JP2007178209A - Map display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map display device allowing a road to be displayed easily visibly even when the road and traffic congestion specifying information showing a traffic congestion situation are displayed simultaneously, by preferentially displaying the road when the road and the traffic congestion specifying information are overlapped and displayed. <P>SOLUTION: In the map display device, when a map image including the road is displayed on a liquid crystal display 15 and the map is displayed on a scale of 1/80,000 or less where especially the image showing traffic congestion information such as a traffic congestion specifying line 71 and an image of a high-standard road 73 are overlapped and displayed (S8:YES), a first drawing order of displaying the high-standard road 73 in preference to the traffic congestion specifying line 71 and a traffic congestion history specifying line 72 is set as the drawing order (S10), and the image is drawn (S11). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device that displays traffic jam identification information indicating a traffic jam situation with respect to a road, and in particular, when a road and a traffic jam identification information are displayed in an overlapping manner, the road is displayed with priority. The present invention relates to a map display device that makes it possible to display a road in an easy-to-see manner even when simultaneously displaying traffic jam specifying information indicating a traffic jam situation on the road.

  Conventionally, in-vehicle navigation devices, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) and portable information devices such as mobile phones, personal computers, etc., roads and facility names such as general roads and expressways are stored in various storage devices as map information. Alternatively, a map of a desired area can be displayed to the user by downloading from a server or the like.

Furthermore, in a conventional navigation device or the like, not only a map is displayed, but also a traffic congestion situation on the displayed road is indicated in order to further improve the convenience for the user. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-145389, when displaying road traffic information on a map, a traffic jam section is displayed with an arrow along the road from the traffic jam end to the traffic jam head, and from the traffic jam end to the traffic jam head. A road traffic information display device that can easily check the overall traffic jam length and the remaining traffic jam length by simply checking the arrow attributes by displaying the arrow attributes gradually toward ing.
JP-A-9-145389 (pages 3 to 4, FIGS. 2 to 5)

However, in the wide-area mode display that displays a map with a reduced scale in particular, there are many roads that need to be displayed simultaneously on the screen, and it becomes difficult to display a clear road or an arrow because of the resolution. Therefore, if a mark such as an arrow indicating a traffic jam section is displayed along the road for each link as in the road traffic information display device described in Patent Document 1 described above, the traffic jam links are connected to each other. In such a case, the arrows indicating the traffic jam cannot be displayed separately for each link, but are displayed in a connected manner. And when displaying the other road that intersects at the intersection with the road that is displayed with the arrows connected in this way, a part of the road may be missing or the road may be cut off by the arrow. It was. That is, there is a problem in that it is impossible to appropriately display the road that should be displayed by displaying the traffic jam information.
In particular, at the intersection, the arrow indicating the traffic congestion section of one road and the arrow indicating the traffic congestion section of the other road are displayed in an overlapping manner, making it more difficult to see the road.
Furthermore, since the navigation apparatus, PDA, and the like cannot make a screen for displaying a map larger than a certain level due to structural problems, the above problems are particularly important.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described conventional problems, and it is possible to display the road in an easy-to-read manner for the user while displaying the traffic congestion specifying information indicating the traffic congestion status of the road together with the road. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display device.

In order to achieve the object, the map display device (1) according to claim 1 of the present application includes a map information acquisition means (13) for acquiring map information including information on roads, and a traffic jam for acquiring traffic jam information on the roads. Based on the information acquisition means (17) and the map information acquired by the map information acquisition means and the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition means, the road and the traffic jam specific information indicating the traffic situation on the road are displayed. A map display device comprising: a display determination unit (13) for determining whether or not the road displayed on the map display unit and the traffic jam identification information are displayed in an overlapping manner. The map display means displays the road with priority over the traffic jam identification information in the overlapping display portion when it is determined that the display determination means determines that the map is displayed. Characterized in that it.
Here, “priority display” means to display the road by overwriting the traffic congestion specifying information, to display the road more emphasized than the traffic congestion specifying information (for example, to thicken the line indicating the road) , Blinking the road or changing the color of the line indicating the road), displaying only the road, and the like.

  Further, the map display device (1) according to claim 2 includes a map information acquisition means (13) for acquiring map information including information relating to a road, and a traffic jam information acquisition means (17) for acquiring traffic jam information relating to the road. The scale setting means (13) for setting the scale of the map, and the scale setting means based on the map information acquired by the map information acquisition means and the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition means. Map display means (15) for displaying the road and the traffic jam identifying information indicating the traffic jam situation on the road at the reduced scale, whether or not the scale is set to a predetermined scale by the scale setting means. A scale determining means for determining (13), wherein the map display means identifies the traffic when the scale determining means determines that the predetermined scale is set. Characterized in that it displayed in preference to the broadcast.

  A map display device (1) according to claim 3 is the map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an image of traffic jam identification information is drawn on the map display means (15). First image drawing means (13) and second image drawing means (13) for drawing a road image on the map display means, wherein the second image drawing means is the display determination means (13). Of the traffic jam specifying information drawn by the first image drawing means when it is determined that they are displayed in an overlapping manner or when the scale setting means (13) determines that the predetermined scale is set. A feature is that a road image is drawn over the image.

  A map display device (1) according to claim 4 is the map display device according to claim 1 or 2, and draws an image of traffic jam identification information on the map display means (15). First image drawing means (13), and second image drawing means (13) for drawing a road image on the map display means, wherein the first image drawing means is the display determination means (13). When it is determined that the images are displayed in an overlapping manner or when the scale determining means (13) determines that the predetermined scale is set, the road image drawn by the second image drawing means and Drawing is not performed in the overlapping portion.

Furthermore, the map display device (1) according to claim 5 is the map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the road includes a high-standard road and a low-standard road, and the map The display means (15) is characterized in that the high-standard road is displayed with priority over the traffic jam specifying information.
Here, the “high standard road” refers to major roads such as expressways, national roads, and prefectural roads.
The “low standard road” refers to roads such as city roads and narrow streets other than high standard roads.

  In the map display device according to claim 1 having the above-described configuration, it is determined that the road and the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic jam situation with respect to the road are displayed, and the road and the traffic jam identification information are displayed in an overlapping manner. In this case, since the road is displayed with priority over the traffic jam identification information in the overlapped portion, while the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic congestion status of the road is displayed together with the road, a part of the displayed road is missing. No roads or roads are cut off. Therefore, even when the scale for displaying the map is reduced or the display screen is reduced, it is possible to display the road information that is originally necessary for the user in an easy-to-see manner.

  Further, in the map display device according to claim 2, when the road and the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic jam status for the road are displayed, the road is prioritized over the traffic jam identification information when the map is displayed at a predetermined scale. Therefore, while displaying the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic jam status of the road together with the road, a part of the displayed road is not lost or the road is not cut off. Therefore, even when the scale for displaying the map is reduced or the display screen is reduced, it is possible to display the road information that is originally necessary for the user in an easy-to-see manner.

  Further, in the map display device according to claim 3, since the image of the traffic jam specifying information is drawn on the map display means and then drawn by overwriting the road image, the traffic jam specifying information indicating the traffic jam status of the road together with the road. Even if is displayed, the entire road is always displayed. Therefore, a part of the displayed road is not lost or the road is not cut.

  Further, in the map display device according to claim 4, since the congestion identification information is not drawn in the overlapping portion when the image of the congestion identification information and the road image overlap, the congestion identification information indicating the congestion situation of the road together with the road Even if is displayed, the entire road is always displayed. Therefore, a part of the displayed road is not lost or the road is not cut.

  Further, in the map display device according to claim 5, since high-standard roads are displayed with priority over the traffic jam identification information, the main road important for the user can be easily viewed and less important. It is possible to preferentially display the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic jam status from the road. Therefore, it is possible to display the road and traffic information in an easy-to-read manner in consideration of the importance for the user.

  Hereinafter, a map display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on first and second embodiments embodied in a navigation device.

(First embodiment)
First, a schematic configuration of the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a current location detection processing unit 11 that detects the current position of the vehicle, a data recording unit 12 that records various data, and input information. Based on the navigation control unit (map information acquisition means, display determination means, scale setting means, scale determination means, first image drawing means, second image drawing means) 13 for performing various arithmetic processes, and operations from the operator An operation unit 14 for receiving information, a liquid crystal display (map display means) 15 for displaying information such as a map to the operator, a speaker 16 for outputting voice guidance regarding route guidance, and an information center such as a traffic information center. And a communication device (congestion information acquisition means) 17 for performing communication between them. The navigation control unit 13 is connected to a vehicle speed sensor 21 that detects the traveling speed of the vehicle.

  The components constituting the navigation device 1 will be described below. The current location detection processing unit 11 includes a GPS 31, a geomagnetic sensor 32, a distance sensor 33, a steering sensor 34, a gyro sensor 35 as an orientation detection unit, and an altimeter (not shown). And the like, and it is possible to detect the current position, direction, distance to a target (for example, an intersection), and the like.

  Specifically, the GPS 31 detects the current location and current time of the vehicle on the earth by receiving radio waves generated by artificial satellites, and the geomagnetic sensor 32 measures the direction of the vehicle by measuring the geomagnetism. The distance sensor 33 detects a distance between predetermined positions on the road. Here, as the distance sensor 33, for example, the rotational speed of a wheel (not shown) of the vehicle is measured, a sensor that detects the distance based on the measured rotational speed, the acceleration is measured, and the measured acceleration is 2 A sensor that integrates the times and detects the distance can be used.

  The steering sensor 34 detects the rudder angle of the host vehicle. Here, as the steering sensor 34, for example, an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating portion of a steering wheel (not shown), a rotation resistance sensor, an angle sensor attached to a wheel, or the like is used.

  And the gyro sensor 35 detects the turning angle of the own vehicle. Here, as the gyro sensor 35, for example, a gas rate gyro, a vibration gyro, or the like is used. Further, by integrating the turning angle detected by the gyro sensor 35, the vehicle direction can be detected.

  Further, the data recording unit 12 reads out an external storage device and a hard disk (not shown) as a recording medium, a map information DB 22 recorded in the hard disk, a traffic jam information history DB 23, a predetermined program, etc. And a recording head (not shown) which is a driver for writing. In the first embodiment, a hard disk is used as the external storage device and storage medium of the data recording unit 12, but in addition to the hard disk, a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk can be used as the external storage device. Also, a memory card, magnetic tape, magnetic drum, CD, MD, DVD, optical disk, MO, IC card, optical card, etc. can be used as an external storage device. Details of the map information DB 22 and the traffic jam information history DB 23 will be described later.

  Furthermore, the navigation control unit 13 is used as a working memory for the CPU 41 as an arithmetic device and a control device for controlling the entire navigation device 1, and when the CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes, and when a route is searched for. In addition to a RAM 42 for storing route data and the like, a control program, a traffic congestion specifying line (see FIG. 6A) for specifying roads and traffic conditions according to a drawing order corresponding to the scale of a map to be displayed, etc. 15 includes a ROM 43 in which a map display processing program (see FIG. 5) to be drawn is recorded, and an internal storage device such as a flash memory 44 in which a program read from the ROM 43 is recorded. As the RAM 42, ROM 43, flash memory 44, etc., a semiconductor memory, a magnetic core or the like is used. As the arithmetic device and the control device, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 41.

  In the first embodiment, various programs are recorded in the ROM 43, and various data are recorded in the data recording unit 12. However, the programs, data, and the like are stored in the same external storage device, memory, and the like. It is also possible to read a program, data, etc. from a card or the like and write it into the flash memory 44. Further, the program, data, etc. can be updated by exchanging a memory card or the like.

  Furthermore, the navigation control unit 13 is electrically connected to peripheral devices (actuators) of the operation unit 14, the liquid crystal display 15, the speaker 16, and the communication device 17.

  The operation unit 14 is operated when correcting the current location at the start of travel and inputting a departure point as a guidance start point and a destination point as a guidance end point. The operation unit 14 includes a plurality of operation switches (such as various keys and buttons). (Not shown). The navigation control unit 13 performs control to execute various corresponding operations based on switch signals output by pressing the switches. In particular, in the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 can be arbitrarily changed based on the operation of the operation unit 14. As the operation unit 14, a keyboard, a mouse, a barcode reader, a remote control device for remote operation, a joystick, a light pen, a stylus pen, or the like can be used. Furthermore, it can also be configured by a touch panel provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display 15.

Further, the liquid crystal display 15 includes a map image including a road, operation guidance, operation menu, key guidance, guidance route from the current location to the destination, guidance information along the guidance route, traffic information, news, weather forecast, time Mail, TV programs, etc. are displayed. Furthermore, in the navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the map image is scaled in multiple stages (for example, 1 / 1.28 million, 1 / 640,000, 1 / 320,000, 1 / 160,000, 1 / 80,000, 1 / 9 types (40, 1/2000, 1/10000, 1/5000), and the traffic congestion on the road displayed when the map image is displayed at each scale A traffic jam specifying line and a traffic jam history specifying line (traffic traffic specifying information) are respectively displayed on both sides of the road (see FIGS. 8 and 11).
As will be described later, the traffic jam specifying line and the traffic jam history specifying line are displayed with priority over the road displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, but the map image is displayed at a predetermined scale (for example, a scale of 1 / 80,000 or less). In doing so, the road showing the high standard road is preferentially displayed. Instead of the liquid crystal display 15, it is also possible to use a CRT display, a plasma display, or the like, or a hologram device that projects a hologram onto the windshield of a vehicle.

  In addition, the speaker 16 outputs voice guidance for guiding traveling along the guidance route based on an instruction from the navigation control unit 13. Here, examples of the voice guidance to be guided include “the intersection is 300 m ahead in the right direction” and “the next national highway No. XX is congested”. In addition to the synthesized voice, the voice output from the speaker 16 can output various sound effects and various guidance information recorded in advance on a tape, a memory, or the like.

  And the communication apparatus 17 is traffic information, regulation information, parking lot information, traffic accident information etc. which were transmitted from the traffic information center, for example, VICS (trademark: Vehicle Information and Communication System) center 102 (refer FIG. 2) etc. It is a beacon receiver which receives the traffic information which consists of each of these information as an electric wave beacon, an optical beacon, etc. via the electric wave beacon apparatus, optical beacon apparatus, etc. which were arrange | positioned along the road. The communication device 17 is a network that enables communication in a communication system such as a LAN, WAN, intranet, cellular phone line network, telephone line network, public communication line network, dedicated communication line network, and communication line network such as the Internet. It may be a device. In addition to the information from the information center, the communication device 17 includes an FM receiver that receives FM multiplex information including information such as news and weather forecast as FM multiplex broadcast via an FM broadcast station. The beacon receiver and the FM receiver are unitized and arranged as a VICS receiver, but can be arranged separately.

  Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a communication system 101 including the navigation apparatus 1 and the VICS center 102. As shown in FIG. 2, the VICS center 102 and the navigation apparatus 1 are configured to be able to transmit and receive various types of information via the network 104.

  The VICS center 102 includes a server 111, a traffic information DB 115 as an information recording unit connected to the server 111, and a center side communication device 116. Further, the server 111 is based on an arithmetic device that performs overall control of the server 111 and a CPU 112 as a control device, a RAM 113 that is used as a working memory when the CPU 112 performs various arithmetic processes, and communication from the navigation device 1. An internal storage device such as a ROM 114 in which various control programs for extracting necessary information from the traffic information stored in the traffic information DB 115 and transmitting it to the navigation device 1 is provided. Further, an MPU or the like can be used instead of the CPU 112.

Then, the CPU 112 transmits traffic information around the vehicle to the navigation device 1, while the navigation device 1, on the both sides of the road displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, based on the traffic information transmitted from the VICS center 102. Displays a traffic jam identification line for identifying the traffic jam status.
As a result, the user who sees the liquid crystal display 15 can easily grasp the currently congested road and the non-congested road.

  Next, the map information DB 22 stored in the data recording unit 12 will be described. Here, map data necessary for route guidance and map display is recorded in the map information DB 22. The map data is, for example, an image drawing for drawing an image such as a map, road, and traffic information on the liquid crystal display 15. Data 24, link data 25 regarding roads (links), node data 26 regarding node points, intersection data regarding each intersection, search data for searching for a route, facility data regarding facilities, search data for searching for points, and the like Has been.

Here, in particular, the image drawing data 24 constituting the map data is obtained by converting the map image into a plurality of scales (for example, 1 / 1.28 million, 1 / 640,000, 1 / 320,000, 1 / 160,000 as shown in FIG. 3). Map drawing data 51 for drawing on the liquid crystal display 15 in 1 / 80,000, 1/4000, 1/2000, 1/1000, 1/5000) and high standard road (highway, High-standard road drawing data 52 for drawing images of main roads such as national and prefectural roads on the liquid crystal display 15 at a plurality of scales, and low-standard roads (excluding high-standard roads such as city roads and narrow streets) Road standard image drawing data 53 for drawing the image of the road) on the liquid crystal display 15 at a plurality of scales, and real-time traffic information transmitted from the VICS center 102 (for example, traffic jam information, speed regulation information, and closed information) Special based on Dynamic traffic information drawing data 54 for drawing on the liquid crystal display 15 a traffic jam identifying line for identifying a traffic jam section of the current road, current date and time, information stored in the traffic jam history DB 23 (see FIG. 4), And static traffic information drawing data 55 for drawing on the liquid crystal display 15 a traffic history specifying line for specifying a traffic congestion section of the current road statistically predicted based on
Then, the navigation control unit 13 reads each drawing data of the image drawing data 24 and draws each image according to the priority order corresponding to the scale as described later (S10 in FIG. 5).

  In addition, as link data, for each link constituting the road in the map data, the width of the road to which the link belongs, the gradient, the cant, the bank, the road surface condition, the number of road lanes, the number of lanes decreasing, The data indicating the narrowing of the width, the level crossing, etc., the data regarding the corner, the radius of curvature, the intersection, the T-junction, the entrance and the exit of the corner, the data indicating the downhill road, the uphill road, etc. regarding the road attribute With respect to the road type, in addition to general roads such as national roads, prefectural roads and narrow streets, data representing toll roads such as national highways, roads dedicated to automobiles, urban highways, general toll roads, toll bridges and the like are recorded. Furthermore, regarding toll roads, data relating to entrance roads (rampways), toll gates (interchanges) and the like of toll roads are recorded.

  In addition, as node data, the coordinates (positions) of node points set for each predetermined distance according to the radius of curvature, etc., on the road branch points (including intersections and T-junctions) in the map data, Node attribute indicating whether a node is a node corresponding to an intersection, etc., a connection link number list that is a list of link numbers of links connected to the node, and an adjacency that is a list of node numbers of nodes adjacent to the node via the link Data relating to the node number list, the height (altitude) of each node point, and the like are recorded.

Further, as search data, data used for searching and displaying a route to a destination set in map data is recorded, and costs for passing through a node (hereinafter referred to as node cost) The liquid crystal display 15 displays cost data used to calculate a search cost composed of the cost of a link constituting the road (hereinafter referred to as a link cost), travel time required to pass the link, and a route selected by the route search. Route display data for displaying on the map.
Here, the node cost is basically set for the node corresponding to the intersection. In the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the presence or absence of a signal and the travel route of the own vehicle when passing through the intersection (that is, The value is determined by the type of straight, right turn and left turn).
In addition to the road attribute, road type, road width, number of lanes, and link length constituting the link, the link cost includes traffic information such as traffic jam information and speed regulation information transmitted from the VICS center 102, and a traffic jam information history DB 23. It is calculated in consideration of the degree of congestion specified by (see FIG. 4).

  In addition, as facility data, data related to buildings such as hotels, hospitals, gas stations, parking lots, tourist facilities, interchanges, restaurants, service areas, and the like in each region are recorded together with facility IDs that identify the buildings. The map information DB 22 also records audio output data for outputting predetermined information by the speaker 16 of the navigation device 1.

  When the navigation control unit 13 searches for a route, the road data in the search data in the map data is examined, and the search is performed based on a predetermined search condition (for example, “time priority” that prioritizes arrival time). The search cost (node cost and link cost) for the road (link and node) included in the mesh used in the above is calculated, and the route is searched. Specifically, the route search is performed from the departure side and the destination side, and the search cost and purpose accumulated from the departure side are overlapped in the overlap between the search from the departure side and the search from the destination side. A value obtained by adding the search costs accumulated from the ground side, that is, a cost addition value is calculated. As a result, a plurality of routes (for example, three routes) are selected in ascending order of cost, and the route with the smallest cost addition value or the route selected by the user is set as the guidance route.

  The contents of the map information DB 22 are updated by transferring information from a recording medium such as a DVD or an externally connected memory card, or by downloading information from a specific information center or the like via the communication device 17. Is done.

  Next, the traffic jam information history DB 23 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a storage area of the traffic jam information history DB 23 according to the first embodiment. Here, based on the past traffic information, the traffic jam information history DB 23 is a storage unit that stores information that defines sections and times at which traffic jams occur.

As shown in FIG. 4, the traffic jam information history DB 23 according to the first embodiment includes a link number for specifying a link, a day of the week and a time zone, and a day of the week and a time zone of the link specified by the link number. The degree of congestion that specifies the degree of congestion is stored.
Here, the degree of traffic jam is set by any one of three types of values “1”, “2”, and “3”, which means that no traffic jam occurs in that time zone on a link with “1” set. . On the other hand, a link for which “2” is set means that a traffic jam occurs in that time zone, and it takes about twice as long as usual to travel on the link. Further, a link with “3” is congested during that time period, meaning that it takes about three times as long to travel on the link.
For example, in the traffic jam information history DB 23 shown in FIG. 4, for the link with the link number XZ1, the traffic jam degree is set to “2” between 8:15 and 8:30 on Monday, and between 8:30 and 8:45. Indicates that the degree of congestion is set to “3” and the degree of congestion is set to “2” between 8:45 and 9:00.

The navigation control unit 13 can detect the degree of congestion on each day of the week and each time zone for each link included in the map data stored in the map information DB 22 by the congestion information history DB 23. As a result, if a link where a traffic jam occurs at the current time (that is, a link with a traffic jam level other than “1”) is detected as will be described later, the link is predicted as a traffic jam zone where a traffic jam currently occurs. Then, the user is notified by displaying the congestion history identification line (see FIG. 6B) on both sides of the road.
The traffic jam information history DB 23 is stored in advance in the data recording unit 12 at the time of shipment of the navigation device 1, but the content of the traffic jam information history DB 23 is based on information received from the traffic information center via the communication device 17. Update may be performed. Further, the contents of the traffic jam information history DB 23 may be updated based on the traveling history of the own vehicle.

  Next, a map display processing program executed by the CPU 41 in the navigation device 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the map display processing program according to the first embodiment. Here, the map display processing program is a program that draws on the liquid crystal display 15 the traffic jam specifying information for specifying the road and the traffic jam status according to the drawing order corresponding to the scale of the map to be displayed. Note that the program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 below is stored in the RAM 42 or ROM 43 provided in the navigation device 1 and is executed by the CPU 41 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 4 ms).

  First, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1 in the map display processing program, the CPU 41 determines whether the ignition of the vehicle is turned on or whether the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is changed. judge. As for the change of the scale of the map, the navigation control unit 13 automatically changes the scale when the user arbitrarily changes the scale based on the operation of the operation unit 14 or when the intersection approaches. There is a case.

  Subsequently, in S2, the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is set. Specifically, when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on and a map image is first displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, a scale (for example, 1 / 160,000) defined as an initial value is set in advance. On the other hand, when the scale is changed, the changed scale is set. The process of S2 corresponds to the process of the scale setting means.

Thereafter, in S3, communication with the VICS center 102 is performed via the communication device 17, and real-time dynamic traffic information related to traffic jam information, speed regulation information, traffic closure, and the like is acquired.
On the other hand, in S4, a link (congestion degree is “having a traffic congestion level of“ the traffic congestion degree ”is estimated from the current time detected by the traffic jam information history DB 23 (see FIG. 4) and the GPS 31) based on past traffic jam information. Link other than 1) is detected and acquired as static traffic information.

  Next, in S5, the CPU 41 determines whether there is traffic jam information based on the dynamic traffic information and static traffic information acquired in S3 and S4, specifically, whether there is a road (link) that is jammed at the present time. Determine whether or not.

  If it is determined that there is traffic jam information (S5: YES), a traffic jam identification line 61 that identifies a traffic jam road is created based on the dynamic traffic information acquired from the VICS center 102. Further, a traffic jam history specifying line 62 that specifies a road with traffic jam based on the static traffic information acquired from the traffic jam information history DB 23 is created. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no traffic jam information (S5: NO), the process proceeds to S7.

Here, the traffic jam identification line 61 and the traffic jam history identification line 62 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a traffic jam identification line 61 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a traffic jam history identification line 62 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the traffic jam identification line 61 is composed of traffic jam display areas 64 and 65 arranged on both sides of the road 63, and one traffic lane (FIG. A) shows traffic information on a lane that runs from the left to the right. Further, the traffic jam display area 65 shows traffic jam information of the other down lane of the road 63 (the lane running from the right to the left in FIG. 6A). For example, when it is determined based on the traffic information acquired from the VICS center 102 that the up lane section from the start point A to the end point B is congested at the current time, the traffic congestion display area from the start point A to the end point B 64 is displayed in red, and the other sections are displayed in light blue.
Also, as shown in FIG. 6B, the traffic jam history specifying line 62 is composed of traffic jam display areas 67 and 68 arranged on both sides of the road 66. The traffic jam display area 67 causes one up lane ( FIG. 6B shows traffic congestion information for a lane that travels from the left to the right. Further, the traffic jam display area 68 shows the traffic jam information of the other down lane of the road 66 (the lane running from the right to the left in FIG. 6B). For example, when it is determined based on the traffic information acquired from the traffic jam information history DB 23 that one up lane section from the start point C to the end point D is congested at the current time, the start point C to the end point D is determined. The traffic jam display area 67 is displayed with a red broken line, and the other sections are displayed in light blue.
The user can determine the road and lane where the traffic is congested by referring to the displayed traffic jam identification line 61 and the traffic jam history identification line 62.

  Next, in S7, map drawing data 51 corresponding to the area displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, high standard road drawing data 52, low standard road based on the scale set in S2 from the image drawing data 24 of the map information DB 22. Drawing data 53, dynamic traffic information drawing data 54, and static traffic information drawing data 55 are read out. The process of S7 corresponds to the process of the map information acquisition unit.

  Next, in S8, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the map scale set in S2 is 1 / 80,000 or less. If it is determined that the scale of the map is larger than 1 / 80,000 (S8: YES), the first drawing order giving priority to the traffic jam identification line and the traffic jam history identification line is set as the drawing order (S9). After that, according to the set drawing order, the liquid crystal display 15 displays a map image based on each drawing data read from the map information DB 22 in S107, images of high-standard roads and low-standard roads, traffic jam specific lines, and traffic history specific lines. Are respectively drawn (S11).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the scale of the map is 1 / 80,000 or less (S8: NO), the second drawing rank giving priority to the high standard road is set as the drawing rank (S10). After that, according to the set drawing order, the liquid crystal display 15 displays a map image based on each drawing data read from the map information DB 22 in S107, images of high-standard roads and low-standard roads, traffic jam specific lines, and traffic history specific lines. Are respectively drawn (S11). The process of S8 corresponds to the process of the display determination unit and the scale determination unit, and the process of S11 corresponds to the process of the first image drawing unit and the second image drawing unit.

Details of the image drawing process in S8 to S11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the first drawing order set in S9 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 7, the first drawing order is the traffic jam specifying line 71, traffic jam history specifying line 72, high standard road from the highest order. 73, a low standard road 74, and a map image 75. When the image is drawn in S11, the drawing process of the map image 75 having the lowest drawing order is performed, and then the drawing process of the low standard road 74 is performed by overwriting the drawn map image 75. Overwriting the drawn low standard road 74 and drawing the high standard road 73, overwriting the drawn high standard road 73 and drawing the traffic jam history specifying line 72, and drawing the traffic jam history specifying line Overwriting 72, the drawing process of the traffic jam identification line 71 is performed.

Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a map display screen 81 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 when a 1 / 80,000 scale map is drawn in the first drawing order shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed especially the intersection vicinity of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, the map display screen 81 drawn in the first drawing order is overwritten in the order of the map image 75, the low standard road 74, the high standard road 73, the traffic jam history specifying line 72, and the traffic jam specifying line 71. Is displayed.
When a map is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, if the map scale is 1 / 80,000 or less, the number of traffic information such as roads to be displayed and traffic jam identification lines increases, and the display size also increases. When the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 indicating the traffic jam status are displayed for each link due to the resolution, the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 are connected for each link. It becomes impossible to display so as not to be divided and connected.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 are displayed on the high standard road 73 at the intersection, and a part of the high standard road 73 is missing or cut. It will be done. That is, the user cannot properly grasp the originally required road information by displaying the traffic jam information. Therefore, when a map is displayed at a scale of 1 / 80,000 or less, each image is displayed in the second rendering order in which the high standard road 73 is displayed with priority over the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72 as follows. To draw.
At a scale larger than 1 / 80,000 (for example, 1/10000), even if the traffic jam identification line 71 or the traffic jam history identification line 72 indicating the traffic congestion status is displayed for each link, the traffic jam identification line is connected between the connected links. 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72 can be displayed so as not to be divided for each link. Therefore, even if the traffic jam identifying line 71 and the traffic jam history identifying line 72 are drawn over the high standard road 73, there is no possibility that a part of the high standard road 73 will be lost or cut off. Therefore, the drawing is performed in the first drawing order (FIG. 7).

  Next, the second drawing order set in S10 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the second drawing order is the highest standard road 73, the traffic jam specifying line 71, the traffic jam history specifying from the highest order. A line 72, a low standard road 74, and a map image 75 are shown. When the image is drawn in S11, the drawing process of the map image 75 having the lowest drawing order is performed, and then the drawing process of the low standard road 74 is performed by overwriting the drawn map image 75. Overwrite the drawn low standard road 74 to perform the drawing process of the traffic jam history specific line 72, overwrite the drawn traffic jam history specific line 72 to perform the drawing process of the traffic jam specific line 71, and draw the traffic jam specific line Overwriting 71, the high standard road 73 is drawn.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a map display screen 82 displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 when a map with a scale of 1 / 80,000 is drawn in the second drawing order shown in FIG. 10, and FIG. It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed especially the intersection vicinity.
As shown in FIG. 11, the map display screen 82 drawn in the second drawing order is overwritten in the order of the map image 75, the low standard road 74, the traffic jam history specifying line 72, the traffic jam specifying line 71, and the high standard road 73. Is displayed.
Then, in the second drawing order, the image of the high-standard road 73 is overwritten and displayed from the image of the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72, so the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line as shown in FIG. Even when 72 and the high standard road 73 overlap, there is no possibility that the high standard road 73 is missing or cut off by the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72. Therefore, even if traffic information is displayed together with roads in a state where the scale for displaying the map is small, it becomes possible for the user to easily display road information that is originally necessary.

As described above in detail, in the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment, when displaying a map image including a road on the liquid crystal display 15, in particular, an image indicating traffic jam information such as the traffic jam identification line 71 and the like When a map is displayed at a scale of 1 / 80,000 or less that causes an image of the high standard road 73 to be displayed in an overlapping manner (S8: YES), the high standard road 73 is displayed on the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72. The second drawing order that is displayed with higher priority is set as the drawing order (S10), and the image is drawn (S11), so that the traffic congestion specifying information indicating the traffic congestion status of the road is displayed together with the road. Part of the road is not lost or the road is not cut off. Therefore, even when the scale for displaying the map is reduced or the display screen is reduced, it is possible to display the road information that is originally necessary for the user in an easy-to-see manner.
In the second drawing order, after the image of the congestion specification line 71 is drawn on the map display means, the image of the high standard road 73 is overwritten and drawn. Even when displayed, the entire road is always displayed. Therefore, a part of the displayed road is not lost or the road is not cut.
Furthermore, in the second drawing order, among the roads displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, only the high-standard road 73 is displayed with priority over the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72, so that the main road important for the user is displayed. It is possible to preferentially display the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 indicating the traffic jam situation over the low-standard road 74 which is less important. Therefore, it is possible to display the road and traffic information in an easy-to-read manner in consideration of the importance for the user.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a navigation device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the navigation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 12 denote the same or corresponding parts as those of the navigation apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is.

The schematic configuration of the navigation device according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. Various control processes are also substantially the same as those in the navigation device according to the first embodiment.
However, the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment changes the drawing order on the liquid crystal display 15 to display the high-standard road 73 with priority over the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 indicating the traffic jam situation. On the other hand, in the navigation device according to the second embodiment, the image of the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 is not drawn in a portion where the drawn images overlap. The navigation device 1 is different from the navigation device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the high-standard road 73 is displayed with priority over the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72.

  Below, the map display processing program which CPU41 performs in the navigation apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated based on FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the map display processing program according to the second embodiment. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 below is stored in the RAM 42 and ROM 43 provided in the navigation device according to the second embodiment, and is executed by the CPU 41 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 4 ms).

  First, in S101 in the map display processing program, the CPU 41 determines whether the ignition of the vehicle has been turned on or whether the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 has been changed. As for the change of the scale of the map, the navigation control unit 13 automatically changes the scale when the user arbitrarily changes the scale based on the operation of the operation unit 14 or when the intersection approaches. There is a case.

  Subsequently, in S102, the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is set. Specifically, when the ignition of the vehicle is turned on and a map image is first displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, a scale (for example, 1 / 160,000) defined as an initial value is set in advance. On the other hand, when the scale is changed, the changed scale is set.

Thereafter, in S103, communication with the VICS center 102 is performed via the communication device 17, and real-time dynamic traffic information related to traffic jam information, speed regulation information, traffic closure, and the like is acquired.
Further, in S104, a link (congestion degree is “having a traffic congestion degree” “statistically predicted to be jammed at the current time based on past traffic jam information from the current time detected by the traffic jam information history DB 23 (see FIG. 4) and the GPS 31”. Link other than 1) is detected and acquired as static traffic information.

  Next, in S105, the CPU 41 determines whether there is traffic jam information based on the dynamic traffic information and static traffic information acquired in S103 and S104, specifically, whether there is a road (link) where there is traffic jam at the present time. Determine whether or not.

  If it is determined that there is traffic jam information (S105: YES), a traffic jam identification line 71 that identifies a traffic jam road is created based on the dynamic traffic information acquired from the VICS center 102. On the other hand, a traffic jam history specifying line 72 that specifies a road with traffic jams is created based on the static traffic information acquired from the traffic jam information history DB 23. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no traffic jam information (S105: NO), the process proceeds to S107.

  In S107, map drawing data 51 corresponding to the area displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, high-standard road drawing data 52, low-standard road drawing data 53 based on the scale set in S102 from the image drawing data 24 of the map information DB 22. The dynamic traffic information drawing data 54 and the static traffic information drawing data 55 are read out.

  Next, in S108, the CPU 41 determines whether or not the map scale set in S102 is 1 / 80,000 or less. If it is determined that the scale of the map is larger than 1 / 80,000 (S108: YES), the map image 75, the high standard road 73, and the low standard based on the respective drawing data read from the map information DB 22 in S107. The image of the road 74, the image of the traffic jam identification line 71 and the image of the traffic jam history identification line 72 are respectively drawn on the liquid crystal display 15 (S109).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the scale of the map is 1 / 80,000 or less (S108: NO), the traffic jam identifying line 71 and the traffic jam in the portion where the image of the traffic jam identifying line 71 and the image of the high standard road 73 overlap. While processing so as not to draw the image of the history specifying line 72, the map image 75, the images of the high standard road 73 and the low standard road 74 based on the respective drawing data read from the map information DB 22 in S107, the traffic jam specifying line 71 and Images of the traffic jam history identification line 72 are respectively drawn on the liquid crystal display 15 (S110).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the congestion specification line 71 or the congestion history specification line 72 and the high standard road 73 do not overlap and are displayed. There is no risk of chipping or cutting. Therefore, even if traffic information is displayed together with roads in a state where the scale for displaying the map is small, it becomes possible for the user to easily display road information that is originally necessary.

  As described above in detail, in the navigation device according to the second embodiment, when a map image including a road is displayed on the liquid crystal display 15, an image indicating traffic jam information such as the traffic jam identification line 71 and the like When a map is displayed at a scale of 1 / 80,000 or less that causes the image of the standard road 73 to be displayed in an overlapping manner (S108: YES), the image of the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history identification line 72 and the high standard road In the portion where the 73 images overlap, each image is drawn so as not to draw the images of the traffic jam identification line 71 and the traffic jam history specification line 72 (S110), so the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic jam status of the road is displayed together with the road. However, a part of the displayed road is not lost or the road is not cut off. Therefore, even when the scale for displaying the map is reduced or the display screen is reduced, it is possible to display the road information that is originally necessary for the user in an easy-to-see manner.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the first and second embodiments, when the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is 1 / 80,000 or less, the high standard road 73 is displayed with priority over the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72. However, the low standard road 74 as well as the high standard road 73 may be displayed with priority over the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the scale of the map displayed on the liquid crystal display 15 is larger than 1 / 80,000, the traffic jam specifying line 71 and the traffic jam history specifying line 72 are displayed with priority over the high standard road 73. However, only the traffic congestion specifying line 71 may be displayed with priority over the high standard road 73 and may be displayed with priority over the traffic jam history specifying line 72.

It is the block diagram which showed the navigation apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic block diagram which showed the communication system comprised from the navigation apparatus and VICS center which concern on 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the image drawing data memorize | stored in the navigation apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the figure shown about the memory area of traffic information history DB which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the map display processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is the figure which showed the traffic congestion specific line displayed on a liquid crystal display, (B) is the figure which showed the traffic history specific line displayed on a liquid crystal display. It is the figure which showed the 1st drawing order. It is the figure which showed the map display screen displayed on a liquid crystal display, when a 1 / 80,000 scale map is drawn by the 1st drawing order. It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed especially the intersection vicinity of FIG. It is the figure which showed the 2nd drawing order. It is the figure which showed the map display screen displayed on a liquid crystal display, when a 1 / 80,000 scale map is drawn by the 2nd drawing order. It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed especially the intersection vicinity of FIG. It is a flowchart of the map display processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 11 Present location detection process part 12 Data recording part 13 Navigation control part 15 Liquid crystal display 17 Communication apparatus 22 Map information DB
23 Traffic information history DB
41 CPU
42 RAM
43 ROM
61, 71 Traffic jam specific line 62, 72 Traffic history specific line 73 High standard road 74 Low standard road 75 Map image

Claims (5)

Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information including information about roads;
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information related to the road;
Map display means for displaying a road and traffic jam specific information indicating a traffic jam status for the road based on the map information acquired by the map information acquisition means and the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition means; In the map display device,
Display determination means for determining whether or not the road and the traffic jam identification information displayed on the map display means are displayed in an overlapping manner;
The map display device displays the road with priority over the traffic jam specifying information in the overlapped display portion when it is determined that the map display device is displayed by the display determination device. . Map information acquisition means for acquiring map information including information about roads;
Traffic information acquisition means for acquiring traffic information related to the road;
A scale setting means for setting a map scale;
Based on the map information acquired by the map information acquisition unit and the traffic jam information acquired by the traffic jam information acquisition unit, the traffic jam identification information indicating the traffic situation on the road and the road at the scale set by the scale setting unit; A map display device having a map display means for displaying
Scale determining means for determining whether or not the scale setting means is set to a predetermined scale;
The map display device, wherein the map display means displays the road preferentially over the traffic jam specifying information when the scale determination means determines that the predetermined scale is set. First image drawing means for drawing an image of traffic jam identification information on the map display means;
Second image drawing means for drawing an image of a road on the map display means,
The first image rendering means when the second image rendering means is determined to be displayed in an overlapping manner by the display determination means or when the scale determination means determines that the predetermined scale is set. The map display device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an image of a road is drawn by overwriting the image of the traffic jam identification information drawn by step (1). First image drawing means for drawing an image of traffic jam identification information on the map display means;
Second image drawing means for drawing an image of a road on the map display means,
The second image rendering means when the first image rendering means is determined to be displayed in an overlapping manner by the display determination means or when the scale determination means determines that the predetermined scale is set. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the map display device does not perform drawing in a portion overlapping with a road image drawn by the method. The road includes a high standard road and a low standard road,
The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the map display means displays the high-standard road with priority over the traffic jam identification information.

Images