WO2008041316A1

WO2008041316A1 - Route guidance apparatus, route guidance method, route guidance program, and recording medium

Info

Publication number: WO2008041316A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/319723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Makoto Yoshihashi; Kumiko Shudo; Koji Hirose
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation; Increment P Corporation
Priority date: 2006-10-02
Filing date: 2006-10-02
Publication date: 2008-04-10
Also published as: JPWO2008041316A1; JP4633170B2

Abstract

A route guidance apparatus (100) includes a generating section (101) which generates guidance images indicating the direction to be headed at a plurality of intersections or branching points on a route ahead of the current point of a movable body in which the route guidance apparatus (100) is mounted. When the movable body moves along the route, a display control unit (102) arranges the guidance images generated by the generating section (101) in the order in which the movable body reaches the intersections or the branching points and causes a display screen (110) to display the images. Furthermore, when the movable body has passed through an intersection or a branching point corresponding to one of the guidance images, the display control unit (102) arranges new guidance images not displayed on the display screen (110) in the order in which the movable body reaches the intersection or the branching point and displays them.

Description

Specification

Route guidance device, route guidance method, route guidance program, and recording medium

The present invention relates to a route guidance device, a route guidance method, a route guidance program, and a recording medium that display a map image that guides a route to a set destination. However, use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described route guidance device, route guidance method, route guidance program, and recording medium.

Background art

Conventionally, in navigation devices, various image display techniques have been provided in order to guide routes easily and easily to the user. For example, on the route guidance screen, even when the display screen changes immediately after turning an intersection, the navigation status is displayed so that the state of the route in the direction of travel and the landmark of the intersection that makes the next right or left turn are displayed sufficiently. A device is provided.

[0003] Specifically, the above-described navigation device displays a map without a building at the time of switching the display screen, and then three-dimensionally displays the building on the map. With such a display, while the map is displayed, it is possible to check the distant situation of the road that is currently running and the connection status of other roads to the running road. To do. In addition, when three-dimensional display of buildings is performed, a plurality of buildings are displayed in three-dimensional order in order of the building force far from the vehicle position at a time interval that allows the user to visually recognize each building. Therefore, the user can confirm multiple buildings one by one without being obstructed by the previous building (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-226368

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 is suitable as a display technique for a display screen when performing navigation by a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone. This is because, in the case of a mobile terminal device, since the display screen is small, the stereoscopic display as in Patent Document 1 is Doing so will narrow the displayable route range. Even if the scale is changed and a wide route range is displayed, the display will be difficult to recognize for users with a small display size. As described above, in the case of a mobile terminal device, the problem of being able to provide an easy-to-view display screen using a conventional display method is given as an example.

[0006] Further, in the case of a mobile terminal device, when a large amount of information is displayed on a small display screen, the user cannot recognize the content of necessary information only by looking at the display screen. Speak.

[0007] Further, in the case of Patent Document 1, the relationship between the priority of information displayed on the display screen and the layout of the display screen has not been considered conventionally, regardless of the case of the mobile terminal device. Therefore, it was necessary to see each display location in the display screen in order to confirm multiple information. Such a display screen has many viewpoint movements, and it can be a burden on the user to browse!

Means for solving the problem

[0008] The route guidance device according to the invention of claim 1 is a route guidance device for displaying an image for guiding a moving body along a route to a set destination on a display screen. When generating means for generating a guide image indicating a direction to travel at a plurality of intersections or branching points existing on the route ahead of the current point of the moving object, and when the moving object moves along the route, Display control means for arranging the guide images generated by the generation means in the order of arrival at the intersection or branch point and displaying them on the display screen, wherein the display control means is configured such that the mobile object is the guide. It is displayed on the display screen when passing through an intersection or a branch point corresponding to one guide image in the image, and a new guide image is arranged and displayed according to the order. The

[0009] Further, the route guidance method according to the invention of claim 8 is the route guidance method in which an image for guiding a moving body along a route to a set destination is displayed on a display screen. A generation step of generating a guidance image indicating a direction to travel at a plurality of intersections or branch points existing on the route ahead of the current position of the body, and the generation when the moving body moves along the route The guidance image generated by the process A display step of displaying on the display screen arranged in the order of reaching the intersection or the branch point, wherein the display step is an intersection corresponding to one guide image in the guide image by the moving body. Alternatively, when passing through a branch point, V, a new guide image displayed on the display screen is arranged and displayed according to the order.

[0010] A route guidance program according to the invention of claim 9 causes a computer to execute the route guidance method according to claim 8.

[0011] Further, a recording medium according to the invention of claim 10 is characterized in that the route guidance program according to claim 9 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a route guidance device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of processing contents of the route guidance device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal device that is useful in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a route guidance screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of image display processing of a route guidance screen.

[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of display processing in which each display area is linked.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another display example of the route guidance screen.

Explanation of symbols

[0013] 100 route guidance device

101 generator

102 Display controller

103 Detector

104 Acquisition Department

105 Layout section 110 Display screen

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a route guidance device, a route guidance method, a route guidance program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] (Functional configuration of route guidance device)

First, the functional configuration of the route guidance apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the route guidance device according to the present embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a route guidance apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a generation unit 101, a display control unit 102, and a detection unit 103. Further, the display control unit 102 includes an acquisition unit 104 and a layout unit 105. The route guidance device 100 is connected to a display screen 110 that displays a map image for guiding a route to a set destination. A route is a guidance route obtained by searching a route to a destination set by a user using a route search device.

The generation unit 101 generates guidance information to be displayed on the display screen 110. The guidance information is an image indicating the direction to travel at a plurality of intersections or branching points existing on the guidance route ahead of the current location of the moving body on which the route guidance device 100 is mounted. In the following, for the sake of convenience, the meaning of both an intersection and a branch point will be referred to as a “branch point”.

[0017] Here, the induced image will be described in detail. A guidance image is an image that also shows an arrow indicating the direction of turning left and right, and a character. Specifically, for example, a guidance image composed of arrows is configured by an arrow image that indicates the direction in which the user actually turns right and left when traveling on a specified route in the specified traveling direction. The direction of the arrow may be simply right, left, diagonal right, or diagonal left, but it is also possible to generate an arrow image that matches the shape of the guidance route at the actual branch point.

[0018] It should be noted that how much the arrow can generate a guide image of an arrow having a shape similar to the actual guide path in the generation unit 101 is information on a branch point provided to the generation unit 101 (more specifically, Depends on the accuracy of paragraph number [0021]. Moreover, even if an arrow image that is too similar to the actual shape is generated, the arrow image may not be suitable for the user to make a right or left turn instantaneously. Therefore, basically, simple form To generate an image of the arrow. After that, the user may set the nomination of the shape of the arrow image to be generated as appropriate to generate the optimal image!

[0019] In addition, the guidance image made up of characters is composed of images of alphabets and kanji that indicate the direction in which the user turns left and right. Specifically, for example, “R”, “right” representing a right turn, and “L”, “left” representing a left turn are generated. In addition, when representing diagonally right or diagonally left, you may add a basic diagonal character or generate an image with the character itself tilted to match the actual branch shape. .

[0020] Further, in addition to the above-described guidance image with arrows and characters, the user may individually set so as to generate an image showing a left or right turn. For example, when the generation unit 101 acquires image information of a landmark that is a landmark in the direction to travel near the branch point as information about the branch point, the image information of the landmark may be used as a guide image. Good. In this way, since the content of the guidance image can be set for each user, the guidance image can be generated most easily for each user.

[0021] Note that the generation unit 101 acquires information about a branch point from the guidance route in order to generate a guidance image. The information on the branch point is information including the position information of the branch point and the left / right turn information. In addition to the above-mentioned information, the information related to the branch point includes information on the name of the branch point (for example, “X 〇 Elementary School”, “Kuchimachi 3-chome”), and the landmark that serves as the landmark of the branch point. Image information and the like may be included. Information about these bifurcation points is extracted from the map image power of the guidance route.

[0022] In addition, in order to generate a guide image in the generation unit 101, information on the current location is required in addition to the information on the branch point described above. Therefore, the generation unit 101 is provided with information on the current location of the moving object. The current location information is information indicating the location where the user of the route guidance device 100 is currently located. Specifically, for example, latitude and longitude information is provided. In addition to the latitude and longitude information, coordinate information corresponding to a predetermined reference point may be provided.

[0023] As a method for detecting the current location, for example, there is a method for detecting the current location by receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal. In the case of a method using GPS signals, the route guidance device 100 is equipped with a GPS signal receiver, Latitude and longitude information is calculated based on the received GPS signal. In addition to the method of receiving GPS signals, there is a method of detecting the current location using communication base station information of mobile phones and PHS (Personal Handy-phone System), which method is used. A little.

[0024] When the moving body moves along the guidance route, the display control unit 102 arranges the guidance images generated by the generation unit 101 in the order in which they reach the branch point, and displays them on the display screen 110. . In addition, when the moving body passes through a branch point corresponding to one of the guide images generated by the generation unit 101, the display control unit 102 deletes the one guide image from the display screen 110. May be. The display control unit 102 displays the new guidance image arranged in accordance with the order of arrival at the branch point, which is displayed on the display screen 110 together with the erasing process.

[0025] The display control unit 102 can also scroll the guide image on the display screen 110 in accordance with the movement of the traveling position of the moving object. When such display control is performed, the amount of change at equal time intervals in the current point information provided to the generation unit 101 is detected, and the amount of change at the current point at each time interval is calculated to calculate the speed. What is necessary is just to detect. Alternatively, the detection unit 103 may be provided in the moving body. The detection unit 103 detects the traveling speed of the moving body. The guide image can be scrolled in accordance with the traveling speed detected by the detecting unit 103.

[0026] The display control unit 102 may include an acquisition unit 104 and a layout unit 105 in order to divide the display area of the display screen 110 and display an arbitrary image. The acquisition unit 104 acquires a map image that guides the map image ahead of the moving object to the set destination. The layout unit 105 divides the display area of the display screen 110 into left and right so that the guide image is displayed on the same display screen as the map image acquired by the acquisition unit 104. And then. The guide image generated by the generation unit 101 is set to be displayed in one divided display area, and the map image acquired by the acquisition unit 104 is set to be displayed in another display area.

[0027] Further, the display control unit 102 arranges and displays the guidance images generated by the generation unit 101 in the order of the guidance route in front of the traveling position. The guide route order is the order of the branch points that the user reaches when traveling on the guide route from the current point to the destination. In addition, induction image The images may be simply arranged at equal intervals, but preferably, the distance between the actual branch points is displayed at a reduced interval, and each time the traveling position approaches the branch point, The guide image may be displayed so as to move downward in the display area set by the layout unit 105. Such a display allows the user to intuitively confirm the distance to the next branch point.

[0028] In addition, the guide images arranged in the order of the guide routes are all generated by the generation unit 101 depending on the total length of the force guide routes generated by the number of branch points and the scale setting of the display. The derived image cannot be displayed on the display screen 110 at the same time. Therefore, the display control unit 102 may display only a predetermined number of guide images in the order of the guide route.

[0029] Further, as described above, the display control unit 102 can divide the display area of the display screen 110 into left and right by the layout unit 105, and can display one guide image and a map image on the other. Further, below the one display area, control may be performed so that a guide image of a branch point within a predetermined distance from the travel position is displayed among the guide images. At the same time, control is performed so that the map image closest to the traveling position in the map information is displayed below the other display area.

[0030] By performing the display control as described above, the display control unit 102 concentrates the information immediately before the current point necessary for confirming the guidance route immediately below the display screen 110. Can be displayed. The user does not need an unnecessary viewpoint movement if he / she pays attention to the lower part of the display area in order to confirm the necessary information immediately. In addition, control is performed so that the information around the driving position is concentrated above the display area according to the angle at which the user views the display screen 110 and the direction of travel. Also good. In addition, when the display screen 110 is divided into upper and lower parts, it may be controlled so that information about the driving position is concentrated on the right or left side of the display area.

[0031] Further, in order to display the guide route so that the user can easily recognize the guidance route, the display control unit 102, when the detection unit 103 detects the traveling speed, displays the guidance image according to the detected traveling speed. The scroll speed is adjusted and displayed. In this way, by adjusting the actual traveling speed and the scrolling speed, it is possible to realize a display that allows the user to visually understand the traveling speed in addition to the guidance information and to easily recognize it. [0032] Further, in order to perform a display in which the user can easily recognize the guidance route, the display control unit 102, when any of the branch points on the guidance route approaches the travel position force within a predetermined distance, You can enlarge and display the guide image! In addition to magnifying the guide image, display such as changing the color or density of the guide image to recognize that the guide image approaching within a predetermined distance from the running position is important information. You may do it.

[0033] (Processing contents of route guidance device)

Next, the processing contents of the route guidance device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of processing of the route guidance device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, it is determined whether or not there is a branch point on the route ahead of the current point (step S201). Here, when there is no branch point on the route (step S201: No), it is not necessary to display the guidance image, and thus the series of processing ends. On the other hand, if there is a branch point on the route in step S201 (step S201: Yes), a guidance image representing the direction to travel at the branch point is generated (step S202).

Next, it is determined whether or not guide images of all branch points on the route have been generated (step S203). If the guidance images for all branch points have not been generated (step S 203: No), the process returns to step S 202 to generate the remaining branch point guidance images.

[0035] On the other hand, when the guidance images of all branch points are generated in step S203 (step S203: Yes), the generated guidance images are arranged in the order of arrival (step S204), and the guidance images are generated according to the current location. Is displayed on the display screen 110 (step S205).

[0036] Then, as the moving body moves, it is determined whether or not the vehicle has passed a branch point (step S206). Here, when the moving body passes through the branch point (step S206: Yes), the guidance image of the branch point that passed is deleted from the display screen 110 (step S207). If the moving body has not passed the branch point (step S 206: No), the process proceeds to step S 208 as it is.

[0037] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the moving body has reached the destination (step S208), and the process returns to step S205 until the destination is reached, and the display and deletion of the guidance image are repeated (step S208). : No loop). If it is determined in step S208 that the moving body has reached the destination (step S208: Yes), the series of processing ends. [0038] As described above, the route guidance device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can generate a guidance image specialized for recognizing a direction to travel at a branch point. In addition, the guide image that generated the display of the guide image is displayed on the same display screen 110 as the map image, and important information is displayed in a concentrated manner in the specified display area (for example, below the display area). To control. Therefore, it is possible to provide a display screen 110 that is easy for the user to recognize by effectively displaying only important information for route guidance.

[0039] Further, as described above, the route guidance device 100 can effectively display only important information. Therefore, even a portable terminal device having a display screen smaller than that of a general navigation device can realize a guidance image that can recognize necessary information with a glance.

Example

[0040] Examples of the present invention will be described below. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a route guidance program according to the present invention is executed in a mobile terminal device that stores an application for performing vehicle navigation. In some countries and regions, when navigating a vehicle using a mobile terminal device, the driver's own operation of the mobile terminal device may not be permitted. Even in such a case, the passenger can confirm the guidance contents as a user of the portable terminal device and use the technique by instructing the driver about the guidance contents. The image display device according to the present invention can display the guidance content immediately, so even if the method is as described above, the image display device can be used as if the user himself / herself checks the screen. .

[0041] (Hardware configuration of portable terminal device)

First, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal device that works in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a mobile terminal device that is useful in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the mobile terminal device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an audio IZF (interface) 306, a microphone 307, and a speaker 308. , Input device 309, video IZF310, display 311, camera 312, communication I / F (interface) 313, GPS unit 314 It is. Each component 301 to 314 is connected by a bus 320.

[0042] Hereinafter, each of the components 301 to 314 will be described. Note that the mobile terminal device 300 has a function as a mobile phone terminal and a function as a communication terminal that communicates by connecting to a network. Here, in particular, the processing when the navigation function is executed is used. In order to explain this, the functions related to navigation will be explained.

First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the mobile terminal device 300. In addition to the boot program, the ROM 302 records programs such as a route search program and a route guidance program in order to realize navigation in particular.

[0044] As described above, the program such as the spot information search program may be recorded in the ROM 302 in advance, but the external network and the taka program can be downloaded via the communication IZF 313 described later. Also good. A program downloaded from the outside is recorded in a RAM 303 and a magnetic disk 305 described later.

The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301 and a built-in memory for the mobile terminal device 300. The magnetic disk drive 304 controls reading and writing of data to the magnetic disk 305 according to the control of the CPU 301. The magnetic disk 305 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, an HD (node disk) can be used.

[0046] Another example of information recorded on the magnetic disk 303 is map information used for route search and route guidance. The map information includes background data representing features (figures) such as buildings, rivers, and the ground surface, and road shape data representing the shape of the road. Two-dimensional or three-dimensional data is displayed on the display screen of the display 311. Drawn in a dimension. When the mobile terminal device 300 is in the route guidance, the map information and the current location of the vehicle acquired by the GPS unit 314 described later are displayed in an overlapping manner.

[0047] The background data of the map information includes latitude and longitude information of representative points of various features in addition to latitude and longitude information of each point on the map. For this reason, for example, when one point on the map information displayed on the display 311 to be described later is designated by the user, the latitude and longitude information of the point can also be extracted as the map information power. For example, when the name of a certain feature is input, the latitude and longitude information of the representative point is extracted from the map information. be able to.

In this embodiment, the map information is recorded in the RAM 303 or the magnetic disk 305, but the present invention is not limited to this. The map information may be recorded in an external server that can be connected to the mobile terminal device 300, which is not limited to the information that is recorded only on the one integrated with the hardware of the mobile terminal device 300. In that case, the mobile terminal device 300 acquires the map information via the communication network through the communication IZF 313, for example. The acquired map information is recorded in the RAM 303, the magnetic disk 305, or the like.

The audio IZF 306 is connected to an audio input microphone 307 and an audio output speaker 308. The sound received by the microphone 307 is AZD converted in the sound IZF 306. In addition, sound is output from the speaker. The input device 309 includes input buttons for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. You can also install an external connector and connect an independent keyboard to input!

[0050] The video IZF 310 is connected to the display 311. Specifically, the video IZF310 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 311, a buffer memory such as VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. It consists of a control IC that controls the display 311 based on image data.

[0051] The display 311 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. As the display 311, for example, liquid crystal displays with various resolutions according to the application can be adopted. The camera 312 may be a type incorporated in the mobile terminal device 300 main body or an external type connected by an external connection connect. The video imaged by the camera 312 is converted into data for recording by the video I / F 310 and recorded in the RAM 303 or the magnetic disk 305 depending on the application.

Communication IZF 313 is connected to a communication network via radio and functions as an interface between other mobile terminal device 300 and CPU 301. Communication between the mobile terminal devices 300 via the communication I / F 313 may be performed directly or via a predetermined base station. The communication IZF 313 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301. [0053] Communication networks include LANs, public line networks, mobile phone networks, and the like. Specifically, the communication IZF 313 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / Beacon Resino, a wireless communication device, and other communication devices.

The unit 314 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current location of the mobile terminal device 300. The output information of the GPS unit 314 is used when the CPU 301 calculates the current location of the mobile terminal device 300. The information indicating the current location is information specifying one point on the map data, such as latitude'longitude and altitude.

[0055] When the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal device 300 described above is used, the generation unit 101 of the route guidance device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes, for example, a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an input This function is realized by device 309 and communication IZF313. Further, the display control unit 102 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 301, the ROM 302, the RAM 303, and the video I / F 310. The detection unit 103 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the GPS unit 314. The acquisition unit 104 realizes its function by, for example, the CPU 301, the ROM 302, the magnetic disk drive 304, and the magnetic disk 305. Further, the layout unit 105 can realize its function by, for example, the CPU 301, the ROM 3002, and the video IZF. Further, the display screen 110 connected to the route guidance device 100 realizes its function by, for example, the display 311.

[0056] (Configuration of route guidance screen)

Next, the configuration of the route guidance screen displayed on the display 311 by the mobile terminal device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the route guidance screen displayed on the display.

As shown in FIG. 4, the route guidance screen is divided into a display area 400 of the display 311, a map image display area 410, and a guide image display area 420. The map image display area 410 includes a travel position point 411, a norate 412, a nearest branch point, 413, a straight norate 41 4, a scale point 415, an orientation point 416, a route type 417, and a positioning type 418. It is constituted by. Each of the components 411 to 418 of the map image display area 410 represents the following contents. [0058] · Running point 411: Indicates the current running position

• Route 412: Represents the guidance route to the destination

• Nearest branch point 413: Represents the next branch point

• Straight route 414: Represents a straight route from the driving position to the destination

'Scale point 415: Indicates the scale of the map image

• Direction point 416: Represents the orientation of the map image

'Route type 417: Indicates the type of route currently being traveled (paid Z—general) • Positioning type 418: Indicates the positioning method of the driving position

[0059] Note that the map image in the display area 410 can basically perform display processing equivalent to that of a conventional route guidance screen. For example, when a user specifies a location that the user wants to view as a normal map image, a process for displaying the location or a process for displaying the route to the destination in advance is possible.

On the other hand, the guide image display area 420 includes a left / right turn distance 421 and guide points 422 to 425. Each of the components 421 to 425 of the display area 420 for the guide image represents the following contents. Since the guidance points are arranged according to the distance between the branch points, the number displayed at one time changes appropriately according to the traveling position.

[0061] · Left / Right turn distance 421: Running position force Indicates the distance to the nearest branch point

'Guiding points 422 to 425: Represents the direction of turning left or right at the junction.

[0062] In addition, when a change in the travel position is detected by mobile terminal device 300, a travel state is entered, and the display contents of display areas 410 and 420 are changed according to the travel speed.

[0063] Specifically, in the display area 410, the travel position point 411 is displayed in accordance with the travel.

Move to drive 2. Actually, since the traveling position point 411 is fixedly displayed at a predetermined position in the display area 410, the route 412 is displayed so as to scroll down the display area 410.

[0064] In the display area 420, the numerical value of the left / right turn distance 421 changes according to the traveling. In addition, for the guidance points 422 to 425, the guidance points that have been passed are erased, and the guidance point that is arranged next is displayed at the position of Om. More specifically, when the traveling position point 411 passes through the latest branch point 413, the guidance point 422 is deleted, and the guidance point 423 is arranged at the position of Om. In addition, a guidance point arranged behind the guidance point 425 is appropriately displayed according to the distance from the guidance point 423. As described above, the guidance points 422 to 425 are displayed so as to fall from the upper side to the lower side of the display area 420 in accordance with traveling.

[0066] It should be noted that a display area 401 for displaying the distance to the destination independently of the two display areas 410 and 420 described above and a display area 402 for displaying the estimated arrival time are set. As described above, the display area 400 is set so that important information is concentrated and displayed downward.

[0067] (Contents of image display processing of route guidance screen)

Next, details of specific processing for displaying the route guidance screen as shown in the display area 400 of FIG. 4 by the mobile terminal device 300 will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of the route guidance screen image display processing. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, first, the current location of the mobile terminal device 300 is measured (step S501), and it is determined whether or not there is a route searched within a radius of 50 m of the current location (step S502).

[0068] In step S502, if there is no route searched for within the radius of 50 m of the current location (step S502: No), the process returns to step 501 and shifts to the process of positioning the current location again (step S501). On the other hand, if there is a searched route within the radius of 50m of the current location (Step S502: Yes), route matching between the current location and the route is performed (Step S50).

3).

[0069] Next, the traveling direction of the route specified by route matching is determined (step S5).

04). Further, a map of the current location is displayed with a heading up based on the determined traveling direction (step S505). Heading-up display is a display method that displays the reference direction upward. Therefore, the map image is displayed so that the direction of travel always faces upward by rotating right and left as appropriate from the processing in step S505.

[0070] After that, when information on guidance points within the displayable distance from the current location (within approximately lkm in the case of Fig. 4) is obtained (step S506), the obtained guidance points are arranged in order of distance (step S507), and the current location is obtained. The guidance point is displayed according to the distance from (step S508). [0071] Next, it is determined whether there is a guidance point within a radius of 100 m of the current location (step S 509). If there is a guidance point within a radius of 100 m (step S 509: Yes), the radius is within 1 OOm. The guidance point corresponding to is enlarged and displayed (step S 510).

[0072] When the process of step S510 is completed, or there is no guidance point within a radius of 100 m (step S509: No), it is subsequently determined whether or not the route guidance is completed (step S511). . If it is determined in step S511 that the route guidance is continuing (step S511: No), the process returns to step S501 and the display process is performed again. On the other hand, when the route guidance is finished (step S511: Yes), the series of display processing is finished as it is.

[0073] The value of the radius from the current location in step S502 and the value of the radius from the current location in step S509 shown in FIG. 5 are examples, and may be changed as appropriate by the user, recognized, and displayed. Can be approached.

[0074] (Display processing that links each display area)

Next, display processing in which the display areas (display areas 410 and 420) are linked will be described. The display area 410 of the map image as shown in FIG. 4 and the display area 420 of the guide image can also perform display processing in which the display contents of both are linked.

[0075] Specifically, when a designation from the user is received for any of the guidance points displayed in display area 420, display area 410 displays a map image of the branch point corresponding to the designated guidance point. Can be displayed.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of display processing in which the display areas are linked. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is first determined whether or not the designation of the guidance point has been received from the user (step S601). Here, when designation is accepted (step S601: Yes), the latitude / longitude information of the designated guidance point is acquired (step S602). If the designation is not accepted in step S601 (step S601: No), the display area 410 is displayed in the display area 410 as usual, so that the process proceeds to step S606.

[0077] Next, the traveling direction of the route at the acquired latitude and longitude is determined (step S603). Further, the acquired latitude and longitude map information is determined as the traveling direction determined at step S603. The heading-up display is performed with reference to (Step S604).

Then, it is determined whether or not the force has passed for a predetermined time since the heading-up display in step S604 was performed (step S605). Here, it waits until the predetermined time elapses (step S605: No loop), and when it elapses (step S605: Yes), the map image of the current location is displayed in a heading-up based on the traveling direction (step S606). —End the sequence. By performing the processing as described above, the user can confirm what kind of road the specified guidance point is actually.

[0079] (Example of route guidance screen display)

Next, another display example of the route guidance screen will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another display example of the route guidance screen. Various displays can be set as shown in Fig. 7 as display examples 710, 720, 730, and 740.

Display examples 710 and 720 in FIG. 7 are route guidance screens in which the types of guidance points are changed. A display example 710 is a route guidance screen that displays the guidance points 711 to 713 configured with kanji characters so that they fall one after another. Also, the display example 720 is a route guidance screen displayed so that the guidance points 721 to 723 constituted by English initials (L, R) representing left and right fall one after another.

[0081] Displaying guidance points 422 to 425 using kanji and alphabets as shown in display examples 710 and 720 makes it possible to omit the process of converting the arrow into a word indicating the actual direction. As in this example, when the other passenger who is the user of the mobile terminal device 300 needs to instruct the driver to turn right or left, the passenger may mistakenly say the right or left turn. Can be prevented.

In addition, display examples 730 and 740 in FIG. 7 are route guidance screens to which new additional information is added. In the display example 730, among the guidance points 731 to 733, the guidance point 732 including specific information is displayed by changing the color. Specific information includes information that represents the vicinity of the route midway, information that represents a break point set for each predetermined distance, and information that represents a switching point between a general road and a toll road. In addition to these information, information arbitrarily set by the user can be added.

[0083] In addition, display example 740 represents a display having a function of displaying road traffic conditions! /, The When the mobile terminal device 300 acquires traffic jam information using the communication IZF313, a warning point 741 indicating the traffic jam location is added to the route 412 and displayed, and the area 742 corresponding to the warning point 741 is also jammed. In order to display, it is displayed in a different color from other sections.

[0084] In addition to the display example shown in FIG. 7, the guide point beyond 1 kilometer is the farthest guide point displayed on the screen (for example, guide point 425 shown in FIG. 4). , You may display them all together. Furthermore, at this time, it may be displayed so that it is possible to grasp how many guidance points are overlapped. By performing such a display, the user can visually confirm how many more left and right turns to reach the destination.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even the display 311 of the mobile terminal device 300 can display information necessary for route guidance so that the user can easily recognize it.

Note that the route guidance method described in the present embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed when the recording medium force is also read by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed through a network such as the Internet.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] In the route guidance device that displays on the display screen an image for guiding the moving body along the route to the set destination!

Generating means for generating a guide image indicating a direction to travel at a plurality of intersections or branching points existing on the route ahead of the current position of the moving body;

Display control means for arranging the guide images generated by the generation means in the order of reaching the intersection or the branch point and displaying them on the display screen when the moving body moves along the route; ,

The display control means is displayed on the display screen when the moving body passes an intersection or a branch point corresponding to one guide image in the guide images, and the new guide images are displayed in the order. Route guidance device characterized by being arranged and displayed according to

2. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means scrolls the guidance image in accordance with movement of the traveling position of the moving body.

[3] The display control means includes:

An acquisition means for acquiring a map image for guiding the map image ahead of the moving object to a set destination;

The display area of the display screen is divided into left and right so that the guide image is displayed on the same display screen as the map image, the map image is set to be displayed in one display area, and the display image is displayed in another display area. Layout means for setting the guide image to be displayed, and

Further, a map image nearest to the travel position in the map information is displayed below the one display area, and the guide image within a predetermined distance from the travel position is displayed below the other display area. The route guidance device according to claim 1, wherein

[4] The display control means displays the actual arrangement interval of the intersection or branch point represented by the guidance image at a predetermined ratio,

Each time the travel position approaches the intersection or branch, the intersection or branch The route guidance device according to claim 2, wherein a point guidance image is displayed so as to move downward in the display area.

[5] comprising a detecting means for detecting a traveling speed of the moving body,

4. The route guidance device according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit adjusts and displays a downward movement speed of the guidance image in accordance with the traveling speed detected by the detection unit.

6. The generation unit according to claim 3, wherein the generation unit generates an induced image having an arrow or a character power indicating a direction in which the intersection or the branch point should travel using information about the intersection or the branch point. Route guidance device.

[7] The display control means enlarges and displays the guidance image of the intersection or branch point when! /, Any of the intersections or branch points on the route approaches within a predetermined distance from the travel position. The route guidance device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

[8] In the route guidance method that displays an image on the display screen to guide the moving body along the route to the set destination!

Generating a guidance image indicating directions to be traveled at a plurality of intersections or branching points existing on the route ahead of the current point of the moving body;

A display step of arranging the guide images generated by the generation step in the order of reaching the intersection or the branch point and displaying them on the display screen when the moving body moves along the route;

In the display step, when the moving body passes through an intersection or a branch point corresponding to one guide image in the guide image, the display step displays the new guide image on the display screen. A route guidance method, characterized by being arranged and displayed according to an order.

[9] A route guidance program that causes a computer to execute the route guidance method according to claim 8.

[10] A recording medium in which the route guidance program according to claim 9 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.