areas is displayed, a desired one cannot be selected from the list. Also, some of the names of parking areas are known,
If there are multiple parking areas with the same name, it is necessary to actually select each one and check the interchanges in the vicinity, and if you are lucky, you will find the desired parking area in the first search. You can search for an area, but you may have to repeat this process many times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can easily search for a desired point and can shorten the search time. is there.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the navigation apparatus of the present invention, information about a plurality of specific points extracted in advance and a connection state between them are stored. , A simple image showing the specific point and its connection state is created and displayed. Therefore, since the simple image does not include detailed map information other than the specific point, it is easy to search for a desired specific point. In addition, it is preferable that any specific point included in the simplified image is selectable, and information on the specific point can be obtained by such a simple operation.

It is preferable that a map image is created based on the map data, or a facility list image is created in addition to the map image, and these images and the above-mentioned simple images are switched while being associated with each other. By switching various images having different display purposes in association with each other, various search processes can be performed, and information on a desired point and its surroundings can be easily searched. In particular, when switching from the simple image to the map image, the display image is switched so that any one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image before switching is the display center position of the map image after switching. Is preferred. After the specific point is extracted using the simple image, a map image centering on the specific point can be displayed, so that it is easy to confirm facilities and the like around the specific point. Further, when switching from the map image to the simple image, any one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image after switching is selected based on the point on the map corresponding to the display center position of the map image before switching. It is preferable to switch the display image so as to be in a state where the display image is displayed.
After specifying the approximate position using the map image, the specific points around it can be displayed on the simple image, so if the approximate position is known, the specific facilities etc. around it Search becomes easy.

In addition, it is preferable to set, as the above-mentioned plurality of specific points, points where the passengers can get on and off the vehicle, which are included in a predetermined route. It is important to specify a point where the user can get on and off a route, for example, an expressway or a railroad, where the point where the person can get on and off is determined, and an intermediate place or the like is often not searched. Therefore, by setting these available points as specific points included in the simple image, it is possible to search only necessary information by a quick and simple operation.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention displays a schematic diagram including points at which a vehicle such as a railway or an expressway can get on and off a transportation means, and also includes a schematic diagram, a map, If any of the boarding point name lists is displayed and a boarding point is selected, this selection state is reflected in other display forms, and the sketch, map, and boarding point name list are Switching of the associated display screen is performed. Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the place where people can get on and off refers to a specific point where people or vehicles can get on and off.For example, in the case of a railway, a station where people can get on and off is equivalent to this, and in the case of a highway, Interchanges where vehicles can get on and off the expressway and service areas where people can get on and off the vehicles correspond to this.

(1) Overall Configuration of Navigation Apparatus FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an on-vehicle navigation apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The navigation device shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation controller 1 for controlling the whole, and a CD-RO recording various data necessary for displaying a schematic diagram, a map, a list of getting on and off points and a route search.
M2, a disk reading device 3 for reading data recorded on the CD-ROM 2, a remote control (remote control) unit 4 as an operation unit for a driver or a passenger to input various instructions, GPS receiver 5 and autonomous navigation sensor 6 for detecting the direction of the vehicle, and display device 9 for displaying a map image and a guidance route superimposed on the map image
And

The above-mentioned disk reading device 3 can be loaded with one or a plurality of CD-ROMs 2 and any one of the CD-ROMs 2 is controlled by the navigation controller 1.
-Read data from ROM2. The remote control unit 4 includes a search key for giving a route search instruction, a route guidance mode key used for setting a route guidance mode, a destination input key, left / right / up / down cursor keys, a map reduction / enlargement key, and a cursor on the display screen. It is equipped with various operation keys such as a setting key for confirming the item at the position, a display switching key for switching each screen display of a schematic diagram, a map, a list of getting on and off points, and an infrared signal according to the operation state of the key is a navigation controller. 1 is transmitted.

The GPS receiver 5 receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites, performs three-dimensional positioning processing or two-dimensional positioning processing, and calculates the absolute position and direction of the vehicle (vehicle direction is determined at the present time. Is calculated based on the own vehicle position and the own vehicle position one sampling time ΔT before), and these are output together with the positioning time. The autonomous navigation sensor 6 includes an angle sensor such as a vibrating gyroscope that detects the vehicle rotation angle as a relative direction, and a distance sensor that outputs one pulse every predetermined traveling distance. Detect orientation.

The display device 9 displays map information around the own vehicle together with a vehicle position mark, a departure point mark, a destination mark, etc., based on the image data output from the navigation controller 1, or guides the user on this map. Show directions. In addition, the display device 9 displays a schematic diagram and a list of boarding point names.

(2) Contents of Data Recorded on CD-ROM Next, data (map data, transportation means data) recorded on the CD-ROM 2 will be described. CD-ROM
The map data recorded in No. 2 is in units of figures separated by predetermined longitude and latitude, and the map data of each figure is specified by specifying a figure number and can be read out. . In addition, the map data for each map includes a drawing unit including various data necessary for map display, a road unit including data necessary for various processes such as map matching, route search, and route guidance.
An intersection unit including detailed data of the intersection is included.

For example, the drawing unit includes background layer data necessary for displaying a building or a river, and the like.
It contains character layer data necessary to display place names, road names, and the like. The road unit includes a road attribute of a link (a line connecting an intersection on the road and another adjacent intersection), a time required for passing the link, and a node (2).
(Points connecting more than two links) is included. The intersection unit includes data such as the longitude and latitude of the intersection, the number of lanes, and character strings of names.

Next, the means of transportation data will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of the means of transportation data. As shown in the figure, the means of transportation data shows, for each means of transportation such as the Yamanote Line and the Tomei Expressway, a “type of means of transportation” for identifying the means of transportation and the name of the means of transportation of interest. "Transportation name character string", "Schematic drawing data" for displaying a schematic representation of the route of the transportation mode of interest, and the longitude of each possible point of getting on and off (station, interchange, etc.) of the transportation mode of interest・ Longitude / latitude of the boarding point indicating the latitude,
It is composed of a "character string for getting on and off point name" indicating the name of each getting on and off point.

For example, in the transportation means data corresponding to the Yamanote line, a transportation means type for specifying the Yamanote line, a name character string of "Yamanote line", and a route of the Yamanote line are displayed in a simplified diagram. , The longitude / latitude of each station, which is a point where the user can get on and off the Yamanote Line, and a name character string.
In addition, the transportation mode data corresponding to the Tomei Expressway schematically displays a transportation mode type for identifying the Tomei Expressway, a name character string of "Tomei Expressway", and a route of the Tomei Expressway. Schematic drawing data, and longitude / latitude and a name character string of each interchange, service area, etc., which are points where the Tomei Expressway can get on and off.

(3) Detailed Configuration and Operation of Navigation Controller Next, a detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The navigation controller 1 includes a data buffer 16 for displaying a predetermined map on the display device 9 based on the map data read from the CD-ROM 2, a map reading control unit 18, a map drawing unit 20, a VRAM 22, a reading control unit 24, Display control unit 2
6, a vehicle position calculation unit 30, a route search processing unit 36, a guidance route drawing unit 42, and a mark image for performing calculation of the vehicle position, map matching processing, route search processing, and route guidance processing and displaying the results. A generation unit 44, a remote control unit 60 for transmitting an operation instruction from the remote control unit 4 to each unit, a cursor position calculation unit 62, and an operation screen generation unit 64 for instructing drawing of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of getting on and off point names , Drawing instruction unit 66, means of transportation data memory 6
8, a schematic diagram drawing unit 70 for drawing a schematic diagram, and a name list drawing unit 72 for drawing a list of boarding point names.

The data buffer 16 temporarily stores map data and transportation data read from the CD-ROM 2 by the disk reading device 3. When the screen readout position is calculated by the map readout control unit 18, an instruction to read out map data in a predetermined range including the screen printout position is sent from the map readout control unit 18 to the disk reading device 3, and the map readout unit 18 needs to read the map data. Map data is stored. For example, map data corresponding to four sheets including the screen center position is read and stored in the data buffer 16. When the navigation device is powered on, the transportation means data is read from the CD-reader by the disk reader 3.
The data is read from the ROM 2 and stored in the data buffer 16.

The map drawing section 20 creates a map image required for display based on the drawing units included in the map data of the four figures stored in the data buffer 16. The created map image data is stored in the VRAM 22,
The reading control unit 24 reads one screen of map image data.

The display control unit 26 superimposes each image data output from the mark image generation unit 44 on the read map image data to perform image synthesis, and displays the synthesized map image on the screen of the display device 9. Will be displayed. In addition, the display control unit 26 displays any one of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of boarding point names on the display device 9 in response to pressing of the screen switching key of the remote control unit 4.

The vehicle position calculation unit 30 sequentially stores positioning position (own vehicle position) data output from the GPS receiver 5, and also stores the relative position and direction of the own vehicle output from the autonomous navigation sensor 6. Calculates absolute vehicle position and bearing from Further, the vehicle position calculation unit 30 determines whether or not these vehicle positions are present on the road in the map data, and corrects the calculated vehicle position if the vehicle position is off the road ( Map matching processing). As typical methods of map matching, pattern matching and projection are known.

When the destination input key is depressed after the cursor is moved to a specific location on the map by operating the cursor key of the remote control unit 4, the route search processing unit 36 calculates by the cursor position calculation unit 62 at this time. The set cursor position is set as a route search destination. When the search key of the remote control unit 4 is depressed, the route search processing unit 36 sets the departure point and the destination as a departure point using the own vehicle position corrected by the vehicle position calculation unit 30 under a predetermined condition. A search is made for a traveling route connected by the above, and guidance route data is created. For example, under various conditions such as the shortest distance and the shortest time, a guidance route with the lowest cost is set.
The Dijkstra method and the horizontal search method are known as typical methods of the route search.

The guide route drawing section 42 is provided with a route search processing section 3
From the guidance route data output from 6, the one included in the map area drawn at that time in the VRAM 22 is selected, and the guidance route is superimposed on the map image and is emphasized with a predetermined color in a thick color. The mark image generating unit 44 generates a vehicle position mark at the position of the own vehicle after the map matching processing, or generates a cursor mark having a predetermined shape.

The drawing instructing section 66 reads the means of transportation stored in the data buffer 16 in advance and stores it in the means of transportation data memory 68. The drawing instruction unit 6
When the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 is pressed and the display of a schematic diagram is instructed, the instruction 6 instructs the operation screen generating unit 64 to draw a transportation mode selection screen. Thereafter, when the transportation mode selection screen is displayed, the cursor is moved by operating the cursor keys of the remote control unit 4,
When the setting key is pressed, the drawing instruction unit 66 determines the means of transportation selected by the user based on the cursor position calculated by the cursor position calculating unit 62 at this time, and The user is instructed to draw a sketch of the selected means of transportation.

When the cursor is moved by the operation of the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 and the setting key is depressed when the schematic diagram is displayed, the cursor position calculation unit 62 Based on the calculated cursor position, the boarding / alighting point selected by the user is determined, and the selected state of the boarding / alighting point is reflected in a map or a list of boarding / alighting point names, and a schematic diagram, a map,
Associating the boarding point name list with each other. For example, when screen switching is instructed from a schematic diagram to a map, a map centering on the selected boarding / alighting point is displayed. Also,
When display switching is instructed from the schematic diagram to the boarding point name list, the name of the information point selected in the boarding point name list is highlighted. Similarly, the drawing instruction unit 66
If a map or a boarding point name list is displayed and a boarding point is selected, this selection status is reflected in other displays, and the sketch, map, and boarding point name list Relate.

The above-mentioned transportation means data memory 68 stores the specific point information storage means in the drawing instruction section 66 and the schematic drawing drawing section 70.
Is the simple image creation means, the display device 9 and the display control unit 26 are the display means, the remote control unit 4, the remote control control unit 60, the cursor position calculation unit 62 and the drawing instruction unit 66 are the specific point selection means, and the data buffer 16 is the In the map data storage means, the map drawing unit 20 serves as a map image creation means, the remote control unit 4 and the remote control control unit 60 serve as screen switching instruction means, the display control unit 26 and the drawing instruction unit 66 serve as display image switching means, and a list of names. The drawing unit 72 corresponds to the facility list image creation unit.

(4) Operation of Navigation Apparatus The entire navigation apparatus and the navigation controller 1 have the above-described configuration. Next, the operation will be described.

(4-1) Schematic Diagram Display Operation First, the operation for displaying a schematic diagram will be described. FIG.
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the navigation device that performs schematic display. The drawing instruction unit 66 determines whether or not the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 has been pressed to give an instruction to display a schematic diagram (step 100). When the display of the schematic diagram is instructed, the drawing instructing unit 66 reads out the transportation means data stored in the transportation means data memory 68 and outputs the “transportation name character string” included therein to the operation screen generating unit 6.
4 to give an instruction to draw a transportation mode selection screen (step 101).

The operation screen generating section 64 draws a transportation mode selection screen based on the "transportation mode name character string" according to the instruction. The drawn image is displayed on the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 (Step 102).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the transportation mode selection screen. As shown in the figure, the name of each means of transportation, such as the Yamanote Line and the Tomei Expressway, is displayed in a list on the means of transportation selection screen. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, instead of displaying all transportation means on the same screen, a general classification such as a railway, an expressway, or a ferry is selected first, and then the classification is classified. A detailed transportation mode selection screen may be displayed.

Next, the drawing instruction section 66 operates the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 and presses the setting key to select one of the transportation modes displayed on the transportation mode selection screen. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step 103). When any one of the transportation means is selected, the drawing instructing unit 66 reads the schematic drawing data included in the transportation means data corresponding to the selected transportation means from the transportation data memory 68, and reads out the read schematic drawing. An instruction is issued to the schematic drawing section 70 to draw the schematic image based on the drawing data (step 104). The sketch drawing unit 70 draws a sketch image of the selected means of transportation in accordance with the instruction. The drawn image is displayed on the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 (step 10).
5).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic display.
For example, when the Yamanote line is selected on the transportation mode selection screen shown in FIG. 4, a schematic diagram of the Yamanote line is displayed as shown in FIG. The schematic diagram of the Yamanote Line includes the route of the Yamanote Line and each station which is a point where the passenger can get on and off based on the transportation means data corresponding to the Yamanote Line.

As described above, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, the means of transportation recorded on the CD-ROM 2 together with the map data is read out and stored in the means of transportation data memory 68, and the display operation of the schematic diagram is performed by the user. When any transportation mode is selected after the instruction is given, the schematic drawing data included in the transportation mode data is read out by the drawing instruction unit 66, and the schematic map drawing unit 70 determines the corresponding possible point of getting on and off of the transportation mode. A schematic image showing these connection states is drawn, and the display device 9
Will be displayed. The schematic diagram shows only the points that can be used to get on and off and the routes that indicate the connection between them, and unnecessary roads and rivers are not displayed when selecting a specific point that can be used for getting on and off based on the connection state. The user can easily search for a desired point where the user can get on and off. Conventionally, it has been difficult to search for a boarding point whose name or position is not clear. However, in the navigation device of the present embodiment, the connection state of each boarding point, that is, the relative Can be selected from a specific relationship, for example, it is possible to select the next station after Shibuya Station on the Yamanote Line as a specific boardable point, greatly reducing the time and effort of searching Can be shortened.

(4-2) Operation at the time of selection of a point where the user can get on and off Next, the operation when the user can select a point at which the user can get on and off the vehicle included in the schematic diagram will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the navigation device when a point where the user can get on and off the vehicle is selected when the schematic diagram is displayed. The drawing instruction unit 66 monitors whether or not any of the available points included in the displayed schematic is selected by the user (step 200), and any of the available points is selected. And the name of the point at which the passenger can get on / off corresponding to the selected point at which the passenger can get on / off (Step 201). The selection of the point at which the user can get on and off is performed, for example, by pressing the setting key while the cursor key of the remote control unit 4 is operated by the user and the cursor is moved to one of the points at which the user can get on and off. . In addition, the emphasis display of the name of the point at which the user can get on and off is performed by, for example, changing the display color or reverse display.

Next, the drawing instructing section 66 selects the “longitude / latitude of the boarding point” or “lading boarding point” corresponding to the selected boardable point from the means of transportation data stored in the means of transport data memory 68. The location name character string is read and stored (step 202).

As described above, by storing "longitude / latitude of the boarding / alighting point" which is information for specifying the selected boarding / alighting possible point, in a screen transition operation described later,
By reflecting this selection state on other types of display screens, it becomes possible to associate a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of getting on and off point names with one another.

(4-3) Operation of Screen Transition Next, a transition operation between each display screen of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of boarding point names will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a screen transition for mutually switching between the respective display screens of a schematic diagram, a map, and a list of boarding point names, showing a specific example when the Yamanote Line is selected as a means of transportation. Have been.

The display screens of the schematic diagram, map, and boarding point name list shown in FIG. 7 are associated with each other. For example, "Ikebukuro", which is a point where you can get on and off when the sketch is displayed
When is selected, when the display is switched from the schematic to the map, a predetermined map image centering on "Ikebukuro" is displayed,
When the display is switched from the schematic to the boarding point name list, "Ikebukuro" in the boarding point name list is selected (highlighted).

When the map is displayed, and the display center is set at "Ikebukuro", which is a point at which the passenger can get on and off, the display is switched from the map to the schematic diagram so that the user can get on and off. The point "Ikebukuro" is highlighted, and when the display is switched from the map to the boarding point name list, "Ikebukuro" in the boarding point name list is selected.

If "Ikebukuro" is selected when the getting on / off point name list is displayed, the display is switched from the getting on / off point name list to a map, and a predetermined map image centering on "Ikebukuro" is displayed. When the display is switched and the display is switched from the boarding point name list to the simplified diagram, the boardable point “Ikebukuro” included in the simplified diagram is highlighted.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the navigation device when the display screen is changed from a schematic diagram to a map or a list of boarding point names. For example, when a schematic diagram is displayed, one of the available points included in the schematic is selected, and the “longitude / latitude of the available point” corresponding to the selected available point is indicated by the drawing instruction unit 66. Is stored.

The drawing instructing section 66 determines whether or not the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 has been pressed to instruct a map display (step 300). When the map display is instructed by the user, the drawing instructing unit 66 outputs the “longitude / latitude of the boarding point” to the map readout control unit 18 and outputs the boardable point selected by the user. An instruction is issued to perform a map readout with the screen center position (step 301). In accordance with this instruction, the map reading control unit 18 sends to the disk reading device 3 an instruction to read map data in a predetermined range in which the selected boardable point is the screen center position. In the map drawing unit 20, the disk reading device 3
A map image is drawn based on the map data read from the D-ROM 2 and stored in the map buffer 16. The drawn image is displayed on the display device 9 via the display control unit 26.
And displayed (step 302). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when “Ikebukuro”, which is a point where the user can get on and off the vehicle, is designated while the schematic diagram is displayed, when the display screen is switched from the schematic diagram to the map, “Ikebukuro” is displayed. Is displayed.

If map display is not instructed (if a negative determination is made in step 300), the drawing instructing unit 66 further determines whether or not display of a boarding / alighting point name list is instructed (step 303). ). If the display of the boarding point name list is not instructed, the drawing instruction unit 66
Determines again whether a map display has been instructed (step 300).

When the display of the boarding point name list is instructed, the drawing instructing unit 66 uses the schematic diagram to store the name character string of any of the boarding possible points already selected using the transportation means data memory 68. And instructs the name list drawing section 72 to create a boarding point name list image including this name character string (step 304). In accordance with this instruction, the name list drawing section 72 draws a list of boarding point names including the selected boarding point, and displays a boarding point name list in which the name character string of the selected boarding point is highlighted. It is sent to the display device 9 via the display 26 and displayed (step 305). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when “Ikebukuro” which is a place where the user can get on and off the vehicle is designated when the schematic diagram is displayed, and when the display of the screen is switched from the schematic diagram to the name list of the getting on and off points, “Ikebukuro” is displayed. "Is displayed with a list of getting on and off points highlighted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the navigation device when the display screen is changed from a map to a schematic diagram. When the normal map display is being performed (step 400), the drawing instructing unit 66 determines whether or not the display switching key of the remote control unit 4 has been pressed and the display of the schematic diagram has been instructed (step 401). When the display of the schematic diagram is instructed, the drawing instructing unit 66 outputs the operation screen generating unit 64
Is instructed to draw a transportation mode selection screen (step 402), and the transportation mode selection screen is displayed (step 403).

Next, the drawing instructing section 66 determines whether or not any of the transportation means displayed on the transportation means selection screen has been selected by the user (step 404). If either mode of transportation is selected,
The drawing instruction unit 66 reads the schematic drawing data included in the transportation means data corresponding to the selected transportation means from the transportation means data memory 68, and draws the schematic drawing image based on the read schematic drawing data. Drawing unit 7
0 is instructed (step 405). Schematic drawing unit 70
Draws a schematic image of the selected means of transportation in accordance with the instruction, and the drawn image is sent to the display device 9 via the display control unit 26 and displayed (step 406). In addition, the drawing instruction unit 66 selects a possible boarding point having the longitude and latitude closest to the longitude and latitude of the display center in the map display from the transportation means data corresponding to the drawn schematic diagram, and The name of the getting on / off point corresponding to the possible point is highlighted (step 407).

As described above, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, by switching to the map display after selecting one of the available points for getting on and off using a schematic diagram, a map centering on the selected available point for getting on and off is displayed. Can be displayed. Therefore, when searching for the service area immediately before the XX interchange on the expressway, first search for the desired service area using the schematic diagram,
After that, you can switch to map display, and even if there is a desired point where you do not know the name at all or only part of it, you can easily search if you know the relative position of a specific route, search Time can be reduced.

Also, by switching to the schematic display after specifying a rough position on the map, the nearest desired point can be searched instantaneously. The time and effort required for the search can be significantly reduced as compared with the case of searching for a desired point.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, an interchange or a service area is set as a point where the passenger can get on and off the expressway. However, a stop of an express bus, a place where an emergency call is made, and the like may be set.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transportation means data is provided for the railway and the highway. However, other transportation means may be used as long as the route and the place where the passenger can get on and off are provided. You may do so. In addition, not only the means of transportation but also a plurality of specific points are extracted in advance, and if the connection state of these points can be drawn, the points can be displayed as a schematic diagram. For example, a tourist facility such as a historic site may be displayed in a schematic diagram along with a predetermined route.

In the above-described embodiment, the means of transportation is provided separately from the map data. However, the means of transportation may be automatically extracted from the map data and created. Alternatively, data relating to the point at which the passenger can get on and off such as the longitude and latitude of the point at which the passenger can get on and off, and the name character string may be included in the map data, and the transportation means data may be generated from the map data.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, a simplified image showing a plurality of specific points extracted in advance and their connection status is created and displayed, so that a search for a desired specific point can be performed. It becomes easy, and it is possible to obtain information on a specific point by a simple operation. Further, by switching the map image or the facility list image and the simplified image while associating them with each other, various search processes can be performed, and information on a desired point and its surroundings can be easily searched.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of transportation means data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device that performs the schematic display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transportation means selection screen.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic display.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the navigation device when a getting-on / drop-off point is selected when a schematic diagram is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a screen transition for mutually switching between respective display screens of a schematic diagram, a map, and a boarding point name list.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a display screen is transited from a schematic diagram to a map or a list of getting on and off points.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device when a display screen is changed from a map to a schematic diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation controller 2 CD-ROM 3 Disk reading device 4 Remote control unit 9 Display device 16 Data buffer 18 Map reading control unit 20 Map drawing unit 22 VRAM 26 Display control unit 60 Remote control control unit 64 Operation screen generation unit 66 Drawing instruction unit 68 Traffic Means data memory 70 Schematic drawing unit 72 Name list drawing unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A specific point information storage unit in which information on a plurality of specific points extracted in advance and a connection state thereof are stored, and the specific point is stored on the basis of the information stored in the specific point information storage unit. A navigation apparatus comprising: a simple image creating unit that creates a simple image indicating the connection state; and a display unit that displays the simple image created by the simple image creating unit on a screen. . 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a specific point selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of specific points by performing a predetermined operation in a state where the simplified image is displayed by the display means. A navigation device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. A map data storage means for storing map data necessary for a predetermined map display, and a map image of a predetermined range based on the map data stored in the map data storage means. A screen image instructing unit for instructing a switch between the simple image selectively displayed by the display unit and the map image; and a case in which the screen instructing unit issues the switching instruction. A display image switching unit that switches between the simple image and the map image while associating any one of the plurality of specific points included in the simple image with a predetermined point included in the map image. Navigation equipment, further comprising: 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a facility list image creating unit that creates a facility list image that displays a list of facilities included in the map image. The map image and the facility list image are mutually switched, and when the switching instruction is issued by the display image switching means, any one of the plurality of specific points included in the simplified image and the map image Navigation, wherein the simple image, the map image, and the facility list image are mutually switched while associating a predetermined point included in the facility list with any one of the facilities included in the facility list image. apparatus. 5. The display image switching unit according to claim 3, wherein, when switching from the simple image to the map image, the display image switching unit determines the plurality of specific points included in the simple image before switching. A navigation device, wherein switching from the simple image to the map image is performed such that any one of them is the display center position of the map image after the switching. 6. The display image switching means according to claim 3, wherein, when switching from the map image to the simple image, the display image switching unit is configured to display a map image corresponding to a display center position of the map image before switching. Switching from the map image to the simple image such that any one of the plurality of specific points included in the switched simple image is selected based on the point. apparatus. 7. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of specific points are points where the user can get on and off the vehicle included in a predetermined route.