Information processing device

Abstract

To improve usability in a device that displays a map.SOLUTION: Provided is an information processing device capable of displaying a map in one of a first display form and a second display form whose display areas on the screen of a display device are mutually different. The information processing device has a control unit that executes switching between the first and second display forms on the basis of a first operation performed by a user, and changing the scale of the map being displayed, on the basis of a second operation performed by the user. When the second operation is performed while displaying the map in the first display form, the control unit changes the scale with which the map is displayed in the first display form and does not change the scale with which the map is displayed in the second display form.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in-vehicle navigation devices capable of displaying various types of information have emerged. In this context, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle terminal capable of displaying a plurality of contents in widget form.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure aims to improve user usability in a device for displaying a map.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus capable of displaying a map in either a first display form or a second display form, each having a different display area on the screen of a display device, the information processing apparatus having a control unit that switches between the first display form and the second display form based on a first operation performed by a user, and changes a scale of the map being displayed based on a second operation performed by the user, and when the second operation is performed while the map is being displayed in the first display form, the control unit changes the scale when the map is displayed in the first display form and does not change the scale when the map is displayed in the second display form.

[0006] Other embodiments include a method executed by the above-mentioned information processing device, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, usability in a device that displays maps can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] An example of displaying a road map using the first display mode. [Figure 3] An example of displaying a road map using the second display mode. [Figure 4] An example of configuration data stored in the memory unit. [Figure 5] An example of the screen when the display mode is switched. [Figure 6] A flowchart of the processes performed by the in-vehicle device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] In recent years, in-car devices capable of displaying various types of content on their screens (typically navigation systems) have emerged. Conventional navigation systems primarily featured full-screen displays, with users switching between road map screens, television screens, audio screens, and other displays. However, in recent years, in-car devices have emerged that can display individual applications separately in windows, similar to smartphones and personal computers. With such devices, for example, a specific application can be kept resident on the screen using a floating window, while another application is displayed in the background.

[0010] However, when displaying a road map within a window, there is a problem in that the readability of the road map changes depending on the size of the window.

[0011] For example, consider switching a road map from full-screen to windowed view. In this case, the map's display area decreases, which could result in parts of the screen being cut off before and after the switch.

[0012] For example, consider a scenario where a road map is displayed in full screen at a scale of 1:10,000, and the window size is reduced to one-quarter of its original size after a switch. In this case, the area of ​​the map visible to the vehicle's occupants is also reduced to one-quarter. In other words, three-quarters of the previously displayed map area is cut off. This can lead to a decrease in usability, such as losing track of the relative positions of the vehicle and the destination.

[0013] To solve this problem, it is preferable to have separate map scales for each display mode, for example, "display the map at a scale of 1:10,000 in full-screen mode" and "display the map at a scale of 1:20,000 in windowed mode." The information processing device described herein solves this problem.

[0014] An information processing device according to one aspect of this disclosure is an information processing device capable of displaying a map in either a first display mode or a second display mode, each having a different display area on the screen of the display device. Specifically, the system includes a control unit that, based on a first operation performed by the user, switches between the first display mode and the second display mode, and based on a second operation performed by the user, changes the scale of the displayed map, wherein the control unit changes the scale when displaying the map in the first display mode, but does not change the scale when displaying the map in the second display mode, if the second operation is performed while the map is being displayed in the first display mode.

[0015] In the first display form and the second display form, the display area of the map on the screen of the display device is different. For example, when the first display form is a form that displays a map using the entire screen area (full screen display), the second display form can be a form that displays a map using a partial area of the screen (window display). The control unit can switch between the first display form and the second display form at an arbitrary timing based on a user operation (first operation).

[0016] In addition, the control unit can accept an operation (second operation) for changing the scale of the map. However, when the set values of the scale are linked between the first display form and the second display form, a problem such as a decrease in readability as described above may occur. For example, consider a case where the first display form is a form that displays a map in full screen, and the second display form is a form that displays a map in a window on a part of the screen. At this time, when the user sets the scale to 1 / 10,000 in the first display form, if the scale in the second display form is also set to 1 / 10,000, the same range cannot be continuously displayed before and after the change of the display form. shown continuously.

[0017] Therefore, when a scale change operation is performed while the map is being displayed in the first display form, the control unit changes only the scale in the case of displaying the map in the first display form. That is, the scale setting corresponding to the first display form and the scale setting corresponding to the second display form are held separately, and when a scale change operation is performed, only the scale setting corresponding to the current display form is changed. When switching from the first display form to the second display form, the map is output by applying the scale setting corresponding to the second display form. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform a scale change operation independently for each display form.

[0018] The information processing device may have a storage unit that stores a first value, which is a set value of the scale applied when displaying the map in the first display mode, and a second value, which is a set value of the scale applied when displaying the map in the second display mode. In this case, the control unit may update only the first value when the second operation is performed while the map is displayed in the first display mode.

[0019] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configurations, module configurations, functional configurations, etc., described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations alone.

[0020] (First embodiment) An overview of the in-vehicle device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. The in-vehicle device 100 according to this embodiment is a device mounted in a vehicle 10 that provides information to the occupants of the vehicle 10. The in-vehicle device 100 is also called a car navigation system, infotainment system, or head unit. The in-vehicle device 100 can provide navigation and entertainment to the occupants of the vehicle. The in-vehicle device 100 may have a function for wireless communication with an external network. The in-vehicle device 100 may have a function for downloading traffic information, road map data, music, videos, etc., by communicating with the vehicle's external network. The in-vehicle device 100 may also be a device that can be linked with a smartphone or the like.

[0021] The in-vehicle device 100 can be configured as a computer having a processor such as a CPU or GPU, main memory such as RAM or ROM, and auxiliary storage such as an EPROM, hard disk drive, or removable media. The auxiliary storage contains an operating system (OS), various programs, various tables, etc., and by executing the programs stored therein, various functions that match a predetermined purpose, as described later, can be realized. However, some or all of the functions may be realized by hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0022] The in-vehicle device 100 comprises a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication unit 103, an input / output unit 104, and a location information acquisition unit 105.

[0023] The control unit 101 is a computing unit that realizes various functions of the in-vehicle device 100 by executing a predetermined program. The control unit 101 may be implemented by, for example, a CPU. The control unit 101 is configured with two functional modules: a navigation unit 1011 and a function execution unit 1012. Each functional module may be implemented by executing a stored program using a CPU.

[0024] The navigation unit 1011 provides navigation functions to the occupants of the vehicle 10. The navigation unit 1011 can render and output a road map based on road map data stored in the storage unit 102, which will be described later. It also has the function of generating and guiding a route for the vehicle 10 from its starting point to its destination based on destination information obtained from the occupants of the vehicle 10. The navigation unit 1011 provides the above functions by executing an application program that has the functions of displaying a road map and providing route guidance.

[0025] The function-providing unit 1012 performs various functions other than navigation, which are provided by the in-vehicle device 100. Examples of functions provided by the in-vehicle device 100 include the following: • Terminal link function This function connects to devices (such as smartphones) carried by the vehicle's occupants, enabling playback of music and videos, screen mirroring, and other similar functions. • Audio function This function allows you to play music stored on a storage device. • TV / radio function This function allows you to receive radio broadcasts and digital television broadcasts. These functions can be provided, for example, via the input / output unit 104 (typically a touch panel display). The function provisioning unit 1012, like the navigation unit 1011, also provides these functions by executing the corresponding application program.

[0026] The application program executed by the navigation unit 1011 can display the road map in multiple display modes. These multiple display modes are modes in which the display area of ​​the road map on the screen differs in each mode. The first display mode (first display configuration) is a mode in which the road map is displayed across the entire screen of the display of the in-vehicle device 100 (fullscreen mode). Figure 2 shows an example of the road map displayed using the first display mode. In the first display mode, the road map is displayed across the entire screen of the display of the in-vehicle device 100.

[0027] The second display mode (second display form) is a mode in which the road map is displayed within a window (window mode). Figure 3 shows an example of the road map displayed using the second display mode. In the second display mode, the map is displayed within a floating window that can be resized to any size and moved to any coordinate. In the second display mode, for example, the window can be moved by dragging the inside of the window. The size of the window can also be changed by dragging the window's border.

[0028] Furthermore, the navigation unit 1011 and the function provision unit 1012 can execute multiple application programs simultaneously. In this case, the background area (for example, the area indicated by reference numeral 301) may display screens output by other application programs running simultaneously.

[0029] In order for the navigation unit 1011 to display a road map in a window of any size, the following information is required. Window width • Window height • Window position information (for example, the coordinates of the top-left corner) The navigation unit 1011 maintains this information (hereinafter referred to as window properties) for each display mode. Furthermore, the navigation unit 1011 individually maintains the road map scale setting for each display mode. The specific data structure will be described later.

[0030] The memory unit 102 is a means for storing information and is composed of storage media such as RAM, magnetic disks, and flash memory. The memory unit 102 stores various programs executed by the control unit 101, data used by those programs, etc. In addition, the memory unit 102 stores road map data 102A and setting data 102B.

[0031] The road map data 102A is map data of roads that the vehicle 10 can travel on. The navigation unit 1011 renders an image using the road map data 102A to draw the road map.

[0032] The configuration data 102B is data that includes the aforementioned window properties and is used by the navigation unit 1011. Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration data 102B. The configuration data 102B includes information identifying the display mode, window properties, and scaling settings. Window properties are the window's position and size information, which can be defined by the width, height, and coordinates of the top-left corner, as described above. Note that window properties can be omitted when the display mode is fullscreen.

[0033] The information regarding the scale setting is a numerical value representing the scale of the road map. For example, if the road map can be displayed at multiple scale levels, the currently selected scale setting value is stored. The scale setting value can take on multiple values, such as 1:5000, 1:10,000, 1:20,000, etc. Note that the scale setting may be stepless.

[0034] When the navigation unit 1011 generates a new road map screen, it refers to the setting data 102B to determine its position and size. For example, when displaying a new road map in full-screen mode, the navigation unit 1011 retrieves the record corresponding to full-screen mode from the setting data 102B and uses the window properties included in that record to draw the road map. Similarly, when displaying a new road map in windowed mode, the navigation unit 1011 retrieves the record corresponding to windowed mode from the setting data 102B and uses the window properties included in that record to draw the road map.

[0035] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 1. The communication unit 103 is a communication interface for connecting the in-vehicle device 100 to the bus of the in-vehicle network and to external devices, respectively. The communication unit 103 performs CAN (Controller Area Network) communication within the vehicle. It may include an interface. Furthermore, the communication unit 103 may include an antenna and a communication module for wireless communication with the outside. The antenna is an antenna element that inputs and outputs wireless signals. In this embodiment, the antenna is suitable for mobile communication (for example, mobile communication such as 3G, 4G, and 5G). The communication module is a module for performing mobile communication.

[0036] The input / output unit 104 is a means for receiving input operations performed by the user and presenting information to the user. Specifically, the input / output unit 104 consists of a touch panel and its control means, and a liquid crystal display and its control means. In this embodiment, the touch panel and liquid crystal display consist of a single touch panel display. The input / output unit 104 also includes a unit for outputting audio (amplifier or speaker), a unit for inputting audio (microphone), etc. That's fine.

[0037] The location information acquisition unit 105 acquires location information of the vehicle 10. The location information acquisition unit 105 includes a GPS antenna and a positioning module for determining location information. The GPS antenna is an antenna that receives positioning signals transmitted from positioning satellites (also called GNSS satellites). The positioning module is a module that calculates location information based on the signals received by the GPS antenna. The location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 105 is used by the navigation unit 1011 and the function provision unit 1012.

[0038] Next, we will explain the scale settings used by the navigation unit 1011. As described above, the in-vehicle device 100 according to this embodiment can set the display mode of the running application program to either full-screen mode or windowed mode at any time. Figure 5 illustrates the change in display when switching from full-screen mode to windowed mode while viewing a road map.

[0039] For example, suppose a road map is displayed in full-screen mode, as shown in (A) in the figure. Now consider the case where the display mode is switched to windowed mode. If the scale is linked in both display modes, the area around the vehicle will be cropped, as shown in (B). The scale is the same before and after changing the display mode (for example, 1:10,000), but because the display range of the map becomes narrower, the area that was displayed before the change may become invisible. To prevent this, it is preferable not to link the scale before and after changing the display mode.

[0040] Now, let's consider the case where the scale setting is maintained individually for each display mode. For example, suppose the scale is set to 1 / 10,000 in full-screen mode and 1 / 20,000 in windowed mode. In this case, as shown in (C), almost the same area will continue to be displayed before and after the change in display mode. By providing individual scale settings for each display mode, vehicle occupants can set their preferred scale for each display mode. This helps to prevent the occupants from feeling uncomfortable due to changes in the display area.

[0041] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the processes performed by the in-vehicle device 100 in this embodiment. The illustrated processes are initiated by the navigation unit 1011 when the user (vehicle occupant) performs an operation on the in-vehicle device 100 to change the display mode or change the map scale.

[0042] First, in step S10, the type of operation performed by the user is determined. The operation is either "changing the scale of the road map" or "changing the display mode". If the determined operation is an operation to change the scale of the road map, the process proceeds to step S11.

[0043] In step S11, the changed scale is determined. For example, if the scale can be changed in multiple steps, the changed scale can be determined based on the operation (e.g., the number of times the button for changing the scale is pressed). Also, if the scale can be changed by pinch gestures on the screen, the changed scale can be determined based on the amount of that gesture.

[0044] Next, in step S12, a value representing the changed scale is written to the scale setting field in the record corresponding to the current display mode among the records in the setting data 102B. For example, if the current display mode is fullscreen mode, the field indicated by reference numeral 401 in Figure 4 will be written with a value representing the changed scale. Also, if the current display mode is windowed mode, the field indicated by reference numeral 402 in Figure 4 will be written with a value representing the changed scale. Next, in step S13, the road map with the modified scale applied is rendered and output.

[0045] If the operation determined in step S10 is an operation to change the display mode, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0046] Step S21 identifies the display mode after the change. The display mode is either fullscreen mode or windowed mode. In step S22, the scale corresponding to the changed display mode is obtained. Specifically, the record corresponding to the changed display mode is obtained from the setting data 102B, and the value stored in the scale setting field is retrieved. The obtained value is then set as the scale of the road map. Next, in step S23, the window display mode is changed to the specified mode. In this step, the window settings are obtained from the record acquired in step S22, and the window position and size are set according to those settings.

[0047] As described above, the in-vehicle device according to this embodiment is a device that can display a road map using two display modes, full-screen display and window display, and has the characteristic of individually maintaining the scale setting value for each display mode. If the scale setting is linked between different display modes, the readability of the map may change due to the change in display area, but in this embodiment, since the scale is individually maintained for each display mode, it is possible to suppress the sense of discomfort given to the user.

[0048] (Modification of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, a full-screen display mode was exemplified as the first display form for the road map, and a floating window display mode was exemplified as the second display form. However, the display forms (display modes) are not limited to those exemplified. For example, the first display form may be a full-screen display mode, and the second display form may be a floating window display mode. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 100 may have multiple display modes, such as a mode that divides the screen vertically and horizontally and displays a road map in a fixed area, or a mode that displays the road map as a widget. There may also be three or more display modes. In this case, the settings shown in Figure 4 may be maintained for each display mode, and the settings may be read and applied according to the selected mode.

[0049] (modified version) The embodiments described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence. For example, the processes and means described in this disclosure can be freely combined and implemented, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0050] Furthermore, a process described as being performed by a single device may be divided and executed by multiple devices. Conversely, a process described as being performed by different devices may be executed by a single device. In a computer system, the hardware configuration (server configuration) by which each function is implemented can be flexibly changed.

[0051] This disclosure provides a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments. This can also be achieved by supplying the program to a computer, which then reads and executes the program on one or more of its processors. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer via a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. Non-temporary computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk such as magnetic disks (floppy disks, hard disk drives (HDDs), etc.), optical disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic cards, flash memory, optical cards, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 100...In-vehicle equipment 101... Control Unit 102...Storage section 103... Communications Department 104...Input / output section 105...Location information acquisition unit

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of displaying a map in either a first display mode or a second display mode, each having a different display area on the screen of the display device, The first display mode is a mode in which the map is displayed across the entire screen, and the second display mode is a mode in which an image output by an application program other than the application program that performs the display of the map is displayed across the entire screen, and at the same time, the map is displayed in a window on a part of the screen. At a minimum, the scale applied when displaying the map in the first display mode, the scale applied when displaying the map in the second display mode, and the size of the window which is the area where the map is displayed when displaying the map in the second display mode are changeable. A storage unit that stores, at least, the identification information of the first display mode and a first value which is a scale setting value applied when the map is displayed in the first display mode, set by the user, in association with each other, and stores, at least, the identification information of the second display mode and a second value which is a scale setting value applied when the map is displayed in the second display mode, set by the user, and size information which is a window size setting value applied when the map is displayed in the second display mode, set by the user, in association with each other. Based on the first operation performed by the user, the first display mode and the second display mode are switched, Based on the second operation performed by the user, the scale of the displayed map is changed, A control unit that performs the following: It has, When the second operation is performed while the map is being displayed in the first display mode, the control unit changes the first value stored in the storage unit in order to change the scale when displaying the map in the first display mode, and does not change the second value stored in the storage unit in order to not change the scale when displaying the map in the second display mode. The control unit, after the second operation is performed while the map is displayed in the first display mode, switches the map display mode from the first display mode to the second display mode. When the operation is performed, the second value stored in the memory unit is applied as the setting value for the map scale, and the size information stored in the memory unit is applied as the setting value for the window size, and the map is displayed in a window on a part of the screen. Information processing device.

2. Furthermore, the position of the window on the screen, which is applied when displaying the map in the second display mode, is changeable. The storage unit stores, in association with the identification information of the second display mode set by the user, the second value set by the user, the size information set by the user, and the position information which is the setting value of the window position applied when displaying the map in the second display mode, set by the user. If the first operation is performed to switch the map display mode from the first display mode to the second display mode after the second operation is performed while the map is being displayed in the first display mode, the control unit further applies the position information stored in the storage unit as the setting value for the window's position information, and displays the map in a window on a part of the screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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