JPH11351898A - Method for selecting function of car navigation system and remote control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for selecting the function of a car navigation system utilizing a rotary encoder with a switch for selecting a target from a number of menus or functions with a simple operation, and a remote control device. SOLUTION: A remote control device 10 is provided with a rotary encoder for detecting the rotary direction (clockwise or counterclockwise direction) of a dial 15A and the amount of rotation and a rotary encoder 15 with a switch consisting of a push-in switch. Then, a user performs a series of search/decision operations of the rotary operation and push-in operation of the dial 15A while monitoring a menu screen, the screen of function list, or the like being displayed on a navigation body screen, thus successively sending out the code pulses of a search signal and a decision signal from the remote control device 10 to the navigation body side. And, the section or the like of a target menu or a target function is made successively at the navigation body side in a hierarchy by repeating a series of simple search/decision operations. The method is suited especially for selecting the functions of IIS(integrated information service), a mark list, or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car navigation system and, more particularly, to a function selection method for selecting a desired function from various menus or functions, and a remote control device for issuing a search signal / decision signal to a navigation body. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A current car navigation system includes:
It has a large number of menus and route search functions, and as a method of selecting a desired function from among them, generally, as shown in an example of a menu hierarchical structure in FIG. Start the screen,
A function selection method is used in which one of a plurality of menus grouped for each function is called, and a desired function is selected by tracing hierarchically therefrom. The user can select a menu / menu displayed on the navigation body screen. While looking at the screen of the function list, the joystick and push-in switch provided on the remote control device (usually wireless) are operated to search and select the desired one from the above many menus or functions. Have been.

[0003] Conventional remote control devices for operating the car navigation system include a joystick (used for scrolling a screen or moving a cursor in eight or four directions) shared with an enter button and other push-in switches ( Screen enlargement / reduction key, current location key, menu key, back key, route key, search key, 10 keys, etc.), slide switch (TV /
Generally, it is configured only by switching of car navigation.

[0004]

However, a series of remote controls for calling one of a number of menus grouped for each function and tracing hierarchically therefrom to search and determine a desired function. The operation of the device becomes complicated as the number of options increases, and is troublesome for the user.

For example, tourist facilities, public facilities, telephone numbers,
Search for specific location by inputting address etc., Expressway IC /
IIS (Integrated Information Service) that can search information other than map information, such as SA / PA information and price information search
vice), the menu selection is arranged on the display screen as can be seen from the movement of the cursor (arrow) K on the display screen shown in FIG. It is necessary to move the cursor K that freely moves with respect to the button to the target selection button using the joystick, and it is troublesome to operate the joystick while watching the display screen.

[0006] The joystick operation as described above is the same when selecting a mark list (a list of mark points registered by the user) for searching and determining a large number of marks displayed on the navigation body screen.

[0007] However, when considering the operation of a car navigation system, which is expected to be further advanced in the future, from the viewpoint of safety, from the viewpoint of safety, the vehicle is mounted on an automobile and the vehicle is driven from a passenger seat or a driver's seat. Input operation should be as simple as possible, and in the future, it is assumed that an operation using a touch screen that touches a selection menu button or the like displayed on a display screen, an operation using voice recognition, or the like will be used. (There are new R & D and cost issues.) Most of the current car navigation systems mainly use a small remote control device that can fit in the palm of the hand and remotely control the device several tens of centimeters away from the main unit. Therefore, it can be said that it is desirable to simplify the operation based on this.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a novel method for selecting a function of a car navigation system and a remote control device for realizing the method.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides: (1) a car navigation system for calling one of a plurality of menus grouped for each function, and selecting a desired function by tracing hierarchically therefrom. In the function selecting method, the plurality of menus or functions are sequentially set on the navigation body screen by setting a search signal corresponding to the rotation direction of the dial of the rotary encoder with a switch, and setting the dial of the rotary encoder with the switch. A decision signal for determining the menu or function being searched is issued by a switch-on operation to be pressed, and selection of a target menu or a target function is hierarchically performed by repeating the rotation / press switch operation of the dial. Car navigation system characterized by being performed sequentially The object is achieved by providing a method for selecting a function of a stem.

(2) Also, in the remote control device of the car navigation system, a search signal for sequentially searching various menus or functions on the navigation main body screen in accordance with the rotation direction of the dial is issued, and the dial is centered on the dial. A rotary encoder with a switch that emits a determination signal for determining the menu or function being searched for by a switch-on operation that is pressed toward is built in a remote control device so that a part of the dial is exposed. The above object is achieved by providing a remote control device that performs the method of selecting a function of a car navigation system according to the above (1).

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a remote control device of a car navigation system according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a front view. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the remote control device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a rotary encoder with a switch according to the present invention.

In FIG. 2, a remote control device 10 for a car navigation system according to the present invention includes a key matrix 12, a function setting switch 13, a joystick 14, and a rotary encoder 15 with a switch.
(Also commonly referred to as a jog dial).
All the electric pulse signals of the operation keys and switches are transmitted to the CPU 11 (central processing unit), and the CPU 1
1 controls an LED drive circuit 16 that drives a signal sending LED (light emitting diode) 17 so as to emit a predetermined code pulse corresponding to a key operation. Reference numeral 18 denotes a power supply circuit.

The method of selecting a function of the car navigation system by the remote control device 10 calls one of a plurality of menus grouped for each function as shown in FIG. The conventional function selection procedure of selecting a target function by tracing is performed, but a rotary encoder 15 with a switch as shown in FIG. 3 is used for all or a part of the search / determination operation.

That is, in FIG. 3, a rotary encoder 15 with a switch is capable of detecting a rotation direction (right rotation or left rotation) based on a phase difference between two pulse outputs A and B, and a rotation amount based on the number of pulses. It has a structure in which a single push-in switch 15S (a structure in which a dial 15A or a rotary encoder itself is biased by a spring against a switch portion) is combined, and the CPU 11 of the remote control device 10 is a rotary encoder with a switch. In response to the two pulse output signals A and B from the reference signal 15, a code pulse of the search signal corresponding to the rotation direction of the arrow Y of the dial 15 A (code pulse of right rotation /
The menu or function currently being searched on the navigation body screen is operated by switching on the attached push-in switch 15S that emits a left-handed code pulse and pushes the dial 15A in the direction of arrow X toward the dial center 15C. A code pulse of a determination signal to be determined on the main body side is issued.

As described above, by turning the dial 15A of the remote control device 10 clockwise or counterclockwise while looking at the menu screen and the function list screen displayed on the navigation main body screen, a search is performed. By repeatedly performing a series of simple search / determination operations in which the dial 15A is pressed and determined as it is when the search is performed, a desired menu or a desired function is hierarchically selected on the navigation body side in a hierarchical manner.

Finally, according to the operation method for selecting the function,
As can be seen from the display screen of FIG.
Each time A is rotated, the cursor K is sequentially moved to the selection candidate button as indicated by an arrow, so that the search operation is a simple act of simply turning the dial 15A, and the search is facilitated. You do not need to pay close attention.) Furthermore, since the operation of deciding the item after the search can be performed by pressing the dial 15A, the search and determination can be performed by a series of simple operations of "turning" and "pressing" the dial with one finger.

The most useful menus for searching and determining by operating the rotary encoder 15 with a switch provided in the remote control device 10 are selection of IIS and selection of a mark list. Since there are many items to be selected in both cases, the merit of a simple function selection method by a series of search / decision operations of “turn” → “press” of the dial 15A is great.

It should be noted that the function selection by the rotary encoder 15 with switch according to the present invention is as follows.
It is particularly useful for selecting items in the IIS or mark list, but can be applied to search and determination of other items.

[0020]

As described above, the present invention relates to a method for selecting a function of a car navigation system having a large number of menus and functions, and a remote control device.
When a decision operation is required, the use of a rotary encoder with a switch enables the menu and function search / decision operations, especially IIS / mark list search / decision operations, by turning the dial to "press". Has an excellent effect that it can be quickly performed by a series of simple operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a remote control device of a car navigation system according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a front view.

FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of a remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a rotary encoder with a switch according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a menu hierarchical structure in the car navigation system.

5A and 5B are diagrams showing movement of a cursor K for searching for a target button from a large number of selection buttons on a display screen, where FIG. 5A shows a conventional joystick, and FIG. 5B shows a rotary encoder with a switch of the present invention. Is the case.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 remote control device 11 CPU 12 key matrix 13 function setting switch 14 joystick 15 rotary encoder with switch (jog dial) 15A dial 15C dial center 15S push-in switch 16 LED drive circuit 17 signal transmission LED 18 power supply circuit K cursor (arrow) A, B Rotary encoder pulse output

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A function selection method for a car navigation system in which one of a plurality of menus grouped for each function is called and a target function is selected by hierarchically tracing therefrom. A search signal whose function is sequentially searched on the navigation main body screen is set according to the rotation direction of the dial of the rotary encoder with a switch, and the menu being searched by a switch-on operation of pressing the dial of the rotary encoder with a switch. Alternatively, a decision signal for deciding a function is issued, and a desired menu or a desired function is sequentially selected hierarchically by repeating the rotation / press switch operation of the dial. How to select system functions. 2. A remote control device for a car navigation system, wherein a search signal for sequentially searching various menus or functions on a navigation main body screen in accordance with a rotation direction of a dial is issued, and the dial is moved toward the center of the dial. A rotary encoder with a switch, which emits a decision signal for determining the menu or function being searched by a switch-on operation, is built in the remote control device so that a part of the dial is exposed. A remote control device for performing the function selection method of the car navigation system according to claim 1.