HK1080885B - On-vehicle device and content providing method - Google Patents

Description

In-vehicle apparatus and content providing method

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device and a method of providing content, and is applicable to, for example, a multimedia terminal having a navigation device function and a video playback function. The present invention aims to improve usability of a device or the like having a navigation function and a video playback function for a user by: the display is allowed to be switched from the map display to the source display by an operation of a source switching operation means (operator), optionally, upper and lower menus are simultaneously displayed and operations are accepted through a hard panel and through a remote controller, and optionally, a press-operable auxiliary rotation operation means is provided on the side surface in addition to the press-operable main rotation operation means, so that this auxiliary rotation operation means accepts only a specific operation related to content processing among operations accepted by the main rotation operation means.

Background

In general, in a car navigation apparatus as an in-vehicle apparatus, a technique disclosed in, for example, japanese patent application publication No. Hei10-141974 is applied such that menus are displayed in a hierarchical structure and menu selection is accepted through a touch panel, thereby accepting a user operation. In the car navigation apparatus, settings are made such that menu selections in the hierarchical structure are also acceptable by operation of the remote controller, so that when the apparatus is operated mainly by the touch panel, the apparatus can be operated by the remote controller.

In a monitoring unit relating to video, such as a television receiver or the like, it is set so that switching of a display object is accepted by operation of an operation device arranged on a control panel and by operation of a remote controller.

By contrast, a recently proposed in-vehicle apparatus has the navigation function and the video playback function as described above. Also in this in-vehicle apparatus, various operations by the user are considered to be accepted by the operation of the touch panel and by the operation of the remote controller.

However, in this in-vehicle apparatus, there is a problem in that only the conventional car navigation apparatus and the user interface involving the monitoring unit are integrated, thereby reducing the usability of the apparatus.

Thus, since a desired menu can be selected with several menus displayed, the operation by the touch panel has an advantage that the desired menu can be selected quickly. However, there is a disadvantage in that safety needs to be paid attention in the application of the in-vehicle apparatus since it is necessary to divert the line of sight to the screen and view the menu at the time of operation.

On the other hand, in the operation of the remote controller, by assigning a dedicated function to each operation device of the remote controller, the operation can be performed by blind touch. Thus, when applied to a car audio system, the operation burden is reduced compared to the operation performed through the touch panel. However, when a menu in the hierarchical structure is selected as in the car navigation device, it is necessary to finally perform an operation by tracking the display of the operation involving the touch panel. In this case, there is a disadvantage that the operability is significantly degraded than the operation of the touch panel.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been achieved in view of the above points, and will propose an in-vehicle apparatus and a method of providing content relating to an apparatus or the like having a navigation function and a video playback function, whereby usability for a user can be improved.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle apparatus that displays at least a map related to navigation and video contents from a plurality of sources, wherein in a state where the map is displayed, when a source operating device for switching the sources is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video contents, optionally in a state where the video contents are displayed, when a map operating device for instructing the display of the map is operated, the display of the video contents is switched to the display of the map, and optionally in a state where the map is displayed, when the map operating device is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video contents.

With the structure based on one aspect of the present invention, which is applied to an in-vehicle apparatus having a function of displaying at least a map relating to navigation and video contents from a plurality of sources, in a state in which the map is displayed, when a source operating device for switching the source is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video contents, which allows the display to be switched therebetween in the same manner as in the case of switching the source even in the case of an operation of switching from the map display to the content display. Alternatively, in a state where the video content is displayed, when the map operation device for instructing map display is operated, in a case where the display of the image display is switched to the map display, and in a state where the map is displayed, when the map operation device is operated, in a case where the display of the map is switched to the display of the video content, it is possible to switch the display from the map to the source by the operation of this operation device also when the display of the map is switched with the map operation device. Thus, it is possible to switch the display between the source and the map by operating the source operating device relating to the source switching and by operating the map operating device for instructing the map display. Therefore, even in the case of accepting an operation by the touch panel and the remote controller, it is possible to eliminate the burden on the user, improve the operability, and allow switching of the display by so-called blind touch, thereby improving usability for the user.

Further, according to the present invention applied to an in-vehicle apparatus for providing a content by accepting a menu selection made in a hierarchical structure with operations of a touch panel and a remote controller while displaying an upper menu related to menus in the hierarchical structure and a lower menu corresponding to a selection in the upper menu, wherein for an operation made by the touch panel, a selection from any menu of the upper menu and the lower menu displayed simultaneously can be accepted to switch the display of the lower menu to the display of a menu selected in the upper menu corresponding to the upper menu, and wherein for an operation made by the remote controller, after switching a focus from the lower menu to the upper menu by operating an operation means pointed to the upper layer, the focus is switched in the upper menu by operating a focus switching operation means, followed by operating a selection operation means, the display of the lower menu is switched to the display of the menu of the upper menu corresponding to the focus.

According to the present invention applied to an in-vehicle apparatus for providing contents by accepting menu selection in a hierarchical structure with operations of a touch panel and the touch panel while displaying an upper menu related to menus in the hierarchical structure and a lower menu corresponding to a selection in the upper menu, wherein for an operation by the touch panel, arbitrary menu selection is accepted in the upper menu and the lower menu displayed simultaneously, and in a case where the display of the lower menu is set to be switched to the display of a menu corresponding to the selected upper menu by the selection of the upper menu, a desired menu can be activated quickly and reliably from the menus in the hierarchical structure by the operation of the touch panel. Further, with respect to the operation of the remote controller, after the focus is switched from the lower menu to the upper menu corresponding thereto by operating the operation device directed to the upper layer, the focus is switched in the upper menu by the operation of the focus switching operation device, and the display of the lower menu is switched to the display of the menu corresponding to the upper menu where the focus is located by the operation of the selection operation device, thereby allowing the focus to be switched by following the hierarchical structure with the operations of a plurality of different types of operation devices in the operation by the remote controller, thereby reliably selecting a desired menu. Thus, it is possible to display a menu set to be suitable for an operation by the touch panel and an operation by the remote controller so as to allow accepting a user operation through the touch panel and the remote controller, thus improving usability for the user.

Further, according to the present invention applied to an in-vehicle apparatus having at least a navigation function and a content providing function, wherein a menu related to a switching operation between the navigation function and the content providing function is displayed by an operation switchable operation of a remote controller, an operation performed by a main rotation operation means and a main back operation means is accepted, and in the operation accepted by the main rotation operation means and the main back operation means, such an operation related to content providing is set to be also accepted by an operation of an auxiliary rotation operation means and an auxiliary back operation means.

According to the structure of the present invention applied to an in-vehicle apparatus having at least a navigation function and a content providing function, in which operations are switchable by operations of a remote controller, a menu related to switching between the navigation function and the content providing function is displayed, operations of a main rotation operation means and a main reverse operation means are accepted, and in the operations accepted by the main rotation operation means and the main reverse operation means, operations related to content providing are set to be accepted also by operations of an auxiliary rotation operation means and an auxiliary reverse operation means, so that an operation suitable for blind touch among operations assigned to the main rotation operation means side can be operated also by an operation on the auxiliary rotation operation means side.

Thus, it is set to be operable on the side of the auxiliary rotation operation means for a specific operation, and therefore, even in the case where an operation by the operation of the touch panel and the remote controller is acceptable, or the like, it is possible to eliminate the burden on the user and improve the operability and usability for the user.

According to the present invention applied to a method of providing contents in an apparatus for displaying at least a map related to navigation and video contents from a plurality of sources, in a state of displaying the map, when a source operating device for switching the source is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video contents, optionally in a state of displaying the video contents, when a map operating device for instructing the display of the map is operated, the display of the video contents thus reproduced is switched to the display of the map, and optionally in a state of displaying the map, when the map operating device is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video contents.

According to the present invention applied to a method of accepting an operation selection made from menus in a hierarchical structure by operations of a touch panel and a remote controller and providing a content in response thereto while displaying an upper menu related to the menus in the hierarchical structure and a lower menu corresponding to a selection in the upper menu, wherein for an operation of the touch panel, it is set to accept a menu selection from the upper menu and the lower menu displayed in parallel, and when a menu selection is made in the upper menu, it switches the display of the lower menu to the display of a menu corresponding to a selected menu in the upper menu, and wherein for an operation of the remote controller, after switching a focus from the lower menu to the upper menu corresponding thereto by an operation of an operation means directed to the upper layer, the focus in the upper menu is switched by an operation of a focus switching operation means, and switches the display of the lower menu to the display of the menu focused by the operation of the selection operation means corresponding to the upper menu.

According to the present invention applied to a method of providing content in an apparatus having at least a navigation function and a content providing function, and a switching function by an operation of a remote controller, displaying a menu relating to operation switching between the navigation function and the content providing function, and accepting an operation by a main rotation operation means and a main back operation means, wherein an operation relating to content provision among operations acceptable by the main rotation operation means and the main back operation means is set to be accepted also by operations of an auxiliary rotation operation means and an auxiliary back operation means.

Thus, based on the structure of the present invention, a method of providing content that can improve usability for a user can be provided.

According to the present invention, usability relating to a device or the like having, for example, a navigation function and a video playback function can be improved for a user.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an in-vehicle apparatus and its peripheral structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 includes a plan view and a side view of a remote controller of the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a program menu screen of the touch panel of the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows a plan view of a program menu screen of the remote controller of the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a main screen and a list screen related to providing video content in the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 shows a plan view explaining a control bar in the main screen of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of a main display screen involved in providing music content in the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 9 shows a plan view of a map display in the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a plan view explaining navigation in the in-vehicle apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a plan view explaining a menu in the main display screen of fig. 9.

Fig. 12 shows a plan view explaining information display in the main display screen of fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the source operating device and the map operating device.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic diagram explaining the operation of the display operation device.

Fig. 15 shows a plan view of a display screen relating to two applications.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

(1) Structure of the embodiment

(1-1) Overall Structure of in-vehicle device

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a content providing system relating to an in-vehicle apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The in-vehicle apparatus 1, i.e., a multimedia terminal having a navigation unit function and a content providing unit function of playing back audio and video, is formed in the shape of a plate having a predetermined thickness, and is constructed so as to be able to be used by being mounted on an in-vehicle cradle 2A (as indicated by an arrow a) disposed in a center console of an automobile.

Thus, in the in-vehicle unit 1, terminals relating to input/output of various data and the like are arranged on the lower end face. In the case where the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is connected to the in-vehicle cradle 2A through the terminal of the lower end face, it is made to be set to receive power supply and the like, and to be able to input and output various data and the like necessary for other operations.

Alternatively, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 can be removed from and put back into the in-vehicle cradle 2A. For example, by being mounted on a home cradle 2B provided in a house, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is provided to be able to be connected to the computer 3 and the television receiver 4 through the home cradle 2B as indicated by an arrow B.

The in-vehicle apparatus 1 is used as a multimedia terminal for uploading and downloading various files necessary for the operation when connected to the computer 3 through the home cradle 2B. Therefore, the computer 3 is configured to upload the predetermined file reserved in the computer 3 to the in-vehicle apparatus 1 through the home cradle 2B according to the start of the application corresponding to the in-vehicle apparatus 1, and conversely, download the predetermined file from the in-vehicle apparatus 1. The in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so that files relating to AV content, files of e-mails, and files of maps for navigation are applicable as files for such uploading and downloading, and further files of movies and television programs, etc., and music files are applied as files relating to AV content.

On the other hand, when connected with the television receiver 4 through the home cradle 2B, it is configured to function as a multimedia terminal, and provide various contents to the user through the television receiver 4, and further display a map on the television receiver 4 and perform processing such as route search involving a navigation function.

Thus, a display screen 11 on which contents are displayed when in the vehicle is formed on the front surface, and a power switch 12 is disposed at the upper right of the display screen 11. Further, on the control panel on the opposite side of the power switch 12, source, program, menu, display, and volume operating devices 13P to 18P are arranged in order from the top to the bottom.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the in-vehicle apparatus 1 and its related structure. The in-vehicle apparatus 1 is connected to the external unit 21 through an in-vehicle cradle 2A. Here, the external unit 21 is disposed, for example, under a seat, and a tuner unit 23, an optical disk drive 24, and the like are disposed.

Here, under the control of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the tuner unit 23 receives television broadcast waves and transmission information relating to the car information and communication system (VICS), and outputs video data, audio data, and transmission information based on the reception result to the in-vehicle cradle 2A. Thus, it is possible for the in-vehicle apparatus 1 mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A to enjoy television broadcasting, and to obtain transmission information and notify the user of the information.

Under similar control of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the optical disk drive 24 plays back an optical disk such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) and a compact disk (compact disk), and outputs video data and audio data to the in-vehicle cradle 2A. Accordingly, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A can enjoy AV content from various optical discs by AUX input.

On the other hand, the vehicle-mounted cradle 2A is provided with a GPS unit 22 and an audio output unit 27. Here, the GPS unit 22 is a current position detection device relating to a Global Positioning System (GPS), and detects and outputs a current position under the control of the in-vehicle device 1. Thus, in the case where the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A, the navigation process can be executed based on the information relating to the current position detected by the GPS unit 22.

The output unit 27 obtains audio data and voice data from the in-vehicle apparatus 1, converts these data into analog data, and outputs them as FM broadcast waves or through an external output terminal. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, when it is mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A, an audio signal and a voice signal are output to the car audio apparatus 28 carried by the in-vehicle apparatus 1 through wired or wireless audio output, so that the audio signal and the voice signal are output through this car audio apparatus 28.

In the home cradle 2B, a similar output unit is arranged and is provided to output such audio signals, voice signals, and video signals by wire. Thus, for the in-vehicle apparatus mounted thereon, various AV contents can be provided through the television receiver 4.

Therefore, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is provided with an interface 26 connected to the interface 25 of the in-vehicle cradle 2A by being mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A, and inputs and outputs various data related to the external unit 21 with the interface (I/F) 25.

The interface 26 is provided to operate under the control of the controller 33, and inputs and outputs various data with respect to the external unit 21 and inputs and outputs data relating to this input and output using the BUS in the case where the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is mounted on the in-vehicle cradle 2A. On the other hand, in the case where the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is mounted on the home cradle 2B, it is configured to input and output data relating to upload and download with the computer 3.

Further, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, under the control of the controller 33, the interface (I/F)31 inputs and outputs various data with the memory card 32, wherein the memory card 32 is inserted from a card slot arranged on a side surface of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, and this data is input and output using the BUS. Thus, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is configured to be able to capture a still image obtained by, for example, a digital still image camera through the memory card 32, and conversely, record the captured still image in the memory card 32.

The communication unit 34 is a transmission/reception unit relating to a wireless communication Local Area Network (LAN), which transmits data output to the BUS to the network under the control of the controller 33, and obtains desired data through the network and outputs the data to the BUS.

Thus, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set to connect to the internet through the communication unit 34, and to transmit and receive electronic mail.

A Hard Disk Drive (HDD)35 records and holds programs and contents and the like relating to processing of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, and outputs these data to the BUS under the control of the controller 33. Thus, the hard disk drive 35 is provided so as to hold data of various files input from the external device through the interfaces 26, 31, various data obtained through the communication unit 34, data output to this external device, data relating to e-mails, and the like, and output them to the BUS as needed. Here, settings are made such that this program is provided by a previous installation. Instead of this, the program may be recorded in the hard disk drive 35 by being downloaded from a recording medium via the interfaces 26, 31 or by being downloaded from a network with the communication unit 34. In this case, as the recording medium, various recording media such as an optical disc, a memory card, and a magnetic tape are widely used.

The display unit 37, which is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal display forming the display screen 11 described above with reference to fig. 1, displays various contents, maps, and the like under the control of the controller 33.

The input unit 38 is formed of a structure relating to the touch panel 39 that detects an operation through the touch panel 39 arranged on the display screen 11, a receiving unit 41 that receives a remote control signal output from the remote controller 40, and interfaces that detect operations of the operating devices 13P to 18P of a source, a program, and the like. The input unit 38 notifies the controller 33 of the user's operation detected by these. Thus, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so as to perform switching of operations and the like by operations of the operation devices 13P to 18P arranged on the display screen 11 side, or operations of the touch panel 39 arranged on the display screen 11, or operations of the remote controller 40.

(1-2) remote controller

Fig. 3 shows a plan view and a side view of the remote controller 40. The remote controller 40 is formed in an elongated plate shape having a predetermined thickness, and has a light transmitting unit 41T on one end surface of a shorter side thereof for outputting a remote control signal by infrared rays. In the remote controller 40, on the left side of the upper side surface, instead of the side where the light transmission unit 41T is arranged, an operation device 42 composed of a lever switch for switching reduction and enlargement in map display is arranged. A joystick 43, i.e. a depressible pointing device, is arranged near the operating means 42. On the right side of the joystick 43, the display operation device 16R, and the map operation device 17R are arranged in upward and downward directions, respectively. On the front side of these controllers, a current position operating device 44 for indicating the display of the current position is horizontally formed. Thus, in the remote controller 40, the operation devices 42, 43, 44 relating to navigation are arranged together in the vicinity of the map operation device 17R.

Further, in the remote controller 40, the program operating device 14R and the menu operating device 15R are arranged on the front side of the current position operating device 44. A push dial (jog dial)46 (hereinafter referred to as "center jog"), a press-operable rotation operation means, is disposed at the center on the more front side, and a return operation means 48 and a forward operation means 47 are disposed on the left and right sides of the center pusher 46. Thus, these operating devices 14R, 15R, 46 to 48 are operating devices relating to menus displayed on the display screen 11, so that the operating devices relating to menus are collectively arranged in these preferred embodiments.

In the remote controller 40, the cover 49 is disposed more proximally of the central pusher 46. The cover 49 is opened to the front side. It is constructed so that an operating device 50 including, for example, a numeric keypad, clear keys, and the like, a plurality of keys relating to character input and numeric input can be operated by opening the cover 49.

Further, on one side surface of the remote controller 40, a source operating device 13R, a push paddle (hereinafter referred to as "side pusher") 52, i.e., a rotation operating device that can be pressed, a retreat operating device 53, and a source-off operating device (source-off operator)54 are arranged from the top to the bottom. These operation devices 13R, and 52 to 54 are operation devices relating to playback of audio video, that is, operation devices that may be operated by so-called blind touch operation. Thus, the usability thereof can be improved by disposing these operation devices 13R and 52 to 54 together on one side surface of the remote controller 40.

Further, the remote controller 40 is provided at the other side surface thereof with a VICS operation device 55 for instructing display of VICS transmission information, and a volume operation device 18R from the top.

In response to the operations of these operating devices, the controller 33 (fig. 2) executes a program recorded in the hard disk drive 35, thereby responding to the user's operations to perform navigation processing and provide various contents to the user.

That is, when the user instructs to receive a television broadcast, the controller 33 instructs the tuner unit 23 to receive the television broadcast through the interfaces 26, 25, and instructs to switch the reception channel in response to an instruction from the user. Further, it causes video data and audio data obtained by reception by the tuning unit 23 to be input through the interface 26, so that as to the video data, it is displayed on the display unit 37. Further, as for the audio data, it is output to the car audio device 28 through the output unit 27. Accordingly, settings are made so that content related to television broadcasting is provided to the user.

Alternatively, when the user instructs to view video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, the controller 33 instructs the hard disk drive 35 to play a file related to the video content, and as in the case of receiving a television broadcast, provides the user with video data and audio data output from the hard disk drive 35. Alternatively, when the user instructs playback of the music content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, the controller 33 similarly instructs the hard disk drive 35 to play the music content, and causes the output unit 27 to output the audio data output from the hard disk drive 35. If the user instructs to switch the content as the playback target during these processes, the controller 33 changes the file read from the hard disk drive 35 to repeat the similar processes.

Alternatively, when the user instructs display of a map, current position information is obtained from the GPS unit 22, and map data recorded in the hard disk drive 35 is loaded with reference to the current position information. Further, based on the loaded map data, a map is displayed on the display unit 37.

Alternatively, when instructed to view and listen to content related to AUX input, the controller 33 controls the operation of the optical disc drive 24 through the interface 26 to obtain data related to video content and music content output from the optical disc drive 24. Further, the obtained data of the video content and the music content are processed in the respective units to provide the contents to the user. Further, the content thus obtained is recorded in the hard disk drive 35 based on an instruction of the user.

Alternatively, when browsing the internet is instructed, the controller 33 activates browser software to connect the internet through the communication unit 34, and displays video or the like obtained through the communication unit 34 on the display unit 37, and outputs voice data from the output unit 27. Alternatively, when processing relating to an email is instructed, the controller 33 activates the mail software to display the email held in the hard disk drive 35 on the display unit 37, and obtains the email to be displayed through the communication unit 34. Further, the controller 33 accepts an email input of the user, and transmits this email through the communication unit 34.

Alternatively, when viewing of a still image is instructed, the controller 33 obtains a still image file of a processing target by accessing the memory card 32 or accessing the hard disk drive 35 via the interface 31, and displays a still image related to this still image file on the display unit 37. Further, the controller 33 inputs and outputs this still image file between the memory card 32 and the hard disk drive 35 or deletes it from the record of the memory card 32 and the hard disk drive 35 according to the user's instruction.

Alternatively, when the user instructs the navigation process, the controller 33 accepts a user input such as a destination or the like, and obtains current position information from the GPS unit 22, and then performs a route search process according to this information. In response to the setting made by the user, the controller 33 outputs various information to execute the route guidance of the user according to the route thus detected.

The controller 33 executes these processes by executing a program recorded in the hard disk drive 35. When the user presses the power switch 12 to turn off the power of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the controller 33 records and maintains the state at the time of power-off. Alternatively, the power is turned on by operating the power switch 12 or by pressing the joystick 43 in the remote controller 40, so that the state recorded and held during the power-off is reproduced.

(1-3) processing of controller

Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a touch panel program menu screen displayed on the display screen 11 controlled by the controller 33. Here, this touch panel program menu screen is a menu screen adapted to be operated by the touch panel 39. In this embodiment, settings are made such that a remote controller program menu screen that realizes the same functions as the touch panel program menu screen and is suitable for operation by the remote controller 40 is also prepared. In the case where it can be determined that the user operation instructing to display this program menu screen is intended to be operated through the touch panel 39, the controller 33 displays the touch panel program menu screen.

Specifically, in the case of operating the program operating device 14P disposed on the control panel of the in-vehicle apparatus 1, or in the case of selecting a returned menu on a display screen relating to a lower layer of this program menu screen through the touch panel 39, or further, in the case of detecting an operation by the user at a portion other than the menu (which will be described later) in a state of displaying a program menu screen relating to a remote controller, the controller 33 displays the touch panel program menu screen.

Here, the program menu screen is a main menu screen relating to selection of contents and the like provided to the user, and is formed by displaying a menu of selectable applications in the in-vehicle apparatus 1.

Here, as a program menu screen, a TV menu M1 is displayed here to indicate reception of a television broadcast, a video menu M2 is displayed to indicate playback of video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, an audio menu M3 is displayed to indicate playback of audio content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, a map menu M4 is displayed to indicate map display, an AUX menu M5 is displayed to indicate playback of content related to AUX input, a WEB menu M6 is displayed to indicate activation of a browser related to the internet, a mail menu M7 is displayed to indicate processing related to an email, and a photo menu M8 is displayed to indicate processing of a still image. Here, the menu M11 is also displayed to return to the state immediately before this program menu screen.

On this program menu screen, among the menus M1 to M11, the menus M1 to M8 related to application selection have the same size. Since any one of the menus M1 through M8 is not provided with a cursor or the like indicating the focus, they are aligned and displayed. These enable the user to feel that any one of these menus M1 to M8 can be selected by the operation of the touch panel 39. Thus, in the case where any one of the menus M1 through M8 on this program menu screen is selected by the operation of the touch panel 39, the controller 33 controls the entire operation so as to perform the corresponding processing.

If the return menu M11 is selected and operated in the state where this program menu screen is displayed, the display screen is switched to the last display. On the other hand, if the center pusher 46 of the remote controller 40 is operated in a state where this program menu screen is displayed, the display screen is switched to the remote controller program menu screen.

Meanwhile, fig. 5 shows a plan view of a menu screen of a remote controller program. In the case where it can be determined that the user operation instructing to display this program menu screen is intended to be operated by the remote controller 40, the controller 33 displays this remote controller program menu screen.

Specifically, if the program operating device 14R disposed in the remote controller 40 is operated in a state in which contents or the like are provided to the user, or the return operating device 48 of the remote controller 40 is operated in a state in which a display screen relating to the lower layer of this program menu is displayed, the controller 33 displays this remote controller program menu screen. Further, as described above, if the center pusher 46 is operated in the state where the touch panel program menu screen is displayed, this remote controller program menu screen is also displayed.

Here, this remote controller program menu screen is formed by displaying a menu of applications selectable with the in-vehicle apparatus 1, as in the program menu screen relating to the touch panel operation. Further, through the same design as the program menu screen relating to the operation of the touch panel 39, menus M1R through M8R of the respective application programs are displayed. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the menu screen is switched so as to reliably select a desired application.

In this remote controller program menu screen, these menus M1R to M8R are arranged and displayed in the form of a ring, with the menu M1R arranged on the leftmost side having the largest size, and the other menus M2R to M8R are displayed in a smaller size as they are distant from the leftmost menu M1R. Further, in the menu M1R set to the maximum display, a cursor K indicating focus setting by a bounding box is displayed.

Therefore, on this program menu screen relating to the operation of the remote controller 40, the controller 33 is provided to display information about applications that can be selected immediately, and other selectable menus.

Thus, if the center pusher 46 disposed on the remote controller 40 is rotationally operated in a state where this program menu screen related to the operation of the remote controller 40 is displayed, the controller 33 rotates the display positions of the menus M1R through M8R, as indicated by arrow a, in response to the rotational direction of the center pusher 46, and changes the sizes of the respective menus M1R through M8R so as to correspond to the rotation of the display positions. Thus, the focus of the menu can be switched in response to the user operation of the remote controller 40. Alternatively, in the case where the center pusher 46 is also pressed to be operated, or in the case where the forward operation means 47 of the remote controller 40 is operated, the controller 33 controls the entire operation so as to execute an application related to the menu where the focus is located (for example, the menu located at the leftmost position in fig. 5).

Thus, in this in-vehicle apparatus 1, the menu screen adapted to be operated by the touch panel 39 and the menu screen adapted to be operated by the remote controller 40 are set to be switchable according to each situation of the user operation to be operated by the touch panel 39 or by the remote controller 40, so as to improve the user usability. Further, by the operation at the time of transition to this menu screen, or by the user operation in a state where these menu screens are displayed, the respective cases where the user intends to operate the touch panel 39 or the remote controller 40 are determined, so that a user interface suitable for the user operation can be provided.

In the case where one of the menus M1R through M8R is selected by an operation of the touch panel 39 on this remote controller program menu screen, the controller 33 controls the entire operation so that an application related to the selected menu is executed in response to the selection of the menu. On the other hand, in the case where an operation of a portion other than the menus M1R to M8R is detected by the touch panel 39, the display is switched to the touch panel program menu screen.

Fig. 6(a) shows a plan view of the main display screen relating to the menu M2 displayed according to the instruction as described above. In this case, the controller 33 displays the content image on an area other than the long bar portion of the lower side of the display screen. At this time, the controller 33 records and holds a file of the menu M2 relating to the last playback, and the playback status and the like (so-called last memory) of this file. Based on this recording, the controller 33 plays back and provides the corresponding content to the user from the position where the playback was paused. Thus, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so as to conveniently view desired content from the position where the last viewing was paused.

On the other hand, various menus related to this application, and information related to the displayed image are displayed on a long bar area at the lower end of this display screen. This bar display is hereinafter referred to as a "control bar". Specifically, a close menu M21 for indicating that this application is terminated and as a return menu is displayed on the leftmost side of the control bar B1. The controller 33 terminates this application by operating the close menu M21 with the touch panel 39 and switches the display to the touch panel program menu screen. Next, a title, that is, attribute information of the content being displayed is displayed on the control bar B1. Here, in the case where the length of this title is longer than the length of the display title area, the controller 33 displays the title to be visible by scrolling. The various drill menus are then displayed by appropriate adjustment on control bar B1.

Here, a rewind menu M22, a return to previous chapter menu M23, a playback/pause switching menu M24, a forward to next chapter menu M25, a fast forward menu M26, a list display menu M27, a switching menu M28 for switching display/non-display of a control bar B1 are sequentially displayed on this operation menu. When the operation of each such menu is detected by the operation of the touch panel 39, the controller 33 controls the operation of the corresponding unit so as to correspond to the user operation.

Alternatively, when the center pusher 46 of the remote controller 40 is operated using the thus displayed control bar B1, or in the case where the display is switched to the display screen related to the menu M1 by the operation of the remote controller 40, the controller 33 displays a cursor on the menu of one of the menus M21 to M28 through a bounding box, and displays the menu focused by this cursor. Further, the controller 33 sequentially switches the focus in the menus M21 to M28 by sequentially moving this cursor with the rotating operation of the center pusher 46. Further, the controller 33 accepts selection of a menu in which a focus is located by a pressing operation of the center pusher 46, or by an operation of the forward operation device 47, and controls the operation of the corresponding unit, as in menu selection by the touch panel 39. On the other hand, in the case where the return operating device 48 is operated by the remote controller 40, the controller 33 switches the display to the program menu screen, similarly to the case where the close menu M21 is selected. In this case, the controller 33 switches the display to the remote controller program menu screen.

In the control relating to these menus M21 to M28, in the case where the user selects the list display menu M27, the controller 33 switches the entire display to the list screen as shown in fig. 6 (B). Here, this list screen is a list display of contents selectable by the user. A title of a specified application is displayed on the upper part of the screen, and a setting menu M275 for executing various settings related to this application is displayed in the right corner of the display of this title.

Further, a back menu M271, a cabinet (cabinet) menu M272, a playlist menu M273, and a video box (video capsule) menu M274 are arranged in this order on the left side of the screen. Here, the cabinet menu M272 is a menu for instructing a list display of so-called folders. When this menu M272 is selected, a list of selectable folders is displayed on the list display on the right. The playlist menu M273 is a menu for instructing to list and display selectable contents regarding a currently selected folder by a list of such folders or the like. Through this menu selection, a list of selectable content is displayed on the list display on the right. The video box menu M274 is a menu for instructing display of thumbnail images regarding one content on the list display.

An area displaying thumbnail images is arranged in the center of this list screen. In the case where the video box menu M274 is not selected, the content that is now played back is displayed in this area.

Further, on the right side of the display area of this thumbnail image on this list screen, menus of lower layers corresponding to the menus M271 to M274 of the upper layer arranged on the left side are displayed. Specifically, a list display of contents and folders corresponding to the menus M271 to M274 selected by the user is formed. Immediately after this list screen is displayed, a list of menus containing the contents now played back on this list display is displayed. Here, this list display is formed by setting titles and names of the respective contents on folders displayed on the menu. Therefore, the example of fig. 6(B) is a case where this list indicates a list relating to the contents of the playlist menu M273. In the case where a list of all selectable contents and folders cannot be displayed on the display area of this list, the controller 33 displays the selectable contents and folders to be visible by scrolling of this list display, and indicates by an arrow a direction in which scrolling is possible on the left side of this list. Thus, in the example of fig. 6(B), up and down arrows are provided to indicate that the list of existing content extends above and below the display area.

And in this case, the controller 33 displays a scroll bar B2 at the right of this list display, and displays menus MU, MD indicating scrolling up and down at the top and bottom of the scroll bar B2, respectively. Further, a control bar B1 is also displayed in the lower part of the screen on this list screen. In this list, the menu where the focus is located is displayed to project to the left.

The controller 33 switches the list display and the like by controlling the operations of the respective units so as to correspond to the menu selected by the user when these menus M271 to M275, and the menu of the control bar B1 are selected through the touch panel 39. In other words, in the case where the user selects one list display thus displayed by the operation of the touch panel 39, the content to be played back is switched to the content selected by the user, and returns to the original display screen (fig. 6 (a)). At this time, in the case where the user selects the video box menu M274, it displays a still image of the content selected by this user on the display area of the thumbnail image, and switches the content to be played back to the content selected by the user within this display area by the user operation of the touch panel 39 or by selecting this content again with the touch panel 39, and then returns to the original display screen. Similarly, in response to user selection through the touch panel 39, it displays a list relating to the contents of the folder selected by the user, in accordance with selection of the playlist menu M273.

Thus, on this display, menus of the upper and lower layers are displayed simultaneously. Thus, in the operation performed through the touch panel 39, any menu of the upper and lower layers can be directly selected without tracking the hierarchical structure. On the other hand, in the operation by the remote controller 40, a desired menu can be selected by switching the focus when tracking the hierarchical structure. Therefore, the same menu screen as the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40 is provided in order to improve user usability.

In these processes, when the operation of the scroll bar B2 and the menus MU, MD is detected, the controller 33 scrolls the list display by this operation. That is, in the case where the menu MU for instructing the upward scroll is operated, the list display is scrolled upward. In contrast, in the case of the menu MD directed to scroll down, the list display is scrolled down. And with the scroll bar B2, the list display is scrolled to the side operated by the drag operation.

This allows a desired menu to be reliably selected even in the case where menus of upper and lower layers are simultaneously displayed and all the menus cannot be displayed. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the size of the screen for display is limited, so that a slight increase in the number of contents results in a case where all menus cannot be displayed. The application to the in-vehicle apparatus 1 allows improvement of user usability.

Thus, with respect to the operation performed by the remote controller 40, in the case where the center pusher 46 of the remote controller 40 is operated with the list screen thus displayed, or in the case where the display is switched to this list screen by the operation of the remote controller 40, the controller 33 displays the menu on which the focus is set by switching the background colors in these menus M271 to M275. The focus is also switched in response to the rotational operation of the center pusher 46 through these menus M271 to M275. In response to the operation of the forward operation means 47, or in response to the pressing operation of the center pusher 46, it switches the focus to the display related to the list display, and indicates the focus by the similar switching of the background color.

Thus, for the focal point set on the list display, the controller 33 sequentially switches the focal points in response to the rotating operation of the center pusher 46, and scrolls the list display so that the menu thus focused is always displayed. In this focused state, in response to the operation of the forward operation means 47 or in response to the pressing operation of the center pusher 46, the controller 33 accepts the selection of the content and the folder by the user, and switches the playback target to the selected content and switches the folder to the selection target. In contrast, when the operation returns to the operating device 48, it switches the setting of the focus to the menus M271 to M275.

Therefore, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so that a desired content can be selected and viewed from among video contents stored in the hard disk drive 35 by an operation of the touch panel 39 or by an operation of the remote controller 40.

In the in-vehicle apparatus 1, various setting screens are displayed by selecting the setting menu M275 set on the screen of fig. 6(B), or by setting with a menu screen displayed by the operation of the menu operation device 15R, 15P. It is settable so that the control bar B1 is not displayed by operating the menu set on this setting screen. Alternatively, it may be set so that the control bar B1 is not displayed by operating the menu M28 shown in fig. 6 (a).

In contrast to fig. 6(a), fig. 7(a) shows a front view of the main display screen in the case where setting is made so as not to display the control bar B1. When the operation of the touch panel 39 is detected in a state where the bar B1 is not displayed, as shown in fig. 7(B), a bar B11 is displayed. Thus, in displaying the attribute information as information relating to an image, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so as not to display the attribute information for a time when it is not necessary, but to display it only at a corner of the screen when necessary. This effectively avoids the complexity of the display in order to provide a user interface involving a simple display.

By setting the timing of displaying such information concerning images at the timing corresponding to the user operation, it is possible to provide the user with this attribute information at his/her desired timing, thereby improving the user usability.

Here, contrary to the corresponding control bar B1 (fig. 6(a)), the control bar B11 is set so as not to display the menus M21 to M27, i.e., close the menu M21, and rewind, return to the previous chapter, switch of playback/pause, advance to the next chapter, fast forward, and list-displayed menus. However, it displays the title of the content, and a switching menu M28 for switching display/non-display of the control bar B11.

In the case where no user operation is detected after a certain period of time has elapsed since the display of the control bar B11 thus started, or when the switching menu M28 is operated to end the display window, the controller 33 terminates the display of the control bar B11 and displays the original screen (fig. 7 (a)). Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, when the menus relating to the operations of the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40 are not required, they exit from the display screen 11, and the contents are displayed so as to effectively use the display screen 11.

On the other hand, when an operation of closing the display window of the control bar B11 on a portion other than the switching menu M28 is detected, the menus M21 to M27 that have been hidden from the display screen are displayed. The display change at this time is as shown in fig. 7(C1) to 7 (C3). To display these menus M22 through M27, the menus M22 through M27 are gradually moved from the right end of the menu M28 and displayed to the center as if the menus M22 through M27 hidden under the menu M28 appeared and moved to the visible position. When the menus M22 to M27 are displayed in this manner and the display area of the title is insufficient, the title is scroll-displayed. The user's operation is accepted with the menus M21 through M28 displayed in this manner.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, with the display of the control bar B11, the display of the menu is switched between the state in which the plurality of menus overlap and the state in which the overlapped menus are arranged, so that the area in which the attribute information is displayed and the area in which the plurality of menus are displayed are variable. This also allows attribute information and menus to be appropriately displayed so as to be user-friendly for the sake of simplifying the display.

When the center pusher 46 of the remote controller 40 is operated with the control bar B1 thus set in the non-display state, the controller 33 displays the control bar B11 to display all the menus M21 to M28. And in this case, in a case where the operation by the user is not detected after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of the display, or in a case where the switching menu M28 is operated to close the display window, the controller 33 terminates this display of the control bar B11. With the displayed control bar B11, the focus is displayed to accept the operation by the remote controller 40, as in the case of regularly displaying the control bar B11.

In the case where the menu M1 indicating viewing and listening of television broadcasts is selected on the program menu screen, the controller 33 displays contents, control bars, and the like as described above with reference to fig. 6(a) to 7(B) according to the recording of the last memory, and switches the contents relating to the broadcasts in response to user operations. In this case, therefore, a menu indicating the channel up and down movement, a menu indicating the list of contents that can be viewed on an electronic program table or the like, and the title of the content are displayed on the control bar. Further, for the selectable content, a program list based on the electronic program table obtained through the communication unit 34 is provided.

And in this display related to television broadcasting, the controller 33 displays a control bar display/non-display menu. It is set not to display the control bar by selection of this menu, or by operation of a menu set on this menu screen. As described above in fig. 7, the controller 33 accepts an operation by the user by displaying a content while setting not to display a control bar, displays the control bar by an operation of the touch panel 39 or an operation of the remote controller 40, or further by displaying a menu. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, even in the case where the content of the television broadcast is provided, the menu involving the operations of the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40 exits from the display screen 11, and the content is displayed so as to effectively use the display screen 11.

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the main display screen of music content relating to the menu M3 on the program menu screen. Through the selection of the menus M3, M3R, the controller 33 plays back the music content recorded in the hard disk drive 35 according to the recording of the last memory and provides it to the user. At this time, the controller 33 displays this display screen.

In this case, the controller 33 displays a title indicating the provision of the music content on the long bar portion on the upper side of the display screen. Further, a back menu M31, a title menu M32, a genre menu M33, an artist menu M34, a playlist menu M35, and an album (album) menu M36 are displayed in this order on the left side of the screen. Here, the music content recorded in the hard disk drive 35 is recorded so as to be able to be classified by title, genre, artist, playlist, and album. According to this classification, in response to user selection of the menus M32 through M36, the controller 33 displays a list of music contents recorded in the hard disk drive 35 on the list display column on the right.

On this display screen, a display column relating to such selected artist name, album name, and the like is formed in the center, and a list of available contents relating to each category is displayed on the next right column. In the case where all selectable contents cannot be displayed on the display area of this list, the controller 33 displays the selectable contents by scrolling of this list display, and indicates a direction in which scrolling is possible on the left side of this list by an arrow. Thus, in the example of FIG. 8, up and down arrows are provided to indicate that there is a list of content that extends above and below the display area. And in this case, the controller 33 displays a scroll bar B2 at the right of this list display, and displays menus MU, MD indicating scrolling up and down at the top and bottom of the scroll bar B1, respectively. Further, a control bar B1 is also displayed in the lower part of the screen on this list screen. In this list, the menu in which the focus is located is displayed so as to project to the left.

By operating these menus M31 to M36 with the touch panel 39, and operating the list display control bar B1, the controller 33 switches the content as a playback target so as to correspond to the selection operation by the user in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 6 and 7. And in this case, the upper menu and the lower menu are displayed at the same time so that the operations performed through the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40 are accepted. When detecting the detection of the scroll bar B2 and the menus MU, MD, the controller 33 scrolls the list display according to this operation. Therefore, in the case where menus of a plurality of hierarchies are displayed simultaneously and all the menus cannot be displayed, the menus that cannot be displayed are displayed by scrolling so as to be visible.

Also on this display screen, a visual viewer (vixualizer) menu for switching the wallpaper composed of thumbnail images displayed on the display area of the artist name, a menu indicating slow playback, and a menu indicating repeat playback are arranged in order at the left end of the control bar B1. On the right side, reverse, return to previous title, fast forward, list, control bar display/non-display menu are displayed in order.

Thus, after this display screen is displayed, the controller 33 immediately displays a list relating to the content of the album being played back for the music content currently provided to the user. By operating the list menu disposed on the control bar B1, the display of the above list display column can be switched from the list display of the currently played back title to the list display of the providable content. For the operation of the remote controller 40, in response to this display switching, the focus is switched from the menu of the control bar B1 to the menus M31 to M36. Thus, a menu of three levels including the control bar B1 is displayed on the display screen of this music content.

Thus, referring to the control bar B1, the controller 33 is provided to accept operations by the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40, and to switch the entire operation in the same manner as described above. As a result, in this case, the three-level menu is directly selectable in the operation performed through the touch panel 39.

On the other hand, fig. 9 shows a plan view of the main display screen of the map. When the menu M4 related to the map is selected on the program menu screen, the controller 33 displays the map around the current position. It also displays information D1 relating to this map display on a long strip area at the upper end of the screen. Alternatively, when the user previously instructs the navigation process, the controller 33 displays information related to navigation together in this long bar region.

In this previous setting, the menu screen shown in fig. 10 is displayed and executed by the operation of the menu operation means 15P arranged on the panel and the menu operation means 15R arranged on the remote controller 40. On this display screen, a destination input menu or the like, which is the uppermost menu among the menus related to navigation, is displayed on the left. A lower menu selected from the left menu is displayed in the center, and a menu of a lower layer is displayed at the rightmost end. Fig. 9 shows a state in which a location menu is selected on this upper menu, and then a type menu corresponding to this location menu is selected.

The controller 33 is provided to accept input of a destination by selection of a menu in this hierarchical structure, and perform a process of route search from the current position to the destination, and guide the user according to this route. Also in this case, three levels of menus are displayed simultaneously. Therefore, for example, in the case where the user selects the type menu by mistake, setting is made such that the user can directly select a menu or the like for external facility search in accordance with the operation of the touch panel 39. On the other hand, in the case of using the remote controller 40, setting is made such that a desired menu is selectable by sequentially switching the focus and tracking hierarchy.

In the in-vehicle apparatus 1, by the operation of setting the menus on this display screen, the division ratio of the above-described control bar display/non-display, and the two-screen display described later can be set in accordance with each of the menus M1 to M8.

The display screen of fig. 9 is a display screen when the navigation process is performed under such a setting. Although the environment of the current position is displayed by a map in the example of fig. 9, various displays such as a display in the form of a bird's eye view or the like are optional on this display.

The controller 33 displays the scale of the current map at the left end of the bar area. And it displays the VICS reception frequency currently set to obtain the blocking information, and the current time. Then, it displays the distance to the destination and the estimated time to reach the destination, which is information related to navigation. Further, by the mark "+" indicating the intersection and the location name, information relating to the current location is displayed. In a case where the user does not instruct the process of navigation, the display of information related to navigation is suspended in this long bar area.

When the information D1 relating to the display of the map is displayed as described above and the display relating to the scale is operated by the operation of the touch panel 39, the controller 33 displays a menu of switchable scales, a menu of a wide area map, and a menu of a detailed map as shown in fig. 11, and switches the scale of the map display when the scale menu is selected by the operation of the touch panel 39. Alternatively, in the case where a menu of a wide area map or a menu of a detailed map is selected, the scale of map display is sequentially switched stepwise in accordance with the setting of this scale menu. In contrast, when the zoom-in and zoom-out operation device 42 is operated by the remote controller 40, the controller 33 sequentially switches the scale of the map display step by step in the same manner as in the case of selecting a wide-area menu or a detailed menu, respectively, in a state of displaying a menu such as a scale, or in a state of not displaying a menu such as a scale.

Alternatively, in a case where the user touches the map display with his/her finger by the operation of the touch panel 39, the map display is moved so that the finger-touched portion becomes the center of the map. Alternatively, if the joystick 43 is operated in the remote controller 40, the map is scrolled in the operation direction of the joystick 43. Alternatively, when the current position operating device 44 is operated in the remote controller 40, the display of the map is switched so that the current position is located at the center of the screen. Therefore, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so that the map display can be switched differently by the remote controller 40 or the touch panel 39.

In the vehicle-mounted device 1, on the display screen relating to this map display, the display of the information D1 relating to the map display is terminated by the setting of the menu screen as described above with reference to fig. 10. Thus, although a setting is made so as not to display the information D1 relating to the map display, in the navigation processing, as shown in fig. 12, the information D1 relating to the map display is displayed at a timing of referring to a guide point as a guide point used in the route guide, and the voice guidance is provided to the user at a predetermined timing. Specifically, this timing is, for example, a timing before a predetermined time at which the arrival of the guidance point is estimated. Also in this case, the controller 33 provides the user with various information by gradually switching the display as if the display of the information D1, which has been hidden outside the display screen at that time, appears on the display screen 11, as shown by the change in the time at which the display is started in the order of fig. 12(a) to 12 (D).

Alternatively, in a state where the information D1 relating to the display of the map is not displayed as above, when a user operation relating to the area where the information D1 is displayed is detected with the touch panel 39, the information D1 is displayed.

Therefore, also in this case, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is set so that the displayable area is effectively used to provide the user with information relating to the map.

On the other hand, based on the content relating to the AUX input, a main display screen relating to the AUX input menu M5 is formed in the same manner as the above-described display screen relating to the viewing of the video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35 and the above-described display screen relating to the listening of the music content recorded in the hard disk drive 35. Also in this case, by making settings such that the control bar B1 is not displayed as needed or is displayed as needed, the display screen 11 is effectively used so as to prevent degradation in user usability.

On the other hand, the main display screen relating to the internet menu M6 is formed by displaying a Web page or the like, and forward, backward menus, and the like. The display screen relating to the e-mail menu M7 is formed by displaying a menu of incoming mails, sent mails, mail creation, and the like. Settings are made such that contents are displayed by selection of each mail, or a mail creation screen or the like is displayed. The main display screen of the menu M8 related to the still image displays a menu for an operation related to the still image. And thumbnail images of the corresponding still images. By selection of the thumbnail image, the corresponding still image is displayed in an enlarged scale. Alternatively, selection of the menu allows display of a slide show or the like to be performed.

And on these display screens, the controller 33 is provided to accept selection of menus by operation of the touch panel 39 and by operation of the remote controller 40, and also accept display switching and the like.

When the user selects the menus M1 through M8 other than the menus M1 through M3 when selecting the menus for providing contents through this program menu screen, the controller 33 continues to perform the provision of the contents under the condition that the contents are provided to the user through any one of the sources, and starts the process related to the menu selected by the user. This allows the in-vehicle apparatus 1 to perform processing of checking e-mail and the like while, for example, enjoying music.

On the other hand, when the menus M1 through M8 are selected through this program menu screen, the controller 33 suspends the provision of the content provided to the user at that time and plays back the content selected by the user on the condition that the user is provided with the content through any one of the sources when selecting the other menu for providing the content. Thus, in the vehicle-mounted device 1, it is possible to switch the sources relating to these contents by displaying the programs as described above with reference to fig. 4 or 5, and selecting the menus M1 through M3.

Even if the operation is performed by pressing the source operating device 13P arranged on the operation control panel or the source operating device 13R arranged on the remote controller 40, instead of by this program menu screen, the controller 33 starts the operation of the corresponding application and switches the application, as in the case of operating the menus M1 to M3 relating to the source of the content.

In other words, the controller 33 starts the operation of the corresponding unit in the same state as that at the time of power-off by the user operation of the power switch 12. In the case where this state is a state in which contents are provided to the user through the application of any one of the menus M1 to M3, the controller 33 sequentially and cyclically switches the source provided to the user in response to the operation of the source operating means 13P, 13R, as indicated by the arrow a in fig. 13. In fig. 13, "audio" and "video" represent applications relating to music content and video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, respectively, and "TV" represents an application relating to television broadcasting.

On the other hand, when the operation of the corresponding unit is started in the same state as when the power is off, and this state is not caused by the application involving the menus M1 to M3, the most recently used application is restarted in the state at the time of suspension of use according to the recording of the so-called last memory. And in this case, the display relating to the started application is preferentially displayed on the display screen 11. Therefore, as shown by an arrow B in fig. 13, when the source operating devices 13P, 13R are operated without the provided content and with the displayed map, the controller 33 is set to switch the display of the map to the display related to the content and start providing the content.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, by merely repeating the pressing operation of the source operating devices 13P, 13R, a desired content can be conveniently selected, so that usability is improved to that extent.

On the other hand, when the map controller 17P arranged on the control panel and the map operating device 17R arranged in the remote controller 40 are operated under the condition that some specific content is provided to the user, the controller 33 starts the application relating to the menu M4, and switches the display of the display screen 11 to the display of the map, as indicated by an arrow C in fig. 13. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, under the condition that television broadcast video content, video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, and music content are enjoyed, the current position and the like can be confirmed conveniently only by operating the map operating devices 17P, 17R.

Thus, the controller 33 displays the map by the operation of the map operating device 17P, 17R, and switches the display of the display screen 11 to the display of the content when the map operating device 17P, 17R is operated again. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the repeated operation of the map operating devices 17P, 17R allows switching between display/non-display of the map. This also leads to an improvement in usability.

In the display switching by the map operation devices 17P, 17R and the display switching by the source operation devices 13P, 13R, settings are made so as to make a transition not only from the state of the main display screen displaying each application but also from, for example, a lower layer screen or the like relating to list display. This also leads to improvement in usability at the time of emergency confirmation of the current position or the like.

When the user operates the display operation devices 16p, 16R as operation devices for switching the display, the controller 33 also switches the display between the application relating to the content provision and the application relating to the map. At this time, in a case where no content is being provided to the user, it starts the application related to the provision of the content, which is used most recently, according to the record of the last memory, and switches the display.

As shown in fig. 14B, at this time, when the two-screen display (display in which two applications are involved in parallel alignment and display) is inserted by the previous setting using the menu screen (fig. 10), it switches the display sequentially and cyclically by the operation of the display operation device 16P 16R. In the application of the menu M3 relating to the provision of music content, since this is not the provision of content composed of images, the display of such a two-screen display is omitted. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, when checking the instant comment of, for example, the television broadcast only by switching the display screen 11, it is possible to conveniently perform processing of checking a map relating to navigation, and the like.

As shown in fig. 14(a), in the case where the user instructs the two-screen display, when the user presses the operation display operation devices 16P, 16R in a state where the map is displayed, for example, the controller 33 switches the display of the display screen 11 to the two-screen display, and reduces the image concerning the content provision on the right, and displays the map in the remaining area on the left. Next, when the user operates the display operation device 16P, 16R, the controller 33 switches the two-screen display to the content providing screen, as shown in fig. 14 (C). The controller 33 is provided to display the original map display screen when the user further operates the display operation device 16P, 16R.

On the other hand, in the case where the user does not instruct the two-screen display, the controller 33 skips the two-screen display, and switches between the display of the map and the display of the content in response to the operation of the display operation means 16P, 16R.

In the two-screen display displayed in this manner, the controller 33 sets the display size of each screen according to the division ratio previously set using the menu screen (fig. 10). This allows the display of the two applications to be executed in parallel, thereby improving user usability.

Fig. 15 shows a plan view of a display screen at the time of switching display between a map and contents. When the display is switched between the map and the content providing screen by the operation of the source operating devices 13P, 13R and the map operating devices 17P, 17R as described above with reference to fig. 13, and the display operating devices 16P, 16R as described above with reference to fig. 14, this display is applicable to the map screen, the content providing screen, and the two-screen display. Fig. 15 shows an example of a case of applying a content providing screen.

The controller 33 displays information D1 relating to the map display and a control bar B1 relating to the content provision at the upper and lower ends of this display, respectively. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, for example, even when viewing content, various information relating to the current position and navigation can be checked. As described above with reference to fig. 6(a) and the like, in the same manner as the case of starting the application separately, the menu operation by the control bar B1, the touch panel 39 relating to the display of the information D1 relating to the map display, and the remote controller 40 is accepted.

On the other hand, in the case where the user selects the non-display of the control bar B1 and the information D1 related to the map display by setting, in the case where the area for displaying the information D1 related to the map display is operated by the touch panel 39, the controller 33 displays the information D1. In contrast, when the side of the bar B1 is operated by the touch panel 39, it displays the bar B1. In addition, various operations by the user are accepted through this display. Here, the transition from the non-display state to the display of the control bar B1 and the information D1 related to the map display is effected in the same manner as described above with reference to fig. 7, fig. 12, respectively.

On the other hand, in the operation performed by the remote controller 40, it displays the control bar B1 and the information D1 related to map display in parallel by the operation of the center pusher 46, and switches the focus between the display of the control bar B1 and the display of the information D1 related to map display in response to the operation of the center pusher 46.

Thus, even when two applications are simultaneously executed, the displayable area of the display screen 11 can be effectively used in order to accept the operation of the user in the in-vehicle apparatus 1. Fig. 15 shows an example of a case where while the map application and other applications are executed in parallel, the other applications are mainly displayed. In the case of displaying one side of the map, or in the case of the two-screen display, the control relating to the display of the control bar B1 and to the information D1 related to the map display is similarly performed.

Even in the case where an arbitrary operation by the user terminates the operation, the controller 33 records and retains the state at the time of the termination of the operation in accordance with the application for the respective applications corresponding to the menus M1 through M8. Upon activation of each application, it reproduces the state immediately before termination according to this recording. Specifically, for applications involving the menus M1 through M3 for content provision, the controller 33 records the file name of the most recent playback and the position at which playback was paused (i.e., in this case, by source) by application. For a source related to video content, a record is made as to whether it is displayed in two screens at the time point of pausing the provision of the content, and whether the control bar B1 is not displayed, and whether it is a main screen or a list screen.

In the case of sequentially and cyclically switching the source by the above-described operation of the source operating device, the controller 33 displays the contents of the television broadcast by, for example, two-screen display by starting each application according to this recording. In this state, when the user operates the source operating device, it displays video content and the like recorded in the hard disk drive 35 on the entire display screen. Thus, even in the case of sequentially and cyclically switching the sources, setting is made so as to perform image display in a form satisfying the user preference. Therefore, in this case, the control bar B1 will be displayed or not displayed for each content. Depending on the content, a list screen will be displayed.

For a specific one of various operations assigned to the center pusher 46 concerning such display, the controller 33 also accepts the operation through the side pusher 52. Specifically, by the side pusher 52, the controller 33 accepts an operation related to content provision among the operations accepted by the center pusher 46. In addition, it accepts the source-off operating device 54 and the retreat operating device 53 arranged on the side surface in association with the side pusher 52, and the operation of the side pusher 52. Here, the source-off operation device 54 is an operation device for instructing termination of a content-related application during driving. The retreat operation device 53 is an operation device for instructing to perform the same operation as the return operation device 48 arranged next to the center pusher 46.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, by so-called blind touch, an operation related to the provision of specific content can be operated with the operation device disposed on the side surface of the remote controller 40, so that usability is improved to that extent.

Specifically, when the operation-side pusher 52 is rotated in a state where music content is provided to the user, the controller 33 performs a process called title jump in the direction of rotating the operation-side pusher 52. Alternatively, when the operation side pusher 52 is pressed, it switches the display to the list screen. In this state, it switches the focus and accepts the user's content selection by the operation of the side pusher 52, and then switches the display to the original screen by the operation of the back operation means 53.

On the other hand, when providing television broadcast content, it switches the reception channel by the rotating operation of the side pusher 52. When providing the video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, it performs the jumping process in the direction of operation in units of a predetermined time by the rotating operation of the side pusher 52.

(2) Operation in the examples

With the above-described structure, by fitting the in-vehicle apparatus 1 (fig. 1 and 2) on the in-vehicle cradle 2A disposed in the automobile, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 receives power supply from the automobile and is connected to the external unit 21 disposed in the automobile, and the automobile audio device 28 and the like, thereby enabling the in-vehicle apparatus 1 to be used in the automobile. In the in-vehicle apparatus 1, by the operation of the power switch 12, power is turned on for navigation, and music and video contents, and television broadcast contents are enjoyed, and the current position is also checked.

In the in-vehicle apparatus 1 thus used for enjoying contents and checking the current position and the like, a program menu screen, which is a menu of available applications (fig. 4, fig. 5), is displayed by an operation of the remote controller 40 (fig. 3) or an operation of the touch panel 39 disposed on the display screen 11. The desired application is activated by a menu selection on this program menu screen. This allows, for example, television broadcast content to be enjoyed. This also allows starting multiple applications and displaying e.g. maps to check the current location while enjoying e.g. music.

On the main display screen of each application thus displayed by selecting an application, a menu or the like directed to a list screen related to the selection of content is displayed, or various menus or the like related to the playback of content are displayed. Next, various operations of switching contents by, for example, selecting these menus are executable by an operation of the touch panel 39 or an operation of the remote controller 40 (fig. 6 to 12).

Therefore, in the case of selecting an application by the operation of the touch panel 39 or the remote controller 40 in the above-described operation series, since it is a process for selecting a desired menu from a plurality of menus displayed on the program menu screen in the operation performed by the touch panel 39, it can be performed by finding the desired menu and touching with only a finger. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, it is provided to be operable by the touch panel 39 and by the remote controller 40, so as to simplify the operation involving the touch panel.

However, in the operation by the remote controller, it is necessary to move the focus and input the decision operation. Further, the in-vehicle apparatus 1 is most frequently used in a case where content is enjoyed, and in a case where the current position is confirmed on a map. Further, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, for the case of enjoying content, television broadcast video content, music content and video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35 are optional, but for content relating to these three different sources, it can be said that it is rare that the user desires to enjoy them simultaneously. Conversely, with respect to maps, there may be a case where maps are frequently used for display when enjoying content.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1 (fig. 13), the source operating devices 13P, 13R for instructing switching of the sources are provided in the touch panel and the remote controller 40, respectively, so that the three sources are provided to the user by switching in order and cyclically with the operation of the source operating devices 13P, 13R. In the case where no content is provided, after an application involving these sources is started, the sources are sequentially switched by their repeated operations. At this time, in a state in which a map as a display relating to navigation and the like is displayed, when the source operating device 13P, 13R is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video content. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, even in the case where the operation is switched from the map display to the content reproduction, the display can be switched in the same manner as in the case of switching the source. Therefore, as for the operation performed by the remote controller 40, the operation involving the source switching can be simplified to that extent.

Further, in a state where the video content is displayed, when the map operating means 17P, 17R for instructing display of the map is operated, the display of the video content is switched to the display of the map. Further, in a state where the map is displayed, when the map operating means 17P, 17R is operated, the display of this map is switched to the display of the original video content. Accordingly, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, when the display is switched to the map by the operation of the map operating device, the display may be switched from the display of the map to the display of the source by the operation of the map operating device.

Thus, by the operation of the source operating device relating to the source switching and the map operating device instructing the map display, the display can be switched between the source and the map, thereby allowing the operation relating to the remote controller 40 to be simplified to that extent.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, even in the case of operation acceptance operation by the touch panel and by the remote controller, it is possible to eliminate the burden of the user, improve operability, and switch display by so-called blind touch, thus improving user usability.

Alternatively, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the display is switched between the map and the video content by the operation of the display operation devices 16P, 16R (fig. 14), and at this time, the display of the display screen 11 is sequentially and cyclically switched with the interposed two-screen display (the display in which the map and the video content are aligned and displayed) in response to the setting of the user. Thus, for such a case where only voice concerning video content is enjoyed while checking the current position by a map, for example, or for a case where images of a map and video content are confirmed, or the like, video content and a map can be displayed in a display form in accordance with user's taste and preference.

At this time, by allowing the three displays to be sequentially and cyclically switched only with the operation of the display operation means 16P, 16R, the user can select a desired display mode by a simple operation of the remote controller 40 and also by a simple operation of the operation means provided on the operation panel, so that usability can be improved to that extent.

Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, the display ratio of the two images relating to the two-screen display is preset and accepted so as to form the two-screen display according to the predetermined ratio. Thus, in the dual-screen display, in the case where the map is dominant to the user, the display on the map side may be enlarged, and alternatively, in the case where the video content is dominant, the display on the content side may be enlarged, thereby allowing the user usability to be improved by reflecting the user's taste and preference on the dual-screen display.

Further, in this setting, it is accepted by source, and a two-screen display is formed based on this accepted by source setting. Thus, for content relating to, for example, television broadcasting, display is performed by the two-screen display in which the map is dominant, and for video content recorded in the hard disk drive 35, display is performed by the two-screen display in which the video content is dominant, and so on, and thus it is possible to set a display mode desired by the user, thereby allowing usability to be further improved.

Further, the user can set whether such a two-screen display is to be displayed or not in accordance with the source, so that usability can be further improved.

Further, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, since the display mode is switched by the operation of the display operation devices 16P, 16R as described above, information on whether or not the previous display was the two-screen display is held in the record concerning each source. Therefore, in the display of each source by the operation of the source operating device, according to this record, the map and the video content are displayed by the two-screen display, or only the content image is displayed. Thus, the user can activate the application by the operation of the source operating device 13P, 13R to obtain a display having a desired display mode without the need to select the desired display mode one by the source through the operation of the display operating device 16P, 16R, thus simplifying the operation of the remote controller 40.

Therefore, in this case, in which the user reselects content by making menu selection or the like in the control bar B1 displayed on the main screen of each application while enjoying the content or the like as described above, a corresponding list screen is displayed, and then setting is made to select desired content by menu selection in this list screen (fig. 6, fig. 8). At this time, in this in-vehicle apparatus 1, in order to be able to conveniently select a desired content from a plurality of contents recorded in the hard disk drive 35, a menu leading to selection of the corresponding content is displayed in a hierarchical structure so that, by selection of a genre for example, it is set to select the desired content from a genre list relating to the selection.

Also, when a destination or the like related to navigation is input, a category that can be conveniently selected from categories into which the destination is classified is selected, and then a detailed category corresponding thereto is selected from a list of detailed categories related to this category, so that also in this case, the destination is input by selection of a menu in the hierarchical structure (fig. 10).

In this in-vehicle apparatus 1, in the menus having such a hierarchical structure, the upper menu and the lower menu corresponding thereto are simultaneously displayed, wherein, with respect to the operation performed through the touch panel 39, selection from any menu of the upper menu and the lower menu displayed in parallel is accepted. Further, in the case where a menu in the upper layer is selected by the acceptance of this selection, the lower layer menu is switched to the menu corresponding to the thus selected upper layer menu. Therefore, in the operation of the touch panel, it is possible to select a desired menu only by an operation of moving the viewpoint to select the desired menu, and when necessary, select one menu again in the lower layer, thereby allowing the desired menu selected from the hierarchically structured menus to be quickly and reliably activated by the operation of the touch panel 39.

In contrast, with the operation of the remote controller 40, the focus is switched in the upper menu by the operation of the return operation means 48 (pointing to the operation means for instructing to switch the focus to the upper menu of the upper layer), and then by the rotating operation of the center pusher 46 (the focus switching operation means for switching the focus in the menus relating to the same layer) after switching the focus from the lower layer to the upper menu corresponding thereto. Further, the display of the lower menu is switched to the display of the menu corresponding to the upper menu at which the focus is located by the pressing operation of the center pusher 46 (selection operation means for instructing the selection of the menu at which the focus is located). Accordingly, by switching the focus so as to follow the hierarchical structure through the operations of the plurality of operation devices in the operation performed by the remote controller 40, a desired menu can be selected reliably.

Thus, by displaying menus set to be suitable for operations by the touch panel and operations by the remote controller 40, user operations by the touch panel 39 and the remote controller 40 can be accepted, so that user usability can be improved.

Further, since the upper menu and the lower menu corresponding thereto are displayed at the same time in the manner as described above and the menu for instructing scrolling is also displayed in the case where all the menus cannot be displayed, the menu which cannot be displayed is displayed by scrolling through the operation of the menu for instructing scrolling with respect to the operation performed through the touch panel. Further, with respect to the operation performed by the remote controller 40, a menu that cannot be displayed is displayed by scrolling by the operation of the focus switching operation device. Thus, the touch panel 39 is operated to select a menu that cannot be displayed with the same operation feeling as that performed by the remote controller 40, thereby allowing usability to be improved accordingly.

Further, since the above-described focus switching operation means and selection operation means are press-operable rotation operation means, and the operation performed with the focus switching operation means is a rotation operation of this rotation operation means, and the operation performed with the selection operation means is a press operation of this rotation operation means, it is possible to select a menu in the direction of the lower layer only by repeating the rotation operation and the press operation of this rotation operation means, and it is possible to improve user usability.

Further, for the operation of the control bar B1 in which menus relating to the display of the list screen are arranged as described above, in order to accept user operations by the center pusher 46, i.e., the rotational operation means, the side pushers 52 corresponding to the center pusher 46 and the backward operation means 53 are provided on the side surface of the remote controller 40. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, at least the main rotation operating device and the main backward operating device are provided on the main operating surface of the remote controller 40, and on the side surface of this main operating surface, the auxiliary rotation operating device and the auxiliary backward operating device for instructing the return from the state in which the auxiliary rotation operating device is provided to the initial state are provided.

Further, by the operations of the main rotation operation device and the main reverse operation device, a menu related to switching of operations between the navigation function and the content providing function is displayed so as to accept various operations.

In the in-vehicle apparatus 1, by sharing the functions assigned to the main rotation operation device and the backward operation device, operations related to content provision as part of these functions are set to be acceptable also by the operations of the auxiliary rotation operation device and the auxiliary backward operation device. Thus, in the in-vehicle apparatus 1, of the operations assigned to the main operation device side, the operation adapted to the blind touch thereof is allowed to be operated on the auxiliary rotation operation device side. Thus, a certain specific operation is set to be operable from the auxiliary rotation operation device side, and therefore, even in the case where the operation by the touch panel and the remote controller is acceptable or the like, it is possible to eliminate the burden of the user and improve the user operability and usability.

Specifically, in the case where music content is provided to the user, the music content provided to the user is switched by the operation of the auxiliary rotation operation means, so that an operation of skipping disliked reproduced content by blind touch is executable, and the like, thereby improving user usability.

Also, by displaying the list screen with a pressing operation of the rotational operation device and accepting selection of a music title, user usability can be improved.

(3) Effects of the preferred embodiments

According to the configuration as described above, since switching from display of a map to display of a source is allowed even by operation of the source switching operation means, user usability can be improved for an apparatus having a navigation function, a video playback function, and the like.

At this time, also by the operation of the display switching operation means, it is possible to thus improve user usability by allowing switching sequentially and cyclically between the display of the map, the display of the reproduced video content, and the display of the two-screen display thereof.

Further, by accepting the setting of the size of the area in which the map is displayed within the two-screen display and the size of the area in which the reproduced video content is displayed so as to form the two-screen display according to this setting, and further by accepting this setting by the sources so as to form the two-screen display according to the setting corresponding to each source, it is possible to form the two-screen display reflecting the preference of the user. Also, by recording and saving information on whether the display immediately before the last display is a double-screen display, and by displaying the double-screen display according to this record, it is also possible to improve user usability.

Further, by simultaneously displaying menus of upper and lower layers and accepting operations through the touch panel and the remote controller, it is possible to display menus suitable for operations through the touch panel and through the remote controller to accept user operations through the touch panel and the remote controller, thereby improving user usability accordingly.

Further, in the case where all the menus cannot be displayed, the menu for instructing scrolling is also displayed, and by causing the remaining menus that cannot be displayed to be scroll-displayed, it is possible to select one menu from the remaining menus that cannot be displayed by operating the touch panel with the same operation feeling as the remote controller, thus improving user usability.

Further, since this operation device relating to focus switching is a press-operable rotation operation device, a menu can be selected in the lower layer direction only by repeating the rotation operation and the press operation of the rotation operation device, thus improving user usability.

Also, in addition to the main rotation operation means that can be press-operated, an auxiliary rotation operation means that can be press-operated is provided on the side surface, and by making a setting with this auxiliary rotation operation means to accept only a specific operation related to content processing out of operations to be accepted by the main rotation operation means, for an operation suitable for blind touch, it is possible to operate on the side surface on the auxiliary rotation operation means side, thus improving user usability.

That is, by switching music contents by the rotation operation of the auxiliary rotation operation device, by displaying a list by the pressing operation thereof and accepting the selection of the user, it is possible to select desired music contents conveniently, thereby improving user usability.

(4) Other preferred embodiments

In the description of the above-described embodiment, the switching of display between the map and the content by the operation of the operation device is described by way of example, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, but is widely applicable to a case in which display is switched between the content and the still image in addition to or instead of the map or the like.

Further, although the case where the sizes of the area displaying the map and the area displaying the video content are set together when the ratio in the two-screen display is set has been described by way of example in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be set separately.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the setting of the area in which the map and the video content are displayed in the two-screen display is accepted in accordance with each content and the case where the information on whether to display the two-screen display is recorded in accordance with the source are described by way of example, however, the present invention is not limited to this, but may be set to display the two-screen display in accordance with the default setting by omitting the above-described setting and recording.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of providing video and music content recorded in a hard disk drive, and television broadcast video content has been described by way of example, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be widely applied to the case of providing various contents from various sources.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where selection of a menu or the like is accepted by the press-operable rotational operation means has been described by way of example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be widely applied to the case where operation by a joystick or the like is accepted.

Further, although the above preferred embodiment describes the case where the present invention is applied to the in-vehicle apparatus, the present invention is not limited thereto but can be widely applied to various multimedia terminals such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and a portable phone.

(availability)

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle device and a content providing method, and is suitable for, for example, a multimedia terminal having a navigation equipment function and a video playback function.

Claims (5)

1. An in-vehicle apparatus that displays at least a map related to navigation and video content from a plurality of sources, characterized in that:

in a state where the map is displayed, when a source operating device for switching the source is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of video content,

switching display of video content by sequentially and cyclically switching a playback target source among the plurality of sources when the source operating device is operated in a state where the video content is displayed,

in a state where the video content is displayed, when a map operation means is used to instruct display of the map, the display of the video content is switched to the display of the map, and

in a state where the map is displayed, when the map operating device is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video content,

the display of the map, the display of the video content, and the two-screen display in which the display of the map and the display of the video content are arranged are sequentially and cyclically switched by an operation of a display switching operation device.

2. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

accepting a setting of a size of an area for displaying the map and/or a size of an area for displaying the video content in the dual screen display, and

and forming the dual-screen display according to the setting.

3. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 2, characterized in that:

accepting the settings for each of the sources, and

the dual screen display is formed according to settings corresponding to each source.

4. The vehicle-mounted device according to claim 3, characterized in that:

recording and saving information on whether an immediately preceding display is the dual-screen display for each of the sources,

selectively displaying the video content or the dual screen display according to a recording when the source operating device displays each source.

5. A content providing method in a device that displays at least a map related to navigation and video content from a plurality of sources, the method characterized by:

in a state where the map is displayed, when a source operating device for switching the source is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of video content,

switching display of video content by sequentially and cyclically switching a playback target source among the plurality of sources when the source operating device is operated in a state where the video content is displayed,

in a state where the video content is displayed, when a map operation means is used to instruct display of the map, the display of the video content is switched to the display of the map, and

in a state where the map is displayed, when the map operating device is operated, the display of the map is switched to the display of the video content,

the display of the map, the display of the video content, and the two-screen display in which the display of the map and the display of the video content are arranged are sequentially and cyclically switched by an operation of a display switching operation device.