JP2001027530A - Navigation system, method for displaying information on other vehicle, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a navigation system capable of appropriately displaying information on other vehicles. SOLUTION: In the case that the present location of another vehicle acquired by a communication module 14 is not included within the range of objects to be displayed specified by a present display scale, etc., stored in a storage part 18, a processing control part 16 displays a symbol to indicate the present location of one's own vehicle and a symbol to indicate that the present location of other vehicle lies outside the range of objects to be displayed on a display part 19 without changing the display scale. After this, when instructions for displaying one's own vehicle and other vehicles are inputted from an operating part 15, the display scale is changed into a scale capable of displaying both vehicles to display the present locations of one's own vehicle and the another vehicle. Then after a predetermined time is elapsed, the processing control part 16 returns to the original display scale and displays the symbol to indicate the present location of one's own vehicle and the symbol to indicate that the present location of the another vehicle lies outside the range of objects to be displayed on a display part 19 again.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation system, a method for displaying information on other vehicles, and a recording medium capable of displaying the current position of not only the own vehicle but also other vehicles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional navigation system, for example, a current position of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "own vehicle") operated by a user equipped with the navigation system is sequentially determined by a predetermined GPS (Global Positioning System) unit or the like. Acquired, combined with the map information, the acquired symbol indicating the current position is displayed on a predetermined screen. Thus, the user can visually grasp the current position of the vehicle shown on the map on the screen one by one, and can proceed with the vehicle to a destination to which the user should go without getting lost.

Recently, vehicles operated by other users equipped with a navigation system of the same kind (hereinafter referred to as "other vehicles")
That. There is also known a navigation system which can display not only the current position of the own vehicle but also the current position of another vehicle by transmitting and receiving mutual position information and the like to and from the other vehicle. For example, the navigation system of the own vehicle communicates with the same type of navigation system of another vehicle via a commercially available mobile phone or the like at a predetermined timing, transmits the current position information of the own vehicle, and transmits the current position information of the other vehicle. Receive current location information. Then, each navigation system displays, on the same screen, a symbol indicating the current position of the other vehicle determined by the received current position information of the other vehicle, together with a symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle.

In such a navigation system capable of displaying the current position of another vehicle, when a plurality of users act in groups or the like, the mutual current positions can be grasped. And can arrive at the meeting place or the destination in a cohesive manner.

[0005]

Such a navigation system unconditionally displays the current position of another vehicle determined by the received current position information of the other vehicle. For example, if the current position of another vehicle does not fall within the display target range on the map information determined by the current display scale, the display scale is automatically changed (reduced) and the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle are displayed on the same screen. Displayed above (on the same map information).

More specifically, when the current position of the vehicle Va is displayed on the display scale as shown in FIG. The display scale is changed (reduced) as shown in FIG. 10 (b), and the current position of the other vehicle Vb is also displayed. For this reason, the display scale is reduced,
In some cases, the current position of the host vehicle Va, the direction in which the vehicle should travel, and the like become unclear, and there is a case where hindrance to user guidance and the like occurs. In addition, when the display scale is returned to the original scale, the user has to manually operate the display scale sequentially, which is very complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a navigation system, an information display method, and a recording medium capable of appropriately displaying information on other vehicles.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information indicating a current position of a vehicle; Another vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information indicating a current position, display range specifying means for specifying a range of an area to be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle obtained by the own vehicle information obtaining means, and the display range Another vehicle display determining means for determining whether or not the current position of the other vehicle obtained by the other vehicle information obtaining means is included in the range specified by the specifying means; and If it is determined that the current position is included, a symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed within the range specified by the display range specifying means, and the current position of the other vehicle is included. If it is determined that there is no Characterized in that it comprises a display control means for displaying a symbol indicating that the symbols and other vehicles indicating the current position of the vehicle within a constant range is outside the display subject, the.

According to the present invention, the own vehicle information obtaining means includes
For example, by receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, information indicating the current position of the vehicle is acquired. The other vehicle information obtaining means obtains information indicating the current position of the other vehicle, for example, by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the other vehicle. The display range specifying means specifies, for example, a range of map information to be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle information acquiring means. The other vehicle display determining means determines whether or not the current position of the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information acquiring means is included in the range specified by the display range specifying means. The display control means indicates the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle within the range specified by the display range specifying means when the other vehicle display determining means determines that the current position of the other vehicle is included. Displays a symbol, and if it is determined that the current position of the other vehicle is not included, displays a symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle and a symbol indicating that the other vehicle is not displayed in the specified range. I do. As described above, the display scale and the like are not changed each time the position information of the other vehicle is acquired, which hinders a normal navigation display for displaying the current position of the own vehicle and map information around the own vehicle. Nothing. In addition, even when the current position of another vehicle cannot be displayed, the user is notified that the position information of the other vehicle is being received by a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target. Can be. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

[0010] The navigation system further includes a display range changing means for changing a range specified by the display range specifying means so that both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed. After displaying the symbols indicating the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle within the range specified by the display range changing means for a predetermined time, the current position of the own vehicle is set within the range before the change specified by the display range specifying means. Alternatively, a symbol indicating that another vehicle is not displayed may be displayed. In this case, when it is desired to confirm the current position of the other vehicle, the display position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle is instructed, and after the display scale is changed, the current position of the other vehicle is combined with the current position of the own vehicle. Is displayed, and the positional relationship between the other vehicle and the own vehicle can be visually confirmed. Further, after confirming the current position of the other vehicle, the changed display scale automatically returns to the original display scale, so that normal navigation display can be continued. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

In order to achieve the above object, a navigation system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a map information storage means for storing map information for display in advance, and a map information storage means for storing the map information stored in the map information storage means. Display scale storage means for storing a display scale; own vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the current position of the own vehicle; other vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the current position of another vehicle; A display range for specifying a range to be displayed in the map information stored in the map information storage means according to the current position of the vehicle acquired by the information acquisition means and the display scale stored in the display scale storage means. Another vehicle that determines whether or not the current position of the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information acquiring device is to be displayed, according to the range specified by the specifying unit and the display range specifying unit. When the indication discriminating means and the other car display discriminating means discriminate that the subject is to be displayed, a symbol representing the own car and the other car is displayed at each current position of the own car and the other car on the specified map information. , If it is determined that it will not be displayed, the current position of the vehicle on the map information,
Display control means for displaying a symbol representing the own vehicle at a predetermined position on the map information and a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range.

According to the present invention, the own vehicle information obtaining means includes
For example, by receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite, information indicating the current position of the vehicle is acquired. The other vehicle information obtaining means obtains information indicating the current position of the other vehicle, for example, by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the other vehicle. The display range specifying unit is a display target of the map information stored in the map information storage unit according to the current position of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle information acquisition unit and the display scale stored in the display scale storage unit. Identify the range. The other-vehicle display determining means determines whether or not the current position of the other vehicle acquired by the other-vehicle information acquiring means is to be displayed according to the range specified by the display range specifying means. The display control means displays a symbol representing the own vehicle and the other vehicle at each current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the identified map information when the other vehicle display determination means determines that the display target is to be displayed, If it is determined that the vehicle is not to be displayed, a symbol representing the vehicle is displayed at the current position of the vehicle on the map information, a symbol indicating the vehicle is displayed at a predetermined position on the map information, and the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range. Display each symbol. As described above, since the display scale is not changed every time the position information of another vehicle is acquired, it interferes with the normal navigation display for displaying the current position of the own vehicle and map information around the own vehicle. There is no. In addition, even when the current position of another vehicle cannot be displayed, the user is notified that the position information of the other vehicle is being received by a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target. Can be. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

[0013] The navigation system includes instruction input means for inputting instruction information for displaying the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the same map information, and responding to the instruction information input by the instruction input means, the instruction input means. Display scale identification for identifying a display scale on which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle obtained by the vehicle information obtaining means and the current position of the other vehicle obtained by the other vehicle information obtaining means. Means, and the display range specifying means specifies a range to be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle information acquiring means and the display scale identified by the display scale identifying means. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the current position of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit and the display target according to the display scale stored in the display scale storage unit. Range may be identified that. In this case, when it is desired to confirm the current position of the other vehicle, the display position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle is instructed, and after the display scale is changed, the current position of the other vehicle is combined with the current position of the own vehicle. Is displayed, and the positional relationship between the other vehicle and the own vehicle can be visually confirmed. Further, after confirming the current position of the other vehicle, the changed display scale automatically returns to the original display scale, so that normal navigation display can be continued.
As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for displaying information on another vehicle according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a step of obtaining information indicating the current position of the own vehicle, a step of obtaining the current position of the other vehicle, Other vehicle information obtaining step of obtaining the information to be indicated, and the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the own vehicle information obtaining step, and, according to a predetermined display scale, the display target range of the map information for display. A display range specifying step to specify, and another vehicle determining whether or not the current position of the other vehicle obtained in the other vehicle information obtaining step is to be displayed according to the range specified in the display range specifying step. When it is determined in the display determination step and the other vehicle display determination step that the display target is to be displayed, a symbol representing the own vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed at each current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the specified map information. table If it is determined that the vehicle is not to be displayed, a symbol representing the vehicle is displayed at the current position of the vehicle on the map information, the symbol is displayed at a predetermined position on the map information, and the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range. And a display control step of displaying a symbol indicating

According to the present invention, the own vehicle information obtaining step obtains information indicating the current position of the own vehicle, for example, by receiving a signal transmitted from a GPS satellite. The other vehicle information obtaining step obtains information indicating the current position of the other vehicle, for example, by receiving a radio wave transmitted from the other vehicle. The display range specifying step specifies a range to be displayed in the map information for display according to the current position of the vehicle acquired in the vehicle information acquiring step and a predetermined display scale. The other-vehicle display determining step determines whether or not the current position of the other vehicle obtained in the other-vehicle information obtaining step is to be displayed according to the range specified in the display range specifying step. The display control step displays a symbol representing the own vehicle and the other vehicle at each current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the specified map information when it is determined that the display target is to be displayed in the other vehicle display determination step. If it is determined that the vehicle is not to be displayed, a symbol representing the vehicle is displayed at the current position of the vehicle on the map information, the symbol is displayed at a predetermined position on the map information, and the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range. Are displayed. As described above, since the display scale is not changed every time the position information of another vehicle is acquired, it interferes with the normal navigation display for displaying the current position of the own vehicle and map information around the own vehicle. There is no. In addition, even when the current position of another vehicle cannot be displayed, the user is notified that the position information of the other vehicle is being received by a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target. Can be. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

The other vehicle information display method includes an instruction input step of inputting instruction information for displaying the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the same map information, and responding to the instruction information input in the instruction input step. Accordingly, both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the own vehicle information obtaining step and the current position of the other vehicle obtained in the other vehicle information obtaining step. A display scale specifying step of specifying a display scale, wherein the display range specifying step is performed by specifying the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the own vehicle information obtaining step and the display scale specifying step. According to the display scale, after specifying a range to be displayed, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the current position of the own vehicle acquired in the own vehicle information acquiring step, and
The range to be displayed may be specified according to the original display scale. In this case, when it is desired to confirm the current position of the other vehicle, by instructing the display of both the own vehicle and the other vehicle,
After the display scale is changed, the current position of the other vehicle is displayed together with the current position of the own vehicle, so that the positional relationship between the other vehicle and the own vehicle can be visually confirmed. Further, after confirming the current position of the other vehicle, the changed display scale automatically returns to the original display scale, so that normal navigation display can be continued. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording medium according to a fourth aspect of the present invention comprises: a self-vehicle information obtaining step for obtaining information indicating a current position of a self-vehicle; The other vehicle information obtaining step to be obtained, and the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the own vehicle information obtaining step and a display for specifying a range to be displayed in the map information for display according to a predetermined display scale. A range identification step;
The other vehicle display determining step of determining whether or not the current position of the other vehicle obtained in the other vehicle information obtaining step is to be displayed according to the range specified in the display range specifying step; If it is determined in the display determination step that the vehicle is to be displayed, a symbol representing the vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed at each current position of the vehicle and the other vehicle on the specified map information. If determined, a symbol representing the vehicle is displayed at the current position of the vehicle on the map information, and a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range is displayed at a predetermined position on the map information. A program for causing a computer to execute the other vehicle information display method having the display control step is recorded.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a navigation system 1 applied to an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system 1 includes a GPS antenna 11, a GPS module 12, a communication antenna 13
, A communication module 14, an operation unit 15, a processing control unit 16, a CD-ROM 17, a storage unit 18, and a display unit 1.
9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system 1 having the above-described configuration is configured to control a vehicle Va operated by a user.
(Hereinafter, referred to as "own vehicle") and mounted on a vehicle Vb (hereinafter, referred to as "other vehicle") operated by another user (1a,
1b). Although FIG. 2 shows a case where the navigation system 1 (1a, 1b) is mounted on each of two vehicles, the number of these vehicles is arbitrary.

Returning to FIG. 1, GPS (Global Positioni)
ng System) antenna 11 is composed of a helical antenna, a dielectric antenna, a patch type planar antenna, and the like, and receives a spread spectrum modulated satellite radio wave transmitted from a predetermined GPS satellite.

The GPS module 12 tunes to satellite radio waves transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites and received by the GPS antenna 11, and despreads and demodulates each satellite radio wave to obtain a plurality of satellite reception signals. The GPS module 12
Based on the difference between the arrival times of the satellite radio waves calculated according to the acquired satellite reception signals, positioning data including latitude, longitude, altitude, and the like is generated. GPS module 1
2 supplies the generated positioning data to the processing control unit 16.

The communication antenna 13 is composed of a predetermined rod antenna or the like provided with an element.
The transmission information superimposed on the carrier having a predetermined frequency transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus is transmitted to the wireless station 2 as shown in FIG. Further, the communication antenna 13 receives communication information sent from the wireless station 2 and supplies the communication information to the communication module 14.

The communication module 14 comprises, for example, a mobile communication unit applied to a predetermined mobile communication system employing a cell system, and is controlled by the processing control unit 16 to control the radio station 2 as shown in FIG. It communicates with another navigation system 1 via the base station 3 and the like, and transmits and receives current position information and the like of the own vehicle and other vehicles.

The operation unit 15 includes a predetermined operation panel and the like, and instructs various types of processing operations to the processing control unit 16 in accordance with an input operation by a user. For example, the operation unit 15 instructs the processing control unit 16 to perform a later-described display scale temporary change process for displaying the current positions of both the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the display unit 19 in accordance with an input operation by the user.

The processing control unit 16 has a CPU (Central Proc).
essing Unit), and navigation system 1
Take control of the whole. The processing control unit 16 generates current position information indicating the current position of the own vehicle according to the positioning data acquired from the GPS module 12, and stores the generated current position information in the storage unit 18. In addition, the processing control unit 16 is communicatively connected to the navigation system 1 of another vehicle via the communication module 14 at each predetermined timing, and transmits and receives current position information and the like of the own vehicle and the other vehicle. Then, the processing control unit 16
Stores the received current position information of the other vehicle in the storage unit 18.

Further, the processing control unit 16 controls the CD-ROM according to the current position information of the vehicle stored in the storage unit 18 and the like.
The map information to be displayed is read from 17, an image is generated by combining a symbol or the like indicating the current position of the vehicle on the read map information, and displayed on the display unit 19.

The CD-DOM 17 stores map information for display and the like in advance. Note that the CD-ROM 17 supplies map information and the like to the processing control unit 16 via a driver unit (not shown).

The storage unit 18 has a RAM (Random Access Me
mory), as shown in FIG. 3, and includes a host vehicle information storage area 18a, a scale storage area 18b, and another vehicle information storage area 18c.

The current vehicle position information 181 and the moving position information 182 are stored in the own vehicle information storage area 18a. The current position information 181 is information indicating the current position of the own vehicle, and the moving position information 182 is information indicating moving information of the own vehicle. More specifically, the processing control unit 16
Stores the current position information 181 generated according to the positioning data acquired from the GPS module 12 in the vehicle information storage area 1.
8a. At that time, the processing control unit 16 adds the already stored current position information 181 to the movement position information 182 and stores it. That is, the own vehicle information storage area 18a stores the current position information 181 indicating the latest current position of the own vehicle and the moving position information 182 indicating a plurality of pieces of position information of the own vehicle located in the past.

The scale storage area 18b stores a current display scale 183 and scale saving information 184. The current display scale 183 is information specifying a display scale used when displaying map information on the display unit 19, and the scale save information 184 is a display saved by a display scale temporary change process described later. This is information that defines the scale.

The other vehicle information storage area 18c stores current position information 185 and moving position information 186. The current position information 185 is information indicating the current position of another vehicle, and the movement position information 186 is information indicating movement information of another vehicle. More specifically, the processing control unit 16 stores the current position information 185 indicating the position information of the other vehicle acquired from the communication module 14 in the other vehicle information storage area 18c. At that time, the processing control unit 16 adds the old current position information 185 to the movement position information 186 and stores the same. That is, the other vehicle information storage area 18c stores the current position information 185 indicating the latest current position of the other vehicle and the movement position information 186 indicating a plurality of pieces of position information of the other vehicle located in the past.

Returning to FIG. 1, the display unit 19 is provided with an LCD (Li
quid Crystal Display) or CRT (Cathode Ray Tub)
e) and the like, and displays an image supplied from the processing control unit 16. That is, the display unit 19 displays an image or the like in which a symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle is synthesized on predetermined map information by the processing control unit 16.

A navigation process for appropriately displaying the current position of another vehicle in the navigation system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the entire navigation processing. The navigation process shown in FIG. 4 starts after information (telephone number and the like) necessary for communicating with the navigation system 1 of another vehicle is set by the user.

First, after clearing each area of the storage unit 18, the processing control unit 16 sets initial information such as a display scale (step S1). That is, the processing control unit 16
The initial display scale is stored as the current display scale 183 in the scale storage area 18b.

The processing control section 16 performs a current position positioning process (step S2). Hereinafter, the current position positioning processing shown in step S2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the GPS module 12 acquires satellite reception signals sent from a plurality of GPS satellites via the GPS antenna 11 (step S21). GP
The S module 12 generates the orbit data and the pseudo distance information according to the received satellite reception signals (Step S22). The GPS module 12 performs positioning calculation using the generated trajectory data and pseudo-range information to obtain positioning data (step S23). The GPS module 12 supplies the obtained positioning data to the processing control unit 16.

The processing controller 16 generates current position information 181 indicating the current position of the vehicle based on the supplied positioning data (step S24). The processing control unit 16 stores the generated current position information 181 in the own vehicle information storage area 18a (Step S25). At that time, the processing control unit 16
Adds the already stored current position information 181 to the movement position information 182 and stores it in the own vehicle information storage area 18a. The processing control unit 16 ends the current position positioning processing, and returns to the navigation processing shown in FIG.

As a result, by the current position positioning process, the current position information 181 and the moving position information 182 of the own vehicle are stored in the own vehicle information storage area 18a.

Returning to FIG. 4, the processing control section 16 performs a position information transmitting / receiving process (step S3). Hereinafter, the position information transmission / reception processing shown in step S3 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the processing control section 16 determines whether or not it is a transmission / reception timing (step S31). That is, the processing control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the previous position information transmission / reception processing according to the time information generated by the time information generation unit (not shown). If the processing control unit 16 determines that the timing is not the transmission / reception timing,
The position information transmission / reception processing ends without doing anything. On the other hand, if it is determined that it is the transmission / reception timing, the processing control unit 16
Controls the communication module 14 to perform communication connection with the navigation system 1 of another vehicle (step S3).
2).

When the communication connection with the navigation system 1 of the other vehicle is established, the processing control section 16 transmits the current position information 181 stored in the own vehicle information storage area 18a to the other vehicle (step S33). The processing control unit 16
Receives the current position information sent from the other vehicle (step S34). When receiving the current position information of the other vehicle, the processing control unit 16 controls the communication module 14 to disconnect the communication connection with the navigation system 1 of the other vehicle.

The processing control section 16 stores the received current position information as the current position information 185 in the other vehicle information storage area 18c (step S35). The processing control unit 16
Adds the old current position information 185 to the movement position information 186 and stores it in the other vehicle information storage area 18c. The processing control unit 16 ends the position information transmission / reception processing, and returns to the navigation processing shown in FIG.

As a result, due to the position information transmission / reception processing, the current position information 185 of the other vehicle is stored in the other vehicle information storage area 18c.
And the movement position information 186 are stored.

Returning to FIG. 4, the processing control section 16 performs a current position display process (step S4). Hereinafter, step S
The current position display processing shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the processing control section 16 acquires the current display scale 183 and the current position information 181 of the own vehicle from the storage section 18 (step S41). The processing control unit 16 obtains the current display scale 183 and the current position information 181.
, The display target range in the map information is specified, and the map information of the specified display target range is read from the CD-ROM 17 (step S42). After specifying the display target range, the processing control unit 16 acquires the current position information 185 of the other vehicle from the storage unit 18 (Step S43). When the current position information 185 remains at the initial value, that is, when the position information of another vehicle is not received, the process control unit 16 proceeds to step S47 described below.

The processing control section 16 determines whether or not another vehicle is located within the specified display target range according to the current position information 185 (step S44). The processing control unit 16
If it is determined that the other vehicle is located within the display target range, a symbol indicating the other vehicle is drawn at the current position of the other vehicle on the read map information (step S45). Further, the processing control unit 16 acquires the movement position information 186 of the other vehicle, and draws a symbol indicating the trajectory of the other vehicle at each movement position located within the display target range.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the other vehicle is not within the display target range, the processing control unit 16 draws a predetermined symbol indicating that the other vehicle is out of the range at a predetermined position on the map information ( Step S46). The symbol indicating that the other vehicle is out of the range may include an arrow or the like indicating the direction of the current position of the out-of-range other vehicle. The processing control unit 16 draws a symbol indicating the vehicle at the current position of the vehicle on the map information (step S47). Further, the processing control unit 16 acquires the moving position information 182 of the own vehicle, and draws a symbol indicating the locus of the own vehicle at each moving position located within the display target range. The processing control unit 16 displays an image in which a symbol or the like of the own vehicle is drawn on the map information and synthesized,
9 (step S48). The processing control unit 16
The current position display process ends, and the process returns to the navigation process shown in FIG.

As a result, if the current position of the other vehicle is located within the display target range determined by the current display scale by the current position display process, both the own vehicle symbol and the other vehicle symbol are displayed on the map information. Displayed at the current position. On the other hand, when the current position of the other vehicle is not located within the display target range, the symbol of the own vehicle is displayed at the current position on the map information, and a symbol indicating that the other vehicle is out of the range is displayed at a predetermined position. . The symbol indicating that the other vehicle is out of the range may include an arrow or the like indicating the direction of the current position of the out-of-range other vehicle.

Returning to FIG. 4, the processing control section 16 determines whether or not both display instructions have been input from the operation section 15 (step S5). That is, the processing control unit 16 determines whether or not an instruction for a display scale temporary change process for displaying the current positions of both the own vehicle and the other vehicle has been input by the user.

If the processing control section 16 determines that the both-side display instruction has not been input, the processing advances to step S7 described later. On the other hand, when it is determined that the both-side display instruction has been input, the display scale is temporarily changed (step S6). Hereinafter, the display scale temporary change processing shown in step S6 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the processing control unit 16 acquires the current position information 181 of the own vehicle and the current position information 185 of another vehicle (step S61). The processing control unit 16 calculates a displayable scale at which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed, according to the acquired current position information 181 and current position information 185 (step S62). Note that if the calculated displayable scale is a scale larger (enlarged) than the current display scale 183, that is, if there is no need to change the display scale, even if the display scale temporary change processing ends without performing any processing. Good. The processing control unit 16 stores the current display scale 183 in the scale storage area 18b as the scale save information 184 (Step S63). The process control unit 16 stores the displayable scale calculated in step S62, in which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed, as the current display scale 183 (step S64).

The processing control section 16 sets a timer interrupt processing which starts after a predetermined time elapses, for example, 10 seconds (step S65). Note that the timer interrupt processing set here is the scale save information 1
This is a process for only storing the current value 84 in the current display scale 183. That is, when the timer interrupt processing is set in step S65, for example, after elapse of 10 seconds, the timer interrupt processing is started by the interrupt control unit (not shown), and the scale save as the original display scale saved in step S63 is performed. The information 184 is stored again in the current display scale 183. The processing control section 16 ends the display scale temporary change processing, and returns to the navigation processing shown in FIG.

As a result, by the display scale temporary change processing, the display scale at which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed is stored as the current display scale 183, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the evacuated original display scale becomes the current display scale. It is stored again as the display scale 183.

Returning to FIG. 4, the processing control section 16 determines whether or not an end instruction has been input from the operation section 15 (step S7). That is, the process control unit 16 determines whether or not an end instruction for instructing the end of the navigation process has been input by the user. When determining that the end instruction has not been input, the process control unit 16 returns the process to step S2 and repeats the processes of steps S2 to S7 described above. On the other hand, when determining that the end instruction has been input, the processing control unit 16 ends the navigation processing.

As described above, in this navigation processing, if the current position of another vehicle is not included in the display target range specified by the current display scale or the like, the display scale of the own vehicle is not changed. The display unit 19 displays a symbol indicating the current position and a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target. When the user instructs to display the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, the display scale is changed (reduced) to a scale that allows both to be displayed, and the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle are displayed. . In addition,
This display scale change is a temporary change, and after a predetermined time elapses, the display scale returns to the original display scale, and the symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle and the current position of another vehicle are out of the target again. Display a symbol indicating that.

That is, the display scale is not changed each time the position information of the other vehicle is received, which hinders the normal navigation display for displaying the current position of the own vehicle and the map information around it. There is no. In addition, even when the current position of another vehicle cannot be displayed, the user is notified that the position information of the other vehicle is being received by a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target. Can be. Then, when the user wants to check the current position of the other vehicle, by instructing the display of both the own vehicle and the other vehicle, after the display scale is changed, the current position of the other vehicle is changed to the current position of the own vehicle. , And the positional relationship between the other vehicle and the own vehicle can be visually confirmed. Further, after confirming the current position of the other vehicle, the changed display scale automatically returns to the original display scale, so that normal navigation display can be continued. As a result, the other-vehicle information can be appropriately displayed without hindering the normal navigation display.

Hereinafter, the above-described navigation processing will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (d). FIGS. 9A to 9D are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a navigation screen displayed on the display unit 19.

First, the processing control section 16 stores the current position information 181 and the like generated in the current position positioning processing in the own vehicle information storage area 18a (step S25). When it is determined in the position information transmission / reception processing that it is not the transmission / reception timing (step S31), the processing control unit 16 does not transmit / receive the position information. Then, in the current position display processing, the processing control unit 16 draws a symbol indicating the own vehicle at the current position of the own vehicle on the map information (step S47), and FIG.
The image showing the current position of the own vehicle Va as shown in FIG.
9 (step S48).

Thereafter, in the position information transmission / reception processing, the processing control section 16 receives the current position information sent from the other vehicle (step S34) and stores it in the other vehicle information storage area 18c (step S35). Then, in the current position display processing, when the current position information 185 of the other vehicle is located within the display target range (step S44), the processing control unit 16 sets the current position of the other vehicle on the map information as the other position. A symbol indicating a car is drawn (step S45), and images indicating the current positions of the own vehicle Va and the other vehicle Vb as shown in FIG. 9B are displayed on the display unit 19 (step S48).

On the other hand, when the current position information 185 of the other vehicle is not within the display target range in the current position display process (step S44), the processing controller 16 indicates that the other vehicle is out of the range. The symbol is drawn (step S46), and FIG.
The current position of the own vehicle Va and the symbol Sb indicating that the other vehicle is out of the range as shown in (c) are displayed (step S4).
8). Note that the symbol Sb is configured to include an arrow indicating the direction of the current position of the other vehicle outside the range.

The user knows from the displayed symbol Sb that the position information of the other vehicle has been received, and when the user wants to confirm the current position of the other vehicle, the user can display both the own vehicle and the other vehicle. Is instructed via the operation unit 15. The processing control unit 16 receives the instruction from the user and calculates the displayable scale in the display scale temporary change processing (step S6).
2), the current display scale 183 is set to the scale save information 18
After storing as 4 (step S63), the calculated displayable scale is stored as the current display scale 183 (step S64). Then, the process control unit 16 sets a timer interrupt process (step S65).

Then, in the current position display processing, the processing control unit 16 determines that the current position information 185 of the other vehicle is located within the display target range after the scale change, so that the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the map information are displayed. Symbols are drawn at the current position (steps S45 and S46), and images showing the current positions of the own vehicle Va and the other vehicle Vb as shown in FIG. 9D are displayed on the display unit 19 (step S48). ).

The display of both current positions is performed for a while on the scale after the change as shown in FIG. 9D, but after a predetermined time has elapsed, the current display scale 183 is reset by the timer interrupt processing. Since the display scale is changed to the evacuated original display scale, the navigation display based on the current position of the own vehicle is performed on the original display scale as shown in FIG. 9C. As a result, the current position of another vehicle can be appropriately displayed without hindering normal navigation display.

In the above embodiment, the number of other vehicles is one, but the number of other vehicles is arbitrary. For example, an identification code (ID or the like) may be set in advance for each of the own vehicle and the other vehicle, and the current position information of a plurality of other vehicles may be managed using the identification code.

In the above embodiment, the fact that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display target is indicated by a symbol, but may be indicated by character information or the like. Further, the symbol or the like indicating the current position of the other vehicle may be arbitrarily set by the user from a plurality of symbols, and the color or the like of the symbol indicating the locus may be arbitrarily selectable.

The navigation system according to the embodiment of the present invention can be realized by using a general computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, the above-described processing is executed by installing the program for executing any of the above from a medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) in a computer having a communication function and a GPS receiving function. A navigation system can be configured.

The medium for supplying the program to the computer may be a communication medium (a medium that temporarily and fluidly stores the program, such as a communication line, a communication network, or a communication system). For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, the above-described processing can be executed.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The current position of another vehicle can be displayed appropriately without hindering the normal navigation display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a situation in which a navigation system is mounted on each of a vehicle and another vehicle, and position information is transmitted and received via a radio station or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of various information stored in a storage unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a navigation process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a current position positioning process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining position information transmission / reception processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a current position display process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a display scale temporary change process according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an example of a navigation image displayed on the display unit, where (a) is an image displaying only the current position of the own vehicle, and (b) is a display of the current position of the own vehicle and another vehicle. (C) is an image displaying that the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle are out of the display target, and (d) displays the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle after the display scale is changed. It is an image.

FIG. 10 is an example of a navigation image in a conventional navigation system, in which (a) is an image displaying only the current position of the own vehicle, and (b) is the current image of the own vehicle and another vehicle after the display scale is changed. It is an image which displays a position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 navigation system 2 radio station 3 base station 11 GPS antenna 12 GPS module 13 communication antenna 14 communication module 15 operation unit 16 processing control unit 17 CD-ROM 18 storage unit 19 display unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] A vehicle information acquiring unit for acquiring information indicating a current position of the own vehicle; another vehicle information acquiring unit for acquiring information indicating a current position of another vehicle; A display range specifying means for specifying a range of an area to be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle; and a current position of the other vehicle obtained by the other vehicle information obtaining means within the range specified by the display range specifying means. And a range specified by the display range specifying means when the other vehicle display determining means determines that the current position of the other vehicle is included. The symbols indicating the current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle are displayed in the area.If it is determined that the current position of the other vehicle is not included, the symbol indicating the current position of the own vehicle and the other Symbol indicating that the car is not displayed And a display control means for displaying a file. 2. A display range changing means for changing a range specified by the display range specifying means so that both the own vehicle and another vehicle can be displayed, wherein the display control means includes a display range changing means. After the symbols indicating the current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle are displayed within the range specified by the predetermined time, the display is returned to the range before the change specified by the display range specifying means, and the current position of the own vehicle is displayed. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein a symbol indicating a position and a symbol indicating that another vehicle is not a display target are displayed. 3. A map information storage means for storing map information for display in advance, a display scale storage means for storing a display scale of the map information stored in the map information storage means, and indicating a current position of the vehicle. Own vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information; other vehicle information obtaining means for obtaining information indicating the current position of another vehicle; and the current position of the own vehicle obtained by the own vehicle information obtaining means,
According to the display scale stored in the display scale storage unit, of the map information stored in the map information storage unit, a display range specifying unit that specifies a range to be displayed, and the display range specification unit specifies the display range. According to the range,
The other vehicle display determining means for determining whether or not the current position of the other vehicle acquired by the other vehicle information obtaining means is to be displayed; and A symbol representing the own vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed at each current position of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the map information, and if it is determined that the vehicle is not to be displayed, the current position of the own vehicle on the map information is displayed. A navigation system comprising: a display control unit that displays a symbol representing a car at a predetermined position on map information and a symbol indicating that the current position of another vehicle is outside a display range. 4. Instruction input means for inputting instruction information for displaying the current positions of the own vehicle and another vehicle on the same map information, and acquiring the own vehicle information in response to the instruction information input by the instruction input means. The current position of the own vehicle obtained by the means, and display scale specifying means for specifying a display scale on which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed, according to the current position of the other vehicle obtained by the other vehicle information obtaining means, The display range identification means, for a predetermined time after identifying the range to be displayed according to the current position of the own vehicle acquired by the own vehicle information acquisition means and the display scale identified by the display scale identification means When the time has elapsed, a range to be displayed is specified according to the current position of the vehicle acquired by the vehicle information acquisition means and the display scale stored in the display scale storage means. The navigation system of claim 3 that. 5. An own vehicle information obtaining step for obtaining information indicating a current position of the own vehicle, an other vehicle information obtaining step for obtaining information indicating a current position of another vehicle, and obtaining in the own vehicle information obtaining step. According to the current position of the own vehicle and the predetermined display scale, of the map information for display, a display range specifying step of specifying a range to be displayed, and according to the range specified in the display range specifying step, The other vehicle display determining step of determining whether or not the current position of the other vehicle acquired in the other vehicle information obtaining step is to be displayed; and if it is determined that the other vehicle is to be displayed in the other vehicle display determining step. At the respective current positions of the own vehicle and the other vehicle on the specified map information, a symbol representing the own vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed. A display control step of displaying a symbol representing the own vehicle at the current position, a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range at a predetermined position on the map information, and Other car information display method. 6. An instruction input step of inputting instruction information for displaying current positions of the own vehicle and another vehicle on the same map information, and said own vehicle information in response to the instruction information input in said instruction input step. A display specifying a display scale on which both the own vehicle and the other vehicle can be displayed, according to the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the obtaining step and the current position of the other vehicle obtained in the other vehicle information obtaining step. A scale identification step, wherein the display range identification step is based on the current position of the own vehicle acquired in the own vehicle information acquisition step and the display scale identified in the display scale identification step.
After a predetermined time has elapsed after specifying the range to be displayed, the range to be displayed is specified according to the current position of the own vehicle obtained in the own vehicle information obtaining step and the original display scale. The other vehicle information display method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. An own vehicle information obtaining step for obtaining information indicating a current position of the own vehicle, another vehicle information obtaining step for obtaining information indicating a current position of another vehicle, and obtaining in the own vehicle information obtaining step. According to the current position of the own vehicle and the predetermined display scale, among the map information for display, a display range specifying step of specifying a range to be displayed, and a range specified in the display range specifying step, Another vehicle display determining step of determining whether the current position of the other vehicle acquired in the other vehicle information acquiring step is to be displayed,
If it is determined in the other vehicle display determining step that the vehicle is to be displayed, a symbol representing the vehicle and the other vehicle is displayed at each current position of the vehicle and the other vehicle on the specified map information, and the display object is displayed. If it is determined that the current position of the vehicle does not become the current position of the own vehicle on the map information, a symbol representing the own vehicle is displayed at a predetermined position on the map information, and a symbol indicating that the current position of the other vehicle is out of the display range. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to execute the other vehicle information display method having a display control step of displaying each is recorded.