Display divice, display method, and navigation system

Abstract

To improve operability when displaying an enlarged area on a map.SOLUTION: A display device includes a display part, a contact detection part, and a control part. The display part displays a map on the display surface. The contact detection part detects a contact location of an object on the display surface. The control part determines a target area on the map displayed on the display part according to the contact location when the contact detection part detects contact with the object, and displays an enlarged map of the target area on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display device, a display method, and a navigation system.

Background Art

[0002] A method of input operation for designating a region on a map displayed on a display screen has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, a region on the map is designated by an expansion region that spreads from a contact point over time by a contact operation of a user's finger on the display screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, although the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can specify a region on the map, it cannot display an enlarged map of the specified region. Further, when trying to specify a region on the map and enlarge the map of the specified region, there is a concern that a multi-step operation is required and it becomes complicated.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the operability when enlarging and displaying a region on a map.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display unit that displays a map on a display surface, a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface, and a control unit that, when the contact detection unit detects contact of the object, determines a target area of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map with an enlarged scale of the target area.

[0007] A display method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a display method executed by a control unit of a display device including a display unit that displays a map on a display surface and a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface. When the contact detection unit detects contact of the object, the method includes determining a target area of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position and causing the display unit to display an enlarged map with an enlarged scale of the target area.

[0008] A navigation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display unit that displays a map on a display surface, a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface, and a control unit that, when the contact detection unit detects contact of the object, determines a target area of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map with an enlarged scale of the target area.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the operability when enlarging and displaying an area on a map can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings used in the following description are schematic. The dimensional ratios and the like on the drawings do not necessarily match the actual ones.

[0012] (Display Device) As shown in FIG. 1, a display device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transmission / reception unit 11, a control unit 12, and a touch panel 13. The display device 10 can process a map image acquired by the transmission / reception unit 11 by the control unit 12 and display it on the touch panel 13.

[0013] The transmission / reception unit 11 transmits and receives signals to and from devices external to the display device 10. The transmission / reception unit 11 acquires an image signal of an image displayed on the touch panel 13 from outside the display device 10. The image signal acquired by the transmission / reception unit 11 includes a map image. Also, the transmission / reception unit 11 transmits a signal corresponding to an input to the touch panel 13. The transmission / reception unit 11 may further receive information from an external device for the control unit 12 and transmit information from the control unit 12 to an external device.

[0014] The control unit 12 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (central processing unit) or GPU (graphics processing unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0015] While controlling each part of the display device 10, the control unit 12 executes processing related to the operation of the display device 10. The control unit 12 performs predetermined processing on the image acquired from the transmission / reception unit 11 and causes it to be displayed on the touch panel 13. The control unit 12 makes changes to the image acquired from the transmission / reception unit 11 according to the input signal from the touch panel 13. The control unit 12 can perform predetermined processing on operations such as tap, double-tap, long-tap, drag, flick, etc. performed by the user by touching a finger or the like on the touch panel 13.

[0016] The control unit 12 may be able to determine whether the image acquired from the transmission / reception unit 11 includes map information. The control unit 12 may perform processing to make changes such as enlarging a part of the map in response to a predetermined operation by the user only when a map is being displayed.

[0017] The touch panel 13 has both functions of displaying information including an image and receiving input of information. The touch panel 13 includes a display unit 14 that displays an image including a map on the display surface, and a contact detection unit 15 that detects the contact position of an object on the display surface.

[0018] The display unit 14 displays an image on the display surface based on an image signal. The display unit 14 includes various flat panel displays such as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, an inorganic EL display, and a plasma display panel (PDP).

[0019] The contact detection unit 15 is a device that detects an input by contact of an object. The contact detection unit 15 is configured integrally with the display surface of the display unit 14 and can receive an input in conjunction with the display content of the display unit 14. Various methods for detecting contact with an object include a capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, and the like.

[0020] (Navigation System) The display device 10 of the present disclosure may acquire and display an image signal from an in-vehicle navigation system 20. The display device 10 may be included in the navigation system 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display device 10, a navigation control unit 21, a map database 22, and a positioning unit 23. The display device 10 functions as an input / output unit for the navigation system 20. In addition to the display device 10, the navigation system 20 may include an input unit 24 such as a microphone and an output unit 25 such as a speaker.

[0021] Similar to the control unit 12 of the display device 10, the navigation control unit 21 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The navigation control unit 21 controls the entire navigation system 20 and executes information processing related to the operation of the navigation system 20.

[0022] The navigation control unit 21 includes a route calculation unit 26 and an image generation unit 27. The navigation control unit 21 may execute some or all of the processes executed by the control unit 12 of the display device 10 described below, instead of the control unit 12. Alternatively, the navigation control unit 21 may cooperate with the control unit 12 to execute the functions of the control unit 12. The navigation control unit 21 may function as the control unit of the entire navigation system 20.

[0023] The map database 22 is a database of map information including roads. The map database 22 may be stored in a storage device within the vehicle on which the navigation system 20 is mounted. Alternatively, the map database 22 may be stored in a server external to the vehicle and configured such that the navigation control unit 21 can acquire information via a communication network.

[0024] As an example, the map database 22 is configured to include road network information, background map information, facility information, etc. The road network information represents the connection and shape of roads by points called nodes and lines called links. The positions of the nodes and links are specified by latitude and longitude. The road network information further includes attribute information of each node and link. The attribute information includes, for example, information such as the names of intersections and roads, the presence or absence of traffic lights, speed limits, road widths, number of lanes, and the presence or absence of right-turn and left-turn lanes. The background map information includes map information on the shapes of land, buildings, rivers, and railway lines that are the background of the roads. The facility information includes, for example, information such as the addresses, telephone numbers, facility types, business hours of public facilities, cultural facilities, transportation facilities, and commercial facilities, as well as the positions of the entrances to parking lots.

[0025] The positioning unit 23 detects the current position of the vehicle equipped with the navigation system 20. The positioning unit 23 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, and can obtain information on the latitude and longitude of the current position of the vehicle using the signal from the GPS receiver. Note that the positioning unit 23 may employ a receiver compatible with another global navigation satellite system (GNSS) instead of or in addition to the GPS receiver. Further, the positioning unit 23 may use signals from various detection devices such as an azimuth sensor, a steering angle sensor, and a distance sensor in addition to the signal from the GPS receiver for specifying the position.

[0026] The route calculation unit 26 calculates a route to the destination input by the user using the display device 10 and / or the input unit 24, and provides route guidance to the user. To provide route guidance, the route calculation unit 26 can utilize the map information stored in the map database 22 and the current position information acquired from the positioning unit 23. The route calculation unit 26 monitors the current position acquired from the positioning unit 23. Based on the current position, the route calculation unit 26 generates guidance to be provided to the user. The guidance includes instructions for turning right or left, the distance to the next turning point (right or left), and a notification of arrival at the destination. When the current position deviates from the route, the route calculation unit 26 recalculates the route and generates the guidance content for the user. The guidance generated by the route calculation unit 26 is displayed on the display device 10 via the image generation unit 27 and / or output to the output unit 25.

[0027] The image generation unit 27 adds the information included in the road network information and the facility information to the map image of the background map acquired from the map database 22 according to a predetermined rule. The image generation unit 27 may display information such as the name of an intersection, the name of a road, and the name of a facility on the map according to the scale. The image generation unit 27 further synthesizes the route information calculated by the route calculation unit 26 and the image element indicating the vehicle position of the own vehicle into the map image. The route information is synthesized on the map image as, for example, a thick line of a specific color. When the navigation system 20 performs route guidance, the image generation unit 27 generates a map image centered on the current position acquired from the positioning unit 23. Further, the image generation unit 27 may generate a map image of a location other than the current position of the vehicle according to the operation of the user. The image generated by the image generation unit 27 is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 11 of the display device 10.

[0028] Note that the route calculation unit 26 and the image generation unit 27 constitute a part of the navigation control unit 21. The navigation control unit 21 may further include more components in order to realize various functions provided by the navigation system 20.

[0029] (Zoom-in display using the display device) A first example of a method for zooming in on a part of the map image 30 using the display device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, a map image 30 displayed by the navigation system 20 is displayed on the display surface 16 of the display unit 14 of the display device 10. The position of the vehicle in which the user is riding is indicated by the vehicle image 31. The user touches the fingertip 32 at a position where the user wants to enlarge the display of the map image 30 displayed on the display surface 16. The fingertip 32 corresponds to an object. Thereby, the contact detection unit 15 detects that the fingertip 32 has contacted the display surface 16 and the contact position. The contact position may be detected as coordinates on the display surface 16. The contact detection unit 15 outputs this information to the control unit 12. Note that the user is not limited to touching the touch panel 13 with the fingertip 32. The user can also use a touch pen or the like.

[0030] When the user touches the display surface 16 with the fingertip 32 in a predetermined manner, the control unit 12 recognizes that the user is instructing to enlarge the image at the position where the fingertip 32 is in contact. The predetermined manner is, for example, a manner of remaining stationary at a specific position on the display surface 16 and continuing to make contact for a predetermined time or more. Such a contact manner is called "long tap" or "long press".

[0031] When the control unit 12 recognizes that the user is instructing to enlarge a part of the map image 30, first, it determines the target area 33 on the map image 30 to be enlarged. The target area 33 can be determined based on the contact position where the fingertip 32 is in contact with the display surface 16. When the contact detection unit 15 detects the position where the fingertip 32 is in contact as the contact range on the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13, the control unit 12 can use the position representing the contact range as the contact position. The position representing the contact range can be, for example, the centroid of the area. The control unit 12 can, for example, set the area within a circle with a predetermined radius centered on the contact position as the target area 33.

[0032] Next, the control unit 12 determines the position where the enlarged map 34 with the scale of the target area 33 enlarged is to be displayed on the display unit 14. The enlarged map 34 is arranged at a distance of a predetermined distance or more from the contact position so as not to overlap with the contact position. The predetermined distance can be either a distance represented in units of length or a distance represented in terms of the number of pixels. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the enlarged map 34 from being blocked by the user's finger and becoming invisible. The position where the enlarged map 34 is arranged can be, for example, above the contact position of the fingertip 32, but is not limited to this. For example, when the contact position is close to the upper end of the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13, the enlarged map 34 may be arranged on the right side or the left side of the contact position. The control unit 12 may display the enlarged map 34 at an appropriately arrangeable position.

[0033] In addition, in FIG. 3, the target area 33 and the enlarged map 34 are shown as circular, but they are not limited to circular and may be rectangular or other shapes.

[0034] The control unit 12 may cause the display unit 14 to display, as the enlarged map 34, an image obtained by directly enlarging the image of the target area 33 of the original map image 30. The control unit 12 may display, on the enlarged map 34, information more detailed than the image of the target area 33 before enlargement. In this case, the control unit 12 may request a map image with a larger scale, attribute information included in the road network information, or facility information from a device that provides an image signal, such as the navigation control unit 21, and use the acquired information for the enlarged map 34 for display. For example, in the map image 30 before enlargement, an image of an intersection where roads intersect may be displayed as an image including information on lanes with indicated driving directions in the enlarged map 34. Also, for example, a facility whose shape only was shown in the map image 30 before enlargement may be displayed including the facility name in the enlarged map 34. As described above, some or all of these processes may be executed by the navigation control unit 21 of the navigation system 20. The control unit 12 of the display device 10 may execute these processes in cooperation with the navigation control unit 21. The navigation control unit 21 may appropriately obtain information necessary for generating the enlarged map 34 from the map database 22.

[0035] In the above description, the target area 33 is a circle having a predetermined radius. However, the size of the target area 33 may change according to the mode of contact of the fingertip 32 with the display surface 16. For example, the contact detection unit 15 detects a contact range where the user's fingertip 32 contacts the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13. The control unit 12 may change the target area 33 according to the width of this contact range. Note that the width of the contact range may be the area where the fingertip 32 contacts the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13. For example, when the contact range expands as the user presses the fingertip 32 strongly against the display surface 16, the target area 33 may become wider accordingly. Also, at this time, the scale of the enlarged map 34 may be fixed, and the size of the enlarged map 34 may change according to the width of the contact range.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the display area of the enlarged map 34 on the touch panel 13 is enlarged. In this display example, as the contact range where the user's fingertip 32 touches the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13 widens, the scale of the enlarged map 34 remains the same and the display area where the enlarged map 34 is displayed becomes wider. Thereby, a user interface that is intuitively easy for the user to understand can be provided. When the size of the display area of the enlarged map 34 changes, if the position of the enlarged map 34 shifts as the size of the enlarged map 34 changes, it becomes difficult for the user to view. For this reason, it is preferable that the center position of the enlarged map 34 does not change. Therefore, at the time of starting the display of the enlarged map 34, the center position where the enlarged map 34 is displayed may be determined so that when the enlarged map 34 is at its maximum, the enlarged map 34 and the position of the fingertip 32 are separated by a predetermined distance or more and do not overlap.

[0037] In other embodiments, the control unit 12 may determine the magnification of the scale of the target area 33 according to the detected width of the contact range. The control unit 12 can increase the magnification as the contact range is wider. In this case, when the user presses the fingertip 32 strongly against the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13 and the contact range widens, the magnification of the enlarged map 34 increases. Therefore, the more strongly the user presses a specific location on the map image 30, the more the image of the pressed location is enlarged and displayed. Thereby, a user interface that is intuitively easy for the user to understand can be provided. At this time, similar to that shown in FIG. 4, as the magnification of the enlarged map 34 increases, the display area of the enlarged map 34 can be enlarged.

[0038] On the other hand, when the magnification of the scale of the enlarged map 34 changes, the control unit 12 does not necessarily have to change the width of the display area of the enlarged map 34 while keeping it fixed. In that case, the control unit 12 may change the target area 33 according to the magnification of the enlarged map 34. That is, when the user presses the fingertip 32 strongly against the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13 and the contact range widens, the target area 33 may be determined accordingly to a narrower range calculated inversely from the display area and the magnification of the enlarged map 34.

[0039] Also, in yet another embodiment, the contact detection unit 15 may be configured to be able to detect the magnitude of the pressing force with which the fingertip 32 presses the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13. In this case, the contact detection unit 15 can include a pressure sensor. The control unit 12 can determine the magnification rate of the scale of the target area 33 according to the magnitude of the pressing force detected by the contact detection unit 15. For example, the control unit 12 may increase the magnification rate as the pressing force increases. Also in this case, the more strongly the user presses a specific location on the map image 30, the more the image of the pressed location is enlarged and displayed. Thereby, a user interface that is intuitively understandable for the user can be provided. In particular, compared with the case of using the width of the contact range that does not linearly change with respect to the force applied to the fingertip 32, since this method uses the pressing force, it is easier for the user to intuitively control the magnification rate.

[0040] The control unit 12 may continue to display the enlarged map 34 on the display unit 14 while the contact detection unit 15 detects the contact of the fingertip 32 with the display surface 16, and may end the display of the enlarged map 34 and erase it from the map image 30 when the contact detection unit 15 no longer detects the contact. In addition, when the control unit 12 recognizes a predetermined movement of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 due to a change in the contact position detected by the contact detection unit 15, the control unit 12 may continue to display the enlarged map 34 even after the contact detection unit 15 no longer detects the contact position. The predetermined movement is, for example, an action of the user dragging the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13, as shown in FIG. 5. "Drag" means an action of moving the display surface 16 while pressing it. In this case, the enlarged map 34 moves in conjunction with the movement of the fingertip 32, and continues to be displayed at the destination where it was moved. In this way, the user can move the enlarged map 34 to a position that does not interfere with the display surface 16 and continue to display it. The predetermined action may include an operation of momentarily and strongly pressing the fingertip 32 at that location and then removing it from the display surface 16. In this case, the enlarged map 34 may continue to be displayed at the same location. The control unit 12 may erase the enlarged map 34 that continues to be displayed a predetermined time after the contact detection unit 15 no longer detects the contact of the fingertip 32. The predetermined time may be arbitrarily set by the user. Alternatively, the control unit 12 may stop displaying the enlarged map 34 when the target area 33 is no longer displayed on the display surface 16 due to the movement of the vehicle equipped with the navigation system 20.

[0041] In the above-described embodiment, the enlarged map 34 was superimposed and displayed on the map image 30. However, the display method of the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, when the contact detection unit 15 detects the contact of the fingertip 32, the control unit 12 may divide the display surface 16 into two regions, a first divided region 41 and a second divided region 42. The control unit 12 may display the enlarged map 34 in the second divided region 42 that does not include the contact position with the fingertip 32. As an example, the first divided region 41 and the second divided region 42 may be regions obtained by dividing the display surface 16 into two left and right regions. The first divided region 41 and the second divided region 42 may divide the region of the display surface 16 into equal parts, but are not limited to this. For example, the control unit 12 may divide the display surface 16 into a 1:2 or 2:1 ratio left and right so that the contact position of the fingertip 32 is included in the larger first divided region 41, and display the enlarged map 34 in the smaller second divided region 42. In this case, the target region 33 of the map image 30 to be enlarged may be rectangular according to the shape of the second divided region 42. The above 1:2 and 2:1 ratios are examples, and the control unit 12 may divide the display area of the touch panel 13 at an arbitrary ratio.

[0042] (Method of Displaying Enlarged Map) Next, the processing executed by the control unit 12 of the display device 10 will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 13. The flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 13 correspond to the display method of the present disclosure executed by the control unit 12. The display method disclosed in this specification can be executed by a processor included in the control unit 12 according to a program. Such a program can be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and the like.

[0043] As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 12 causes the display unit 14 to display an image including the map image 30 based on the image signal acquired from the transmission / reception unit 11 (S101).

[0044] Based on the output from the contact detection unit 15, the control unit 12 monitors the presence or absence of contact with the display surface 16 in a predetermined manner (S102). Contact in the predetermined manner means an instruction to expand and display a part of the map image 30 displayed on the display unit 14. When the control unit 12 detects contact in the predetermined manner from the contact detection unit 15, for example, contact by long pressing (S102: Yes), it proceeds to the process of determining the target area 33 to be enlarged (S103). While the control unit 12 does not detect contact in the predetermined manner (S102: No), it continues to display the map (S101) as it is.

[0045] The method for determining the target area 33 in step S103 includes a plurality of methods. The method for determining the target area 33 will be described using the flowcharts in FIGS. 8 to 11.

[0046] The method for determining the target area 33 in the first example is a method of determining the target area 33 based on the contact position of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 detected by the contact detection unit 15 as shown in FIG. 8. This method corresponds to the method of displaying the enlarged map 34 described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0047] First, the control unit 12 obtains, as a contact range having a width, the contact position of the user's fingertip 32 based on the output from the contact detection unit 15 (S201). The contact range is an area represented by coordinates on the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13.

[0048] The control unit 12 determines the representative position of the contact range (S202). The representative position is a position representing the contact position of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 of the touch panel 13. The representative position is calculated, for example, as the centroid position of the contact range. The representative position may be determined by a method other than calculating the centroid.

[0049] The control unit 12 determines, as the target area 33 to be enlarged, an area having a predetermined width centered on the representative position (S203). The area having a predetermined width may be a circle centered on the representative position, a square or a rectangle having the representative position as the intersection of the diagonals, or other shapes.

[0050] In the determination method of the target area 33 in the second example, as shown in FIG. 9, the size of the target area 33 is changed according to the area of the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 detected by the contact detection unit 15. This method corresponds to the display method of the enlarged map 34 described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0051] In the flowchart of FIG. 9, S301 and S302 have the same content as S201 and S202 in FIG. 8, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0052] The control unit 12 calculates the area of the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16, and determines the size of the target area 33 based on the calculated area (S303). For example, the area of the target area 33 may be proportional to the area of the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16. Further, when the target area 33 is circular, the diameter of the target area 33 may be determined according to the area of the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16.

[0053] The control unit 12 determines, as the target area 33, an area having a size determined based on the area of the contact range centered on the representative position (S304).

[0054] In the determination method of the target area 33 in the third example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is premised that the magnification is determined according to the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 detected by the contact detection unit 15, and a part of the map image 30 is enlarged and displayed at this magnification. The flowchart of FIG. 10 includes both the case where the size of the enlarged map 34 is fixed and the case where it changes.

[0055] In the flowchart of FIG. 10, S401 and S402 have the same content as S201 and S202 in FIG. 8, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0056] Following S402, the control unit 12 determines the magnification of the enlarged map 34 according to the area of the contact range of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 (S403). The control unit 12 may set a larger magnification as the contact area is wider.

[0057] The processing of the following control unit 12 differs depending on whether the size of the enlarged map 34 is fixed or variable (S404). When the size of the enlarged map 34 is fixed (S404: Yes), the control unit 12 determines the target area 33 based on the representative position, the size of the enlarged map 34, and the magnification (S405). The control unit 12 determines the size of the target area 33 by inverse calculation from the size and magnification of the enlarged map 34. For example, when the target area 33 is circular, the control unit 12 determines the radius of the target area 33 from the size and magnification of the enlarged map 34.

[0058] When the size of the enlarged map 34 is variable (S404: No), the control unit 12 may determine an area of a predetermined width centered on the representative position as the target area 33 (S406). In this case, the size of the enlarged map 34 changes according to the magnification determined in S403.

[0059] The method for determining the target area 33 in the fourth example is based on the magnification determined according to the pressing force of the fingertip 32 on the display surface 16 detected by the contact detection unit 15 as shown in FIG. 11, and assumes that a part of the map image 30 is enlarged and displayed. The flowchart of FIG. 11 includes both the case where the size of the enlarged map 34 is fixed and the case where it changes.

[0060] In the flowchart of FIG. 11, S501 and S503 have the same content as S201 and S202 in FIG. 8, so the description is omitted.

[0061] The contact detection unit 15 is configured to be able to detect the pressing force with which the user's fingertip 32 presses the display surface 16. Between S501 and S503, the control unit 12 acquires the pressing force on the display surface 16 from the contact detection unit 15 (S502). Also, after S503, the control unit 12 determines the magnification for enlarging a part of the map image 30 based on the pressing force (S504). The control unit 12 may set a larger magnification value as the pressing force increases.

[0062] The subsequent processing from S505 to S507 is the same as S404 to S406 in FIG. 10 respectively, so the description is omitted.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 7, after determining the target area 33 in S103, the control unit 12 acquires the information of the target area 33 displayed on the display unit 14 (S104). The information of the target area 33 may be the image of the map of the target area 33 itself. The control unit 12 may cut out the image of the target area 33 from the image displayed on the display unit 14. The information of the target area 33 may be the information specifying the target area 33. The information specifying the target area 33 may include information such as the center position and size (such as radius) of the target area 33, or information such as the coordinates of the vertices of the target area 33.

[0064] Next, the control unit 12 generates an enlarged map 34 by enlarging the image of the target area 33 (S105). The control unit 12 may simply enlarge the image of the target area 33 to generate the enlarged map 34. The control unit 12 may acquire from the map database 22 an image with the scale of the target area 33 enlarged. The control unit 12 may add additional information to the enlarged image of the target area 33. The additional information may be information acquired from the map database 22 of the navigation system 20. The additional information may include, for example, intersection names, road names, attribute information of nodes or links such as lanes, and facility information such as facility names. When enlarging and displaying a part of the map image 30, the control unit 12 may be configured to acquire the additional information related to the part in cooperation with the navigation control unit 21.

[0065] The control unit 12 determines the placement position of the enlarged map 34 generated in S105 (S106). The display method of the enlarged map 34 includes a method of overlapping and displaying the enlarged map 34 on the map image 30 displayed on the display unit 14, and a method of dividing the display surface 16 into two divided areas 41 and 42 and displaying it in the divided area 42 that does not include the contact position of the user's fingertip 32. Each will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0066] The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows a first example of the method for determining the placement position of the enlarged map 34. This method corresponds to the first example of the display of the enlarged map 34 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0067] First, the control unit 12 searches for an area on the display surface 16 of the display unit 14 where the enlarged map 34 can be arranged at a distance equal to or greater than a predetermined distance from the contact position of the user's fingertip 32 (S601). The enlarged map 34 is preferably arranged at a position where it can be visually recognized without being obstructed by the user's fingertip 32 and hand. Also, the user often touches the display surface 16 with the fingertip 32 facing upward. Therefore, the enlarged map 34 is preferably arranged above or obliquely above the contact position of the user's fingertip 32 with the display surface 16.

[0068] As a result of S601, when the enlarged map 34 can be arranged on the display surface 16 of the display unit 14 (S602: Yes), the control unit 12 determines to display the enlarged map 34 at a displayable position (S604).

[0069] On the other hand, the size of the enlarged map 34 may be enlarged when the user strongly presses the fingertip 32 against the display surface 16. However, when the size of the enlarged map 34 exceeds a certain value, the enlarged map 34 cannot be arranged on the display surface 16 (S602: No). In this case, the control unit 12 changes the size of the enlarged map 34 to the maximum size within the range that can be displayed on the display surface 16 (S603). The control unit 12 determines to arrange the enlarged map 34 with the size changed to a displayable size at a displayable position (S604).

[0070] By doing so, the enlarged map 34 can be enlarged and displayed up to the upper limit of the size that can be displayed on the display surface 16. Also, when the size reaches the upper limit that can be displayed, the enlargement of the display area of the enlarged map 34 stops.

[0071] The flowchart in FIG. 12 shows a second example of a method for determining the arrangement position of the enlarged map 34. This method corresponds to the second example of the display of the enlarged map 34 shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] First, the control unit 12 divides the display surface 16 into two divided regions 41 and 42 (S701). When dividing the display surface 16, the control unit 12 may divide the display surface 16 such that the divided region 42 that does not include the contact position of the user's fingertip 32 becomes smaller.

[0073] The control unit 12 arranges the enlarged map 34 in the divided region 42 that does not include the contact position of the user's fingertip 32 (S702). As a result, the enlarged map 34 is displayed in one of the divided regions 41 and 42 obtained by dividing the display surface. The enlarged map 34 is arranged at a position that is easy for the user not to interfere with the user's fingertip 32 and is easy to view.

[0074] Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 12 causes the enlarged map 34 to be displayed on the display surface 16 of the display unit 14 (S107). Here, S103 to S107 are continuously and repeatedly executed, and the display of the enlarged map 34 continues while the user's fingertip 32 is in contact with the display surface 16 in a predetermined manner. The magnification and / or size of the enlarged map 34 may change according to a change in the contact mode of the user's fingertip 32 with the display surface.

[0075] Furthermore, even after the user stops contacting the display surface 16 with the fingertip 32, there may be a case where the user wants to continue displaying the enlarged map 34. In that case, the user performs a predetermined operation on the display surface 16 with the fingertip 32. The predetermined operation may include, for example, an operation of dragging the fingertip 32 as shown in FIG. 5, and an operation of instantaneously pressing the display surface 16 with the fingertip 32 and then stopping contacting the display surface.

[0076] When the control unit 12 recognizes a predetermined operation of the fingertip 32 in contact with the display surface 16 (S108: Yes), the control unit 12 continues to display the enlarged map 34 even after the fingertip 32 is separated from the display surface 16 (S109). When the control unit 12 does not recognize a predetermined operation of the fingertip 32 in contact with the display surface 16 (S108: No), when the fingertip 32 is separated from the display surface 16 and the contact detection unit 15 no longer detects the contact between the fingertip 32 and the display surface 16, the control unit 12 erases the display of the enlarged map 34 (S110).

[0077] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a region on the map can be easily enlarged and displayed by designating it with the fingertip 32. Further, by changing the contact area or pressing force of the fingertip 32, the size of the region to be enlarged and / or the magnification ratio of the enlarged map 34 can be easily changed. Furthermore, in the conventional navigation system, the map was enlarged or reduced by changing the scale centered on the center of the screen, but in the present embodiment, it is possible to enlarge the map image 30 by designating an arbitrary position on the map image 30. Thus, in the display device 10 of the present disclosure, the operability when enlarging and displaying a region on the map is improved.

[0078] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many modifications or alterations are possible. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of means or steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the display device 10 is used in the in-vehicle navigation system 20, but the display device of the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the display device of the present disclosure can be applied to a display device of a pedestrian route guidance system or a system that displays other maps to the user.

[0080] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be exemplified below. However, it should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Appendix 1] A display unit that displays a map on a display surface; A contact detection unit that detects the contact position of an object on the display surface; When the contact detection unit detects the contact of the object, a control unit that determines a target region of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map with the scale of the target region enlarged A display device comprising. [Appendix 2] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 1, the control unit causes the enlarged map to be displayed on the display unit at a position that does not overlap with the contact position on the display surface. [Supplementary Note 3] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 2, the control unit causes the enlarged map to be displayed at a position that is separated from the contact position by a predetermined distance or more. [Supplementary Note 4] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 2, the control unit divides the display surface into two divided regions, and causes the enlarged map to be displayed in the divided region that does not include the contact position. [Supplementary Note 5] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a position representing the contact range where the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit changes the target region according to the size of the contact range. [Supplementary Note 6] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 5, the control unit widens the target region as the contact range becomes wider. [Supplementary Note 7] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a position representing the contact range where the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit determines the magnification rate of the scale of the target region according to the size of the contact range. [Supplementary Note 8] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 7, the control unit increases the magnification rate as the contact range becomes wider. [Supplementary Note 9] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, the contact detection unit is configured to be able to detect the pressing force with which the object presses the display surface, and the control unit determines the magnification rate of the scale of the target region according to the pressing force detected by the contact detection unit. [Supplementary Note 10] In the display device according to Supplementary Note 9, the control unit increases the magnification rate as the pressing force becomes larger. [Supplementary Note 11] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10, while the contact detection unit is detecting the contact position, the control unit continuously causes the display unit to display the enlarged map. [Supplementary Note 12] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, when the control unit recognizes a predetermined operation of the object on the display surface based on a change in the contact position detected by the contact detection unit, after the contact detection unit stops detecting the contact position, the control unit continuously displays the enlarged map. [Supplementary Note 13] In the display device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, the control unit is configured to be able to acquire additional information associated with the target area of the map, and adds the additional information to the enlarged map and causes the display unit to display it. [Supplementary Note 14] A display method executed by a control unit of a display device including a display unit that displays a map on a display surface and a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface, when the contact detection unit detects contact of the object, determining a target area of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position; and causing the display unit to display an enlarged map with an enlarged scale of the target area. A display method including the above. [Supplementary Note 15] In the display method according to Supplementary Note 14, the control unit causes the display unit to display the enlarged map at a position on the display surface that does not overlap with the contact position. [Supplementary Note 16] In the display method according to Supplementary Note 15, the control unit causes the display unit to display the enlarged map at a position that is a predetermined distance away from the contact position. [Supplementary Note 17] In the display method according to Supplementary Note 15, the control unit divides the display surface into two divided areas and causes the display unit to display the enlarged map in the divided area that does not include the contact position. [Supplementary Note 18] In the display method according to any one of Appendices 14 to 17, the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a contact range where the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit changes the target area according to the contact range. [Appendix 19] In the display method according to Appendix 18, the control unit widens the target area as the contact range becomes wider. [Appendix 20] A display unit that displays a map on the display surface; A contact detection unit that detects the contact position of an object on the display surface; When the contact detection unit detects the contact of the object, a control unit that determines a target area of the map displayed on the display unit according to the contact position and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map with an enlarged scale of the target area A navigation system comprising:

Explanation of Signs

[0081] 10 Display device 11 Transmission / reception unit 12 Control unit 13 Touch panel 14 Display unit 15 Contact detection unit 20 Navigation system 21 Navigation control unit (control unit) 22 Map DB 23 Positioning unit 24 Route calculation unit 25 Image generation unit 30 Map image 31 Vehicle image 32 Finger tip (object) 33 Target area 34 Enlarged map 41 First sub-image 42 Second sub-image

Claims

1. a display unit that displays a map on a display surface; a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface; a control unit that, when the contact detection unit detects a contact of the object, determines a target area of ​​the map being displayed on the display unit in accordance with the contact position, and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map in which the scale of the target area is enlarged; A display device comprising:

2. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the enlarged map at a position that does not overlap with the contact position on the display surface.

3. The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the enlarged map to be displayed at a position that is at least a predetermined distance away from the contact position.

4. The display device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit divides the display surface into two divided areas, and displays the enlarged map in the divided area that does not include the contact position.

5. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a position representative of a contact range in which the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit changes the target area depending on a width of the contact range.

6. The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit is configured to increase the target area as the contact range increases.

7. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a representative position representing a contact range where the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit determines a magnification ratio of the scale of the target area depending on a width of the contact range.

8. The display device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit increases the magnification ratio as the contact area becomes larger.

9. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the contact detection unit is configured to detect a pressure applied by the object to the display surface, and the control unit determines a magnification ratio of the scale of the target area in accordance with the pressure detected by the contact detection unit.

10. The display device according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit increases the magnification ratio as the pressing force increases.

11. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to continue displaying the enlarged map while the contact detection unit is detecting the contact position.

12. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when recognizing a predetermined movement of the object on the display surface due to a change in the contact position detected by the contact detection unit, continues to display the enlarged map after the contact detection unit stops detecting the contact position.

13. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to be able to acquire additional information associated with the target area of ​​the map, and causes the enlarged map to be displayed on the display unit after adding the additional information to the enlarged map.

14. A display method executed by a control unit of a display device including a display unit that displays a map on a display surface and a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface, the method comprising: determining a target area of ​​the map displayed on the display unit according to a position of the contact when the contact detection unit detects the contact of the object; displaying an enlarged map of the target area on the display unit; Display methods including.

15. The display method according to claim 14 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display the enlarged map at a position that does not overlap with the contact position on the display surface.

16. The display method according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit causes the enlarged map to be displayed at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the contact position.

17. The display method according to claim 15 , wherein the control unit divides the display surface into two divided areas, and displays the enlarged map in the divided area that does not include the contact position.

18. The display method according to claim 14 , wherein the contact detection unit detects the contact position as a contact range in which the object contacts the display surface, and the control unit changes the target area in accordance with the contact range.

19. The display method according to claim 18 , wherein the control unit widens the target region as the contact range becomes wider.

20. a display unit that displays a map on a display surface; a contact detection unit that detects a contact position of an object on the display surface; a control unit that, when the contact detection unit detects contact of the object, determines a target area of ​​the map being displayed on the display unit in accordance with the contact position, and causes the display unit to display an enlarged map in which the scale of the target area is enlarged; and A navigation system comprising:

Images