Display control device, display control method, and display control program

Abstract

To improve convenience for a user.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle device 100 comprises: an acquisition unit 102 that acquires position information on another vehicle V2 from information received through radio communication; a display control unit 104 that controls a display 2 to display a current position of the another vehicle V2 on an electronic map EM on the basis of the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102; and a changing unit 103 that, when the current position of the another vehicle V2 is outside a display range 50 of the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2, changes the scale of the electronic map EM so that the current position of the another vehicle V2 falls within the display range 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display control device, a display control method, and a display control program that display the current position of another moving body based on information received via wireless communication.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for transmitting and receiving information with another moving body using vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when the display range of the map by the display means is set narrower than the communicable range, or when the communication situation improves when the display range is set to be the same as or wider than the communicable range and the communicable range becomes wider than the display range, information can be received from other moving bodies existing at a relatively distant position of the user whose current position is outside the display range. The current positions of other moving bodies existing at a relatively distant position of the user whose current position is outside the display range are not displayed on the map displayed by the display means.

[0005] Incidentally, for example, for safe driving support that notifies whether vehicles are in contact with each other, it suffices to provide the user with the presence and current position of other moving objects existing at a relatively close position to the user. Therefore, other moving objects existing at a relatively far position from the user, whose current position is outside the above display range, may not be displayed on the map displayed by the display means. However, for example, if one is aware in advance of the presence of, for example, emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, vehicles driven by beginners or the elderly, etc. in the vicinity, it is useful for driving in terms of prevention or pre-avoidance. Also, when one wants to know whether other moving objects such as the vehicles of the user's family or acquaintances, vehicles registered by the user in advance, etc. are present in the vicinity for purposes other than safe driving support, even if their current position is outside the above display range, i.e., when they exist at a relatively far position from the user, it is very convenient if their presence and current position can be provided to the user. Further, when the scale of the map is enlarged particularly, and depending on the scale, the presence of other moving objects existing at a relatively close position to the user cannot be displayed, it is very convenient if their presence and current position can be provided to the user for the above safe driving support as well.

[0006] The problems described above are cited as an example of the problems to be solved by the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring other moving body position information indicating the positions of other moving bodies to be displayed on the map; a determination means for determining whether the position of the other moving body is outside the display range of the map at a first scale being displayed on the display unit when the other moving body position information is acquired by the acquisition means; a change means for changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the own moving body and the position of the other moving body are displayed when it is determined by the determination means that the position is outside the display range; and a restoration means for returning the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving body position information by the acquisition means continues when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied.

[0008] Also, in order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 5 is a display control method executed by a display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring other moving body position information indicating the positions of other moving bodies to be displayed on the map; a determination step of determining whether the position of the other moving body is outside the display range of the map at a first scale being displayed on the display unit when the other moving body position information is acquired in the acquisition step; a change step of changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the own moving body and the position of the other moving body are displayed when it is determined in the determination step that the position is outside the display range; and a restoration step of returning the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving body position information in the acquisition step continues when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the invention according to claim 6 causes a computer included in a display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit to perform an acquisition step of acquiring other moving object position information indicating the position of another moving object to be displayed on the map, a determination step of determining whether the position of the other moving object is outside the display range of a map at a first scale being displayed on the display unit when the other moving object position information is acquired in the acquisition step, a change step of changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the own vehicle and the position of the other moving object are displayed when it is determined in the determination step that the position is outside the display range, and a restoration step of returning the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving object position information by the acquisition step is continuing when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 11

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Figure 17

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of vehicles including a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle device according to an embodiment of the navigation device of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, vehicle V1 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 100, and vehicle V2 is equipped with an in-vehicle device 200. In FIG. 1, only one vehicle V2 is shown, but vehicle V2 is not limited to the case where only one vehicle exists, and a plurality of vehicles may exist. The in-vehicle device 100 of vehicle V1 and the in-vehicle device 200 of vehicle V2 can transmit and receive information to and from each other via wireless communication. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the in-vehicle device 100 (corresponding to a navigation device) of vehicle V1 draws the current positions of one or more vehicles V2 on an electronic map EM described later based on information received via wireless communication from the in-vehicle devices 200 of one or more vehicles V2 (corresponding to other moving bodies) and displays them on a display 2 described later. Hereinafter, vehicle V1 will be referred to as "own vehicle V1" and vehicle V2 will be referred to as "other vehicle V2" as appropriate.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic system of own vehicle V1.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, own vehicle V1 has an in-vehicle device 100, a display 2, a wireless communication antenna 3, a vehicle speed sensor 4, a brake switch 5, a turn signal switch 6, an in-vehicle camera 7, a GPS 8, and a gyro sensor 9.

[0016] The in-vehicle device 100 has a control unit 10, a graphic controller 13, and a wireless communication control unit 14.

[0017] The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11 and a storage device 12.

[0018] The CPU 11 (equivalent to a computer) executes various programs stored in the storage device 12 (including a navigation program for causing the CPU 11 to execute each procedure of the navigation method shown in the flows of FIGS. 9 and 10 described later), performs various processes, and outputs information exchange and various control instructions with other units, thereby having a function of controlling the entire vehicle-mounted device 100.

[0019] The storage device 12 includes a ROM 12a, a RAM 12b, and a storage medium 12c. The ROM 12a is an information storage medium in which the above various programs and other necessary information are pre-written. The RAM 12b is an information storage medium in which writing and reading of information necessary for the CPU 11 to execute the above various programs are performed. The storage medium 12c (equivalent to a registration means) is a non-volatile information storage medium such as a flash memory or a hard disk. This storage medium 12c stores various information such as map information.

[0020] The graphic controller 13 has a function of acquiring image data from a video RAM (not shown) or the like under the control of the CPU 11, drawing an image based on the image data, and displaying it on the display 2. For example, the graphic controller 13 draws an electronic map EM (corresponding to a map, see FIG. 5 and the like described later) based on the map information stored in the storage medium 12c under the control of the CPU 11 and displays it on the display 2. Also, for example, the graphic controller 13 draws the current position of the host vehicle V1 on the electronic map EM based on the position information of the host vehicle V1 (described later) under the control of the CPU 11 and displays it on the display 2, or draws the current positions of one or more other vehicles V2 on the electronic map EM based on the position information of one or more other vehicles V2 (described later) and displays it on the display 2. Note that the graphic controller 13 may draw only the current positions of one or more other vehicles V2 on the electronic map EM without drawing the current position of the host vehicle V1 and display it on the display 2.

[0021] The display 2 (corresponding to the display means) is composed of, for example, an LCD panel or the like, and displays various information images based on the image signals input from the graphic controller 13.

[0022] The wireless communication control unit 14 has a function of controlling the transmission and reception of information with the in-vehicle devices 200 of other vehicles V2 through wireless communication via the wireless communication antenna 3.

[0023] The wireless communication antenna 3 is attached outside the vehicle of the host vehicle V1, and transmits the information signal input from the wireless communication control unit 14 and outputs the information signal received from the in-vehicle device 200 of other vehicles V2 to the wireless communication control unit 14.

[0024] The vehicle speed sensor 4 has a function of detecting the traveling speed of the host vehicle V1. Based on the detection signal of this vehicle speed sensor 4, the CPU 11 can recognize at what speed the host vehicle V1 is traveling at that time.

[0025] The brake switch 5 has a function of detecting whether the brake of the host vehicle V1 is depressed by a predetermined amount or more and is in an operating state, that is, whether the host vehicle V1 is in a decelerating state due to a braking operation.

[0026] The turn signal switch 6 has a function of detecting the presence or absence of a turn signal operation in either the right direction or the left direction of the host vehicle V1.

[0027] The in-vehicle camera 7 has a function of imaging a landscape image in the imaging direction from the host vehicle V1 using, for example, a CCD imaging element or the like, and outputting a corresponding image signal to the CPU 11. Note that the in-vehicle camera 7 may be an infrared sensor, a radar, or the like.

[0028] The GPS 8 has a function of performing positioning of the current position of the host vehicle V1, acquiring position information expressed in latitude and longitude, and outputting it to the CPU 11.

[0029] The gyro sensor 9 has a function of detecting the traveling direction (traveling orientation) of the host vehicle V1. Based on the detection signal of this gyro sensor 9, the CPU 11 can recognize in which direction the host vehicle V1 is traveling at that time.

[0030] Note that the host vehicle V1 may not be provided with one or more of the above vehicle speed sensor 4, brake switch 5, turn signal switch 6, in-vehicle camera 7, and gyro sensor 9, or may be provided with hardware other than the above.

[0031] Also, the electronic system of the other vehicle V2 can have the same hardware configuration as described above, but it is not necessarily required to have the same hardware configuration as described above, and it is not necessary for each of the other vehicles V2 to have the same hardware configuration. Note that in the other vehicle V2, the wireless communication control unit of the in-vehicle device 200 is referred to as "wireless communication control unit 24", and the other units have the same names as above.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the wireless communication control unit 24 of the in-vehicle device 200 of the other vehicle V2.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless communication control unit 24 includes a transmission / reception unit 241.

[0034] The transmission / reception unit 241 intermittently transmits and receives information via wireless communication. One of the most important functions of this transmission / reception unit 251 is to transmit, via wireless communication, information including at least the identification information of the other vehicle V2 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as "vehicle ID") and the position information of the other vehicle V2 detected by the GPS 8 intermittently (for example, every 100 [ms]).

[0035] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the wireless communication control unit 14 of the in-vehicle device 100 of the host vehicle V1 and a functional configuration example of the control unit 10 exhibited by the CPU 11 executing a predetermined program stored in the storage device 12.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication control unit 14 includes a transmission / reception unit 141.

[0037] The transmission / reception unit 141 intermittently transmits and receives information via wireless communication. One of the most important functions of this transmission / reception unit 141 is to intermittently receive (e.g., every 100 [ms]) via wireless communication information including at least the vehicle ID and location information intermittently transmitted from the transmission / reception units 241 in one or more other vehicles V2. The information received by this transmission / reception unit 141 is output to the control unit 10. Note that it is not limited to intermittently transmitting and receiving information, and it may be one that intermittently connects and disconnects wireless communication. Also, the wireless communication may intermittently transmit information packets continuously or update the content of the continuously transmitted information at the above intervals (e.g., every 100 [ms]). Further, the actual location information transmitted by the other vehicle V2 may include a positioning error, and the degree of this error is not questioned here.

[0038] Also, the control unit 10 includes an acquisition unit 102, a change unit 103, and a display control unit 104.

[0039] The acquisition unit 102 (corresponding to an acquisition means) acquires at least the location information of the other vehicle V2 from the information received by the transmission / reception unit 141. The information acquired by this acquisition unit 102 is stored and accumulated in the RAM 12b.

[0040] Here, among other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, there may be a case where the current position based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 corresponds to the display range 50 (see FIG. 5 and the like described later) of the electronic map EM by the graphic controller 13 within the display range of the electronic map EM by the display 2. The display range 50 is basically a range in which the current position of the host vehicle V1 in the electronic map EM set to a predetermined or desired scale among a plurality of scales (for example, 1 / 2500 scale, 1 / 5000 scale, 1 / 10000 scale, etc.) prepared in advance as the scale of the electronic map EM that can be set is always at a substantially central position. At this time, the scale of the electronic map EM can be increased or decreased by the manual operation of the user, so that the display range 50 can be reduced or enlarged, or the display range 50 can be scrolled. In the above case, the display control unit 104 (corresponding to the display control means) controls the graphic controller 13, and with respect to the other vehicle V2 whose current position is within the display range 50, based on the acquired position information, the current position is drawn on the electronic map EM set to a predetermined or desired scale and displayed on the display 2.

[0041] On the other hand, among the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, there may be a case where the other vehicle V2 whose current position based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM on the display 2. For example, when the display range 50 is set to be narrower than the communication range, information may be acquired from the other vehicle V2 whose current position is outside the display range, or when the communication situation improves when the display range 50 is set to be the same as or wider than the communication range, the communication range becomes wider than the display range 50, and information is acquired from the other vehicle V2 whose current position is outside the display range. When the other vehicle V2 whose current position is within the display range 50 moves to a relatively distant position, the current position of the other vehicle V2 may be outside the display range 50. In such a case, the change unit 103 (corresponding to the changing means) enlarges (corresponding to the change) the display range 50 by reducing the scale of the electronic map EM so that the current position is within the display range 50 for all of the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151. In this example, the change unit 103 enlarges the display range 50 by changing the scale of the electronic map EM to the minimum scale among a plurality of pre-prepared scales such that the current positions of all of the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 are within the display range 50. Hereinafter, the display range 50 before the scale of the electronic map EM is changed by the change unit 103 is referred to as the "original display range 50", and the display range 50 after the scale of the electronic map EM is changed by the change unit 103 is referred to as the "display range 50 after scale change". Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13 to draw the current position on the electronic map EM in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after scale change (the scale has been reduced) based on the acquired position information for all of the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, and display it on the display 2.

[0042] FIGS. 5 to 8 are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the display content of the display 2 of the host vehicle V1 as the host vehicle V1 and the other vehicle V2 move. In FIGS. 5 to 8, for the sake of easy understanding and to avoid complexity in the illustration, only one other vehicle V2 that is transmitting information is shown.

[0043] FIG. 5(a) shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 is traveling along the road R1 in the vertical direction in the figure toward the upper side in the figure, and another vehicle V2 is traveling along the road R2 in the horizontal direction in the figure intersecting the road R1 toward the right side in the figure. In the situation shown in FIG. 5(a), the host vehicle V1 has not received information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500.

[0044] In this case, as shown in the example of FIG. 5(b), on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500 displayed on the display 2, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at a substantially central position, but a mark indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is not displayed.

[0045] FIG. 6(a) showing a situation slightly later than the situation shown in FIG. 5(a) above shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 is traveling a little more upward in the figure along the road R1 from the position shown in FIG. 5(a) above, and the other vehicle V2 is traveling a little more to the right in the figure along the road R2 from the position shown in FIG. 5(a) above. In the situation shown in FIG. 6(a), the host vehicle V1 has received information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the acquisition unit 102 has acquired the position information of the other vehicle V2. Also, the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500. At the time point shown in FIG. 6(a), the scale of the electronic map EM is changed from a scale of 1 / 2500 to a scale of 1 / 10000, which is the first scale at which the current position of the other vehicle V2 becomes the display range 50, by the change unit 103, so that the display range 50 is expanded. Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the electronic map EM in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after the scale change (changed from a scale of 1 / 2500 to a scale of 1 / 10000).

[0046] In this case, as in the example shown in Fig. 6(b), on the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2, where the display range 50 displayed has been changed from the original display range 50 to the scaled-down display range 50 (changed from a scale of 1 / 2500 to a scale of 1 / 10000), a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at approximately the center position, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is also displayed.

[0047] Further, Fig. 7(a) showing a situation different from the situations shown in Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 6(a) shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 is traveling upward in the figure on road R1 and the other vehicle V2 is traveling rightward in the figure on road R2. In the situation shown in Fig. 7(a), the host vehicle V1 has had the position information of the other vehicle V2 acquired by the acquisition unit 102 by receiving information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50 of the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500. At the time point shown in this Fig. 7(a), the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500.

[0048] In this case, as in the example shown in Fig. 7(b), on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500 displayed on the display 2, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at approximately the center position, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is also displayed.

[0049] FIG. 8(a) shows a situation slightly after the situation shown in FIG. 7(a) above. In FIG. 8(a), the host vehicle V1 is stopped at substantially the same position as the position shown in FIG. 7(a) of the road R1, and the other vehicle V2 is traveling slightly to the right in the drawing toward the right in the drawing from the position shown in FIG. 7(a) of the road R2. In the situation shown in FIG. 8(a), in the host vehicle V1, the acquisition unit 102 has acquired the position information of the other vehicle V2 by receiving information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM. At the time shown in FIG. 8(a), the change unit 103 changes the scale of the electronic map EM from the 1 / 2500 scale to the 1 / 5000 scale, which is the first scale at which the current position of the other vehicle V2 becomes the display range 50, so that the display range 50 is enlarged. Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the electronic map EM in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after the scale change (changed from the 1 / 2500 scale to the 1 / 5000 scale).

[0050] In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 8(b), on the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2 in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after the scale change (changed from the 1 / 2500 scale to the 1 / 5000 scale), a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at substantially the center position, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed.

[0051] FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the control procedure of a navigation method executed by the CPU 11 in the in-vehicle device 100 of the host vehicle V1 by a navigation program stored in the storage device 12 in order to implement the above method. In FIGS. 9 and 10, for the sake of easy understanding by avoiding complicated illustration, the case where there is one other vehicle V2 is described. However, when there are a plurality of other vehicles V2, the processing described below can be applied by executing the processing for each other vehicle V2 and the like.

[0052] In FIGS. 9 and 10, the processes shown in this flow start, for example, when the power of the in-vehicle device 100 of the host vehicle V1 is turned on (in other words, when the engine of the host vehicle V1 is turned ON).

[0053] First, in step S5, the CPU 11 sets the scale of the electronic map EM to a predetermined or desired scale among a plurality of pre-prepared scales.

[0054] Then, in step S10, the CPU 11 controls the graphic controller 13, and based on the position information of the host vehicle V1 input from the GPS 8 and the map information stored in the storage medium 12c, so that the current position of the host vehicle V1 becomes the approximate center position, the electronic map EM of the scale set in step S5 (however, when the scale of the electronic map EM has been changed by the user's manual operation, the changed scale) is drawn, and the current position of the host vehicle V1 is drawn on the electronic map EM and displayed on the display 2. Note that the process of step S10 is repeated at predetermined time intervals.

[0055] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and the CPU 11 determines whether information (including at least the vehicle ID and position information) transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 241 in the other vehicle V2 via wireless communication has been received via wireless communication by the function of the transmission / reception unit 141 of the wireless communication control unit 14 and input from the wireless communication control unit 14. Until the information from the other vehicle V2 is input from the wireless communication control unit 14, the determination in step S20 is not satisfied (S20: NO), and the process waits in a loop. When the information from the other vehicle V2 is input from the wireless communication control unit 14, the determination in step S20 is satisfied (S20: YES), and the process proceeds to step S40.

[0056] In step S40, the CPU 11 determines whether it is the first time that information has been received from another vehicle V2 by determining whether the vehicle ID identical to the vehicle ID included in the information input in step S20 above is stored in the RAM 12b. If the vehicle ID identical to the vehicle ID included in the information input in step S20 above is not stored in the RAM 12b, it is considered that it is the first time that information has been received from another vehicle V2, the determination in step S40 is satisfied (S40: YES), and the process proceeds to step S50.

[0057] In step S50, the CPU 11 acquires the vehicle ID and position information of the other vehicle V2 from the information input in step S20 above by the function of the acquisition unit 102.

[0058] Then, in step S60, the CPU 11 newly records the vehicle ID and position information acquired in step S50 above in the RAM 12b.

[0059] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S70, and the CPU 11 acquires the position information newly recorded in step S60 above from the RAM 12b.

[0060] Then, in step S80, the CPU 11 determines whether the current position of the other vehicle V2 based on the position information acquired in step S70 above is within the display range 50. If the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50, the determination in step S80 is satisfied (S80: YES), and the process proceeds to step S100. On the other hand, if the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50, the determination in step S80 is not satisfied (S80: NO), the process proceeds to step S90, and the CPU 11, by the function of the change unit 103, changes the scale of the electronic map EM to the minimum scale among a plurality of pre-prepared scales at which the current position of the other vehicle V2 based on the position information acquired in step S70 above is within the display range 50, thereby expanding the display range 50, and then the process proceeds to step S100.

[0061] In step S100 when transitioning from the above step S80, the CPU 11 controls the graphic controller 13 through the function of the display control unit 104, and based on the position information acquired in the above step S70, draws the current position of the other vehicle V2 on the electronic map EM at the scale set in the above step S5 (however, if the scale of the electronic map EM has been changed by the user's manual operation, the scale after the change), and displays it on the display 2. Then, it returns to the above step S20 and repeats the same procedure. On the other hand, in step S100 when transitioning from the above step S90, the CPU 11 controls the graphic controller 13 through the function of the display control unit 104, and based on the position information acquired in the above step S70, draws the current position of the other vehicle V2 on the electronic map EM where the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after the scale change (at the scale set in the above step S90) in the above step S90, and displays it on the display 2. Then, it returns to the above step S20 and repeats the same procedure.

[0062] On the other hand, in the above step S40, if the vehicle ID identical to the vehicle ID included in the information input in the above step S20 is stored in the RAM 12b, it is regarded that the information has been received from the other vehicle V2 for the second time or later, the determination in step S40 is not satisfied (S40: NO), and it moves to step S110.

[0063] In step S110, the CPU 11 acquires the position information of the other vehicle V2 from the information input in the above step S20 through the function of the acquisition unit 102.

[0064] After that, it moves to step S120, and the CPU 11 additionally records the position information acquired in the above step S110 in the RAM 12b.

[0065] Then, in step S130, the CPU 11 acquires the latest position information from the RAM 12b.

[0066] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S140, where the CPU 11 determines whether the current position of the other vehicle V2 based on the position information acquired in step S130 is within the display range 50. If the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50, the determination in step S140 is satisfied (S140: YES), and the process proceeds to step S160. On the other hand, if the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50, the determination in step S140 is not satisfied (S140: NO), and the process proceeds to step S150, where the CPU 11, by the function of the changing unit 103, changes the scale of the electronic map EM to the minimum scale among a plurality of pre-prepared scales at which the current position of the other vehicle V2 based on the position information acquired in step S130 is within the display range 50, thereby expanding the display range 50, and then the process proceeds to step S160.

[0067] In step S160 when the process proceeds from step S140, the CPU 11 controls the graphic controller 13 by the function of the display control unit 104, and based on the position information acquired in step S130, causes the current position of the other vehicle V2 to be drawn on the electronic map EM at the scale set in step S5 (however, if the scale of the electronic map EM has been changed by a manual operation of the user, the changed scale) and displayed on the display 2. Thereafter, the process returns to step S20 and the same procedure is repeated. On the other hand, in step S100 when the process proceeds from step S150, the CPU 11 controls the graphic controller 13 by the function of the display control unit 104, and based on the position information acquired in step S130, causes the current position of the other vehicle V2 to be drawn on the electronic map EM at the scale at which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after the scale change (the scale set in step S150) in step S150 and displayed on the display 2. Thereafter, the process returns to step S20 and the same procedure is repeated.

[0068] Note that the processing shown in this flow ends, for example, when the power of the in-vehicle device 100 of the host vehicle V1 is turned off (in other words, when the engine of the host vehicle V1 is turned off).

[0069] Also, in FIGS. 9 and 10 described above, the procedures of step S50 and step S110 correspond to the acquisition procedure. Also, the procedures of step S100 and step S160 correspond to the display control procedure. Also, the procedures of step S90 and step S150 correspond to the change procedure.

[0070] As described above, the in-vehicle device 100 (corresponding to a navigation device) of the present embodiment includes an acquisition unit 102 (corresponding to acquisition means) that acquires the position information of another vehicle V2 (corresponding to another moving object) from the information received via wireless communication, and based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102, a display control unit 104 (corresponding to display control means) that controls a display 2 (corresponding to display means) to display the current position of the other vehicle V2 on an electronic map EM (corresponding to a map), and a change unit 103 (corresponding to change means) that changes the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50 when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM by the display 2.

[0071] Also, the navigation method of the present embodiment includes a procedure for acquiring the position information of another vehicle V2 (corresponding to another moving object) from the information received via wireless communication, a procedure for display control to display the current position of the other vehicle V2 on an electronic map EM (corresponding to a map) based on the acquired position information, and a procedure for changing the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50 when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM by the display 2 (corresponding to display means).

[0072] In addition, the navigation program of the present embodiment causes the CPU 11 (equivalent to a computer) to execute a procedure of acquiring the position information of another vehicle V2 (equivalent to another moving object) from the information received via wireless communication, a procedure of performing display control so as to display the current position of the other vehicle V2 on an electronic map EM (equivalent to a map) based on the acquired position information, and a procedure of changing the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50 when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM by the display 2 (equivalent to a display means).

[0073] In the present embodiment, under the control of the display control unit 104, the current position of the other vehicle V2 based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is displayed on the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2. As a result, the user can visually recognize the presence and the current position of the other vehicle V2 within the display range 50 of the electronic map EM by the display 2.

[0074] Here, for example, when the display range 50 is set to be narrower than the communication range, or when the communication situation improves and the communication range becomes wider than the display range 50 even though the display range 50 is set to be the same as or wider than the communication range, it becomes possible to receive information from the other vehicle V2 existing at a relatively distant position of the user whose current position is outside the display range 50. The current position of the other vehicle V2 existing at a relatively distant position of the user whose current position is outside the display range 50 is not displayed on the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2.

[0075] Incidentally, for the purpose of providing safe driving support to notify, for example, whether vehicles are in contact with each other, it is sufficient to provide the user with the presence of other vehicles V2 existing in a relatively close position to the user and their current positions. Therefore, other vehicles V2 existing in a relatively far position from the user, whose current positions are outside the display range 50, do not necessarily have to be displayed on the electronic map EM displayed on the display 2. However, for example, if one is aware in advance of the presence of emergency vehicles, construction vehicles, vehicles driven by beginners or the elderly, etc. in the vicinity, it is useful for driving in terms of prevention or pre-emptive avoidance. Also, when one wants to know whether other vehicles V2 such as the vehicles of the user's family or acquaintances, or vehicles pre-registered by the user exist in the vicinity for purposes other than safe driving support, even if their current positions are outside the display range 50, i.e., in a relatively far position from the user, it would be very convenient if their presence and current positions could be provided to the user. Further, depending on the scale, when the scale of the electronic map EM is particularly enlarged and displayed, and the presence of other vehicles V2 existing in a relatively close position to the user cannot be displayed, it would be very convenient if their presence and current positions could be provided to the user for the above-mentioned safe driving support.

[0076] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50, that is, when the other vehicle V2 exists in a relatively far position from the user, the changing unit 103 automatically changes the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50. As a result, the current position of the other vehicle V2, which was originally outside the original display range 50 and existed in a relatively far position from the user, can be automatically displayed on the electronic map EM with the changed display range 50 displayed on the display 2. As a result, the user can visually recognize the presence and current position of the other vehicle V2 existing in a relatively far position from oneself without performing any particular operation, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

[0077] Further, in the in-vehicle device 100, the changing unit 103 enlarges the display range 50 by reducing the scale of the electronic map EM so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50.

[0078] By reducing the scale of the electronic map EM to expand the display range 50, the current position of another vehicle V2 that could not be displayed on the electronic map EM within the original display range 50 can be displayed on the electronic map EM with the expanded display range 50, ensuring an improvement in user convenience. Note that considering the case where reducing the scale too much may conversely make it difficult to see the positional relationship with another vehicle V2 that is very close to the host vehicle V1, a lower limit for the scale that can be changed when reducing the scale may be provided. In this case, even with the lower limit scale, not all other vehicles V2 may be able to be displayed. In that case, it may also be possible to select the scale that most appropriately displays all the other vehicles V2 that can be displayed at the lower limit scale.

[0079] Also, in the in-vehicle device 100, when the current position of another vehicle V2 within the display range 50 goes outside the display range 50, the changing unit 103 changes the display range 50.

[0080] In the present embodiment, when another vehicle V2 that is relatively close to the user and whose current position is within the display range 50 moves to a relatively far position, causing the current position of the other vehicle V2 to go outside the display range 50, the changing unit 103 automatically changes the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50. As a result, the current position of another vehicle V2 that has moved from a position relatively close to the user and whose current position has changed from within the original display range 50 to outside the display range 50 can be automatically displayed on the electronic map EM with the changed display range 50 displayed on the display 2. As a result, the user can visually recognize the current position of another vehicle V2 that has moved from a position relatively close to the user to a relatively far position without particularly performing an operation, so it is possible to prevent the user from losing sight of the other vehicle V2, further improving user convenience.

[0081] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist and technical idea thereof. Hereinafter, such modification examples will be sequentially described.

[0082] (1) When scrolling the display range In the above-described embodiment, the changing unit 103 enlarged the display range 50 by reducing the scale of the electronic map EM so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 would be within the display range 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the display range 50 may be scrolled so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50.

[0083] In this modification, among the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, if there is an other vehicle V2 whose current position based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM on the display 2, the changing unit 103 scrolls (equivalent to a change) the display range 50 while keeping the scale of the electronic map EM as it is so that the current positions of all the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 are within the display range 50. Note that the changing unit 103 may scroll the display range 50 while increasing the scale of the electronic map EM. However, hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case where the changing unit 103 scrolls the display range 50 while keeping the scale of the electronic map EM as it is will be described. Hereinafter, as appropriate, the display range 50 before being scrolled by the changing unit 103 will be referred to as the "original display range 50", and the display range 50 after being scrolled by the changing unit 103 will be referred to as the "display range 50 after scrolling". Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13 to draw the current positions on the electronic map EM in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the display range 50 after scrolling (the display range 50 has been scrolled) based on the acquired position information for all the other vehicles V2 from which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, and display them on the display 2.

[0084] FIGS. 11 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing the transition of the display content on the display 2 of the host vehicle V1 as the host vehicle V1 and the other vehicle V2 move, and are diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 5 to 8 described above.

[0085] Figure 11(a) shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 is traveling upward along the road R3 in the vertical direction in the figure, and the other vehicle V2 is traveling rightward along the road R2 that intersects the road R3. In the situation shown in Figure 11(a), no information is received by the host vehicle V1 from the other vehicle V2 by the transceiver unit 151, and the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM.

[0086] In this case, as shown in the example of Figure 11(b), on the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM displayed on the display 2, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at the approximate center position, but no mark indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed.

[0087] Figure 12(a) shows a situation slightly later than the situation shown in Figure 11(a). The host vehicle V1 is traveling a little upward along the road R3 in the upward direction in the figure from the position shown in Figure 11(a), and the other vehicle V2 is traveling a little rightward along the road R2 in the rightward direction in the figure from the position shown in Figure 11(a). In the situation shown in Figure 12(a), information is received by the host vehicle V1 from the other vehicle V2 by the transceiver unit 151, and the acquisition unit 102 acquires the position information of the other vehicle V2. Also, the other vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50 of the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM. At the time point shown in Figure 12(a), the display range 50 is scrolled by the change unit 103 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50. Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM in which the display range 50 is changed from the original display range 50 to the scrolled display range 50.

[0088] In this case, as shown in the example of Figure 12(b), on the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM displayed on the display 2, in which the display range 50 is changed from the original display range 50 to the scrolled display range 50, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is also displayed.

[0089] In addition, FIG. 13(a), which shows a situation different from the situations shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 12(a), shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 is traveling on road R3 toward the upper side in the figure, and the other vehicle V2 is traveling on road R2 toward the left side in the figure. In the situation shown in FIG. 13(a), the host vehicle V1 has received information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the acquisition unit 102 has acquired the position information of the other vehicle V2. Also, the other vehicle V2 exists within the display range 50 of the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500. At the time point shown in this FIG. 13(a), the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500.

[0090] In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 13(b), on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500 displayed on the display 2, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed at a substantially central position, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed.

[0091] FIG. 14(a), which shows a situation slightly after the situation shown in FIG. 13(a), shows a situation where the host vehicle V1 has stopped at a position substantially the same as the position shown in FIG. 13(a) on road R3, and the other vehicle V2 is traveling a little more to the left side in the figure than the position shown in FIG. 13(a) on road R2 toward the left side in the figure. In the situation shown in FIG. 14(a), the host vehicle V1 has received information from the other vehicle V2 by the transmission / reception unit 151, and the acquisition unit 102 has acquired the position information of the other vehicle V2. Also, the other vehicle V2 exists outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500. At the time point shown in this FIG. 14(a), the change unit 103 scrolls the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50. Then, the display control unit 104 controls the graphic controller 13, and the current position of the other vehicle V2 is drawn on the electronic map EM at a scale of 1 / 2500 in which the display range 50 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the scrolled display range 50.

[0092] In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 14(b), on the 1 / 2500-scale electronic map EM in which the display range 50 displayed on the display 2 has been changed from the original display range 50 to the scrolled display range 50, a mark M1 indicating the current position of the host vehicle V1 is displayed, and a mark M2 indicating the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed.

[0093] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modification example, the changing unit 103 scrolls the display range 50 so that the current position of the other vehicle V2 is within the display range 50.

[0094] By scrolling the display range 50, the current position of the other vehicle V2 that could not be displayed on the electronic map EM in the original display range 50 can be displayed on the electronic map EM after the display range 50 is scrolled, and the convenience of the user can be surely improved.

[0095] Note that the display range 50 may be set more appropriately by performing both the scale change described above and the scroll described here.

[0096] (2) Case of Returning to the Original Display Mode after a Predetermined Time Elapses That is, as shown in FIG. 15 corresponding to FIG. 4 described above, in this modification example, the control unit 10 in the in-vehicle device 100 includes an acquisition unit 102, a changing unit 103, a display control unit 104, and a return unit 105.

[0097] The acquisition unit 102, the changing unit 103, and the display control unit 104 have functions similar to those described in the above embodiment.

[0098] The return unit 105 (corresponding to the restoration means) is configured such that, as described above, when the display range 50 is enlarged by the change unit 103 and the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the changed display range 50 by the display 2 for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151, and when a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed (corresponding to the case where a predetermined condition is satisfied), the scale of the electronic map EM is returned to the scale before being changed by the change unit 103 (a scale larger than the scale at this point), thereby reducing the display range 50 and restoring the display mode of the display range 50.

[0099] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modification example, after the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed on the electronic map EM whose display range 50 has been changed by the change unit 103 by the display 2, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the in-vehicle device 100 further includes a return unit 105 (corresponding to the restoration means) that restores the display mode of the display range 50.

[0100] When the predetermined condition is satisfied after the change of the display range 50 and the display mode automatically returns to the original display mode of the display range 50, the user does not need to deliberately perform an operation to return to the original display mode of the display range 50. Therefore, the operation burden on the user can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

[0101] Also, in the in-vehicle device 100, after the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed on the electronic map EM whose display range 50 has been changed by the change unit 103 by the display 2, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the return unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50.

[0102] When the display mode automatically returns to the original display mode of the display range 50 after the elapse of a predetermined time after the change of the display range 50, the user does not need to deliberately perform an operation to return to the original display mode of the display range 50. Therefore, the operation burden on the user can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

[0103] Note that in the above description, the modification unit 103 has the same function as the function described in the above embodiment. The display range 50 is enlarged by the modification unit 103, and after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the scaled display range 50 for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transceiver unit 151 by the display 2, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the restoration unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50, but it is not limited to this. That is, the modification unit 103 has the same function as the function described in the modification example (1) above. The display range 50 is scrolled by the modification unit 103, and after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the scrolled display range 50 for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transceiver unit 151 by the display 2, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the restoration unit 105 may restore the display mode of the display range 50 by returning the display range 50 to a range where the current position of the host vehicle V1 is substantially the center position. Also in this case, the same effect as above can be obtained. In the above case, the restoration unit 105 restores the display range 50 only when the current position of the host vehicle V1 is not displayed in the scrolled display range 50, or when there is another vehicle V2 whose current position was displayed in the original display range 50 but is not displayed in the scrolled display range 50.

[0104] (3) When returning to the original display mode after user viewing That is, in this modification example, the restoration unit 105, as described above, when the current position of another vehicle V2 is visually recognized by the user (corresponding to the case where a predetermined condition is satisfied) after the display range 50 is enlarged by the modification unit 103 and the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the scaled display range 50 for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transceiver unit 151 by the display 2 (for example, by a method such as detecting the user's line of sight), the scale of the electronic map EM is returned to the scale before being changed by the modification unit 103 (a scale larger than the scale at this time), thereby reducing the display range 50 and restoring the display mode of the display range 50.

[0105] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modification example, after the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed on the electronic map EM in which the display range 50 has been changed by the changing unit 103 by the display 2, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is visually recognized by the user, the restoration unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50.

[0106] When the current position of the other vehicle V2 is visually recognized by the user after the change of the display range 50, by automatically returning to the display mode of the original display range 50, the user does not need to perform the operation of returning to the display mode of the original display range 50, so the operation burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

[0107] Note that in the above, the changing unit 103 has the same function as the function described in the above embodiment, the display range 50 is enlarged by the changing unit 103, and for all the other vehicles V2 for which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 by the display 2, after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the display range 50 after the scale change, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is visually recognized by the user, the restoration unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the changing unit 103 has the same function as the function described in the modification example of (1) above, the display range 50 is scrolled by the changing unit 103, and for all the other vehicles V2 for which information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 by the display 2, after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the display range 50 after the scroll, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 is visually recognized by the user, the restoration unit 105 may restore the display mode of the display range 50 by returning the display range 50 to the range where the current position of the host vehicle V1 is substantially the center position. Also in this case, the same effect as above can be obtained. Note that in the above case, the restoration unit 105 performs the restoration of the display range 50 only when the current position of the host vehicle V1 is no longer displayed in the display range 50 after the scroll, or when there is another vehicle V2 for which the current position was displayed in the original display range 50 but is no longer displayed in the display range 50 after the scroll.

[0108] (4) If it becomes possible to display in the original display mode, return to the original display mode. That is, in this modification example, as described above, the return unit 105 is such that when the display range 50 is enlarged by the change unit 103, and for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transceiver unit 151 by the display 2, after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the display range 50 after the scale change, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 reaches within the display range 50 in the display mode before the display range 50 is enlarged by the change unit 103 (corresponding to when a predetermined condition is satisfied), that is, when it becomes possible to display in the display mode of the original display range 50, the scale of the electronic map EM is returned to the scale before being changed by the change unit 103 (a scale larger than the scale at this time point), thereby reducing the display range 50 and restoring the display mode of the display range 50.

[0109] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modification example, after the current position of the other vehicle V2 is displayed on the electronic map EM whose display range 50 has been changed by the change unit 103 by the display 2, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 reaches within the display range 50 in the display mode before the display range 50 is changed by the change unit 103, the return unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50.

[0110] When the current position of the other vehicle V2 after the change of the display range 50 reaches within the display range 50 in the original display mode, that is, when it becomes possible to display in the original display mode, by automatically returning to the display mode of the original display range 50, the user does not need to deliberately perform an operation to return to the display mode of the original display range 50, so the operation burden on the user can be reduced and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

[0111] Note that in the above description, the modification unit 103 has the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, the display range 50 is enlarged by the modification unit 103, and after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the display range 50 after the scale change for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 by the display 2, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 reaches within the display range 50 in the display mode before the display range 50 is enlarged by the modification unit 103, the restoration unit 105 restores the display mode of the display range 50, but it is not limited to this. That is, the modification unit 103 has the same functions as those described in the modification example of (1) above, the display range 50 is scrolled by the modification unit 103, and after the current position is displayed on the electronic map EM changed to the display range 50 after the scroll for all other vehicles V2 whose information has been received by the transmission / reception unit 151 by the display 2, when the current position of the other vehicle V2 reaches within the display range 50 in the display mode before the display range 50 is scrolled by the modification unit 103, the restoration unit 105 may restore the display mode of the display range 50 by returning the display range 50 to a range where the current position of the host vehicle V1 is substantially the center position. Also in this case, the same effects as above can be obtained. In the above case, the restoration unit 105 may return the display range 50 to a range where the current position of the host vehicle V1 is substantially the center position all at once, or may return it moment by moment. Further, the restoration unit 105 performs the restoration of the display range 50 only when the current position of the host vehicle V1 is no longer displayed in the display range 50 after the scroll, or when there is another vehicle V2 whose current position was displayed in the original display range 50 but is no longer displayed in the display range 50 after the scroll.

[0112] (5) When changing the display range if the change of the display range is approved That is, as shown in FIG. 16 corresponding to FIG. 4 described above, in this modification example, the control unit 10 in the in-vehicle device 100 includes an acquisition unit 102, an operation reception unit 106, a modification unit 103, and a display control unit 104.

[0113] The acquisition unit 102 has the same functions as those described in the above embodiment.

[0114] In this modification example, among the other vehicles V2 from which information is received by the transmission / reception unit 151, if the other vehicle V2 whose current position based on the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 102 is outside the display range 50 of the electronic map EM on the display 2 is included, the CPU 11 causes the user to be notified of that fact by voice from a speaker (not shown; corresponding to the notification means) provided in the host vehicle V1. Note that the CPU 11 may cause the user to be notified by displaying the above-mentioned fact in characters or the like on the display 2. In this case, the display 2 corresponds to the notification means. Alternatively, the CPU 11 may perform both notification by voice from the speaker and notification by display of characters or the like on the display 2. In this case, the speaker and the display 2 correspond to the notification means. However, in this modification example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case where the CPU 11 causes the user to be notified of the above-mentioned fact by voice from the speaker will be described.

[0115] The operation reception unit 106 (corresponding to the operation reception means) receives, via an operation unit (not shown; for example, an operation button or an operation panel provided in the in-vehicle device 100) provided in the host vehicle V1, a selection operation of the user as to whether to approve the change of the display range 50 by the change unit 103 after the above-mentioned fact is notified by the speaker.

[0116] When the change unit 103 receives an operation indicating approval of the change of the display range 50 by the operation reception unit 106, it expands the display range 50 as in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, the change unit 103 may scroll the display range 50 as in the modification example of the above (1). However, in this modification example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case where the change unit 103 expands the display range 50 as in the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0117] The display control unit 104 has the same functions as those described in the above embodiment.

[0118] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modified example, when the current position of another vehicle V2 is outside the display range 50, a speaker (corresponding to the notification means) that notifies to that effect, and an operation reception unit 106 (corresponding to the operation reception means) that receives a user's selection operation as to whether to approve the change of the display range 50 by the change unit 103 after being notified by the speaker are further provided. The change unit 103 changes the display range when an operation to approve the change of the display range 50 is received by the operation reception unit 106.

[0119] By allowing the user to select each time whether to change the display range 50, it is possible to suppress the change of the display range 50 until the user does not desire it, and further improve the convenience for the user.

[0120] (6) When changing the display range if a previously registered vehicle is outside the display range That is, in this modified example, in the storage medium 12c of the storage device 12 of the in-vehicle device 100, another vehicle V2 (for example, a vehicle of a family member or an acquaintance, etc.) or its type (for example, a vehicle of a novice driver, a vehicle of an elderly driver, an emergency vehicle, a construction vehicle, etc.) to be the change target of the display range 50 by the change unit 103 is registered in advance.

[0121] Also, in this modified example, the transmission / reception unit 241 of the wireless communication control unit 24 of the in-vehicle device 200 of another vehicle V2 intermittently transmits information including vehicle ID and position information of another vehicle V2 and other vehicle-related information (corresponding to mobile body-related information) related to another vehicle V2 via wireless communication. Examples of the other vehicle-related information include, for example, identification information of another vehicle V2 (for example, a registration number described on a license plate), information indicating that another vehicle V2 is a vehicle of a novice driver, information indicating that another vehicle V2 is a vehicle of an elderly driver, information indicating that another vehicle V2 is an emergency vehicle, information indicating that another vehicle V2 is a construction vehicle, and the like.

[0122] Also, as shown in FIG. 17 corresponding to FIG. 4 described above, in this modified example, the transceiver unit 141 of the wireless communication control unit 14 in the in-vehicle device 100 intermittently receives, via wireless communication, information including vehicle ID, position information, and other-vehicle related information intermittently transmitted from the transceiver units 241 in one or more other vehicles V2.

[0123] Also, in this modified example, the control unit 10 in the in-vehicle device 100 includes an acquisition unit 102, a determination unit 107, a modification unit 103, and a display control unit 104.

[0124] The acquisition unit 102 acquires the position information of the other vehicle V2 and other-vehicle related information related to the other vehicle V2 from the information received by the transceiver unit 141.

[0125] The determination unit 107 (corresponding to a determination means) determines, using the other-vehicle related information acquired by the acquisition unit 102, whether the other vehicle V2 from which the information was received by the transceiver unit 151 or its type is a specific other vehicle V2 or a specific type registered in the storage medium 12c (corresponding to satisfying a predetermined condition). For example, when vehicles of family members or friends are registered in the recording medium 12c, the determination unit 107 determines whether the identification information of the other vehicle V2 from which the information was received by the transceiver unit 151, included in the other-vehicle related information acquired by the acquisition unit 102, matches the identification information of the vehicles of family members or friends registered in the storage medium 12c, thereby determining whether the other vehicle V2 is a vehicle of a family member or a friend. Also, for example, when emergency vehicles are registered in the recording medium 12c, the determination unit 107 determines whether the information indicating that the other vehicle V2 from which the information was received by the transceiver unit 151 is an emergency vehicle is included in the other-vehicle related information acquired by the acquisition unit 102, thereby determining whether the other vehicle V2 is an emergency vehicle.

[0126] When the current position of a specific other vehicle V2 or an other vehicle V2 determined to be of a specific type by the determination unit 107 is outside the display range 50, the change unit 103 expands the display range 50 as in the above-described embodiment. Alternatively, the change unit 103 may scroll the display range 50 as in the modification example (1) above. However, in this modification example, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case where the change unit 103 expands the display range 50 as in the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0127] The display control unit 104 has the same functions as those described in the above embodiment. Note that the display control unit 104 may vary the display mode of the current position to be displayed on the electronic map EM according to the type of the other vehicle V2.

[0128] As described above, in the in-vehicle device 100 of this modification example, the acquisition unit 102 can acquire other vehicle-related information (corresponding to mobile object-related information) related to the other vehicle V2 in addition to the position information from the information, and further has a determination unit 107 (corresponding to a determination means) that determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to the other vehicle V2 using the other vehicle-related information acquired by the acquisition unit 102. When the current position of the other vehicle V2 determined by the determination unit 107 to satisfy the predetermined condition is outside the display range 50, the change unit 103 changes the display range 50.

[0129] Thereby, the change of the display range 50 is performed only for the other vehicle V2 that satisfies the predetermined condition, so that it is possible to suppress the change of the display range 50 for the other vehicle V2 that does not satisfy the predetermined condition.

[0130] In addition, the in-vehicle device 100 further has a storage medium 12c (corresponding to a registration means) for registering in advance the other vehicle V2 or its type to be the change target of the display range 50 by the change unit 103. The determination unit 107 determines whether or not the other vehicle V2 or its type is a specific other vehicle V2 or a specific type registered in the storage medium 12c. When the current position of the other vehicle V2 determined by the determination unit 107 to be a specific other vehicle V2 or a specific type is outside the display range 50, the change unit 103 changes the display range 50.

[0131] As a result, the change of the display range 50 is made only for the other vehicle V2 or type for which the user desires the change of the display range 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the change of the display range 50 from being made for the other vehicle V2 or type for which the change of the display range 50 is not desired.

[0132] (7) Others In the above, the case where the in-vehicle device 100 corresponding to the navigation device is mounted on the vehicle has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the navigation device may be held by a moving body other than the vehicle (for example, an aircraft, a ship, a human, etc.) or a non-moving facility. Further, in the above, the case where the position information of the vehicle is acquired and the current position is displayed has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the position information of a moving body other than the vehicle (for example, an aircraft, a ship, a human, an animal other than a human, etc.) may be acquired and the current position may be displayed.

[0133] Further, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 do not limit the procedure for illustrating the present invention, and the procedure may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed within the scope not departing from the spirit and technical idea.

[0134] In addition to the above already described, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and each modification example may be appropriately combined and used.

[0135] Although not illustrated one by one, the present invention may be implemented with various changes within the scope not departing from its spirit.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0136] 2 Display (display means) 11 CPU (corresponding to a computer) 12c Storage medium (corresponding to registration means) 50 Display range 100 In-vehicle device (corresponding to navigation device) 102 Acquisition unit (corresponding to acquisition means) 103 Change unit (corresponding to change means) 104 represents the display control unit (corresponding to the display control means) 105 represents the restoration unit (corresponding to the restoration means) 106 represents the operation reception unit (corresponding to the operation reception means) 107 represents the determination unit (corresponding to the determination means) EM electronic map (corresponding to the map) V2 other vehicle (corresponding to other moving bodies)

Claims

1. A display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit, comprising: acquisition means for acquiring other moving body position information indicating the positions of other moving bodies to be displayed on the map; determination means for determining, when the other moving body position information is acquired by the acquisition means, whether the position of the other moving body is outside the display range of the map at a first scale being displayed on the display unit; changing means for changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the own moving body and the position of the other moving body are displayed, when it is determined by the determination means that the position is outside the display range; restoring means for restoring the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving body position information by the acquisition means is continuing, when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied; A display control device characterized by comprising the above.

2. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the restoring means restores the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale when the predetermined condition that the user has visually recognized the display unit is satisfied after the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit is changed to the second scale by the changing means.

3. The display control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the restoring means restores the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale when the predetermined condition that the position of the other moving body has moved within the display range of the map at the first scale is satisfied after the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit is changed to the second scale by the changing means.

4. The display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the restoring means restores the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale when the predetermined condition that a predetermined time has elapsed after the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit is changed to the second scale by the changing means is satisfied.

5. A display control method executed by a display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring other moving body position information indicating the positions of other moving bodies to be displayed on the map; a determination step of determining, when the other moving body position information is acquired in the acquisition step, whether the position of the other moving body is outside the display range of the map at a first scale being displayed on the display unit; When it is determined in the determination step that it is outside the display range, a change step of changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the self and the position of the other moving body are displayed; A restoration step of returning the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving body position information in the acquisition step is continuing when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied; A display control method characterized by including the above.

6. In a computer included in a display control device that displays its own position on a map being displayed on a display unit, An acquisition step of acquiring other moving body position information indicating the position of another moving body to be displayed on the map; A determination step of determining whether the position of the other moving body is outside the display range of the map of the first scale being displayed on the display unit when the other moving body position information is acquired in the acquisition step; When it is determined in the determination step that it is outside the display range, a change step of changing the scale of the map to be displayed on the display unit to a second scale capable of displaying a wider range than the first scale so that the position of the self and the position of the other moving body are displayed; A restoration step of returning the map to be displayed on the display unit to the first scale regardless of whether the acquisition of the other moving body position information in the acquisition step is continuing when a predetermined condition independent of the user's operation is satisfied; A display control program for causing the above to be executed.

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