Determination apparatus, determination method, determination program, and recording medium

Abstract

To provide a determination apparatus, or the like, which allows an operator to determine a selection candidate spot, which is a candidate of spot to be selected, from among spots displayed on a map, without removing a hand from a steering wheel for operating an operation unit.SOLUTION: A determination apparatus receives an operation of an operator operating an operation unit attached to a steering wheel, displays a spot image representing a spot on a map displayed on a screen, moves a position of the spot image on the screen or a position of a selection part set on the screen, in response to the operation of the operator, and determines a selection candidate spot on the basis of a positional relationship between the spot image on the screen and the position of the selection part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a technical field of a determination device and the like that determines candidate selection points that are candidates for selection by an operator from among points displayed on a map. [Background technology]

[0002] Navigation devices that travel with a moving object such as an automobile and provide route guidance, etc., have become widespread. Information providing devices such as these navigation devices display images representing potential destinations, such as restaurants and parks, on a map, and when an image is selected by an operator, the device determines that the location represented by the image has been selected and performs processing such as setting the location as the destination. In this case, how the operator can select an image is important in terms of safe driving.

[0003] Meanwhile, many methods for determining which of the items displayed on the screen has been selected have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for selecting one of multiple operation items displayed on an operation screen using an input device with a small operation surface. Specifically, the technology includes an input device with a touch-operable operation surface, a display that displays an operation screen including multiple operation items, and a processing device. The processing device displays a frame on the display that represents the screen range operable by the input device, the frame enclosing only some of the multiple operation items. Then, after the position of the frame is moved in response to a frame movement operation by a user, the operation item selected by the user is identified in response to a selection operation by the user for an operation item within the frame. That is, the user moves the frame to limit the operation items to be selected, and then specifies the operation item to be actually selected from the selection candidates within the frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-33343 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, Patent Document 1 discloses that the operating surface (touchpad) is placed on the center console or instrument panel of the automobile, which requires the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel to perform touch operations, which may hinder safe driving.

[0006] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a determination device or the like that allows an operator to determine a candidate selection point that is a candidate for selection from among points displayed on a map, without having to take their hands off the handlebars to operate the operating unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 is characterized by comprising a reception means for receiving an operation by an operator on an operation unit attached to the handle of a mobile body, a display control means for displaying a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on a screen and moving the position of the location image on the screen or the position of a selection unit set on the screen in accordance with the operation, and a determination means for determining a selection candidate location to be selected based on the positional relationship between the location image and the selection unit.

[0008] The invention described in claim 14 is a decision method performed by a decision device, characterized in that it includes a reception process for receiving an operation by an operator on an operation unit attached to the handle of a mobile body, a display control process for displaying a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on a screen and moving the position of the location image on the screen or the position of a selection unit set on the screen in accordance with the operation, and a decision process for determining a selection candidate location to be selected based on the positional relationship between the location image and the selection unit.

[0009] The invention described in claim 15 is characterized in that the computer functions as a reception means for receiving an operation by an operator on an operation unit attached to the handle of a mobile body, a display control means for displaying a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on a screen and moving the position of the location image on the screen or the position of a selection unit set on the screen in accordance with the operation, and a determination means for determining a selection candidate location to be selected based on the positional relationship between the location image and the selection unit.

[0010] The invention described in claim 16 is a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a determination program that causes a computer to function as a reception means for receiving an operator's operation on an operating unit attached to the handle of a mobile body, a display control means for displaying a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on a screen and moving the position of the location image on the screen or the position of a selection unit set on the screen in accordance with the operation, and a determination means for determining a selection candidate location that is a candidate for selection based on the positional relationship between the location image and the selection unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a determination device 1. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a handle H and a touchpad T according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of display of a location icon 301 and a frame image 302 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing an example of display of a location icon 301 and a frame image 302 according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a navigation device NV. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the navigation device NV. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a location icon 301 and a frame image 302 according to a modified example. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the positional relationship between a point icon 301 and a frame image 302 has changed in a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the position of a selection unit 304 in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0013] 1, the determining device 1 includes a receiving means 111A, a display control means 111B, and a determining means 111C. The determining device 1 is a device that moves together with a moving object.

[0014] The accepting unit 111A accepts an operator's operation on an operating unit attached to the handle of a mobile object. The mobile object is, for example, a vehicle that changes direction using a handle, such as an automobile, bicycle, airplane, or ship. The operating unit is, for example, a pointing device such as a touchpad, joystick, cross key, or pointing stick.

[0015] The display control means 111B displays a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on the screen, and moves the location of the location image on the screen or the location of a selection section preset on the screen in accordance with the operation received by the reception means 111A. The location image is, for example, an icon representing the logo of a store (department store, convenience store, supermarket, restaurant, etc.) when the location is the store. The selection section is, for example, a partial area of ​​the screen, or at least a part of the edge of the screen (in this case, it may be a line rather than an area). When the selection section is a partial area of ​​the screen, for example, a frame image representing the partial area is displayed to inform the operator of the partial area. On the other hand, when the selection section is an edge of the screen, for example, an arrow image pointing to the selection section is displayed, the position of the selection section is announced by voice, or it is written in the instruction manual of the determination device 1 to inform the operator of the selection section.

[0016] The determining means 111C determines candidate selection points that are candidates for selection based on the positional relationship between the point image and the selection section.

[0017] As a result, the operator can set the location he or she wants to select as a candidate location by using the operation unit attached to the steering wheel to move the location image or the selection unit, which represents the location he or she wants to select, so that the location he or she wants to select becomes a candidate location. That is, the operator can determine a candidate location from among the locations displayed on the map as a candidate location to be selected without having to take his or her hands off the steering wheel to operate the operation unit. Note that, when a candidate location has been determined as a candidate location, if the determination device 1 receives a further selection confirmation operation by the operator to set the candidate location as a selection target, it is preferable that the determination device 1 determines the candidate location as a candidate location to be selected.

[0018] Furthermore, the display control means 111B may move and display the location image on the map together with the map, without moving the selection unit, in accordance with the operation received by the reception means 111A. In this case, the operator can set the location he or she wants to select as a candidate location by performing an operation to move the map image together with the map so that the location image representing the location he or she wants to select and the selection unit are positioned on the screen such that the location he or she wants to select as a candidate location.

[0019] Furthermore, in response to the operation received by the receiving means 111A, the determining means 111C may determine the location represented by the location image as the selected candidate location when the distance between the location image and the selection unit on the screen has decreased since the location image was displayed. In this case, the operator can set the location represented by the location image as the selected candidate location by performing an operation to decrease the distance between the location image representing the location to be selected on the screen and the selection unit. Note that the determining means 111C may determine the location represented by the location image as the selected candidate location when the distance between the location image and the selection unit has decreased by a predetermined percentage or more since the location image was displayed, or may determine the location represented by the location image as the selected candidate location when the number of pixels corresponding to the distance between the location image and the selection unit is equal to or less than a predetermined pixel.

[0020] Furthermore, the selection section may be a selection area that is a partial area on the screen, and the determination means 111C may determine, in accordance with the operation received by the reception means 111A, when a point image is included in the selection area, that point image is determined to be a selected candidate point. Note that when a point image is included in the selection area, it may be when the center (or center of gravity) of the point image is included in the selection area, or when a predetermined percentage or more of the pixels representing the point image are included. In this case, the operator can set the point they want to select as a selected candidate point by performing an operation so that the point image representing the point on the screen is included in the selection area that is the selection section.

[0021] Furthermore, when the selection section is a selection area on the screen, the display control means 111B may display a selection area of ​​a size that does not include multiple spot images at the same time, depending on the scale of the displayed map. This makes it possible to prevent multiple spot images from being included in the selection area at the same time, and multiple spots from becoming candidate spots for selection.

[0022] Furthermore, when the selection section is a selection area on the screen, if the scale of the displayed map allows multiple spot images to be included in the selection area at the same time, the display control means 111B may change the scale to one where multiple spot images are not included in the selection area at the same time. This makes it possible to prevent multiple spot images from being included in the selection area at the same time, and multiple spots from becoming candidate spots for selection.

[0023] Furthermore, when the selection section is a selection area on the screen, if the selection area includes multiple location images, the display control means 111B, in response to an operation received by the receiving means 111A, displays each corresponding image corresponding to each location image included in the selection area outside the selection area, and moves the position of the corresponding image on the screen or the position of the selection area in response to a further operation by the operator (a further operation received by the receiving means 111A), and when a corresponding image is included in the selection area, the determining means 111C may determine the location represented by the corresponding image as the selected candidate location. This makes it possible to narrow down the number of corresponding images corresponding to the location images included in the selection area.

[0024] Furthermore, when the operation unit is attached to any part of the right half of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is not turned, the selection unit may be located in the right half of the screen. As shown in FIG. 2, when a touchpad T serving as the operation unit is provided on the steering wheel H and the driver operates the touchpad T with the fingers of his / her right hand (e.g., the thumb or index finger), it is considered that the operation of moving the touchpad T to the right is easy. Therefore, it is preferable to place the selection unit in the right half of the screen corresponding to the right direction, which is easy for the operator to operate, so that the operator can easily bring the location image closer to the selection unit. In this case, the operator can set the location represented by the location image as a candidate location by operating the operation unit to the right, making operation easier. Similarly, when the operation unit is attached to any part of the left half of the steering wheel when the steering wheel is not turned, the selection unit may be located in the left half of the screen.

[0025] Furthermore, the point presented to the operator may be a point related to the operator. In this case, a point of interest to the operator can be presented. The point related to the operator is determined by the determination device 1 or another device using a conventionally known method. The point related to the operator may be a point on the route along which the operator travels. Furthermore, if left-hand traffic is set in advance for the road along which the moving object travels, the point on the route is preferably a point on the left side of the route, and if right-hand traffic is set in advance for the road along which the moving object travels, the point on the route is preferably a point on the right side of the route.

[0026] Furthermore, the display control means 111B may display a preset number of spot images. In this case, it is possible to prevent a large number of spot images from being displayed, which would cause the operator to become confused as to which spot image should be moved in which direction in relation to the position of the selection unit. Furthermore, since the spot image representing the spot desired to be selected is appropriately moved in relation to the position of the selection unit (if a large number of spot images are displayed, there is a risk that an unintended spot will be selected as a candidate spot), the operator is not forced to concentrate on the operation, and therefore it is possible to maintain concentration on driving.

[0027] Furthermore, the display control means 111B may display a location image on a map including the location to which the moving object is moving. In this case, the operator can select a location near the current location as a candidate location. [Example]

[0028] Next, a specific example corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0029] An embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 6. The embodiment described below is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an in-vehicle navigation device NV (an example of a "determination device"; hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "navigation device NV"). The navigation device NV is connected by wire or wirelessly to a touchpad T attached to the steering wheel (the steering wheel of a car in this embodiment) shown in Figure 2, and accepts operations made by the driver on the touchpad T. In other words, the touchpad T is one of the input devices for the in-vehicle navigation device NV.

[0030] [1. Overview of the navigation device NV] The navigation device NV of this embodiment has an estimation function that estimates the destination, stops, and points of interest of the vehicle driver. The estimation function uses the driver's past driving history, the driver's movements captured by a camera installed inside the vehicle, and the driver's biological information (body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) acquired by a biological sensor.

[0031] The navigation device NV narrows down the multiple points estimated by the estimation function using predetermined narrowing conditions, and displays point icons representing the points on the map on the screen. The predetermined narrowing conditions include, for example, a condition that the multiple estimated points are in the top n places when sorted in an arbitrary order (for example, in order of the number of times the driver has visited), or a condition that the points are at or above a predetermined rank.

[0032] The navigation device NV has a display function for displaying a map or the like on a display, and a selection candidate point determination function. Specifically, the navigation device NV displays a map on a screen 300 of the display, as shown in FIG. 3. The navigation device NV also displays, on the map, point icons 301A and 301B (the point icons may be collectively referred to as point icons 301) representing points estimated by the estimation function and narrowed down based on predetermined narrowing conditions, and a frame image 302. The frame image 302 is displayed fixedly on the screen 300 and does not move in response to an operation of the touchpad T by the driver. On the other hand, the point icon 301 moves together with the map in response to an operation of the touchpad T.

[0033] The frame image 302 may be displayed at any position within the screen 300. When a touchpad T is provided as shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable to place the frame image 302 in the right half of the screen 300 so that the operator can easily operate it. The frame image 301 may be displayed simultaneously with the display of the location icon 301, or may be displayed when a predetermined driver action (sometimes referred to as a "related action") related to the displayed location icon 301 is detected after the location icon 301 is displayed. Examples of the driver action that is predetermined related to the location icon 301 include an action of directing the face or gaze toward the displayed location icon 301, and an action of attempting to move the location icon 301 (for example, an operation of touching the touchpad T). These actions are detected from an image captured by a camera installed in the vehicle cabin or by the touchpad T. In this way, by displaying the frame image 302 in response to the driver's action, the frame image 302 can be displayed only when the driver intends to select a location, such as when the driver is interested in the location represented by the location icon. This prevents unnecessary frame images 302 from being displayed on the screen 300, allowing the driver to concentrate on driving.

[0034] The frame image 302 serves as a target for moving the location icon 301, and when the location icon 301 is included within the area on the screen 300 indicated by the frame image 302, the navigation device NV determines the location represented by the location icon 301 as a candidate location for selection (hereinafter, the area indicated by the frame image 302 (the area surrounded by the frame image 302) is referred to as the "selection area").

[0035] The frame image 302 may take any form as long as it represents the selected area. When the selected area is represented by a dotted line or a line as shown in Figure 3, the color and density of the line do not matter (the line may be semi-transparent).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, when the navigation device NV determines that the location icon 301A is included in the selection area represented by the frame image 302, the navigation device NV changes the display mode of the location icon 301. For example, the navigation device NV may enlarge, change the color of, or blink the location icon 301A. This allows the driver to recognize that the location represented by the location icon 301A has been determined as a selection candidate location. Then, when the navigation device NV receives a further selection confirmation operation (e.g., an operation of tapping the touchpad T) by the driver on the touchpad T after the selection candidate location has been determined, the navigation device NV determines the selection candidate location as a location to be selected. Note that the navigation device NV may set the determined selection candidate location as a destination or a stop-off point and provide route guidance.

[0037] [2. Configuration of the navigation device NV] Next, the configuration of the navigation device NV according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the navigation device NV includes a control unit 211, a storage device 212 including an HDD or the like, an input device 213 including a keyboard, a remote controller, a touch panel or the like, a display unit 214, a bus line 215, an input / output interface unit 220, a vehicle speed sensor 221, an angular velocity sensor 222, an acceleration sensor 223, a steering angle sensor 224, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit 225, a data transmitting / receiving unit 226, a wireless communication unit 227, a camera 228, and a biometric sensor 229.

[0038] The vehicle speed sensor 221 detects the current speed of the vehicle using a speed detection process using, for example, a vehicle speed pulse acquired from the vehicle in which the navigation device NV is installed, and outputs speed data. The angular velocity sensor 222 detects, for example, the angular velocity of the vehicle, which is a change in direction, and outputs angular velocity data and relative direction data per unit time. The acceleration sensor 223 detects, for example, the acceleration of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and outputs acceleration data per unit time. The steering angle sensor 224 detects the steering angle of the vehicle and outputs steering angle data, etc. The GPS receiver 225 receives navigation radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs GPS positioning data, such as latitude, longitude, and altitude data, absolute direction data of the vehicle's traveling direction, and GPS speed data. The data transmitter / receiver 226 performs processing related to data transmission and reception with a server device that provides services to the navigation device NV via a network (not shown). The wireless communication unit 227 performs processing related to wireless road-to-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication. The camera 228 is installed inside the vehicle cabin and captures images of the driver or the interior of the vehicle. The biometric sensor 229 is installed inside the vehicle cabin and acquires biometric information of the driver.

[0039] The storage device 212 stores map image data for displaying a map on the display unit 214, map information used when searching for a route, road link information, etc. The storage device 212 also stores an operating system, various programs such as application programs (including programs for realizing the estimation function, display function, and selection candidate point determination function described above). Note that the various programs may be obtained, for example, from a server device or the like via a network, or may be read from a recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB memory.

[0040] The input device 213 is configured with a touch panel T, a keyboard, a mouse, other controllers, etc., and receives input operations from the user and transmits operation signals indicating the operation contents to the control unit 211.

[0041] The display unit 214 displays various display data under the control of the control unit 211. The display unit 214 is configured to include a graphics controller 214a, a buffer memory 214b consisting of a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), and a display 214c consisting of a liquid crystal display or the like. In this configuration, the graphics controller 214a controls the entire display unit 214 based on control data sent from the control unit 211 via a bus line 215. The buffer memory 214b also temporarily stores image information that can be displayed immediately. Images are then displayed on the display 214c based on the image data output from the graphics controller 214a.

[0042] The control unit 211 is made up of a CPU 211a that controls the entire control unit 211, a ROM 211b in which control programs and the like that control the control unit 211 are stored in advance, and a RAM 211c that temporarily stores various data. The control unit 211 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 221, an angular velocity sensor 222, an acceleration sensor 223, a steering angle sensor 224, and a GPS receiving unit 225 via a bus line 215 and an input / output interface unit 220, and controls the entire navigation device NV and the operations of various components such as a display unit 214 based on the speed data, angular velocity data, relative direction data, steering angle data, GPS positioning data, absolute direction data of the vehicle's traveling direction, acceleration data, and the like output from each of these sensors.

[0043] The control unit 211 executes processes for realizing the estimation function, the display function, and the selection candidate point determination function described above. The control unit 211 or the CPU 211a functions as the reception means, the display control means, and the determination means of the present invention.

[0044] [3. Example of operation of navigation device NV] Next, an example of the operation of the selected point determination process by the navigation device NV will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the selected point determination process.

[0045] First, the control unit 211 of the navigation device NV causes the display 214c to display a map including the current position of the vehicle equipped with the navigation device NV (step S11). Next, the control unit 211 uses an estimation function to estimate the driver's destination or stop-off points (step S12). Next, the control unit 211 narrows down the destinations or stop-off points estimated in the processing of step S12 based on the predetermined narrowing conditions described above to set them as candidate destinations or candidate stop-off points (step S13). Next, the control unit 211 causes point icons 301 indicating the candidate destinations or candidate stop-off points, respectively, to be displayed on the map (step S14). However, if the candidate destinations or candidate stop-off points are outside the area displayed on the map screen, the point icons 301 are displayed only when the map is scrolled so that the area comes within the screen. Alternatively, the scale of the map may be changed to display point icons 301 representing all candidate destinations or candidate stop-off points.

[0046] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether or not a related action (a driver's action previously set in relation to the location icon 301) has been detected within a predetermined time (for example, within 10 seconds) since the location icon 301 was displayed in the process of step S14 (step S15). If the control unit 211 determines that a related action has not been detected within the predetermined time (step S15: NO), the control unit 211 proceeds to the process of step S12. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that a related action has been detected within the predetermined time (step S15: YES), the control unit 211 causes the frame image 302 to be displayed on the display 214c (step S16).

[0047] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether or not a moving operation (operation of tracing the touchpad T) for moving the location icon 301 (and the map) has been detected within a predetermined time (for example, within 5 seconds) since the frame image 302 was displayed in the processing of step S16 (step S17). If the control unit 211 determines that a moving operation for moving the location icon 301 (and the map) has not been detected within the predetermined time (step S17: NO), the control unit 211 hides the frame image 302 (step S18) and proceeds to the processing of step S12. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that a moving operation for moving the location icon 301 (and the map) has been detected within the predetermined time (step S17: YES), the control unit 211 moves and displays the map and location icon 301 in accordance with the moving operation (step S19).

[0048] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether the one location icon 301 is included in the selection area represented by the frame image 302 (step S20). If the control unit 211 determines that the one location icon 301 is not included in the selection area represented by the frame image 302 (step S20: NO), the control unit 211 proceeds to the processing of step S17. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that the one location icon 301 is included in the selection area represented by the frame image 302 (step S20: YES), the control unit 211 determines the location represented by the one location icon 301 as a selection candidate location, and enlarges and displays the one location icon 301 (an example of a change in display mode) (step S21).

[0049] Next, the control unit 211 determines whether a selection confirmation operation (an operation of tapping the touchpad T) has been detected within a predetermined time (for example, within 3 seconds) since the location icon 301 was enlarged in the processing of step S21 (step S22). If the control unit 211 determines that a selection confirmation operation has not been detected within the predetermined time since the location icon 301 was enlarged (step S22: NO), the control unit 211 proceeds to the processing of step S18. On the other hand, if the control unit 211 determines that a selection confirmation operation has been detected within the predetermined time since the location icon 301 was enlarged (step S22: YES), the control unit 211 determines the selection candidate location as the selected location (step S23), and ends the selected location determination processing.

[0050] As described above, the navigation device NV (an example of a "determination device") of this embodiment has a control unit 211 (an example of an "acceptance means," "display control means," or "determination means") that accepts operations by the driver (an example of an "operator") on the touchpad T (an example of an "operation unit") attached to the steering wheel H of an automobile (an example of a "mobile body"), displays a location icon 301 (an example of a "location image") representing a location to be presented to the driver on a map displayed on the screen 300 of the display 214c, moves the position of the location icon 301 on the screen 300 in accordance with the accepted operation, and determines a candidate selection location to be selected based on the positional relationship between the location icon 301 and the selection area (an example of a "selection unit") on the screen 300.

[0051] Therefore, with the navigation device NV according to this embodiment, the driver can set the point to be selected as a candidate point by operating the touchpad T so that the positional relationship between the point icon 301 representing the point to be selected and the selection area on the screen 300 is such that the point to be selected becomes a candidate point. In other words, the driver can determine the candidate point to be selected from the points displayed on the map without having to take his / her hands off the steering wheel H to operate the touchpad T.

[0052] Furthermore, the destination and stopover points estimated in the process of step S12 are points related to the driver based on the driver's past driving history, etc. This makes it possible to present points of interest to the driver. Note that the stopover points may be points on the route the driver is traveling, and if driving on the left side is set in advance for the roads on which the vehicle is traveling, it is preferable that the stopover points be points on the left side of the route. This makes it possible to present points where the driver can easily stop, improving convenience for the driver.

[0053] Furthermore, the control unit 211 displays a location icon 301 on the map including the location to which the vehicle is currently moving. In this case, the driver can set a location near the current location as a selection candidate location.

[0054] In this embodiment, the process of step S13 presents candidate destinations and candidate stopover locations narrowed down using predetermined narrowing conditions. However, the number of displayed location icons 301 may be limited using predetermined narrowing conditions, and a preset number of location icons 301 may be displayed. In this case, it is possible to prevent a large number of location icons 301 from being displayed, which may cause the driver to become confused about which location icon 301 to move into the selection area. Furthermore, because the location icon 301 representing the desired location to be selected is moved so as to be included in the selection area (if a large number of location icons 301 are displayed, a location represented by an unintended location icon 301 may become the selected candidate location), the driver does not have to concentrate on operations to move the location icon 301, and therefore, the driver can maintain their concentration on driving.

[0055] [4. Modifications] Next, modifications of the above embodiment will be described. The modifications described below can be combined as appropriate.

[0056] [4.1. Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the map and location icon 301 are moved in accordance with operations on the touchpad T, but instead, the frame image 302 representing the selected area may be moved in accordance with operations on the touchpad T.

[0057] [4.2. Variation 2] The control unit 211 may display a selection area of ​​a size that does not simultaneously include multiple location icons 301, depending on the scale of the displayed map. In this case, it is possible to prevent multiple location icons 301 from being simultaneously included in the selection area, and multiple locations from becoming candidate locations for selection.

[0058] [4.3. Variation 3] When the scale of the displayed map allows multiple location icons 301 to be included in the selection area at the same time, the control unit 211 may change the scale to one that does not allow multiple location icons 301 to be included in the selection area at the same time. This prevents multiple location icons 301 from being included in the selection area at the same time, and multiple locations from becoming candidate locations for selection.

[0059] [4.4. Variation 4] When the selection area includes multiple location icons 301 as a result of moving the map and location icons 301 in accordance with the driver's operation, the control unit 211 may display corresponding images 303A and 303B corresponding to location icons 301A and 302A included in the selection area outside the selection area, as shown in Fig. 7, and may move the positions of corresponding images 303A and 303B on screen 300 in accordance with further operation by the driver, and when corresponding images 303A and 303B are included in the selection area, determine the locations represented by the included corresponding images 303A and 303B as selection candidate locations. This makes it possible to narrow down the number of corresponding images 303A and 303B corresponding to location icons 301A and 301B included in the selection area.

[0060] [4.5. Variation 5] The control unit 211 may determine, as a result of the received operation, the location represented by the location icon 301 as a selection candidate location when the distance between the location icon 301 and the selection area on the screen 300 has decreased since the location icon 301 was displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the control unit 211 may determine, as a selection candidate location, the location represented by the location icon 301 when the distance between the location icon 301 and the selection area (the distance between the center (center of gravity) of the selection area and the center (center of gravity) of the location icon 301) has decreased by a predetermined percentage or more since the location icon 301 was initially displayed. Furthermore, the control unit 211 may determine, as a selection candidate location when the number of pixels corresponding to the distance between the location icon 301 and the selection area is equal to or less than a predetermined number of pixels. In other words, in this modified example, a selection candidate location can be determined even if the location icon 301 is not included in the selection area. In this case, the driver can set the desired location as a selection candidate location by performing an operation to decrease the distance between the location icon 301 representing the desired location on the screen 300 and the selection area.

[0061] [4.6. Variation 6] In the above embodiment, a selection candidate location is determined as a selection target based on the positional relationship of the selection area represented by the location icon 301 and the frame image 302 on the screen 300. However, instead of a selection area, a selection unit 304 may be set. The selection unit 304 is formed by at least a part of the edge of the screen 300. In the example of FIG. 9 , a linear selection unit 304 is set on the upper right edge of the screen 300. Note that one or more edges of the screen 300 may be set as the selection unit 304. In this case, when the control unit 211 determines that the location icon 301A has moved and come into contact with the selection unit 304 due to an operation on the touchpad T, the control unit 211 determines the location represented by the location icon 301A as a selection candidate location. Furthermore, as described in the above modification example 5, when the control unit 211 determines that the location icon 301A has moved and the distance between the location icon 301A and the selection unit 304 has decreased, the control unit 211 may determine the location represented by the location icon 301A as a selection candidate location. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1 decision device 111A Reception method 111B Display control means 111C Determining means NV navigation device 211 Control Unit 211a CPU 211b ROM 211c RAM 212 Storage device 213 Input Device 214 Display Unit 214a graphics controller 214b Buffer memory 214c Display 215 Bus Line 220 Input / Output Interface Section 221 Vehicle speed sensor 222 Angular rate sensor 223 Accelerometer 224 Steering Angle Sensor 225 GPS receiver 226 Data transmission and reception unit 227 Radio Communication Department H Handle T Touchpad

Claims

[Claim 1] a receiving means for receiving an operation by an operator on an operating unit attached to a handle of the moving body; a display control means for displaying a location image representing a location to be presented to the operator on a map on a screen, and for moving a position on the screen of the location image or a position of a selection section set on the screen in response to the operation; a determining means for determining a selection candidate point to be selected based on a positional relationship between the point image and the selection unit; A determination device comprising:

Images