JP2008024070A - On-vehicle information terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle information terminal operable, even if not watching a display screen. <P>SOLUTION: Only a kind of operation button is expanded in a screen while one's own vehicle is traveling at low speed to successively display each screen (a), (b), (c) and (d). Each screen is switched for every prescribed time set in advance. After the screen (d) is displayed, the screen (d) is switched to the screen (a), and the display is repeated from the screen (a). When an optional position on a touch panel screen is touched, each kind of processing corresponding to the operation button displayed at the time is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an in-vehicle information terminal such as a navigation device that is mounted on a vehicle and displays various types of information.

  Conventionally, when any menu item is selected from a plurality of menu items displayed on the menu screen, the user can see the contents of the selected menu item by playing a video image related to the contents of the menu item. There is known a navigation device that can make a determination (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-175384 A

  In the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to watch the display screen of the navigation device in order to confirm the content of the reproduced moving image. However, when the driver of the vehicle operates, it is dangerous to focus on the display screen during driving because it cannot concentrate on driving.

The in-vehicle information terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a traveling state determining unit that determines a traveling state of the vehicle and various operation buttons for performing a touch panel operation according to a determination result of the traveling state of the vehicle by the traveling state determining unit. And an operation button display means for displaying on the touch panel display in a display form.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal of the first aspect, when the operation button display means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed by the traveling state determination means, the traveling state determination means indicates that the vehicle is stopped. The operation button is enlarged and displayed as compared with the case where it is determined that there is.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal of the second aspect, when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is stopped, the operation button display means arranges a plurality of types of operation buttons in one screen. When the list is displayed and it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed by the traveling state determination unit, the operation button display unit displays only one type of operation button in one screen.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to the third aspect, when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the operation button display means sets the type of the operating button to be displayed every predetermined time. To switch to.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal of the fourth aspect, when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the contents of the operation button displayed by the operation button display means are output as voice. Is.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to the fourth or fifth aspect, when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the type of operation button displayed by the operating button display means is switched. The audio is output in accordance with the timing to be recorded.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the operation button display means is the traveling state determining means. Thus, fewer types of operation buttons than the operation buttons displayed when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped are switched and displayed every predetermined time.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the in-vehicle information terminal according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, when the traveling state determining unit determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, an arbitrary position on the touch panel display is touched. Thus, processing corresponding to the operation button displayed at that time by the operation button display means is executed.

  By using the in-vehicle information terminal according to the present invention, the operation can be performed without paying attention to the display screen, so that the driver can concentrate on driving even when the driver operates.

  A configuration of a navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. This navigation device is mounted on a vehicle and executes various operations for guiding the vehicle to a destination in accordance with a user's touch panel operation. The navigation device 1 includes a control circuit 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a current location detection device 14, an image memory 15, a display monitor 16, an input device 17, and a disk drive 18. The disc drive 18 is loaded with a DVD-ROM 19 in which map data is recorded.

  The control circuit 11 includes a microprocessor and its peripheral circuits, and performs various processes and controls by executing a control program stored in the ROM 12 using the RAM 13 as a work area. Based on the map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 19, the control circuit 11 displays a road map, sets a destination, searches for a recommended route to the set destination, and the like.

  The current location detection device 14 is a device that detects the current location of the host vehicle. For example, a vibration gyro 14a that detects the traveling direction of the host vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor 14b that detects a vehicle speed, and a GPS sensor that detects a GPS signal from a GPS satellite. 14c and the like. The navigation device 1 can determine a route search start point when searching for a recommended route based on the current location of the host vehicle detected by the current location detection device 14.

  The image memory 15 temporarily stores image data to be displayed on the display monitor 16. The image data includes road map drawing data for displaying a road map, various graphic data, and the like, and is created by the control circuit 11 based on the map data recorded on the DVD-ROM 19. Various images such as road map images are displayed on the display monitor 16 using the image data stored in the image memory 15.

  A touch panel 16a is combined with the display monitor 16, and when any position on the display monitor 16 is touched by a user's finger or the like, information indicating the touch position is output from the touch panel 16a to the control circuit 11. . Based on the touch position information, the control circuit 11 determines which part of the image displayed on the display monitor 16 is touched at that time. The navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment performs various processes according to touch panel operations from the user detected by the touch panel 16a and the control circuit 11.

  The input device 17 is for accepting various operation inputs from the user, and is realized by an operation panel, a remote controller, or the like. For example, the input device 17 performs operations such as inputting a search condition for searching for a destination facility, instructing a map scroll direction, and changing a map scale. These operations can also be performed by the touch panel operation described above. Therefore, the input device 17 is not essential in the navigation device 1 of the present embodiment, and may not be provided.

  The disk drive 18 reads map data for displaying a road map from the loaded DVD-ROM 19. This map data represents route calculation data used for route search to the destination, route guidance data used to guide the vehicle to the destination according to the recommended route, such as intersection name and road name, and roads Includes road data. The map data also includes background data representing map shapes other than roads such as rivers, railways, various facilities on the map (landmarks), and the like.

  In the road data, the minimum unit representing a road section is called a link, and each road is composed of a plurality of links. A point connecting the links is called a node, and each node has position information (coordinate information). The link shape, that is, the shape of the road is determined based on the position information of the node. Although an example using a DVD-ROM is described here, the map data may be read from a recording medium other than the DVD-ROM, such as a CD-ROM or a hard disk.

  When the destination is set by the user by the operation of the input device 17 or the touch panel operation, the navigation device 1 uses the current location detected by the current location detection device 14 as a route search start point, based on the above-described route calculation data. A route search from the current location to the destination is performed by calculating the algorithm. The recommended route obtained as a result of the route search is displayed on the road map separately from other roads by changing its display form, for example, display color. Thus, the user can recognize the recommended route on the road map displayed on the display monitor 16. In addition, the navigation device 1 guides the host vehicle by instructing the traveling direction by an image or voice to the user so that the host vehicle can travel according to the recommended route. In this way, route guidance to the destination is performed by displaying the road map and guiding the vehicle to the destination according to the recommended route.

  A touch panel operation method in the navigation device 1 will be described below. The navigation device 1 determines the traveling state of the host vehicle such as when the vehicle is stopped, traveling at a low speed, or traveling at a high speed, and uses different touch panel operation methods depending on the determination result. When the vehicle is stopped, a stopped touch panel operation screen displaying a list of a plurality of operation buttons is displayed on the display monitor 16. The user can cause the navigation device 1 to execute various processes according to the touched operation button by touching any of the operation buttons on the touch panel operation screen when the vehicle is stopped.

  An example of the touch panel operation screen when the vehicle is stopped is shown in FIG. FIG. 2A is a main menu screen displayed by touching a menu call button on the road map screen while the vehicle is stopped or pressing a menu call switch provided on the input device 17. On this main menu screen, various operation buttons for selecting the type of processing to be executed by the navigation device 1 by touch panel operation are displayed in a list.

  On the main menu screen of FIG. 2A, for example, when a “destination setting” button is touched as shown, a touch panel operation screen as shown in FIG. 2B is displayed next. In this touch panel operation screen, various operation buttons for selecting a method for setting a destination are listed as the next menu layer corresponding to the “set destination” button selected on the main menu screen in FIG. Is displayed.

  In the touch panel operation screen of FIG. 2B, for example, when a “favorite” button is touched as illustrated, a touch panel operation screen as shown in FIG. 2C is displayed next. In this touch panel operation screen, in order to select a destination from previously registered locations as the next menu layer corresponding to the “favorite” button selected in the previous touch panel operation screen of FIG. Various operation buttons are displayed in a list. That is, when one of the registered place names displayed in the list is selected, the registered place is set as the destination, and a route search to the destination is performed.

  When the host vehicle is traveling at a low speed, only one type of operation button is enlarged and displayed on one screen of the display monitor 16 as a touch panel operation screen during the low-speed traveling. And the kind of operation button displayed is switched for every predetermined time set beforehand. The user can cause the navigation device 1 to execute various processes corresponding to the operation buttons displayed at that time by touching an arbitrary position on the touch panel screen.

  Examples of touch panel operation screens during low speed traveling are shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 is a main menu screen displayed on the display monitor 16 while the host vehicle is traveling at a low speed. In the main menu screen, as shown in the screens (a), (b), (c), and (d), the operation buttons are enlarged and displayed on the entire screen. Each screen of (a)-(d) is switched in order for every predetermined time. After the screen (d) is displayed, the screen is switched to the screen (a), and the display is repeated from the screen (a) again.

  When the screen is switched to the next screen, the contents of the operation button displayed at that time are output as audio. As a result, the user can know the contents of the operation buttons displayed on the screen without looking at the screen. Further, at this time, sound may be output in accordance with the switching timing. In this way, the user can recognize that the display has been switched without looking at the screen.

  In the main menu screen during low-speed driving in FIG. 3, among the operation buttons on the stopped menu screen described in FIG. 2A, operation buttons corresponding to processes that are difficult to operate during driving are displayed. Not. In the example of FIG. 3, the “various settings” button corresponds to this. In this way, on the touch panel operation screen during low-speed traveling, the types of operation buttons to be displayed are reduced compared to when the vehicle is stopped, and only the operation buttons suitable for the operation during traveling are switched and displayed. Thereby, the display cycle of the operation buttons is shortened, and the necessary operation buttons can be displayed quickly.

  In the main menu screen of FIG. 3, for example, when an arbitrary position on the screen is touched when the screen (a) is displayed, a touch panel operation screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed next. In this touch panel operation screen, as the next menu layer corresponding to the “Destination setting” button selected on the main menu screen of FIG. 3, as shown in FIGS. Each type of operation button for selecting a place is enlarged and displayed in one screen, and these screens are sequentially switched and displayed every predetermined time. If an arbitrary position on the screen is touched when any one of the screens is displayed, the registered location at that time is set as the destination, and a route search to the destination is performed.

  On the touch panel operation screen of FIG. 4, three registered locations extracted from registered locations registered in advance are sequentially switched and displayed as destination candidates. As an extraction method at this time, for example, based on the past destination setting history, it is possible to extract three registered destinations with the highest number of times set as the destination. Note that other extraction methods may be used, and the number of registered locations to be extracted is not limited to three. By limiting the number of destination candidates in this way, operability is improved, and the destination can be easily set even when the vehicle is traveling.

  As described above, on the touch panel operation screen during low-speed traveling, one operation button is enlarged on the entire screen, and the operation button to be displayed is switched every predetermined time. When an arbitrary position on the screen is touched, processing corresponding to the operation button displayed at that time is executed. In this way, since the operation can be performed without gazing at the display screen, the operation can be performed even while the vehicle is being driven.

  On the other hand, when the host vehicle is traveling at high speed, the main menu screen is not displayed and the touch panel operation is prohibited. At this time, some simple touch panel operations, such as a change in scale or a change in map format when the road map screen is displayed, may be operable. Further, instead of the touch panel operation, an operation by voice input may be performed. Thus, when the host vehicle is traveling at high speed, the touch panel operation by the driver is dangerous, and the touch panel operation is prohibited.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart executed in the control circuit 11 when the touch panel operation corresponding to the traveling state of the host vehicle as described above is performed. In step S10, the traveling state of the host vehicle is determined. When the vehicle speed is approximately zero, it is determined that the vehicle is stopped and a touch panel operation screen while the vehicle is stopped is displayed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S110. When the vehicle speed is not approximately zero and is equal to or lower than a predetermined value set in advance, for example, 10 km / h or less, it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, and a touch panel operation screen during low-speed traveling is displayed. In this case, the process proceeds to step S210. If the vehicle speed is greater than the predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, and the process proceeds to step S310.

  In addition, when determining the driving | running | working state of the own vehicle in step S10, it can also be performed as follows. That is, the navigation apparatus 1 receives road traffic information (VICS information) transmitted from the road traffic information communication system center (VICS center). Then, when the host vehicle is traveling in the traffic jam area indicated by the VICS information and the average vehicle speed for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. By doing in this way, the determination precision of the running state of the own vehicle can be raised more.

  When it is determined in step S10 that the vehicle is stopped, in step S110, a plurality of types of operation buttons are displayed in a list on the display monitor 16 as a touch panel operation screen while the vehicle is stopped. As a result, a main menu screen as shown in FIG. In the next step S120, it is determined whether or not any of the operation buttons listed in step S110 is touched. If any of the operation buttons is touched, the process proceeds to the next step S130.

  In step S130, it is determined whether there is a next menu layer corresponding to the touched operation button. If there is, the process proceeds to step S140, and after moving to the next menu layer of the touch panel operation screen that has been displayed in step S140, the process returns to step S110 and the above processing is repeated. Thereby, for example, when the “destination setting” button is touched on the main menu screen of FIG. 2A, the touch panel operation screen of FIG. 2B corresponding to the next menu layer is displayed. Thereafter, when the “favorite” button is touched on the touch panel operation screen of FIG. 2B, the next touch panel operation screen of FIG. 2C is displayed.

  If it is determined in step S130 that there is no next menu hierarchy, the process proceeds to step S290, and in step S290, processing corresponding to the operation button selected at that time is executed. Thereby, for example, the registered location selected on the touch panel operation screen of FIG. 2C is set as the destination, and the route search to the destination is performed. After executing step S290, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, in step S210, the first operation button is enlarged and displayed on the display monitor 16 as a touch panel operation screen during the low-speed traveling. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, a main menu screen in which the “destination setting” button is enlarged on the entire screen is displayed. In the next step S220, the contents of the operation button displayed at that time are output as voice. Thereby, for example, a voice such as “Destination setting” is output.

  In step S230, it is determined whether or not the screen is touched. The touch position at this time may be anywhere on the screen. If it is touched, the process proceeds to step S270, and if it is not touched, the process proceeds to step S240. Hereinafter, the case where the process proceeds to step S240 will be described first.

  In step S240, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the operation button was enlarged and displayed in step S210 or step S260. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the next step S250. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S230, and the detection of the touch operation is continued in step S230.

  In step S250, it is determined whether or not the currently displayed operation button is the last operation button. If it is not the last operation button, the process proceeds to step S260. After the next operation button is enlarged and displayed in step S260, the process returns to step S220. As a result, the screens as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D are sequentially switched and displayed every predetermined time. On the other hand, if it is the last operation button, the process returns to step S210, and the first operation button is again enlarged and displayed. Thereby, after the screen of FIG. 3D is displayed, the process is repeated from the screen of FIG.

  Next, a case where the process proceeds from step S230 to step S270 will be described. In step S270, it is determined whether there is a next menu layer corresponding to the operation button displayed on the display monitor 16 when it is determined in step S230 that the screen is touched. If there is, the process proceeds to step S280, and after moving to the next menu layer of the touch panel operation screen displayed so far in step S280, the process returns to step S210 and the above processing is repeated. Thereby, for example, when the screen of FIG. 3A is touched, the touch panel operation screens of FIGS. 4A to 4C corresponding to the next menu layer are displayed.

  If it is determined in step S270 that there is no next menu hierarchy, the process proceeds to step S290, and in step S290, processing corresponding to the operation button selected at that time is executed. As a result, for example, a registered location selected on the touch panel operation screen of FIGS. 4A to 4C is set as the destination, and a route search to the destination is performed. After executing step S290, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S10 that the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the touch panel operation is prohibited in step S310. At this time, as described above, some touch panel operations and voice input operations may be performed. After executing step S310, the flowchart of FIG. Thus, the touch panel operation according to the traveling state of the own vehicle is performed.

According to the embodiment described above, the following operational effects are obtained.
(1) The traveling state of the vehicle is determined (step S10), and various operation buttons for performing touch panel operations are displayed on the display monitor 16 in a display form corresponding to the determination result (steps S110 and S210). ). Since it did in this way, operation becomes possible, without paying attention to a display screen, and it can concentrate on driving, even if it is a case where a driver operates.

(2) When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the operation button is enlarged and displayed as compared with the case where it is determined that the vehicle is stopped. Specifically, when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped, a plurality of types of operation buttons are displayed side by side in one screen (step S110). On the other hand, when it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, only one type of operation button is displayed in one screen (step S210). Since it did in this way, a driver | operator can be made to understand the content of the operation button at a glance at low speed driving | running | working. As a result, the driver does not need to watch the screen.

(3) When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the type of operation button to be displayed is switched every predetermined time (steps S240 and S260). Since it did in this way, when displaying only one kind of operation button in one screen during low-speed driving, a plurality of kinds of operation buttons can be displayed.

(4) When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the content of the displayed operation button is output as a sound (step S220). Thus, the driver can know the contents of the operation buttons without looking at the screen. Furthermore, if the voice is output in accordance with the timing at which the type of operation button to be displayed is switched, the driver can recognize the switching without looking at the screen.

(5) When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped by not displaying operation buttons corresponding to processing that is difficult to operate while traveling. The number of operation buttons fewer than the displayed operation buttons is switched and displayed every predetermined time. Since it did in this way, the display cycle of an operation button can be shortened and a required operation button can be displayed quickly.

(6) If it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, an arbitrary position on the touch panel display is touched to execute processing corresponding to the operation button displayed at that time (step) S230). Since it did in this way, it can operate easily, without paying attention to a display screen.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation when the “destination setting” button is touched from the main menu screen and the destination is set from the registered location has been described as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to other operations. It is. That is, the present invention can be applied to various operation buttons displayed on the touch panel display for performing the touch panel operation. Moreover, the touch panel operation method as described in the above embodiment can be applied to various in-vehicle information terminals that operate by touch panel operation in addition to the vehicle navigation device.

  In the above description, when setting a destination during low-speed driving, three registered locations with the highest number of times set as the destination based on the past destination setting history are extracted, and the three registered locations are extracted. The example which displays as a destination candidate one by one in order was demonstrated. A display method similar to this can also be applied to operations other than the destination setting. For example, when searching for nearby facilities, only the three facility types with the highest number of past searches are displayed in turn as search target candidates. For example, when the “various setting” button is operable on the main menu screen, only items that have been set in the past are displayed in order as selection target candidates. Alternatively, for example, when an audio operation is performed by a touch panel operation, only the top three albums or songs having the highest number of playbacks in the past are sequentially displayed as playback candidates. In addition to this, various operations can be applied. Furthermore, at this time, the items to be displayed may be changed by determining the necessity level for each item at that time. For example, when searching for nearby facilities, if the lunch time is near, facility types such as restaurants can be preferentially selected as candidates for search.

  The embodiment and various modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the touchscreen operation screen in a stop. It is a figure which shows the main menu screen displayed during low-speed driving | running | working. It is a figure which shows the example of the touchscreen operation screen displayed after the main menu screen during low-speed driving | running | working. It is a flowchart performed when performing the touch-panel operation according to the driving state of the own vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

1 Navigation device 11 Control circuit 12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Current location detection device 15 Image memory 16 Display monitor 17 Input device 18 Disk drive 19 DVD-ROM

Claims (8)

Traveling state determining means for determining a traveling state of the vehicle;
In-vehicle information, comprising: operation button display means for displaying various operation buttons for performing a touch panel operation on a touch panel display in a display form corresponding to a determination result of the traveling state of the vehicle by the traveling state determining means. Terminal. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 1,
The operation button display means expands the operation button when the traveling state determination means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed than when the traveling state determination means determines that the vehicle is stopped. In-vehicle information terminal characterized by being displayed. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 2,
When it is determined by the traveling state determination means that the vehicle is stopped, the operation button display means displays a list of a plurality of types of operation buttons arranged in one screen,
The in-vehicle information terminal characterized in that when the traveling state determining means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the operation button display means displays only one type of operation button in one screen. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 3,
The in-vehicle information terminal characterized in that, when the travel state determination means determines that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the operation button display means switches the type of the operation button to be displayed every predetermined time. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 4,
An in-vehicle information terminal characterized in that, when it is determined by the traveling state determining means that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed, the contents of the operation buttons displayed by the operation button display means are output as voice. The in-vehicle information terminal according to claim 4 or 5,
An on-vehicle information terminal that outputs a sound in accordance with a timing at which a type of an operation button displayed by the operation button display unit is switched when it is determined by the driving state determination unit that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed. . The in-vehicle information terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed by the traveling state determination unit, the operation button display unit is an operation button that is displayed when the traveling state determination unit determines that the vehicle is stopped. An in-vehicle information terminal characterized in that fewer types of operation buttons are switched and displayed at predetermined time intervals. In the in-vehicle information terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
When it is determined that the vehicle is traveling at a low speed by the traveling state determination unit, an arbitrary position on the touch panel display is touched to correspond to the operation button displayed by the operation button display unit at that time An in-vehicle information terminal characterized by executing processing to perform.

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