Patent Application
20080178118
The present invention relates to a navigation device that displays indexes.
A navigation device is known (Patent Reference #1) in which a list consisting of rectangular indexes is displayed upon a display section.
With a sequential line of indexes as described in Patent Reference #1, when a large number of indexes are displayed upon the screen in the form of such a list, the vertical extent of each of the indexes becomes short. Due to this the problem arises that, if the indexes are displayed upon a touch panel and an index is to be selected by pressing down upon the display portion for the desired index with a finger, it becomes difficult to perform selection of that index.
According to the 1st aspect of the present invention, a navigation device, comprises: a display device; a control device that controls the display device so as to display a plurality of indexes to be selected in order to operate predetermined functions; and an instruction device with which a user gives an instruction to select among the plurality of indexes that are displayed. And the control device displays the plurality of indexes so that the plurality of indexes are arranged in two columns in a vertical direction, indexes that are arranged in one of the two columns and indexes that are arranged in the other of the two columns are mutually displaced in a vertical direction, and the indexes that are arranged in at least the one of the two columns have shapes that project towards the other of the two columns of indexes.
According to the 2nd aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the 1st aspect, it is preferred that the control device displays the plurality of indexes so that the indexes that are arranged in the one of the two columns have shapes that project towards the other of the two columns of indexes, and the indexes that are arranged in the other of the two columns have shapes that project towards the one of the two columns of indexes.
According to the 3rd aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the, 2nd aspect, it is preferred that the control device displays the plurality of indexes so that portions of indexes that are arranged in the one of the two columns are arranged between two indexes adjacent to each other in the other of the two columns, and portions of indexes that are arranged in the other of the two columns are arranged between two indexes adjacent to each other in the one of the two columns.
According to the 4th aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the 1st aspect, it is preferred that the control device displays the plurality of indexes so that portions of indexes that are arranged in the one of the two columns are arranged between two indexes adjacent to each other in the other of the two columns.
According to the 5th aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the 1st through 4th aspects, it is preferred that: the instruction device comprises a touch panel that is provided upon a display screen of the display device, and outputs a signal related to a position at which the touch panel is pressed to the control device; and the control device decides that an index corresponding to the pressed position has been selected, based upon the signal related to the pressed position.
According to the 6th aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the 5th aspect, it is preferred that: the instruction device further comprises, in addition to the touch panel, an actuation member that is actuated for selecting among the indexes; and the control device displays the indexes in the one of the two columns and the indexes in the other of the two columns to be sequentially and alternately selected, when the actuation member is continually actuated.
According to the 7th aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to any one of the 1st through 4th aspects, it is preferred that: the instruction device comprises an actuation member that is actuated for selecting among the indexes; and the control device displays the indexes in the one of the two columns and the indexes in the other of the two columns to be sequentially and alternately selected, when the actuation member is continually actuated,.
According to the 8th aspect of the present invention, in the navigation device according to the 6th or the 7th aspect, it is preferred that: the actuation member is a rotary actuation member; any one of the indexes is selected by rotational actuation of the rotary actuation member; and there is further provide a confirmation actuation member that is actuated in order to confirm the selected index.
According to the present invention, a display is provided that can be easily viewed when making a selection, even if the number of indexes becomes great. Furthermore, if a touch panel is provided, it becomes simple to select an index by pressing it.
The control circuit 11 comprises a micro processor and its peripheral circuitry, and performs various types of control by executing a control program which is stored in the ROM 12, using the RAM 13 as a work area. When this control circuit 11 performs predetermined route search processing according to the map data stored upon the DVD-ROM 22, the result of this processing is displayed upon the touch panel 18 as a recommended route.
The current position detection device 14 is a device which detects the current position of the vehicle, and it may comprise, for example, a vibration gyro 14a which detects the azimuth of progression of the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor 14b which detects the vehicle speed, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor 14c which detects GPS signals from GPS satellites, and the like. The navigation device 1, along with determining the display range for the map and a route search start point and the like, also displays the current position of the vehicle upon the map based upon the current position which has been detected by this current position detection device 14.
The image memory 15 stores image data for display upon the touch panel 18. This image data consists of data for drawing road maps and various types of drawing data, which are generated appropriately based upon the map data stored upon the DVD-ROM 22 as read in by the disk drive 21. The navigation device 1 is able to perform map display and the like by using the image data which has been generated in this manner.
Based upon various types of information such as the map data and the like, the display monitor 16 provides to the driver various types of information such as a road map of the vicinity of the current vehicle position and the like. The input device 17 comprises input switches for the operator to set various types of commands, and these are implemented by an actuation (operation) panel or a remote control or the like. The operator selects a destination and sets that destination by actuating the input device 17 manually in response to commands upon the screen displayed upon the touch panel 18. As described above, the touch panel 18 is a transparent panel which is provided over the monitor screen of the display monitor 16, so that the monitor screen which is displayed upon the display monitor 16 is visible through the touch panel 18. The touch panel 18 has the same input functions as the input device 17, and, when the map screen or some button or display menu or the like displayed upon the touch panel 18 is pressed with a finger, the position where the touch panel 18 is being pressed is calculated by the touch panel control unit 19, and a destination is set or a function is executed which corresponds to the button or display menu. For example, if a scroll button which is displayed upon the touch panel 18 is pressed, it is possible to scroll the map screen or a selection menu or the like.
When the destination is set by the driver, the navigation device 11 performs route calculation to the destination according to a predetermined algorithm, taking the current position which has been detected by the GPS sensor 14c as a starting point. The route which has been obtained in this manner (hereinafter termed the “searched route”) is displayed upon the screen in a display format in which it can be distinguished from the other roads, for example by its display color or the like being changed. Due to this, the driver is able to recognize the searched route in the map upon the screen. Furthermore, the navigation device 1 issues travel direction commands to the driver via the screen or by audio or the like so that the vehicle can be driven according to the searched route, and thereby the vehicle is guided.
The VICS information reception unit 20 receives VICS information such as traffic-jam (congestion) information and the like which is provided from a VICS information center not shown in the figures, and outputs this VICS information to the control circuit 11. This VICS information is transmitted by radio wave beacons which are mostly installed above high speed roads, or by optical beacons which are mostly installed above normal roads, or by FM multiplex broadcasts. The navigation device 1 receives the VICS information which is transmitted from these devices with the VICS information reception unit 20.
The disk drive 21 reads out, from the DVD-ROM 22 which has been loaded, map data for display of the map upon the display monitor 16, in other words upon the touch panel 18. It should be understood that it would also be acceptable to arrange for the map data to be read out from some other type of recording medium than the DVD-ROM 22, for example from a CD-ROM or a hard disk or the like.
The position where the touch panel 18 shown in
When from this position signal it is decided that the position of pressing is within the display range of a button such as an index or the like which is being displayed upon the touch panel 18, then the control circuit 11 decides that this button (index) is being selected, and operates the function which has been allocated to that button. Here a button upon which a character or an icon is displayed is termed an index. Such an index is a mark from which the function which is allocated thereto can be understood at a glance.
Various buttons and switches are provided upon the actuation panel 201 of
The return button 202 is endowed with the function of returning from each screen during item setting to the previous screen. Furthermore, on the final screen during item setting, it fulfills a confirmation role. The menu screen button 203 is endowed with the function of displaying the menu screen of the navigation device 1. The information/TV button 204 is endowed with the function of displaying a menu screen related to information/TV (not shown in the figures). And the audio button 205 is endowed with the function of displaying a menu screen related to audio (not shown in the figures).
The eight direction and confirmation switch 206 comprises an eight direction button 206a, a confirmation button 206b, and a rotary switch 206c. The eight direction button 206a is endowed with the functions of scrolling the map which is displayed upon the touch panel 18 in eight directions and selecting buttons upon the screen of the touch panel, by four buttons upon which triangle marks are affixed and four buttons which are located between these four above buttons being pressed and actuated. The confirmation button 206b is endowed with the function of causing a screen to be displayed for performing the details of the button which has been selected. And the rotary switch 206c is positioned at the external circumferential portion of the eight direction and confirmation switch 206, and can be rotationally actuated in the direction of the arrow sign R. By this rotational actuation of the rotary switch 206c, the function is provided of selecting a button such as an index or the like which is displayed upon the touch panel 18.
The wide area button 207 is endowed with the function of changing over the scale of the map display to small scale. The detail button 208 is endowed with the function of changing over the scale of the map display to large scale. The navigation menu button 209 is endowed with the function of displaying a menu screen of this navigation system. The current position button 210 is endowed with the function of displaying a map screen and a current position menu for the current position. The set button 211 is endowed with the function of displaying a setting menu screen. The state display button 212 is endowed with the function of displaying the operational states of an air conditioner (not shown in the figures) and of an audio system (also not shown in the figures). The screen/delete button 213 is endowed with the functions of deleting the display screen upon the touch panel 18, and of adjusting the screen display color, brightness, and contrast. And the first favorite button 214 and the second favorite button 215 are endowed with the functions of performing functions which are registered to those respective buttons.
Next, the indexes which are used by this navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
As shown in
Not only may the index buttons 501 through 512 be selected and confirmed by pressure upon the touch panel 18, but also they may be selected with the rotary switch 206c of the eight direction and confirmation switch 206. If as shown in
That index 501 through 512 which has been selected with the rotary switch 206c is confirmed by the confirmation button 206b of the eight direction and confirmation switch 206 being pressed down, and then the map 513 is displayed at a scale at which the distance which is displayed upon that one of the indexes 501 through 512 is equivalent to horizontal width of the map 513. In other words, the indexes 501 through 512 may also be selected and confirmed with the two actuation members which are provided upon the actuation panel 201 which is the input device 17, i.e. with the rotary switch 206c and the confirmation button 206b. The input device 17 and the touch panel 18 constitute an instruction device which is actuated (operated) for instructing selection of one of the indexes 501 through 512.
This navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention provides the following operation and beneficial effects.
Next, a navigation device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
By the bars BA being interposed between the indexes which are adjacent to each other in the upwards and downward directions in this manner, when the rotary switch 206c is rotationally actuated, if the direction of this actuation is the clockwise rotational direction, then it is possible simply and easily to recognize that the index which is positioned below the tip end portion of the bar BA which extends from the vertex of the index which is currently selected is the next index which will be selected. And, if the direction of this actuation is the anticlockwise rotational direction, then it is possible simply and easily to recognize that the index which is positioned above the tip end portion of the bar BA which extends from the vertex of the index which is currently selected is the next index which will be selected. Furthermore, it is also possible to obtain the same beneficial operational effect as with the navigation device 1 of the first embodiment, due to the indexes being arranged in two columns in the vertical direction.
Next, a navigation device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to
By the bars BA being interposed only between the indexes of one of the columns which are adjacent to each other in the upwards and downward directions in this manner as well, when the rotary switch 206c is rotationally actuated, if the direction of this actuation is the clockwise rotational direction, then it is possible simply and easily to recognize that the index which has the bar BA which is positioned below the index which is currently selected, or the index which is positioned below the tip end portion of the bar BA of the index which is currently selected, is the next index which will be selected. And, if the direction of this actuation is the anticlockwise rotational direction, then it is possible simply and easily to recognize that the index which has the bar BA which is positioned above the index which is currently selected, or the index which is positioned above the tip end portion of the bar BA of the index which is currently selected, is the next index which will be selected. Furthermore, it is also possible to obtain the same beneficial operational effect as with the navigation device 1 of the first embodiment, due to the indexes being arranged in two columns in the vertical direction.
Although, in these embodiments of the present invention, the indexes 501 through 512, 701 through 712, and 801 through 812 were buttons which changed the scale of the map 513, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, it would also be acceptable for these buttons to be indexes for cueing destination lists when setting the destination for route searching by place name.
It should be understood that the functions which are allocated to the plurality of indexes 501 through 512 may be sequentially allocated in a zigzag to the indexes of the left and right columns from the top, in a predetermined sequence which these functions mean. In the example of
Although, in these embodiments of the present invention, it was arranged to be able to select the selection of the indexes being displayed upon the touch panel 18 with the rotary switch 206c, this arrangement is not particularly limited, provided that it is a switch or button which selects the indexes by two types of actuation (such as a device which is actuated in a straight line direction). In the case of the rotary switch 206c, although selection of the indexes was performed by rotation of the switch left and right, it would also be acceptable to arrange, for example, to be able to select the indexes by employing two buttons upon the actuation panel (in which case, when one of the buttons is pressed, the selection position varies in the same manner as when the rotary switch was rotated to the right, while, when the other of the buttons is pressed, the selection position varies in the same manner as when the rotary switch was rotated to the left, or the like). Furthermore, apart from using buttons or switches upon the actuation panel, it would also be acceptable to arrange for it to be possible to perform the selection from a joystick or the like upon a remote control.
Although various embodiments and variations thereof have been explained above, the present invention is not to be considered as being limited by the disclosed details. Other forms considered to fall within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention are also included within its range.
The contents of the disclosure of the following patent application upon which priority right is claimed are hereby incorporated by reference:
Japanese Patent Application 2004-269885 (filed on Sep. 16, 2004).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-269885 | Sep 2004 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2005/009050 | 5/18/2005 | WO | 00 | 11/6/2007 |
