JP2009294169A - Map information display device and map information display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a list of facilities on the periphery of a present position by a user's simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: It is detected whether a display screen 16a is in a first state of disposition (sidewise long disposition) or in a second state of disposition (vertically long disposition). When the display screen 16a is in the first state of disposition, a map and a present position on the map are displayed on the display screen 16a. When the display screen is in the second state of disposition, a list is displayed as shown in Fig.3(B) on the display screen 16a about information related to the facilities on the periphery of the present position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information display device and a map information display method for displaying map information and a current position.

  Car navigation systems and PNDs (personal / portable navigation devices) are widely used as devices for displaying their current positions on a map. In these devices, the current position is detected by GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like, a map around the current position is read from the map information stored in the storage device, and the map and the current position on the map are obtained. indicate. Then, by registering the destination and, if necessary, the waypoint, it is possible to search for a route up to that point and perform route guidance (navigation) to the user. As a map, not only a two-dimensional map but also a map that can display a three-dimensional bird's-eye view that shows a target building or facility (landmark) is generally displayed.

  The car navigation system uses a large-capacity hard disk or DVD as a storage device for storing map information, and can provide users with detailed information and various functions. On the other hand, PND uses a relatively small-capacity storage device such as a flash memory as a storage device. Although the amount of information and functions are limited, it has the advantage of being inexpensive and easy to use, and can be used for applications other than in-vehicle use. Has been.

Conventionally, such car navigation systems and PNDs have been known which have a function of searching for a list of restaurants, convenience stores, commercial facilities, gas stations, etc. around the current position. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the list display of the nearest facility is updated in accordance with the traveling of the automobile. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses that the display of the map is switched when the display screen is rotated, although it is not a list display.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-166245 JP 2001-264083 A

  However, in order to switch from the screen displaying the map and the current position to the screen displaying the list of surrounding facilities, an operation such as pressing a button provided around the screen or touching the button display on the screen is required. Such an operation requires selection of the corresponding button and confirmation of the position thereof, and the operation cannot be performed unless the position of the button is recognized.

  An object of the present invention is to solve such problems and provide a map information display device and a map information display method capable of displaying a list of peripheral facilities at the current position by a simple operation of a user.

  The map information display device of the present invention includes a position detection unit that detects a current position, a display unit that displays an image, a state detection unit that detects an arrangement state of a display screen of the display unit, and a display screen that has a first arrangement. When it is in the state, the current position and the surrounding map are displayed on the display means, and when the display screen is in the second arrangement state different from the first arrangement state, information on the facility within the predetermined range from the current position is displayed. Display control means for displaying a list on the display means.

  It is desirable that the first arrangement state is a state in which the display screen is in a horizontally long arrangement, and the second arrangement state is in a state in which the display screen is in a vertically long arrangement. Further, the first arrangement state is a state of a horizontally long arrangement or a vertically long arrangement arbitrarily set as suitable for map display, and the second arrangement state is a state of a vertically long arrangement when the first arrangement state is a horizontally long arrangement, When the arrangement state 1 is vertically long, it may be horizontally long.

  The display control means can search for information related to facilities within a predetermined range from the current position. In addition, a facility that matches a preselected condition, or a facility that meets at least one of the current time zone, the time during which the user continues to move, and the moving distance can be searched.

  Means can be provided for performing route search and route guidance to the facility selected as the destination or waypoint from the list display.

  According to the map information display method of the present invention, the arrangement state of the display screen is detected. When the display screen is in the first arrangement state, the map and the current position on the map are displayed on the display screen. When the second arrangement state is different from the one arrangement state, information related to facilities within a predetermined range from the current position is displayed in a list on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display a list of facilities around the current position with a simple operation of the user.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a utilization form of a map information display device, and FIG. 2 shows a system configuration thereof. The map information display device will be described here assuming PND.

  In this embodiment, the map information display device 1 can be used alone such as carried by a user, but when the map information display device 1 is used in a fixed position such as in a car, the attachment 2 is used. The attachment 2 has a structure in which the map information display device 1 can be easily attached and detached without the need for a tool, and can be attached to a dashboard or window of an automobile by a sucker or the like. In FIG. 1, a trapezoidal shape is shown as the attachment 2, but an arm shape or other shapes can also be used.

  The configuration of the map information display device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The map information display device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a current position detection unit 12, a map information storage unit 13, a route search unit 14, a control unit 15, a display unit 16, an operation unit 17, an audio output unit 18, and a state detection unit 19. And an external device connection unit 20. An external device 21 can be connected to the external device connection unit 20. The communication unit 11 receives GPS signals, VICS (road traffic information communication system) information, and the like. The current position detection unit 12 functions as a position detection unit, and detects the current position based on the GPS signal received by the communication unit 11. The map information storage unit 13 stores map information in advance. The route search unit 14 functions as route search means and searches for a route from the current position to the destination. The control unit 15 controls the operation of each unit of the map information display device 1 and functions as a display control unit that displays various types of information on the display screen 16a. The display unit 16 functions as a display unit, and displays map information, the current position, and other various information on the display screen 16a under the control of the control unit 15. This display screen 16a functions as a touch panel, and when a list is displayed, the touched one can be selected by touching the target one in the list with a finger. The operation unit 17 includes various switches and buttons, or a touch panel of the display screen 16a. The operation unit 17 receives a user input operation and notifies the control unit 15 of the input operation. The voice output unit 18 makes route guidance, other information, or an announcement regarding operation. The state detection unit 19 functions as a state detection unit and detects the arrangement state of the display screen 16 a of the display unit 16. An external device 21 such as a Bluetooth (registered trademark) device or an audio device can be connected to the external device connection unit 20.

[Basic operation: Information display]
The basic operation of the map information display device 1 will be described. In a state where the user has not set the destination, the control unit 15 searches the map information storage unit 13 based on the current position obtained by the current position detection unit 12, and displays the current position and the surrounding map. 16 display screens 16a. The user can set the scale of the map and whether the upward direction of the displayed map is north or traveling by an operation from the operation unit 17. In addition, when the map information corresponds to three-dimensional display, that is, overhead view display, the user can set whether to display two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Although the current position changes from moment to moment with movement, the control unit 15 updates the map to be displayed with the change. Hereinafter, not only the route guidance described below but also a display that simply updates the map and the current position from time to time is referred to as “guidance display”.

  When the user registers a destination and a waypoint if necessary by an operation from the operation unit 17, the route search unit 14 displays a route from the current position to the destination via the waypoint by using the map information recording unit 13. Search based on the map information stored in. Thereafter, the control unit 15 performs route guidance (navigation). In this route guidance, the route to the destination is displayed prominently on the map displayed on the display screen 16a, and when the intersection approaches, the distance to the intersection and the direction to travel at the intersection ( Lane) is displayed large. In addition, the target buildings and facilities (landmarks) near the intersection are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner. Further, the voice output unit 18 outputs a message such as “Please turn right at the next intersection”. When the destination approaches, the voice output unit 18 outputs a message such as “Destination has approached”.

[Switch display screen]
FIG. 3 shows how the display information is switched when the map information display device 1 is rotated 90 degrees to change the display screen from the horizontal orientation to the vertical orientation. FIG. 4 shows the operation of the map information display device 1 associated with this switching. A flowchart is shown.

  When the power is turned on, the map information display apparatus 1 performs the above-described guidance display, that is, the map around the current position and the current position on the map, reception of destination and waypoint registration, route search, and route guidance processing. (Step S1). This state is shown in FIG. When the display screen 16a of the map information display device 1 is in the first arrangement state (in the horizontal arrangement state in the example of FIG. 3A) (No in step S2), this guidance display processing is continued. When the map information display device 1 is rotated 90 degrees and the display screen 16a is in the second arrangement state shown in FIG. 3B (vertical arrangement in this example), the state detection unit 19 detects it (Yes in step S2). ), The control unit 15 switches the content to be displayed on the display screen 16a. And the search range information memorize | stored in the control part 15 is read, or a user sets a search range (step S3), and it communicates from the database of the map information storage part 13 within the set search range, or communication The peripheral facility information is searched from the data downloaded via the external device 21 connected to the unit 11 or the external device connection unit 20 (step S4), and the result is displayed as a list (step S5). FIG. 3B shows an example in which a restaurant, a convenience store, and a car accessory point are displayed as a list in order from the current position as information on facilities around the current position.

  The search range information includes how far away the facility is from the current location, whether the search is performed within a circle centered on the current location, or within a semicircle of the current direction of travel ( (Restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, public facilities, scenic spots, tourist facilities, entertainment facilities, highway entrances, transportation, etc.). The setting of these search range information (search range and search target) is not determined and input by the user, but the control unit 15 may automatically set the standard registration at the time of factory shipment. The control unit 15 may automatically set the information registered in advance or the contents previously set by the user. In addition, the control unit 15 automatically sets the search range according to various conditions such as a restaurant or a restaurant during a meal time, a place where a rest can be taken such as a convenience store or a fast food restaurant when the travel time or travel distance is long. May be. For example, when the time is during lunch time, for example, at 12:00 noon during driving, the management function in the map information display device 1 manages it to search for restaurants in the surrounding facilities, and the map information The display device 1 may be provided with a function for grasping the traveling time, and when the traveling time exceeds a certain level, information on a resting place such as a convenience store or a road station may be provided. It may be possible to provide information on the resting place when the mileage exceeds a certain distance instead of the driving time, and when one or both of the driving time and the mileage exceeds a certain value, the information on the resting place is provided. You may make it provide.

  The user can also change the search range setting from the list display once displayed. For example, after a list of restaurants, convenience stores, and car accessory stores is displayed in a circle with a radius of 500 m according to the previous setting, the search range and the type of facility to be searched (referred to as a genre) are changed on the display screen 16a. The facilities can be displayed in a list with the changed range and genre. In addition, by specifying the genre icon displayed together with the list display, it is also possible to display a list of facilities of only that genre.

  Any of the facilities displayed in the list can be set as a destination or waypoint on the display screen 16a. That is, the control unit 15 returns to the guidance display in step S1 when the display screen is rearranged again from the list display state (Yes in step S6), and the list display is maintained (Yes in step S6). In step S7, setting registration with any of the listed facilities as a destination or waypoint is accepted. When the user sets the destination or waypoint from the operation unit 17 (Yes in step S8), the route search by the route search unit 14 (step S9) is performed. Here, depending on the route, it is more convenient to display the front view so that it can be seen from the front in a vertically long arrangement. Therefore, the control unit 15 determines whether the current display screen 16a is appropriately arranged or another arrangement is appropriate based on the positional relationship between the current position, the road direction, and the destination (step S10). If it is good, it moves to the guidance display of step S1 with the arrangement, and the process of route guidance to the destination is executed. If there is no destination or waypoint setting in step S8, and if it is determined in step S10 that the layout of the display screen 16a is better, the control unit 15 displays the display screen 16a on the display screen 16a. A message for requesting the switching of the arrangement is displayed (step S11). When the arrangement of the display screen 16a is switched in response to the message (Yes in step S12), the process proceeds to the guidance display in step S1. If the arrangement of the display screen 16a is switched for a predetermined time (No in step S12, No in step S13), and if it is still not switched (Yes in step S13), the guidance display in step S1 remains in the arrangement state. Return to.

  In the above operation, it is assumed that the display screen 16a is in the horizontally long arrangement with the power turned on, and this is the first arrangement state, and the state in which it is in the vertically long arrangement is the second arrangement state. In addition, when it is better to display the map display in a portrait orientation based on the positional relationship between the current position and the destination or waypoint, the display screen 16a is in the first orientation state and the landscape orientation is in the second orientation. The layout has been changed. That is, not only the list display is performed when the display screen 16a is switched to the vertical layout while the map is displayed in the horizontal layout, but the horizontal layout is displayed while the display screen 16a is performing the map display in the vertical layout. Even when switched to, the list is displayed. On the other hand, when the display screen 16a is in the vertically long arrangement with the power turned on, it can be set in the first arrangement state. Further, when it is not necessary to correspond to the vertically long map display, the horizontally long arrangement can be fixed to the first arrangement state, and the horizontally long arrangement can be fixed to the second arrangement state.

[Detection of display screen status]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a method for detecting the state of the display screen 16a, and shows a state where the map information display device 1 is viewed from the back side. In this example, an attachment portion for attaching the map information display device 1 to the attachment 2 is used as the rotation switch 3. The rotary switch 3 includes two contacts 4 and 5, and if the contact 6 on the main body side of the map information display device 1 is connected to the contact 4, the display screen 16 a is horizontally long (solid line) and connected to the contact 5. If this is the case, it can be determined as a vertically long arrangement (broken line). Further, only one of the contacts 4 and 5 can be used. If only the contact 4 is used, it can be determined that the main body side contact 6 is connected to the main body side contact 6 in the horizontal orientation, and if it is not connected to the main body side contact 6 it is determined that the horizontal orientation is not applied. “Non-horizontal arrangement” means either a diagonal arrangement or a vertical arrangement. In this case, it is determined as a vertical arrangement and the screen display is set to be vertical. If only the contact 5 is used, unless the main body contact 6 is connected to the contact 5, the horizontally long screen display is continued. The contact of the rotary switch 3 can be further increased to detect not only the rotation positions of 0 degree and 90 degrees, but also an arrangement rotated by -90 degrees (270 degrees) or 180 degrees.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a method for detecting the state of the display screen, and shows an example using a G sensor (acceleration sensor) installed inside the map information display device 1. In order to make the positional relationship correspond to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 also shows the map information display device 1 as seen from the back side. The G sensor outputs 1G when in the vertical direction and 0G because no gravitational acceleration is applied when in the horizontal direction. Therefore, for example, the G sensor is oriented in the horizontal direction when the display screen 16a of the map information display device 1 is in the landscape orientation, and the G sensor is oriented in the vertical direction when in the portrait orientation. The value of the gravitational acceleration G and the inclination θ of the G sensor with respect to the horizontal direction have a relationship of G = sin θ. By using the G sensor, not only the determination of the horizontal arrangement and the vertical arrangement but also the angle of the map information display device 1 Can be requested.

  When the map information display device 1 is attached to the attachment 2, the rotation switch 3 shown in FIG. 5 simply presses the side portion of the map information display device 1 and rotates it relative to the attachment 2. Can be switched. However, when the map information display device 1 is used in hand, the user needs to directly operate the rotary switch 3. On the other hand, when the G sensor is used, it is necessary to keep the surface of the display screen 16a substantially vertical, but simply tilting the map information display device 1 makes the display screen 16a vertically or horizontally long. It can be switched to the combined state.

  5 and 6, the map information display device 1 has been described as having its right side down when viewed from the front. However, when the left side is down, or when the right side or the left side is down. Similarly, the display screen can be switched similarly.

  As described above, the map information display device 1 can switch the contents of the screen display only by switching between the horizontally long layout and the horizontally long layout of the display screen. With devices such as car navigation systems and PNDs that can rotate the screen, the user can easily rotate the screen by reaching out and rotating the screen with little need to distract the line of sight. The contents can be switched. In particular, if the screen is integral with the main body like PND, the whole main body may be rotated.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of invention was described, this invention can be variously changed unless the summary is changed. For example, not only when the display means is provided integrally with the main body of the map information display apparatus 1 as in PND, but also when the display means is provided separately from the main body of the map information display apparatus, the display means. By detecting the inclination state, it can be similarly implemented.

  If the map information display device 1 is horizontally long and the display screen 16a is square, the map information display device 1 is a normal guidance display when the map information display device 1 is horizontally long and a list display when the map information display device 1 is vertically long. Also good. Ordinary guidance display may be used when the display screen 16a is arranged vertically, and list display may be used when the display screen 16a is arranged horizontally.

  Further, when the map information display device 1 or its display unit 16 is rotated 90 degrees in one direction, a list display is displayed, and when the map information display device 1 or its display unit 16 is rotated 90 degrees in the other direction, another type (genre) list display is displayed. You may make it make it. For example, a list of nearby restaurants may be displayed when rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and a nearby gas station may be displayed when rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. Furthermore, another type of list is displayed when rotated 180 degrees, or the list is displayed when rotated 180 degrees without displaying the list when rotated 90 degrees to the left and right. May be. A list may be displayed when rotated 90 degrees in one direction, and a map suitable for the arrangement may be displayed instead of the list display when rotated 90 degrees in the other direction.

  In the above-described embodiment, the normal guidance display and the list display of the surrounding facilities of the vehicle or its current position are switched. However, the normal guidance is displayed when the display screen 16a is arranged horizontally. In addition to the above, a list display may be performed. In this case, if the normal display is set to portrait orientation, the list display will be displayed. If the list display is set to portrait orientation, the list display will continue and the character placement and information content for the same item will be changed. The list display may be performed.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the display after specifying the destination or waypoint after the list display is determined from the current position, and it is determined whether the landscape screen is preferable or the portrait screen is preferable. Such a determination may not be performed. That is, when registered in step S8, route guidance to a destination or the like may be performed only with the horizontally long layout. In addition, items displayed in a list may be displayed in a predetermined range centered on a predetermined position such as a destination or waypoint.

  The map information storage unit 13 can be a hard disk, DVD, ROM (read only memory), flash memory, or the like. In the above description, the map information is assumed to be stored in advance in the map information storage unit 13, but only the minimum necessary map information is stored in the map information storage unit 13, and the communication unit 11 is used as necessary. Alternatively, the map information and the route search result can be obtained from the server by using a communication line such as an Internet line provided by the external device 21 connected to the external device connection unit 20. Map information and route search results obtained using the communication line are stored in the map information storage unit 13 for use. It is also possible to carry out the present invention while constantly performing communication and updating necessary map information.

  The display unit 16 as the display means may be a simple liquid crystal display device or another flat display device other than the touch panel type. The current position detection unit 12 as the position detection unit, the state detection unit 19 as the state detection unit, and the route search unit 14 can each be configured as a single hardware, but the control unit also functions as a display control unit The CPU (central processing unit), the ROM, the RAM (random access memory), and the like constituting the CPU 15 can be shared and implemented as software.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of this invention, and is a figure which shows the utilization form of a map information display apparatus. It is a block block diagram which shows the circuit structure of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state of the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (A) shows the state which set the display screen to landscape orientation, (B) rotates a map information display apparatus 90 degree | times, and displays a display screen. It is a figure which shows the mode of the switching of the display content when changing from landscape orientation to portrait orientation. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the operation | movement accompanying the display content switching in the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of detecting the state of the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the method of detecting the state of the display screen of the map information display apparatus shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map information display apparatus, 2 Attachment, 3 Rotation switch 4, 5 Contact, 11 Communication part, 12 Current position detection part (position detection means), 13 Map information storage part, 14 Path | route search part, 15 Control part (display control) Means), 16 display unit (display unit), 16a display screen, 17 operation unit, 18 audio output unit, 19 state detection unit (state detection unit), 20 external device connection unit, 21 external device

Claims (8)

Position detection means for detecting the current position;
Display means for displaying images;
State detection means for detecting the arrangement state of the display screen of the display means;
When the display screen is in the first arrangement state, the current position and the surrounding map are displayed on the display means, and when the display screen is in a second arrangement state different from the first arrangement state, Display control means for causing the display means to display a list of information related to facilities within a predetermined range from the current position;
A map information display device comprising:   2. The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein the first arrangement state is a state in which the display screen is in a horizontally long arrangement, and the second arrangement state is a state in which the display screen is in a vertically long arrangement.   The first arrangement state is a state of a horizontally long arrangement or a vertically long arrangement arbitrarily set as suitable for map display, and the second arrangement state is a state of a vertically long arrangement when the first arrangement state is a horizontally long arrangement, 2. The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein when the first arrangement state is a vertically long arrangement, the first arrangement state is a horizontally long arrangement state.   The map information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the display control means searches for information relating to a facility within a predetermined range from the current position.   5. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit searches for information on a facility within a predetermined range from the current position, targeting a facility that satisfies a preselected condition. 6. The map information display device described.   The display control means searches for information on a facility within a predetermined range from the current position for a facility that meets at least one of the conditions of the current time zone, the time during which movement is continued, and the movement distance. The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein the map information display device is a map information display device.   The map information display device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means for performing route search and route guidance to a facility selected as a destination or waypoint from a list display. Detects the display screen layout,
When the display screen is in the first arrangement state, the map and the current position on the map are displayed on the display screen.
Map information characterized in that when the display screen is in a second arrangement state different from the first arrangement state, information relating to facilities within a predetermined range from the current position is displayed in a list on the display screen. Display method.

Images