Navigation device and navigation program

Abstract

To improve convenience when a user makes a driving plan taking into consideration movement of other vehicles.SOLUTION: An information processor 20 includes: acquiring information on present positions of a plurality of vehicles including an own vehicle; displaying, on a display 30, a navigation image in which an icon indicating the present position of a vehicle is superimposed on a map image of a target range; generating, as the navigation image, a normal image in which the target range is a range including the present position of the own vehicle, an overall image in which the target range is a range including the present positions of all the vehicles, and a confirmation image in which the target range is a range including the present position of a designated target vehicle among the plurality of vehicles; and switching the way of displaying three types of the navigation images in accordance with an input from an input device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a navigation device and a navigation program. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a navigation device. The navigation device is equipped with a control unit and a display device. The control unit stores map data. The control unit acquires information on the current position of the vehicle in which the control unit is installed. The control unit causes the display device to display a map image of the surroundings of the current position of the vehicle. At the same time, the control unit causes an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle to be displayed on the map image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-030993 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with a navigation device such as that described in Patent Document 1, the driver may want to plan a future trip while grasping the movements of other vehicles. In this case, the navigation device may be configured to acquire position information of the other vehicles and display the current positions of the other vehicles on a map image of a display device. However, if the current positions of the vehicle and the other vehicles are far apart, the other vehicles may not be displayed on the map image depending on the scale of the map image displayed by the navigation device. In this case, the driver of the vehicle must adjust the scale and display range of the map image to display the other vehicles on the map image, which is time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A navigation device for solving the above problem is mounted on a vehicle and includes an information processing device that pre-stores map data, a display that displays an image corresponding to information output by the information processing device, and an input device that inputs information to the information processing device from the outside. The information processing device is capable of obtaining information on the current positions of a plurality of pre-registered vehicles including the vehicle itself, displaying on the display a navigation image in which an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle is superimposed on a map image of a target range, generating as the navigation images a normal image whose target range is a range including the current position of the vehicle itself, an overall image whose target range is a range including the current positions of all of the vehicles, and a confirmation image whose target range is a range including the current position of a target vehicle specified by input from the input device among the plurality of vehicles, and switching between the manner in which the navigation images are displayed in accordance with the input from the input device.

[0006] A navigation program for solving the above problem causes a computer to obtain information on the current positions of multiple pre-registered vehicles, including the vehicle itself; output to the outside a navigation image in which an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle is superimposed on a map image of a target range; generate as the navigation images a normal image whose target range is a range including the current position of the vehicle itself, an overall image whose target range is a range including the current positions of all of the vehicles, and a confirmation image whose target range is a range including the current position of a target vehicle specified by input from the device among the multiple vehicles; and switch between the manner in which the three types of navigation images are displayed in response to external input. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The above technical concepts can improve the convenience of making a driving plan while taking into account the movements of other vehicles. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a navigation device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a series of steps in the processing routine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a normal image. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the entire image. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation image. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] <Overall composition> Hereinafter, an embodiment of a navigation device and a navigation program will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 is equipped with a navigation device 50. Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 equipped with the navigation device 50 is referred to as the vehicle 10. The navigation device 50 includes an information processing device 20, a display 30, and a position receiver 40. The information processing device 20 is a computer located in the vehicle 10. The information processing device 20 may be a mobile terminal owned by the driver. The information processing device 20 includes a CPU 21, a memory 22, and a communication circuit 23. The memory 22 stores in advance a navigation program W in which the processing to be executed by the CPU 21 is described. The communication circuit 23 is a circuit for wirelessly communicating with the outside of the vehicle 10 via an external communication line network. Hereinafter, when referring to not only the vehicle 10 but also vehicles in general, the vehicle will be described without a reference symbol.

[0010] The display 30 is located within the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 10. The display 30 includes a drive circuit (not shown) and a display screen 32. The display 30 is capable of communicating with the information processing device 20. The display 30 displays an image on the display screen 32 corresponding to information output by the information processing device 20. The display 30 is of a touch panel type. When a user performs an input operation on the display screen 32, the display 30 outputs information corresponding to the input operation to the information processing device 20. In this way, the display 30 functions both as a display device and as an input device that inputs information to the information processing device 20 from the outside.

[0011] The position receiver 40 receives information relating to the current position of the vehicle 10 from global positioning satellites. The position receiver 40 outputs the received information to the information processing device 20. The information relating to the current position is, in detail, position coordinates indicated by latitude and longitude.

[0012] The memory 22 of the information processing device 20 stores map data M in advance. The map data M includes information on a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links. A node indicates the position coordinates of a specific point on a road. A link is defined as a line segment connecting adjacent nodes. Thus, a link indicates a road.

[0013] The memory 22 of the information processing device 20 prestores base information for the host vehicle 10 and the multiple other vehicles 80. These multiple vehicles are preregistered as vehicles that can share driving information with each other. The base information includes the vehicle ID and the registered name of the vehicle. The other vehicles 80 are equipped with a navigation device similar to that of the host vehicle 10. FIG. 1 shows an example in which there are two other vehicles 80. The number of other vehicles 80 is not limited to two.

[0014] <Route Guidance> The CPU 21 of the information processing device 20 executes a series of processing routines described below by executing a navigation program W stored in the memory 22. The CPU 21 starts executing the processing routine when the driver inputs a destination via the display 30. When the destination is input, the CPU 21 stores the input destination in the memory 22. The CPU 21 actually stores the location coordinates of the destination in the memory 22. Once the CPU 21 starts executing the processing routine, it repeats the execution of the processing routine until an end condition is satisfied. The end condition is that an end button BE, which is provided on the navigation image and will be described later, is operated. When the end condition is satisfied, the CPU 21 ends the execution of the processing routine at that point. The contents of the processing routine will be described below.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, when the CPU 21 starts the processing routine, it first executes the processing of step S10. In step S10, the CPU 21 acquires or updates the travel information of the vehicle 10. The travel information includes the current position of the vehicle, the destination of the vehicle, a planned travel route from the current position to the destination, a required time to the destination, and a scheduled arrival time at the destination. Among the travel information, the required time and the scheduled arrival time are collectively referred to as time information. As a specific process of step S10, the CPU 21 acquires the latest information on the current position of the vehicle 10 from the position receiver 40. Next, the CPU 21 acquires the destination from the memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 calculates a planned travel route from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination based on the destination and the map data M. Next, the CPU 21 calculates the required time from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the destination and the scheduled arrival time at the destination based on the planned travel route. The calculation of the planned travel route, the required time, and the scheduled arrival time by the CPU 21 corresponds to the acquisition of these pieces of information by the CPU 21. When the CPU 21 acquires the current position, destination, planned travel route, required time, and estimated arrival time of the vehicle 10, the CPU 21 stores this information as a set of travel information in the memory 22. At this time, if there is previously stored travel information, the CPU 21 overwrites the travel information with the new travel information. In this way, the CPU 21 updates the travel information. After this, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S20.

[0016] In step S20, the CPU 21 acquires or updates the travel information of each other vehicle 80. As a prerequisite for the processing of this step S20, each other vehicle 80 repeatedly transmits travel information to the vehicle 10. In step S20, the CPU 21 acquires the latest travel information transmitted from each other vehicle 80. If a destination is not set in the other vehicle 80, the CPU 21 acquires only the current position of the other vehicle 80 as the travel information. The CPU 21 stores the acquired travel information of each other vehicle 80 in the memory 22 for each vehicle. As in the processing of step S10, if previously stored travel information of each other vehicle 80 exists, the CPU 21 overwrites the travel information with new travel information. This causes the CPU 21 to update the travel information of each other vehicle 80. After this, the CPU 21 advances the processing to step S30.

[0017] In step S30, the CPU 21 generates a navigation image of the type specified by the specification information. A navigation image is an image in which icons indicating the current positions of one or more vehicles are superimposed on a map image covering a certain range. There are three types of navigation images: a normal image G1, an overall image G2, and a confirmation image G3. Details of each type of navigation image will be described later. The specification information specifies the type of navigation image requested to be displayed on the display 30 from among the above three types. Note that the specification information when the CPU 21 executes this processing routine for the first time is set to an initial value. The initial value specifies the normal image G1. The specification information is stored in the memory 22. After generating the navigation image, the CPU 21 advances the processing to step S40.

[0018] In step S40, the CPU 21 displays the navigation image generated in step S30 across the entire display screen 32 of the display 30. That is, the CPU 21 outputs to the display 30 the navigation image generated in step S30 and a command signal for displaying this navigation image across the entire display screen 32. Thereafter, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S50. Note that, once the CPU 21 has displayed the navigation image on the display screen 32 through the process of step S40, it continues displaying this navigation image until the next time step S40 is executed.

[0019] In step S50, the CPU 21 waits for a set time. The set time is previously determined as a predetermined time of, for example, 1 second or less. The CPU 21 determines whether or not a switching request has been made during this set time. If there has been no operation from the driver on the display 30, the CPU 21 determines that there has been no switching request (step S50: NO). In this case, the CPU 21 temporarily ends the processing routine. Then, the CPU 21 returns to the processing of step S10.

[0020] On the other hand, in step S50, if the driver has operated the display 30, the CPU 21 determines that a switching request has been made (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S60.

[0021] In step S60, the CPU 21 updates the designated information. In step S60, the CPU 21 may update the target vehicle information, which is attached to the designated information and will be described later. How to update the designated information, etc., will be described later. After updating the designated information, the CPU 21 temporarily ends the processing routine. Then, the CPU 21 returns to the processing of step S10.

[0022] <Generating normal images> The process of step S30 will be described in detail. In step S30, if the normal image G1 is specified in the current specification information, the CPU 21 generates the normal image G1. As shown in Fig. 3, the normal image G1 is an image in which the target range of the map image that is the base of the normal image G1 is a range that includes the current position of the vehicle 10.

[0023] When generating the normal image G1, the CPU 21 first determines a target range. Specifically, the CPU 21 identifies the current position of the vehicle 10 on the map data M based on the travel information of the vehicle 10 stored in the memory 22 in step S10. Then, the CPU 21 sets a virtual rectangular frame centered on the current position of the vehicle 10 on the map data M, on the premise that the map data M is handled at a predetermined scale. The predetermined scale is, for example, a scale set by the driver through the display 30 as described later. When the scale is not set by the driver, the CPU 21 adopts a base scale as the predetermined scale. The base scale is predetermined as a scale that shows the details of the roads around the vehicle. The base scale is, for example, a scale at which a range of 200 to 400 m around the vehicle is displayed on the display 30. The virtual rectangular frame is a rectangular frame with a predetermined size. The aspect ratio of the virtual rectangular frame is the same as the aspect ratio of the display screen 32 of the display 30. The CPU 21 treats the intersection of the two diagonals of the virtual rectangular frame as the center of the virtual rectangular frame. When the CPU 21 sets the virtual rectangular frame on the map data M, the CPU 21 sets the entire area within the virtual rectangular frame as the target range. When the CPU 21 determines the target range, it generates a map image of the target range.

[0024] After that, the CPU 21 superimposes a plurality of display items reflecting the travel information of the vehicle 10 on the generated map image. Specifically, the CPU 21 superimposes an icon Q1 representing the vehicle 10 on the current position of the vehicle 10 on the generated map image. The CPU 21 also superimposes a character string NAME representing the registered name of the vehicle 10 near the icon Q1 of the vehicle 10. The CPU 21 also superimposes a line Q2 of the same color on the planned travel route of the vehicle 10 on the generated map image. The CPU 21 also superimposes a character string TR representing the time required to reach the destination near the line Q2 representing the planned travel route. Although not shown in FIG. 1, when the destination of the vehicle 10 exists within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 superimposes an icon representing the destination on the map image. At the same time, the CPU 21 superimposes a character string representing the planned arrival time around the icon representing the destination. Although not shown in FIG. 1, when another vehicle 80 is present within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 superimposes an icon indicating the current position of the other vehicle 80.

[0025] After this, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons on the map image. The operation buttons include an entire button BY, a confirmation button BZ, an enlargement button BK1, a reduction button BK2, and an end button BE. The entire button BY is a button for inputting a first command signal to the CPU 21. The first command signal instructs the navigation image to be displayed on the display 30 to be switched to the entire image G2. The entire button BY corresponds to the first button in the normal image G1. The confirmation button BZ is a button for inputting a second command signal to the CPU 21. The second command signal instructs the navigation image to be displayed on the display 30 to be switched to the confirmation image G3. The confirmation button BZ corresponds to the second button in the normal image G1. The CPU 21 places the entire button BY and the confirmation button BZ, for example, in the right corner of the map image. The enlargement button BK1 is a button for inputting a command signal to the CPU 21 for enlarging the navigation image relative to the current scale. The reduce button BK2 is a button for inputting a command signal to the CPU 21 to reduce the navigation image from the current scale. The scale set by the enlarge button BK1 or the reduce button BK2 is the scale of the map data previously determined in the normal image G1. The end button BE is a button for inputting a command signal to the CPU 21 to end the display of the navigation image. The CPU 21 places the enlarge button BK1 and the reduce button BK2 and the end button BE, for example, in the left corner of the map image.

[0026] <Generating the whole image> In step S30, if the entire image G2 is specified in the current specification information, the CPU 21 generates the entire image G2. As shown in Fig. 4, the entire image G2 is an image whose target range of the map image that is the base of the entire image G2 is a range that includes the current positions of all vehicles. In detail, the entire image G2 is an image whose target range of the map image is a range that includes the destinations of all vehicles in addition to the current positions of all vehicles. All vehicles refer to a plurality of vehicles including the host vehicle 10 and all other vehicles 80.

[0027] When generating the whole image G2, the CPU 21 first determines the target range. When determining the target range, the CPU 21 uses the virtual rectangular frame already described. Specifically, the CPU 21 first identifies the current positions of all vehicles and the destinations of all vehicles on the map data M based on the travel information of all vehicles. Then, the CPU 21 sets a virtual rectangular frame on the map data M so that the current positions of all vehicles and the destinations of all vehicles fit within the virtual rectangular frame. Then, the CPU 21 sets the entire area within this virtual rectangular frame as the target range. The target range of the whole image G2 is the narrowest possible map area that includes the current positions of all vehicles and the destinations of all vehicles. After determining the target range, the CPU 21 generates a map image of this target range.

[0028] After that, the CPU 21 superimposes various display items reflecting the driving information of each vehicle on the generated map image. The display items include, as in the normal image G1, an icon Q1 indicating the current position of the vehicle, a character string NAME indicating the registered name of the vehicle, a line Q2 indicating the planned driving route of the vehicle, a character string TR indicating the time required to reach the destination, an icon Q3 indicating the destination, and a character string TD indicating the planned arrival time at the destination. The display items may include the date and time when the latest driving information was transmitted from each vehicle. The CPU 21 superimposes each display item on the map image for each vehicle. The shape of the icon Q1 indicating the current position of the vehicle is different between the host vehicle 10 and the other vehicle 80. The icon Q1 of the host vehicle 10 is the same as that of the normal image G1. For example, the color of the icon Q1 of the other vehicle 80 is different for each vehicle. This allows each of the other vehicles 80 to be distinguished from each other. For example, the color of the line Q2 indicating the planned driving route and the icon Q3 indicating the destination are also different for each vehicle.

[0029] After this, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons on the map image. The operation buttons include a normal button BX, a confirmation button BZ, and an end button BE. The normal button BX is a button for inputting a third command signal to the CPU 21. The third command signal instructs the navigation image displayed on the display 30 to be switched to the normal image G1. The normal button BX corresponds to the first button in the whole image G2. The function of the confirmation button BZ is the same as that described for the normal image G1. The confirmation button BZ corresponds to the second button in the whole image G2. The function of the end button BE is the same as that described for the normal image G1. As with the normal image G1, each operation button is located, for example, in both the left and right corners of the map image.

[0030] <Generating a verification image> In step S30, if a confirmation image G3 is specified by the current specification information, the CPU 21 generates a confirmation image G3. As shown in FIG. 5, the confirmation image G3 is an image in which the target range of the map image that is the base of the confirmation image G3 is a range that includes the current position of the target vehicle. The target vehicle is one of multiple other vehicles 80. As will be described later, when the navigation image specified by the specification information is the confirmation image G3, the specification information is accompanied by target vehicle information. The target vehicle information indicates the other vehicle 80 specified as the target vehicle. The CPU 21 treats the other vehicle 80 that matches this target vehicle information as the target vehicle.

[0031] When generating the confirmation image G3, the CPU 21 first determines the target range. Specifically, the CPU 21 identifies the current position of the target vehicle on the map data M based on the driving information of the target vehicle. Then, the CPU 21 sets a virtual rectangular frame centered on the current position of the target vehicle on the map data M, on the premise that the map data M is handled at a predetermined scale. The predetermined scale is as described in the section on generating the normal image G1. Similarly, the virtual rectangular frame is as described in the section on generating the normal image G1. When the CPU 21 sets the virtual rectangular frame on the map data M, the entire area within this virtual rectangular frame is set as the target range. When the CPU 21 determines the target range, it generates a map image of this target range.

[0032] After that, the CPU 21 superimposes various display items reflecting the driving information of the target vehicle on the generated map image. The types of display items are the same as those described for the normal image G1. That is, the display items include an icon Q1 indicating the current position of the target vehicle, a character string NAME indicating the registered name of the target vehicle, a line Q2 indicating the planned driving route of the target vehicle, and a character string TR indicating the required time to the destination. The shape and color of the icon Q1 indicating the current position of the target vehicle are the same as those applied to the target vehicle when generating the whole image G2. The color of the line Q2 indicating the planned driving route is also the same. Note that, as in the case of the normal image G1, if the destination of the target vehicle exists within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 superimposes an icon indicating the destination on the map image. At the same time, the CPU 21 superimposes a character string indicating the expected arrival time around the icon indicating the destination. Furthermore, if a vehicle other than the target vehicle exists within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 superimposes an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle.

[0033] After this, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons on the map image. The operation buttons include a normal button BX, a whole button BY, a zoom-in button BK1, a zoom-out button BK2, and an end button BE. The functions of each operation button are as already described. The normal button BX corresponds to the first button in the confirmation image G3. The whole button BY corresponds to the second button in the confirmation image G3. Each operation button is arranged, for example, at both the left and right corners of the map image. When the navigation image is the confirmation image G3, the operation buttons include an ascending order button BL1 and a descending order button BL2. The ascending order button BL1 and the descending order button BL2 are buttons for inputting a command signal to change the designated target vehicle to the information processing device 20. The currently designated target vehicle is referred to as a reference vehicle. The ascending order button BL1 designates the other vehicle 80 that is next to the reference vehicle and farthest from the vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. When the reference vehicle is the other vehicle 80 farthest from the host vehicle 10, the ascending order button BL1 designates the other vehicle 80 closest to the host vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. The descending order button BL2 designates the other vehicle 80 next closest to the host vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. When the reference vehicle is the other vehicle 80 closest to the host vehicle 10, the descending order button BL2 designates the other vehicle 80 farthest from the host vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. The ascending order button BL1 and the descending order button BL2 are arranged, for example, near the upper edge of the map image.

[0034] <Update of designated information> The process of step S60 will be described in detail. Here, there are two patterns in which switching of the display on the display 30 is requested by operating the operation button. The first pattern is a request to change the type of navigation image to be displayed on the display 30. The second pattern is a request to change the target vehicle when the navigation image is the confirmation image G3. In step S60, the CPU 21 performs processing according to the request corresponding to each of these patterns. That is, in step S60, the CPU 21 updates the designated information in response to the operation of the operation button, or updates the target vehicle information attached to the designated information. Hereinafter, how to update the designated information etc. in each pattern will be described.

[0035] The first pattern will be described. When the normal button BX is operated while the whole image G2 or the confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the designation information stored in the memory 22 until then. Then, the CPU 21 generates new designation information for designating the normal image G1. When the whole button BY is operated while the normal image G1 or the confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the designation information stored in the memory 22 until then. Then, the CPU 21 generates new designation information for designating the whole image G2. When the confirmation button BZ is operated while the normal image G1 or the whole image G2 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the designation information stored in the memory 22 until then. Then, the CPU 21 generates new designation information for designating the confirmation image G3. In addition, when the confirmation button BZ is operated, the CPU 21 generates target vehicle information for designating the other vehicle 80 closest to the vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. Then, the CPU 21 attaches this target vehicle information to the designation information. As can be seen from the fact that the target vehicle information is set in response to the operation of the confirmation button BZ, the target vehicle is another vehicle 80 designated by the driver through an input operation on the display 30.

[0036] The second pattern will be described. When the ascending order button BL1 or the descending order button BL2 is operated while the confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the target vehicle information stored in the memory 22 up to that point. Then, the CPU 21 generates new target vehicle information. At this time, the CPU 21 sets the target vehicle specified in the target vehicle information to another vehicle 80 specified through the operation of the ascending order button BL1 or the descending order button BL2. Then, the CPU 21 attaches the new target vehicle information in which the target vehicle has been changed to the specified information. Then, the CPU 21 stores the target vehicle information together with the specified information in the memory 22. In the case of this second pattern, the navigation image specified by the specified information remains as the confirmation image G3.

[0037] <Operation of the embodiment> Now, it is assumed that the normal image G1 is specified by the specification information. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 21 generates the normal image G1 according to the specification information (step S30). Then, the CPU 21 displays the generated normal image G1 in the entire area of ​​the display screen 32 of the display 30 (step S40). After that, it is assumed that the whole button BY in the normal image G1 is operated (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 changes the navigation image specified by the specification information to the whole image G2 (step S60). Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 21 generates the whole image G2 according to the specification information (step S30). Then, the CPU 21 displays the generated whole image G2 in the entire area of ​​the display screen 32 (step S40). After that, it is assumed that the confirmation button BZ in the whole image G2 is operated (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 changes the navigation image specified by the specification information to the confirmation image G3 (step S60). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 generates a confirmation image G3 according to the designation information (step S30). Then, the CPU 21 displays the generated confirmation image G3 on the entire display screen 32 (step S40). As described above, the CPU 21 displays only one of the three types of navigation images on the display 30 at any time. As a feature of this embodiment, the CPU 21 performs the following in response to an operation of the occupant on the display 30. That is, the CPU 21 switches the display manner of the three types of navigation images to be displayed on the display 30 as follows. The CPU 21 switches the display contents of the display 30 from a navigation image that has been displayed until then to a navigation image that has not been displayed until then. Note that the CPU 21 may also switch the display contents of the same type of navigation image in response to an operation of an operation button by the driver. That is, when the ascending order button BL1 or the descending order button BL2 is operated while the confirmation image G3 is displayed on the display 30, the CPU 21 changes the target vehicle information. In response to this, the CPU 21 switches the confirmation image G3 displayed on the display 30 to a confirmation image G3 that centers around a target vehicle different from the previous confirmation image G3.

[0038] <Effects of the embodiment> (1) The CPU 21 can generate three types of navigation images. Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 10 can use three types of navigation images when making a driving plan while the vehicle 10 is traveling. The driver can use three types of navigation images, which has the following advantages. That is, the driver can grasp the current position of the vehicle 10 by using the normal image G1. In addition, the driver can grasp the current positional relationship between the other vehicle 80 and the vehicle 10 at a glance by using the whole image G2. In addition, the driver can grasp the details of the current position of the other vehicle 80 by using the confirmation image G3. In this way, the driver can grasp the movement of not only the vehicle 10 but also the other vehicle 80. This makes it easier for the driver to make a driving plan taking into account the movement of the other vehicle 80. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display method of the display 30 can be switched so that the driver can easily obtain the information he or she wants from various information obtained from the navigation image. Therefore, the driver can quickly obtain the necessary information without having to take the trouble of, for example, changing the scale of the navigation image or changing the display range of the navigation image. In short, the navigation device 50 is highly convenient for making driving plans while taking into account the movements of other vehicles 80.

[0039] (2) The CPU 21 displays only one navigation image on the display screen 32 of the display 30. This allows the CPU 21 to display one navigation image large on the display screen 32. This makes it easier for the driver of the vehicle 10 to understand the content of the navigation image displayed on the display screen 32. On the other hand, the CPU 21 includes two switching buttons, a first button and a second button, in each navigation image. The presence of these switching buttons has the following advantage for the driver. That is, the driver can switch the navigation image displayed on the display screen 32 to the one he or she wants to see with the simple operation of simply pressing these switching buttons.

[0040] (3) The CPU 21 includes the planned driving route of the vehicle in each navigation image. The existence of information on the planned driving route in each navigation image allows the driver of the vehicle 10 to adjust the driving route, for example, by changing the driving route of the vehicle 10 to match the planned driving route of the other vehicle 80. In particular, the overall image G2 shows the planned driving routes from the current position to the destination for all vehicles. This allows the driver to determine the driving route after grasping the overall picture of the future situation of each vehicle.

[0041] (4) The CPU 21 includes information on the time required to reach the destination, such as the time required to reach the destination and the estimated time of arrival at the destination, in each navigation image. This allows the driver of the vehicle 10 to adjust the driving time, for example, by taking a break on the way to balance the time or by changing the driving route to reach the destination earlier.

[0042] <Example of change> The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0043] Time information strings may be removed from navigation images. -Destination icons and planned route lines may be removed from navigation images. The coverage area of ​​the overall image G2 does not have to include the destinations of all vehicles.

[0044] A zoom-in button BK1 and a zoom-out button BK2 may be provided on the entire image G2. Various operation buttons may be eliminated from the navigation image. In addition, the display 30 may be a non-touch panel type. In this case, other devices in the vehicle cabin, such as switches on the steering wheel, may be used as input devices.

[0045] The manner in which the three types of navigation images are displayed is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, all three types of navigation images are displayed on the display screen 32 of the display 30. At this time, one of the three types is displayed larger than the other two. Then, the navigation image that is displayed larger is changed in response to the operation of the input device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10... host vehicle 20... information processing device 30... display 50... navigation device 80... other vehicle

Claims

1. It is installed in the vehicle, An information processing device that prestores map data, a display that displays an image corresponding to information output by the information processing device, and an input device that inputs information from an external device to the information processing device, The information processing device includes: Acquiring current location information of a plurality of pre-registered vehicles including the vehicle itself; displaying on the display a navigation image in which an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle is superimposed on a map image of a target range; generating, as the navigation images, a normal image having a target range including the current position of the vehicle, a whole image having a target range including the current positions of all of the vehicles, and a confirmation image having a target range including the current position of a target vehicle designated by input from the input device among the plurality of vehicles; and switching between three types of display modes of the navigation image in response to an input from the input device. Navigation device.

2. the display is a touch panel type that also functions as the input device, The information processing device includes: displaying only one of the three types of navigation images, a first button, and a second button on the display; switching the navigation image to be displayed on the display to one of the two navigation images not being displayed on the display when the first button is operated; When the second button is operated, the navigation image to be displayed on the display is switched to the other of the two navigation images not being displayed on the display.

2. The navigation device of claim 1.

3. The information processing device includes: Acquiring information on a destination and a planned route from a current position to the destination from each of the vehicles; generating an image in which the planned driving route is superimposed on the map image within the target range of the map image as the navigation image; When generating the overall image, the target range of the overall image is set to a range including the destinations of all of the vehicles in addition to the current positions of all of the vehicles.

3. A navigation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The information processing device includes: acquiring, from each of the vehicles, at least one of information on an estimated time of arrival at the destination and information on a required time to reach the destination as time information; and generating, as the navigation image, an image in which the time information about the vehicle located within the target range of the map image is superimposed on the map image.

4. A navigation device according to claim 3.

5. On the computer, Acquiring current location information of a plurality of pre-registered vehicles including the vehicle itself; outputting to an external device a navigation image in which an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle is superimposed on a map image of a target range; generating, as the navigation images, a normal image having a target range including the current position of the vehicle, a whole image having a target range including the current positions of all of the vehicles, and a confirmation image having a target range including the current position of a target vehicle designated by an external input among the plurality of vehicles; Switching between the three types of display of the navigation images in response to an external input. Navigation program.

Images