Navigation system

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a navigation device Place .

Background Art

[0002] The vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a navigation device. The navigation device includes a control unit and a display device. The control unit stores map data. The control unit acquires information on the current position of the vehicle on which it is mounted. The control unit causes the display device to display a map image around the current position of the vehicle. At the same time, the control unit causes an icon indicating the current position of the vehicle to be displayed on the map image.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with a navigation device such as Patent Document 1, there are cases where a driver wants to make a driving plan later while grasping the movement trend of other vehicles. In this case, a configuration of the navigation device that acquires the position information of other vehicles and displays the current position of other vehicles on the map image of the display device can be considered. However, when the current position of the host vehicle and the current position of other vehicles are far apart, depending on the scale of the map image displayed by the navigation device, other vehicles may not be displayed on the map image. In this case, in order to display other vehicles on the map image, the driver of the host vehicle has to adjust the scale and display range of the map image, which is troublesome.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A navigation device for solving the above problems is mounted in a vehicle and comprises an information processing device that stores map data in advance, a display that displays an image corresponding to the information output by the information processing device, and an input device that inputs information to the information processing device from an external source. The information processing device is capable of: acquiring information on the current location of a plurality of pre-registered vehicles, including its own vehicle; displaying a navigation image on the display in which icons indicating the current location of the vehicles are superimposed on a map image of the target area; generating a normal image as the target area, which includes the current location of the own vehicle; an overall image as the target area, which includes the current location of all the vehicles; and a confirmation image as the target area, which includes the current location of a target vehicle specified by input from the input device among the plurality of vehicles; and switching between the three types of display methods of the navigation image in accordance with the input from the input device.

[0006] A navigation program to solve the above problems causes a computer to perform the following actions: acquire information on the current location of multiple pre-registered vehicles, including the own vehicle; output a navigation image to the outside in which icons indicating the current location of the vehicles are superimposed on a map image of the target area; generate a normal image as the target area, which includes the current location of the own vehicle; an overall image as the target area, which includes the current location of all the vehicles; and a confirmation image as the target area, which includes the current location of a target vehicle specified by input from the device among the multiple vehicles; and switch between the three types of display methods of the navigation image in response to external input. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Each of the above technological concepts can improve convenience in planning operations while taking into account the movements of other vehicles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the navigation system. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the sequence of steps in the processing routine. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a normal image. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the overall image. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a verification image. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <Overall Structure> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the navigation device and navigation program will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a navigation device 50. Hereinafter, the vehicle 10 equipped with the navigation device 50 will be referred to as the vehicle 10. The navigation device 50 comprises an information processing device 20, a display 30, and a position receiver 40. The information processing device 20 is a computer located inside the vehicle 10. The information processing device 20 may also be a portable terminal owned by the driver. The information processing device 20 comprises a CPU 21, a memory 22, and a communication circuit 23. The memory 22 pre-stores a navigation program W in which the processing to be executed by the CPU 21 is described. The communication circuit 23 is a circuit for wireless communication with the outside of the vehicle 10 via an external communication network. Hereinafter, when referring to vehicles in general, not just the vehicle 10, the term "vehicle" will be used without a reference numeral.

[0010] The display 30 is located inside the vehicle 10. The display 30 includes a drive circuit (not shown) and a display screen 32. The display 30 can communicate with the information processing device 20. The display 30 displays an image on the display screen 32 corresponding to the information output by the information processing device 20. The display 30 is a touch panel. When a user performs an input operation on the display screen 32, the display 30 outputs information corresponding to that input operation to the information processing device 20. In this way, the display 30 combines the function of a display device with the function of an input device that receives information from an external source to the information processing device 20.

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

[0012] The memory 22 of the information processing device 20 pre-stores map data M. The map data M includes information on multiple nodes and multiple links. Nodes indicate the positional coordinates of specific points on a road. Links are defined as line segments connecting adjacent nodes. Therefore, links represent roads.

[0013] The memory 22 of the information processing device 20 pre-stores base information for the vehicle 10 and multiple other vehicles 80. These multiple vehicles are pre-registered as vehicles that can share driving information with each other. The base information includes the vehicle ID and the vehicle's registered name. Note that the other vehicles 80 are equipped with the same navigation system as the vehicle 10. Figure 1 shows an example where there are two other vehicles 80. The number of other vehicles 80 is not limited to two.

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

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, when the CPU 21 starts a processing routine, it first executes the process in step S10. In step S10, the CPU 21 acquires or updates the driving information of the vehicle 10. The driving information includes the vehicle's current position, the vehicle's destination, the planned route from the current position to the destination, the estimated time to the destination, and the estimated time of arrival at the destination. Of the driving information, the estimated time and estimated time of arrival are collectively referred to as time information. Specifically, in step S10, the CPU 21 acquires the latest information about the vehicle 10's current position from the position receiver 40. Next, the CPU 21 acquires the destination from memory 22. Then, based on the destination and map data M, the CPU 21 calculates the planned route from the vehicle 10's current position to the destination. Next, based on the planned route, the CPU 21 calculates the estimated time from the vehicle 10's current position to the destination and the estimated time of arrival at the destination. The calculation of the planned route, estimated time, and estimated time of arrival by the CPU 21 corresponds to the CPU 21 acquiring this information. The CPU 21 obtains the current location of its own vehicle 10, the destination, the planned route, the estimated travel time, and the estimated arrival time, and stores this information as a single set of travel information in memory 22. At this time, if previously stored travel information exists, the CPU 21 overwrites that travel information with the new travel information. In this way, the CPU 21 updates the travel information. After this, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S20.

[0016] In step S20, the CPU 21 acquires or updates the driving information of each other vehicle 80. As a prerequisite for the processing in step S20, each other vehicle 80 repeatedly transmits driving information to its own vehicle 10. In step S20, the CPU 21 acquires the latest driving information transmitted from each other vehicle 80. If no destination is set for the other vehicle 80, the CPU 21 acquires only the current position of the other vehicle 80 as driving information. The CPU 21 stores the acquired driving information for each other vehicle 80 in memory 22 for each vehicle. Similar to the processing in step S10, if previously stored driving information for each other vehicle 80 exists, the CPU 21 overwrites that driving information with the new driving information. In this way, the CPU 21 updates the driving information for each other vehicle 80. After this, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S30.

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

[0018] In step S40, the CPU 21 causes the navigation image generated in step S30 to be displayed across the entire display screen 32 of the display 30. That is, the CPU 21 outputs to the display 30 the navigation image generated in step S30 and a command signal for causing this navigation image to be displayed across the entire display screen 32. After this, the CPU 21 advances the process to step S50. Note that when the CPU 21 causes the navigation image to be displayed on the display screen 32 by the process of step S40, it continues to display this navigation image until step S40 is executed next.

[0019] In step S50, the CPU 21 waits for a set time. The set time is a predetermined time, for example, a predetermined time of 1 second or less. The CPU 21 determines whether there has been a switching request during this set time. When there has been no operation from the driver to the display 30, the CPU 21 determines that there is no switching request (step S50: NO). In this case, the CPU 21 once ends the processing routine. Then, the CPU 21 returns to the processing of step S10.

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

[0021] In step S60, the CPU 21 updates the specified information. In step S60, the CPU 21 may also update the target vehicle information described later that is associated with the specified information. The method of updating the specified information and the like will be described later. When the CPU 21 updates the specified information, it once ends the processing routine. Then, the CPU 21 returns to the processing of step S10.

[0022] <Generation of Normal Image> The processing in step S30 will be described in detail. In step S30, if the current specified information indicates that a normal image G1 is specified, the CPU 21 generates a normal image G1. As shown in Figure 3, the normal image G1 is an image in which the target range of the map image that serves as the base for the normal image G1 includes the current position of the vehicle 10.

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

[0024] Next, the CPU 21 overlays multiple display items that reflect the vehicle 10's driving information onto the generated map image. Specifically, the CPU 21 overlays an icon Q1 representing the vehicle 10 at the vehicle 10's current location on the generated map image. The CPU 21 also overlays the string NAME, indicating the vehicle 10's registered name, near the icon Q1. Furthermore, the CPU 21 overlays a line Q2 of the same color on the vehicle 10's planned driving route on the generated map image. The CPU 21 also overlays the string TR, indicating the estimated time to the destination, near the line Q2 indicating the planned driving route. Although not shown in Figure 1, if the vehicle 10's destination is within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 overlays an icon indicating the destination on the map image. At the same time, the CPU 21 overlays a string indicating the estimated time of arrival around the destination icon. Furthermore, although not shown in Figure 1, if another vehicle 80 is present within the range of the generated map image, the CPU 21 overlays an icon indicating the current location of the other vehicle 80.

[0025] Next, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons onto the map image. The operation buttons include the overall button BY, the confirmation button BZ, the zoom in button BK1, the zoom out button BK2, and the exit button BE. The overall button BY is a button for inputting the first command signal to the CPU 21. The first command signal instructs the display 30 to switch the navigation image to the overall image G2. The overall button BY corresponds to the first button in the normal image G1. The confirmation button BZ is a button for inputting the second command signal to the CPU 21. The second command signal instructs the display 30 to switch the navigation image to the confirmation image G3. The confirmation button BZ corresponds to the second button in the normal image G1. For example, the CPU 21 places the overall button BY and the confirmation button BZ in the right corner of the map image. The zoom in button BK1 is a button for inputting a command signal to the CPU 21 to zoom the navigation image relative to the current scale. The zoom-out button BK2 is a button that inputs a command signal to the CPU 21 to reduce the navigation image relative to its current scale. The scale set by the zoom-in button BK1 or the zoom-out button BK2 is normally the scale of the map data predetermined in the image G1. The exit button BE is a button that inputs a command signal to the CPU 21 to end the display of the navigation image. The CPU 21 places the zoom-in button BK1, the zoom-out button BK2, and the exit button BE, for example, in the left corner of the map image.

[0026] <Generating the overall image> In step S30, CPU 21 generates overall image G2 if overall image G2 is specified in the current specified information. As shown in Figure 4, overall image G2 is an image in which the target range of the map image that serves as the base for overall image G2 includes the current location of all vehicles. More specifically, overall image G2 is an image in which the target range of the map image includes the current location of all vehicles as well as the destination of all vehicles. All vehicles refer to the vehicle itself 10 and all other vehicles 80, collectively.

[0027] In generating the overall image G2, the CPU 21 first defines the target area. The CPU 21 uses the virtual rectangular frame that has already been described to define the target area. Specifically, the CPU 21 first identifies the current position of all vehicles and the destination of all vehicles on the map data M based on the driving information of all vehicles. Then, the CPU 21 sets a virtual rectangular frame on the map data M so that the current position of all vehicles and the destination of all vehicles fit within the virtual rectangular frame. The CPU 21 then defines the entire area within this virtual rectangular frame as the target area. The target area of ​​the overall image G2 is the narrowest possible map area that includes the current position of all vehicles and the destination of all vehicles. Once the target area is defined, the CPU 21 generates a map image of this target area.

[0028] Next, the CPU 21 overlays various display items that reflect the driving information of each vehicle onto the generated map image. The display items, like the normal image G1, include an icon Q1 indicating the vehicle's current location, a string NAME indicating the vehicle's registered name, a line Q2 indicating the vehicle's planned route, a string TR indicating the time required to the destination, an icon Q3 indicating the destination, and a string TD indicating the estimated time of arrival at the destination. The date and time when the latest driving information was transmitted from each vehicle may also be added to the display items. The CPU 21 overlays each display item onto the map image for each vehicle. Note that the shape of the icon Q1 indicating the vehicle's current location differs between the own vehicle 10 and other vehicles 80. The icon Q1 for the own vehicle 10 is the same as that in the normal image G1. For example, the color of the icon Q1 for other vehicles 80 differs for each vehicle. This allows each other vehicle 80 to be distinguished from one another. For example, the color of the line Q2 indicating the planned route and the icon Q3 indicating the destination also differs for each vehicle.

[0029] Next, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons onto the map image. The operation buttons include a normal button BX, a confirmation button BZ, and an exit button BE. The normal button BX is a button for inputting a third command signal to the CPU 21. The third command signal instructs the display 30 to switch the navigation image to the normal image G1. The normal button BX corresponds to the first button in the overall image G2. The function of the confirmation button BZ is the same as described for the normal image G1. The confirmation button BZ corresponds to the second button in the overall image G2. The function of the exit button BE is the same as described for the normal image G1. Similar to the normal image G1, each operation button is placed, for example, at both the left and right corners of the map image.

[0030] <Generating confirmation image> In step S30, if confirmation image G3 is specified in the current specified information, CPU 21 generates confirmation image G3. As shown in Figure 5, confirmation image G3 is an image in which the target range of the map image that serves as the base for confirmation image G3 includes the current location of the target vehicle. The target vehicle is one of several other vehicles 80. As will be described later, when the navigation image specified in the specified information is confirmation image G3, target vehicle information is attached to that specified information. The target vehicle information indicates the other vehicle 80 that is specified as the target vehicle. CPU 21 treats the other vehicle 80 that matches this target vehicle information as the target vehicle.

[0031] In generating the confirmation image G3, the CPU 21 first defines the target area. Specifically, the CPU 21 identifies the current position of the target vehicle on the map data M based on the vehicle's driving information. Then, assuming that the map data M is handled at a predetermined scale, the CPU 21 sets a virtual rectangular frame on the map data M centered on the current position of the target vehicle. The predetermined scale is as explained in the section on generating the normal image G1. Similarly, the virtual rectangular frame is as explained in the section on generating the normal image G1. Once the CPU 21 sets the virtual rectangular frame on the map data M, it considers the entire area within this virtual rectangular frame as the target area. After defining the target area, the CPU 21 generates a map image of this target area.

[0032] Next, CPU21 overlays various display items that reflect the target vehicle's driving information onto the generated map image. The types of display items are the same as those described in the normal image G1. Specifically, the display items include an icon Q1 indicating the target vehicle's current location, a string NAME indicating the target vehicle's registered name, a line Q2 indicating the target vehicle's planned route, and a string TR indicating the time required to reach the destination. The shape and color of the icon Q1 indicating the target vehicle's current location are the same as those applied to the target vehicle when generating the overall image G2. The color of the line Q2 indicating the planned route is also the same. As with the normal image G1, if the target vehicle's destination is within the range of the generated map image, CPU21 overlays an icon indicating the destination onto the map image. At the same time, CPU21 overlays a string indicating the estimated time of arrival around the icon indicating the destination. Furthermore, if there are vehicles other than the target vehicle within the range of the generated map image, CPU21 overlays an icon indicating the current location of those vehicles.

[0033] Next, the CPU 21 superimposes various operation buttons onto the map image. The operation buttons include a normal button BX, an overall button BY, a zoom-in button BK1, a zoom-out button BK2, and an exit button BE. The function of each operation button is as previously described. The normal button BX corresponds to the first button in the confirmation image G3. The overall button BY corresponds to the second button in the confirmation image G3. Each operation button is placed, for example, at both the left and right corners of the map image. When the navigation image is the confirmation image G3, the operation buttons include an ascending order button BL1 and a descending order button BL2. The ascending order button BL1 and the descending order button BL2 are buttons for inputting a command signal to the information processing device 20 to change the designated target vehicle. The currently designated target vehicle is called the reference vehicle. The ascending order button BL1 designates the next vehicle 80 furthest from the local vehicle 10 after the reference vehicle as the target vehicle. If the reference vehicle is the other vehicle 80 furthest from your own vehicle 10, the ascending order button BL1 will select the other vehicle 80 closest to your own vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. The descending order button BL2 will select the other vehicle 80 that is the next closest to your own vehicle 10 after the reference vehicle as the target vehicle. If the reference vehicle is the other vehicle 80 closest to your own vehicle 10, the descending order button BL2 will select the other vehicle 80 furthest from your own vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. The ascending order button BL1 and the descending order button BL2 are positioned, for example, near the top edge of the map image.

[0034] <Update specified information> The processing in step S60 will be described in detail. There are two patterns in which the operation of the operation button requests a switch in the display on the display 30. The first pattern is a request to change the type of navigation image displayed on the display 30. The second pattern is a request to change the target vehicle when the navigation image is confirmation image G3. In step S60, the CPU 21 processes according to the requests corresponding to each of these patterns. That is, in step S60, the CPU 21 updates the specified information or the target vehicle information attached to the specified information in response to the operation of the operation button. The following describes how the specified information, etc., is updated in each pattern.

[0035] Let's explain the first pattern. When the normal button BX is pressed while the overall image G2 or confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the specification information that was previously stored in memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 generates new specification information to specify the normal image G1. When the overall button BY is pressed while the normal image G1 or confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the specification information that was previously stored in memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 generates new specification information to specify the overall image G2. When the confirmation button BZ is pressed while the normal image G1 or overall image G2 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the specification information that was previously stored in memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 generates new specification information to specify the confirmation image G3. In addition, when the confirmation button BZ is pressed, the CPU 21 generates target vehicle information to specify the other vehicle 80 closest to the current vehicle 10 as the target vehicle. Then, the CPU 21 attaches this target vehicle information to the specification information. As can be seen from the fact that the target vehicle information is set in response to the operation of the confirmation button BZ, the target vehicle is the other vehicle 80 designated by the driver through input operations from the display 30.

[0036] Let's explain the second pattern. When the ascending order button BL1 or descending order button BL2 is operated while the confirmation image G3 is displayed, the CPU 21 erases the target vehicle information that was previously stored in memory 22. Then, the CPU 21 generates new target vehicle information. At this time, the CPU 21 changes the target vehicle specified in the target vehicle information to another vehicle 80 specified through the operation of the ascending order button BL1 or descending order button BL2. Then, the CPU 21 attaches the new target vehicle information with the changed target vehicle to the specified information. Then, the CPU 21 stores the target vehicle information together with the specified information in memory 22. In this second pattern, the navigation image specified in the specified information remains the confirmation image G3.

[0037] <Operation of the Embodiment> Let's assume that the specified information now specifies the normal image G1. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, the CPU 21 generates the normal image G1 according to this specified information (step S30). Then, the CPU 21 displays the generated normal image G1 across the entire display screen 32 of the display 30 (step S40). After this, let's assume that the overall button BY on this normal image G1 is operated (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 changes the navigation image specified in the specified information to the overall image G2 (step S60). Then, as shown in Figure 4, the CPU 21 generates the overall image G2 according to this specified information (step S30). Then, the CPU 21 displays the generated overall image G2 across the entire display screen 32 (step S40). After this, let's assume that the confirmation button BZ on this overall image G2 is operated (step S50: YES). In this case, the CPU 21 changes the navigation image specified in the specified information to the confirmation image G3 (step S60). Then, as shown in Figure 5, the CPU 21 generates a confirmation image G3 according to this specified information (step S30). The CPU 21 then displays the generated confirmation image G3 across the entire display screen 32 (step S40). As described above, the CPU 21 always displays only one of the three types of navigation images on the display 30. A feature of this embodiment is that the CPU 21 performs the following actions in response to the occupant's operation on the display 30. That is, the CPU 21 switches the way the three types of navigation images displayed on the display 30 are shown as follows. The CPU 21 switches the display content of the display 30 from the navigation image that was previously displayed to a navigation image that was not previously displayed. The CPU 21 may also switch the display content of the same type of navigation image in response to the driver's operation of the operation buttons. That is, when the ascending order button BL1 or the descending order button BL2 is operated while the confirmation image G3 is displayed on the display 30, the CPU 21 changes the target vehicle information. Accordingly, the CPU 21 switches the confirmation image G3 displayed on the display 30 to a different confirmation image G3 that focuses on a different target vehicle than before.

[0038] <Effects of the Embodiment> (1) The CPU 21 can generate three types of navigation images. Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle 10 can use the three types of navigation images when planning their route while driving the vehicle 10. The ability to use three types of navigation images has the following advantages for the driver. Specifically, the driver can grasp the current position of the vehicle 10 by using the normal image G1. In addition, the driver can grasp the current positional relationship between the vehicle 10 and other vehicles 80 at a glance by using the overall image G2. Furthermore, the driver can grasp the details of the current position of other vehicles 80 by using the confirmation image G3. In this way, the driver can grasp the movements of not only the vehicle 10 but also other vehicles 80. This makes it easier for the driver to plan their route while taking into account the movements of other vehicles 80. Moreover, in this embodiment, the driver can switch the display method of the display 30 so that they can easily obtain the information they want from among the various pieces of information obtained from the navigation images. Therefore, the driver can quickly obtain the necessary information without having to go through the trouble of changing the scale of the navigation image or changing the display range of the navigation image. In short, the navigation system 50 is highly convenient for planning driving while taking into account the movements of other vehicles 80.

[0039] (2) The CPU 21 displays only one navigation image on the display screen 32 of the display 30. This allows the CPU 21 to display one navigation image largely on the display screen 32. As a result, the driver of the vehicle 10 can easily grasp the content of the navigation image displayed on the display screen 32. On the other hand, the CPU 21 includes two toggle buttons, a first button and a second button, for each navigation image. The presence of these toggle buttons offers the following advantage to the driver: The driver can switch the navigation image displayed on the display screen 32 to the one they want to see with a simple operation of pressing these toggle buttons.

[0040] (3) The CPU 21 includes the vehicle's planned route in each navigation image. Because the planned route information is present in each navigation image, the driver of vehicle 10 can adjust its driving route, for example, by changing the driving route of vehicle 10 to match the planned route of other vehicles 80. In particular, the overall image G2 shows the planned route from the current position to the destination for all vehicles. From this, the driver can decide on the driving route after understanding the overall situation of each vehicle.

[0041] (4) The CPU 21 includes information related to the time required to reach the destination, such as the time to reach the destination and the estimated time of arrival at the destination, in each navigation image. This allows the driver of the vehicle 10 to adjust the driving time, such as taking breaks along the way to make up for lost time or changing the driving route to arrive at the destination earlier.

[0042] <Example of changes> The above embodiment can be modified as follows. The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0043] • You may remove the time information string from the navigation image. • The destination icon and the route line may be removed from the navigation image. • The scope of the overall image G2 does not need to include the destinations of all vehicles.

[0044] • The overall image G2 may have an enlarge button BK1 and a reduce button BK2. • Various operation buttons may be removed from the navigation image. In addition, the display 30 may be a non-touch panel type. In this case, other devices in the vehicle interior, such as switches on the steering wheel, may be used as input devices.

[0045] The method of switching between the three types of navigation images is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, all three types of navigation images are displayed on the display screen 32 of the display 30. In this case, one of the three types is displayed larger than the other two. Then, the navigation image that is displayed larger is changed according to the operation of the input device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10...Own vehicle 20...Information processing device 30...Display 50...Navigation device 80...Other vehicles

Claims

[Claim 1] It is installed in the vehicle, The system comprises an information processing device that pre-stores map data, and a display that displays an image corresponding to the information output by the information processing device, wherein the display is a touch panel type that functions as an input device for inputting information from an external source to the information processing device. The aforementioned information processing device is This involves obtaining information from each of the aforementioned vehicles regarding the current location of multiple pre-registered vehicles, including the vehicle itself, and the planned route from the current location to the destination. The navigation image is displayed on the display by superimposing an icon indicating the vehicle's current location onto a map image of the target area. The navigation images are to be generated as follows: a normal image whose target range includes the current position of the vehicle itself; an overall image whose target range includes the current position of all the vehicles; and a confirmation image whose target range includes the current position of a vehicle other than the vehicle itself among the multiple vehicles, and which is specified by input from the input device. In response to input from the aforementioned input device, the navigation image displayed on the display is switched from one of the three types of navigation images to one of the other two. When the aforementioned confirmation image is displayed on the display, it is possible to switch the content of the confirmation image in response to input from the input device. When the information processing device generates the confirmation image, it sets the current position of the target vehicle as the center of the target range, and superimposes lines indicating the planned travel route of the target vehicle, as well as various buttons, onto the map image of the target range. The aforementioned various buttons are, A zoom button that instructs the user to enlarge the navigation image displayed on the aforementioned display relative to the current scale, A reduce button that instructs the display to reduce the navigation image to its current size relative to the display size, When the aforementioned designated vehicles are used as the standard vehicles, The system includes an ascending button that instructs the system to switch the navigation image displayed on the display to the confirmation image which specifies the vehicle furthest from the current vehicle after the reference vehicle as the target vehicle, When the information processing device receives an instruction to switch the navigation image displayed on the display from the normal image or the overall image to the confirmation image, it designates the vehicle closest to its own vehicle as the target vehicle. Navigation device.

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