JP4884415B2 - MAP DISPLAY DEVICE, MAP DISPLAY METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a map.

  Conventionally, there is a technique for enlarging or reducing a display image in accordance with a user operation (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-127853

  When the above technique is applied to map display, a large scale map can be displayed to display a wide range of maps and to display land and facilities far from the reference position (for example, the current position). .

  However, if the map image is reduced as it is and a wide range of maps are displayed, symbols and figures indicating objects such as stations and city halls on the map are reduced as they are, making discrimination difficult. Further, when a wide range map is displayed while maintaining the size of the symbols and figures, a large number of symbols and figures of the object are displayed on the screen. As a result, the map representing the topography such as the boundaries of municipalities and rivers is obscured by these symbols and figures. In addition, if the terrain such as municipal boundaries and rivers are displayed by not displaying the symbols and figures of some objects, the symbols and figures of the objects that the user wants to find will not be displayed on the screen. There is a case.

  On the other hand, the object which a user wants to find can also be displayed on a screen by moving the display range of a map. However, in such a mode, there is a problem that the positional relationship with the originally displayed range or point is not known.

  Such a problem occurs widely when trying to know an object located far from the reference position by displaying a map.

  The invention according to the present application aims to handle at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and when displaying a map, an object located at a position far from the reference position without losing the positional relationship with the reference position, The purpose is to make it easy to know.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following configuration in a map display device as one aspect thereof. The device is a device for displaying a map,
An input unit that can receive a distance specification from the user;
A map of four ranges that are located in four directions whose relative angles are fixed with respect to a reference position and that are at the specified distance from the reference position are arranged in a positional relationship corresponding to the four directions. A display unit capable of displaying.

  With such an aspect, when displaying a map, it is possible to easily know an object in the vicinity of a position at a specified distance from the reference position without losing the positional relationship with the reference position.

  In addition, it is preferable that the display unit displays the map of the four ranges at a scale smaller than a scale capable of displaying one range including the four ranges as one continuous map.

  In such an aspect, there is a higher possibility that an object is displayed in four ranges than in an aspect in which one range including the four ranges is displayed as one continuous map. For this reason, the user is highly likely to be able to find an object in the vicinity of a position at a specified distance from the reference position.

In addition, the display unit
A first mode for displaying a range including the reference position as one continuous map;
A second mode for displaying the map of the four ranges arranged in a positional relationship corresponding to the four directions, and
Transition from the first mode to the second mode,
It is preferable to be able to shift from the second mode to the first mode.

  With such an aspect, the user can freely go back and forth between the second mode convenient for searching for an object and the first mode for displaying a map around the reference position. For this reason, an object can be easily found without losing the positional relationship with the reference position.

In addition, the display unit
When displaying the map in the second mode after displaying the map in the range including the reference position in the first mode, the map is displayed in the first mode immediately before shifting to the second mode. It is preferable that the map of the four ranges is displayed at a scale displaying.

  If it is such an aspect, from the state which displayed the map in 1st mode, a display range can be moved about four directions by the scale as it is, and a target object can be searched. For this reason, the user can search for an object without being aware of the difference in display on the map for each scale.

Each of the four ranges is a quadrangular range having a vertex closest to the reference position.
The display unit
Has a rectangular display range,
When displaying the map of the four ranges, the one vertex of the four ranges faces the upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left positions in the rectangular display range. It is preferable to arrange and display four ranges.

  With such an aspect, a quadrangular display range can be effectively used to display a map of four ranges. The display range and the four ranges can be rectangular, for example. In this specification, “rectangle” includes a square.

  The display range and the four ranges may be rhombuses. In such an embodiment, the four ranges are arranged and displayed at the upper, right, lower, and left positions in the display range so that the one vertex of the four ranges faces. Is preferred. In the present specification, “diamond” includes a square.

Each of the four ranges is a triangular range having one vertex at a point closest to the reference position,
The display unit
Has a rectangular display range,
When displaying the map of the four ranges, the four ranges are arranged such that the one vertex of the four ranges faces the upper, right, lower, and left positions in the rectangular display range. It is preferable to arrange and display these ranges.

  Even in such an aspect, the map of four ranges can be displayed by effectively utilizing the rectangular display range. When the designated distance is increased little by little, a map of a new range is displayed near the outer edge of the display range, and a map of the range already seen is displayed at the center of the display range. Therefore, according to the above aspect in which each of the four ranges is a triangle and a map of a wider range can be displayed for a portion farther from the reference position within each range, the user can easily display the target object. You can search.

  Further, when displaying the map of the four ranges, the display unit displays a display relating to the specified distance in a range that is a part of the display range and includes the center of the display range. Preferably it is done.

  With such an embodiment, the user can know the approximate distance from the reference position to the object displayed on the map in the four ranges. When the distance designation is gradually increased, a map of a new range is displayed near the outer edge of the display range, and a map of the range already seen is displayed at the center of the display range. For this reason, if the display about the distance is performed at the center of the display range, the distance information can be provided to the user without hindering the display of a map of a new part that the user wants to see.

  In addition, it is preferable that the said input part can receive the instruction | indication which increases or decreases the designated distance from a user as at least one part of designation | designated of the said distance.

  If it is set as such an aspect, the user can look for a target object in order about the range far from the range near a reference position. In addition, the user can search for an object in order from a range far from a range far from the reference position.

In addition, the input unit can receive designation regarding the orientation of the four directions,
It is preferable that the display unit can display four ranges of maps by determining the orientations of the four directions with respect to the orientation of the map in accordance with the designation regarding the orientation.

  If it is set as such an aspect, the user can search the target object by changing the distance from the reference position in an arbitrary direction.

  When the display unit displays the map of the four ranges, the display unit displays a display relating to the designated direction in a range that is a part of the display range and includes the center of the display range. Preferably it is done.

  With such an aspect, the user can know the approximate direction of the object displayed on the map in the four ranges from the reference position. In addition, since the direction-related display is performed at the center of the display range, the direction information can be provided to the user without hindering the display of a map of a part farther than the user would like to see.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the said input part can receive the instruction | indication which changes the said designated direction clockwise or counterclockwise as at least one part of the designation | designated regarding the said direction.

  With such an aspect, the user can search for an object by changing the direction in order for a range equidistant from the reference position.

The input unit is
A first operation unit for receiving an instruction to increase the designated distance;
A second operation unit for receiving an instruction to reduce the specified distance;
A third operation unit for receiving an instruction to change the direction of the four directions clockwise;
A fourth operation unit for receiving an instruction to change the direction of the four directions counterclockwise,
When the position of the first operation unit in the input unit is a 12 o'clock direction,
The second operation unit is arranged in the direction of 6 o'clock,
The third operation unit is arranged in the direction of 3 o'clock,
The fourth operation unit is preferably arranged in the 9 o'clock direction.

  With this aspect, the user can display the map while intuitively changing the distance and direction of the four ranges for displaying the map.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, a map display device and a map display method, a map data generation device and a map data generation method, and a function of those methods or devices. The present invention can be realized in the form of a computer program, a recording medium recording the computer program, a data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, and the like.

A. First embodiment:
A1. overall structure:
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a map display system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The map display system according to the first embodiment includes a route search server 100, a map server 150, and a mobile phone 200.

  The mobile phone 200 includes a GPS unit 201, a display panel 202, an audio output unit 203, a vibration mechanism 204, a communication unit 205, a command input unit 206, a main control unit 210, and a call control unit 220. is doing.

  The GPS unit 201 is a unit including an antenna for receiving radio waves from a satellite of GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). Based on the radio wave received by the GPS antenna, the GPS unit 201 can generate current position information indicating the current position of the mobile phone 200.

  The display panel 202 is a liquid crystal display that can display an image. The voice output unit 203 is a device that includes a speaker, and is a device that can output a message to a user such as route guidance, a melody, and the like by voice. The vibration mechanism 204 is a device that can prompt the user's attention with a predetermined pattern of vibration. In the present specification, the devices 202 to 204 that output images, sounds, and vibrations may be collectively referred to as “output unit”.

  The communication unit 205 can communicate with the route search server 100 and the map server 150 via the Internet INT to transmit and receive information. The command input unit 206 includes a numeric keypad 206a and a cursor key 206b. The user inputs information to the mobile phone 200 via the numeric keypad 206a and the cursor key 206b. The call control unit 220 is a circuit that performs an incoming call for a call, a voice / electrical signal conversion, and the like.

  The main control unit 210 is a control unit for controlling each unit of the mobile phone 200. The main control unit 210 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM used for those controls. For example, the main control unit 210 can control each unit of the mobile phone 200 by executing the application software 212 with the CPU, and can display a map of a predetermined range including the current position on the display panel 202. Further, the main control unit 210 controls each unit of the mobile phone 200 by executing the application software 212 by the CPU, obtains map data and route data representing a route from the current position to the destination, and maps them. And the route can be displayed on the display panel 202.

  The route search server 100 includes a communication unit 102, a control unit 104, and a storage unit 106. The communication unit 102 can communicate with the map server 150 and the mobile phone 200 via the Internet INT.

  The storage unit 106 stores route network data for route search. Storage unit 106 further stores data received from map server 150 and mobile phone 200 and data generated based on the data.

  The control unit 104 of the route search server 100 searches for a route based on the information of the departure point and the destination, the waypoint and other search conditions while referring to the route network data stored in the storage unit 106. Then, the control unit 104 generates route data representing a route from the departure point to the destination, and transmits the route data to the mobile phone 200. The route data includes node information, arc information, intersection and station attribute information, and the like.

  The map server 150 includes a communication unit 152, a control unit 154, and a map database 156. The communication unit 152 can communicate with the route search server 100 and the mobile phone 200 via the Internet INT.

  The map database 156 stores map image data as image data to be transmitted to the mobile phone 200. The control unit 154 specifies map image data representing a map of a partial area requested by the mobile phone 200 based on the data received from the mobile phone 200 and transmits the map image data to the mobile phone 200 via the communication unit 152.

A2. Map display:
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a map of the range Da0 including the current position is displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile phone 200 based on the map data. A current position PP and a road R01 are displayed on the map. Information on the current position PP is acquired by the GPS unit 201. Map data is acquired from the map server 150 via the communication unit 205. In FIG. 1, a function unit of the main control unit 210 that displays a predetermined map on the display panel 202 based on the map data is shown as a map display unit 232. Below, the function which this map display part 232 plays mainly is demonstrated.

  On the display panel 202 of the mobile phone 200, the current position PP is displayed in a predetermined area including the center of the display panel 202. The “center” of the display panel 202 is an intersection of diagonal lines of the rectangular display area of the display panel 202.

  In the state of FIG. 2, the map is displayed so that north is directly above. However, the user can appropriately select whether to move north on the map or the user's moving direction by operating the command input unit 206.

  When a predetermined operation is performed using the command input unit 206 from a state where the map of the range Da0 including the current position PP is displayed on the display panel 202, the operation menu M1 is displayed on the upper left portion of the display panel 202. The operation menu M1 includes an option M11 for moving the display range of the map, an option M12 for changing the scale of the map, and an option M13 for displaying a map in a range of four locations centering on the current position PP. Including.

  Options M11 to M13 can be selected by operating the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the cursor key 206b. When the first portion P1 of the cursor key 206b is at the 12 o'clock position, the second portion P2 is at the 6 o'clock position. Similarly, the part at the 3 o'clock position of the cursor key 206b is called the third part, and the part at the 9 o'clock position is called the fourth part.

  In FIG. 2, the option M13 is surrounded by a square. This state is a state in which the option M13 is selected. The operation of confirming the selection can be executed by pressing the center portion Pc of the cursor key 206b. In FIG. 1, a function unit of the main control unit 210 that has a function of receiving a user instruction via the numeric keypad 206 a and the cursor key 206 b is shown as an input unit 231.

  In FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 9 to 11 described later, the arrow U represents vertically upward. However, since the paper surface is two-dimensional, the actual vertical upward direction represented by the arrow U in the paper surface can take a range greater than 0 and less than 90 degrees in the surface that includes the arrow U and is perpendicular to the paper surface. The first portion P1 of the cursor key 206b is in the direction of the long side or the short side of the rectangular display panel 202 with respect to the central portion Pc of the cursor key 206b regardless of the orientation of the mobile phone 200, and is vertically upward. It is located in the direction closest to.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display on the display panel 202 when the selection of the option M13 is confirmed from the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a mode in which a map in the range Da0 including the current position PP is displayed on the display panel 202 as a continuous map is referred to as a “first mode”. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, a mode for displaying a map in a range of four places on the map centering on the current position PP is referred to as a “second mode”. Hereinafter, the operation of the system in the “second mode” will be described.

  In the second mode, the display area of the display panel 202 is divided into four areas 2021 to 2024 in the upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left. In each of the areas 2021 to 2024, different ranges of maps are displayed. Note that the boundaries between the regions 2021 to 2024 are indicated by black lines.

  Regions 2021 to 2024 are the same as a rectangular region configured by dividing the display region of the display panel 202 into four equal parts, except for a portion overlapping the central icon CI. In this specification, when a display other than the map such as the icon CI is displayed superimposed on the map, “the entire map on the assumption that the map is also displayed in the portion where the display other than the map is performed”. In the case where the “outside” is a rectangle, the range of the map is assumed to be “rectangular”.

  An icon CI is displayed in a predetermined area including the center of the display panel 202. The icon CI includes an arrow An indicating the north direction of each map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024, an arrow As indicating the south direction of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024, and an area from the current position PP. And a display Dr indicating a distance r to the nearest point in each range displayed in 2021 to 2024. Of the arrows An and As indicating the orientation of the map, the arrow An is displayed in red. The arrow As is displayed in white. Further, the icon CI includes line segments A1 to A4 as displays indicating the directions from the current position to the locations of the maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024, respectively.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the map is displayed so that the north is directly above the figure (see arrows An and As in FIG. 3). Further, immediately after the transition from the first mode to the second mode, the distance r indicated on the display Dr is “0” (see the display Dr in FIG. 3). That is, in the state of FIG. 3, the four maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 are in contact with each other at the current position PP. As a result, in the state of FIG. 3 immediately after the transition to the second mode, the range and orientation of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 are the same as the display panel in the state of FIG. This is the same as the range and orientation of the map displayed in 202.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the relative position of the map displayed on the display panel 202 in the first and second modes. A range Da0 composed of four rectangles shown in the center is a map range shown on the display panel 202 in the first mode (see FIG. 2). The range shown immediately after shifting from the first mode to the second mode is also the range Da0 (see FIG. 3). In the second mode, maps of the ranges Da10 to Da40 of the range Da0 are displayed in the regions 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202, respectively.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing four map ranges displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 in the second mode on the map MI01 having a wider range including the range Da0 around the current position. . The map in FIG. 5 includes roads R01, R02, R03, a railway track RR01, railway stations St01, St02, St03, a park P01, a pond W01, and the like. Note that the orientation in the lower map of FIG. 5 is indicated by a display C1 in the upper part of FIG. The direction in which “N” is displayed in the display C1 is the north direction in the lower map of FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the range Da0 is indicated by a broken line at the center. The range Da0 is a map range shown on the display panel 202 in the first mode, and is a map range shown on the display panel 202 immediately after the transition from the first mode to the second mode. A road R01 passes through the range Da0 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display on the display panel 202 when 300 m is designated as the distance r from the current position to the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202. When the first portion P1 of the cursor key 206b is pressed from the state of FIG. 3, the distance r from the current position of the range of the four maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 is increased. It should be noted that the distance r between the four map ranges displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 and the current position is the distance between the point closest to the current position and the current position among the four map ranges. (See r1 and r2 in FIG. 4).

  When the first portion P1 is pressed, the map display unit 232 of the main control unit 210 calculates an amount for increasing the distance r in accordance with the operation amount (pressing time) of the first portion P1. Then, the map display unit 232 moves the display ranges Da1 to Da4 far from the current position PP by the distance (see arrows AD in FIGS. 4 and 5). Then, the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 moves away from the current position PP. At this time, the ranges of the maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 are indicated by Da11, Da21, Da31, and Da41 in FIG.

  The ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 are respectively positioned in four directions D1-D4 in which the magnitude of the angle formed around the current position PP is fixed at 90 degrees. In FIG. 4, the radius r1 of the circle S1 passing through one vertex closest to the current position PP of each range Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 is the distance r designated by the user via the cursor key 206b (FIG. 6). (See Dr.). In the example of FIG. 6, the radius r1 is 300 m (see Dr of FIG. 6).

  In FIG. 5, the ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 are indicated by broken lines. The range Da31 includes a part of the track RR01 and a part of the station St02. The range Da41 includes a part of the park P01. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a part of the track RR01 and a part of the station St02 are displayed in the area 2023 of the display panel 202. In a region 2024, a part of the park P01 is displayed.

  By adopting such an aspect, the user can easily obtain information such as how far in the four directions from the current position there is an object such as a railway, a station, or a park. That is, an object that is far from the current position that is not displayed on the display panel 202 at the scale where the map is displayed in the first mode can be easily acquired without losing the relationship with the reference position (current position). (See FIGS. 2 and 6).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display on the display panel 202 when 1.0 km is specified as the distance r from the current position to the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202. When the first portion P1 of the cursor key 206b is further pressed from the state of FIG. 6, the distance r from the current position of the range of the four maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 is further increased. Then, the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 is further away from the current position. At this time, the ranges of the maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 are indicated by Da12, Da22, Da32, and Da42 in FIG.

  The radius r2 of the circle S2 passing through one vertex closest to the current position of each of the ranges Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42 is the distance r designated by the user via the cursor key 206b. In the example of FIG. 7, the radius r2 is 1.0 km.

  In the first mode, a range located 45 degrees to the left on the horizontal plane with respect to the upper part of the range Da0 (here, “north”) where the map was displayed immediately before the transition to the second mode (FIG. 4). The ranges Da10, Da11, Da12) are collectively referred to as a range Da1 regardless of the distance r from the current position PP. Note that the direction above the range Da0 in which the map was displayed immediately before the transition to the second mode in the first mode is referred to as a “reference direction”.

  When a range (ranges Da20, Da21, Da22 in FIG. 4) located in the direction of 45 degrees to the right on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction is collectively referred to as a range Da2, regardless of the distance r from the current position PP. When a range (ranges Da30, Da31, Da32 in FIG. 4) located in the direction of 135 degrees to the right on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction is collectively referred to as a range Da3 regardless of the distance r from the current position PP. A range located in the direction of 135 degrees to the left on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction (ranges Da40, Da41, Da42 in FIG. 4) is collectively referred to as range Da4, regardless of the distance r from the current position PP.

  The ranges Da1 to Da4 are located in directions D1 to D4 arranged with an angle range of 90 degrees with the current position as the center. That is, the ranges Da1 to Da4 are ranges in which the relative angles with respect to the current position are fixed.

  A map of the range Da1 (see FIG. 4) located in the direction of 45 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction is displayed in a region 2021 located at a position of 45 degrees to the left with respect to the upward direction from the center of the display panel 202 Is displayed (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 7). Similarly, the map of the range Da2 located in the direction of 45 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction is displayed in the area 2022 located at a position of 45 degrees to the right with respect to the direction from the center of the display panel 202 upward. The

  A map of a range Da3 (see FIG. 4) located in the direction of 135 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction is displayed in a region 2023 located at a position of 135 degrees to the right with respect to the upward direction from the center of the display panel 202. Is displayed (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 7). Similarly, the map of the range Da4 located in the direction of 135 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction is displayed in an area 2024 located at a place of 135 degrees to the left with respect to the direction from the center of the display panel 202 upward. The

  That is, the maps of the ranges Da1 to Da4 are displayed in a positional relationship corresponding to the direction from the current position toward the ranges Da1 to Da4 (see FIGS. 3 to 7).

  In FIG. 5, ranges Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42 are indicated by broken lines. The range Da22 includes a part of the road R03. Further, a part of the park P01 is not included in the range Da42. As a result, a part of the road R03 is displayed in the area 2022 of the display panel 202 as shown in FIG. In the region 2024, a part of the park P01 is not displayed.

  For example, when the user knows in advance that there are roads R02 and R03 with bus routes in a direction almost north from the current position PP, the user can use the map display system as follows. That is, the display range is changed by gradually increasing the distance r from the current position of the range to be displayed. As a result, it can be seen that the road R03 displayed earlier is closer to the current position than the road R02 not yet displayed. As a result, the user can walk toward the closer road R03.

  When the second portion P2 of the cursor key 206b is pressed from the state of FIG. 7, the distance r from the current position of the four map ranges displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 is decreased. The process of the map display unit 232 as a function unit of the main control unit 210 at that time is the same as the case where the first portion P1 is pressed except that the distance from the current position to the range Da1 to Da4 is reduced. It is. That is, when the second portion P2 is pressed, the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 approaches the current position (see arrows AD in FIGS. 4 and 5).

  As a result, for example, the user can return the display content of the display panel 202 from the state of FIG. 7 to the state of FIG. 6 or FIG. In this way, by operating the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the cursor key 206b, the user can determine the distance r from the current position PP of the range displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202. It can be changed arbitrarily. As a result, the user can search for facilities and the like that exist in each direction by changing the distance of the range in which the map is to be displayed.

  Further, immediately after the transition from the first mode to the second mode, the distance r from the current position to the display range is “0” (see FIG. 3). In the second mode, the map is displayed at the same scale as the map displayed immediately before the transition to the second mode in the first mode. For this reason, immediately after shifting from the first mode to the second mode, a map in the same range as the range displayed in the first mode is displayed (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the user can search for an object on the map by increasing the distance r to the display range in order from the vicinity of the current position.

  In the map display system of the present embodiment, the user can increase the distance r by operating the first portion P1 arranged in the direction of 12 o'clock (upward) of the cursor key 206b. . The distance r can be reduced by operating the second portion P2 arranged in the 6 o'clock direction (downward) of the cursor key 206b. For this reason, the user can search the target object by changing the display range intuitively.

  Also, objects displayed on a small scale map may be omitted on a large scale map. However, in this embodiment, the scale in the second mode is equal to the scale in the first mode. For this reason, the user can search for an object in the second mode, assuming a display of the same level as that displayed on the map in the first mode.

  Further, the distance r from the current position to the display ranges Da1 to Da4 in the areas 2021 to 2024 and the icon CI indicating the map orientation are displayed in the center of the display panel 202 (see FIGS. 3, 6 and 7). . When the user searches for an object around the current position, the user often searches for a range far from the range Da0 with a distance r = 0 from the current position. At that time, a new range map is displayed near the outer periphery of the display panel 202. On the other hand, a map of the already displayed range is displayed at the center of the display panel 202. For this reason, by displaying the icon CI in the center of the display panel 202, the distance to the display range and the orientation of the map can be shown without hiding the portion of the map that the user wants to see.

  FIG. 8 shows four map ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, which are displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 in the second mode on the map MI02 of a wider range including the range Da0 around the current position. It is a figure which shows Da41 and the range Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42. A map MI02 shown in FIG. 8 is a map obtained by rotating the map MI01 of FIG. 5 by 45 degrees clockwise. The north direction in the lower map of FIG. 8 is indicated by a display C2 in the upper part of FIG. The direction in which “N” is displayed in the display C2 is the north direction in the lower map of FIG.

  When the fourth portion P4 of the cursor key 206b is pressed from the state of FIG. 6, four geographical ranges (see FIG. 4) in which the map is displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202, and the map (FIG. 5 and FIG. 8)) relative angle changes.

  More specifically, when the fourth portion P4 is pressed, the map display unit 232 as the function unit of the main control unit 210 calculates the amount of angle to be changed according to the pressing time of the fourth portion P4. Then, the map display unit 232 rotates the map clockwise relative to the display ranges Da1 to Da4 by the amount of the angle (see arrow AR in FIGS. 5 and 8). In other words, the directions of the display ranges Da1 to Da4 rotate counterclockwise with respect to the map. Then, the map ranges displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 move to the left when the direction of the location of each map is viewed from the current position PP.

  In the reference state before the fourth portion P4 and the third portion P3 of the cursor key 206b are operated, the map is displayed in the same direction as the map displayed in the first mode ( (See FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and 7).

  FIG. 9 shows a state where the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 is shifted to the left with the current position PP as the center when the fourth portion P4 of the cursor key 206b is pressed from the state of FIG. FIG. In areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202, maps of the ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 are displayed, respectively. In FIG. 8, ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 are indicated by broken lines.

  The range Da31 does not include part of the track RR01 and part of the station St02, and instead includes part of the road R01. Further, the range Da41 includes a part that is a part of the park P01 and is different from the part displayed in FIG.

  By adopting such an aspect, the user can easily obtain information on what direction is in which direction within a predetermined distance from the current position. That is, an object that is far from the current position that is not displayed on the display panel 202 at the scale where the map is displayed in the first mode can be easily acquired without losing the positional relationship with the reference position (current position). (See FIGS. 6 and 9).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display on the display panel 202 when 1.0 km is specified as the distance r from the current position to the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202. When the first portion P1 of the cursor key 206b is further pressed from the state of FIG. 9, the ranges of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 are, for example, the ranges Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42 shown by broken lines in FIG. It becomes. At this time, the radius r2 of the circle S2 passing through one vertex closest to the current position of each of the ranges Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42 is the distance r designated by the user via the cursor key 206b. In the example of FIG. 10, the radius r2 is 1.0 km.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, a part of the pond W01 is displayed in the area 2022 of the display panel 202. In a region 2023, a part of the road R01 is displayed.

  Note that the state of FIG. 10 is also realized, for example, by rotating the map 45 degrees clockwise by pressing the fourth portion P4 of the cursor key 206b from the state of FIG.

  On the other hand, when the user presses the third portion P3 of the cursor key 206b, four geographical ranges (see FIG. 4) in which the map is displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 and the map ( The relative angle with the azimuth of FIG. 5 and FIG. 8) can be changed. The processing of the map display unit 232 as a function unit of the main control unit 210 at that time is the fourth part P4 except that the rotation direction of the relative angle of the map with respect to the display ranges Da1 to Da4 is counterclockwise. Same as when is pressed.

  That is, when the third portion P3 is pressed, the map rotates counterclockwise with respect to the display ranges Da1 to Da4. In other words, the directions of the display ranges Da1 to Da4 rotate clockwise with respect to the map. As a result, the range of the map displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 moves in the right direction when each area is viewed from the current position.

  Therefore, for example, the user can change the display of the areas 2021 to 2024 to the state of FIG. 7 by operating the third portion P3 of the cursor key 206b from the state of FIG. Further, for example, the user can change the display of the areas 2021 to 2024 to the state of FIG. 6 by operating the third portion P3 of the cursor key 206b from the state of FIG.

  In this way, the user can easily obtain information on what kind of facility is located in which direction from the current position by operating the first part P1 to the fourth part P4 of the cursor key 206b. Can be obtained. That is, an object that is far from the current position that is not displayed on the display panel 202 at the scale where the map is displayed in the first mode can be easily acquired without losing the positional relationship with the reference position (current position). (See FIG. 2, FIG. 6, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10).

  In the map display system of the present embodiment, the user moves the map display range counterclockwise by operating the fourth portion P4 arranged in the 9 o'clock direction (left). Can do. And the user can shift the display range of a map clockwise by operating the 3rd part P3 distribute | arranged to the 3 o'clock direction (right side). For this reason, the user can search the target object by changing the display range intuitively.

  In the present embodiment, the first portion P1 to the fourth portion P4 located on the top, bottom, left, and right of the cursor key 206b perform operations of increasing and decreasing the distance, clockwise rotation, and counterclockwise rotation, respectively. It is a means for giving instructions. For this reason, main operations when searching for an object on a map can be performed with one input unit. Therefore, the configuration of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, immediately after the transition from the first mode to the second mode, a map in the same range as the range displayed in the first mode is displayed in the same direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, the user can search for an object on the map without losing the current position and the direction recognized by the user.

  When a predetermined operation is performed using the command input unit 206 from a state where the map of the range Da1 to Da4 including the current position PP is displayed on the display panel 202, the operation menu M2 is displayed on the upper left portion of the display panel 202. . The operation menu M2 includes an option M21 for returning to the first mode and an option M22 for maintaining the second mode.

  The options M21 and M22 can be selected by operating the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the cursor key 206b. In FIG. 10, the option M21 is surrounded by a square. This state is a state in which the option M21 is selected. The operation of confirming the selection can be executed by pressing the center portion Pc of the cursor key 206b. When the selection of the option M21 is confirmed, the operation returns to the first mode (see FIG. 2).

  Thus, the user can freely go back and forth between the first mode and the second mode. For this reason, after searching for an object that is far from the current position and is not displayed in the state of FIG. 2, it is possible to return to the first mode in which a map around the current position is displayed. Therefore, the object can be searched for in a state where the positional relationship between the current position and the object is grasped.

B. Second embodiment:
In the first embodiment, in the second mode, the area of the display panel 202 is divided into four areas 2021 to 2024 that are upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left. In the second embodiment, the way of dividing the display panel 202 in the second mode is different from that of the first embodiment. The icon CIb displayed at the center of the display panel 202 is also different from that in the first embodiment. The other points of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display on the display panel 202 immediately after the transition from the first mode to the second mode in the second embodiment. In the second mode of the second embodiment, the area of the display panel 202 is divided into four areas 2025 to 2028 of upper, right, lower and left. In each of the areas 2025 to 2028, different ranges of maps are displayed. The boundaries between the regions 2025 to 2028 are indicated by black lines.

  Each of the areas 2025 to 2028 is the same as an isosceles triangular area configured by dividing the area of the display panel 202 into four equal parts by diagonal lines, except for a portion overlapping the central icon CIb. Each isosceles triangle shares the base with the side of the rectangular display area of the display panel 202. In addition, in this specification, when a display other than the map is displayed superimposed on the map, “the outline of the entire map when it is assumed that the map is also displayed in the portion where the display other than the map is performed. "Is a triangle, for example, the map range will be described as" triangle ".

  The icon CIb displayed at the center of the display panel 202 includes line segments A5 to A8 as displays indicating the directions from the current position to the locations of the maps displayed in the areas 2025 to 2028, respectively. The other points of the icon CIb are the same as the icon CI of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the relative positions of maps displayed in the areas 2025 to 2028 of the display panel 202 in the first and second modes of the second embodiment. A range Da0 shown in the center is a map range shown on the display panel 202 in the first mode (see FIG. 2). The range shown immediately after shifting from the first mode to the second mode is also the range Da0 (see FIG. 11). In the second mode, maps of the ranges Da50 to Da80 of the range Da0 are displayed in the regions 2025 to 2028 of the display panel 202, respectively.

  When the first part P1 or the second part P2 of the cursor key 206b is operated and the distance r from the current position to the nearest point of the map ranges Da50 to Da80 displayed in the areas 2025 to 2028 is designated. As indicated by an arrow AD, the relative positions of the ranges Da50 to Da80 with respect to the current position PP change. A map corresponding to each range is displayed in the areas 2025 to 2028 of the display panel 202. Note that the processing of the map display system when the third part P3 or the fourth part P4 of the cursor key 206b is operated is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the relative angle between the map display range and the map orientation changes.

  In the second embodiment, a range (in the reference direction, “north” in this case) located above the range Da0 in which the map was displayed in the first mode immediately before shifting to the second mode (FIG. 12). The ranges Da50, Da51, Da52) are collectively referred to as a range Da5, regardless of the distance r from the current position PP. When a range (ranges Da60, Da61, Da62 in FIG. 12) located 90 degrees to the right on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction is generically referred to regardless of the distance r from the current position PP, it is referred to as a range Da6.

  A range (ranges Da70, Da71, Da72 in FIG. 12) located in the direction of 180 degrees on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction is referred to as a range Da7 when collectively referred to regardless of the distance r from the current position PP. When a range (ranges Da80, Da81, Da82 in FIG. 4) located 90 degrees to the left on the horizontal plane with respect to the reference direction is collectively referred to as a range Da8 regardless of the distance r from the current position PP.

  The ranges Da5 to Da8 are located in directions D5 to D8 that are arranged with an angular range of 90 degrees from the current position. That is, the ranges Da5 to Da8 are ranges in which relative angles with respect to the current position are fixed.

  A map of the range Da5 located in the upper direction (reference direction) of the range Da0 displayed on the display panel 202 is displayed in an area 2025 located at an upper location on the display panel 202. A map of a range Da6 located 90 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction is displayed in an area 2026 located on the right side of the display panel 202.

  A map of the range Da7 located in the direction of 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction is displayed in a region 2027 located at a lower place on the display panel 202. A map of the range Da8 located 90 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction is displayed in an area 2028 located on the left place on the display panel 202.

  That is, the maps of the ranges Da5 to Da8 are displayed in a positional relationship corresponding to the directions of the ranges Da1 to Da4 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  Even in such a mode, the user can relate an object at a position far from the current position, which is not displayed on the display panel 202 at the scale where the map is displayed in the first mode, to the reference position (current position). You can easily know without losing.

  Further, when searching for an object in a range that is in order from the periphery of the current position PP, a map of the new range is displayed near the outer periphery of the display panel 202. An object on the map already displayed on the display panel 202 is displayed near the center of the display panel 202. In this embodiment, the regions 2025 to 2028 are exercised in an isosceles triangle having a wide width near the outer periphery of the display panel 202 and a narrow width near the center of the display panel 202 (see FIGS. 11 and 12). For this reason, in the present embodiment, the newly displayed part map is displayed wider than the already displayed part map. For this reason, it is easy for the user to search for an object.

C. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

C1. Modification 1:
Although not described in detail in the above embodiment, the mobile phone 200 changes the map according to the change in the distance r from the current position and the change in the orientation of the map ranges Da1 to Da4 and Da5 to Da8 to be displayed. Data is requested from the map server 150. The map server 150 sends necessary map data to the mobile phone in response to a request from the mobile phone 200.

  In addition, the range of the map data sent from the map server 150 to the mobile phone 200 can be various ranges. For example, the range of map data sent to the mobile phone 200 can be the range of the map to be displayed. In addition, at least a part of the map in the same direction as the map to be displayed (see arrow AD in FIGS. 5 and 8), or at least a part of the map at the same distance r as the map to be displayed (see FIG. 5 and the arrow AR in FIG. 8) may be sent in advance to the mobile phone.

C2. Modification 2:
Map image data as image data stored in the map database 156 of the map server 150 may be stored as raster data or may be stored as vector data. The map image data transmitted to the mobile phone 200 as a terminal device carried by the user may be raster data or vector data. Further, one of the map image data in the map database 156 and the map image data transmitted to the terminal device can be vector data and the other can be raster data.

C3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, the description of the display of characters on the map is omitted, but the characters for displaying place names and facilities on the map have a fixed size or scale apart from the graphic on the map. It can be displayed on a map with a corresponding size.

C4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, the map display centered on the current position is performed based on the current position information obtained from the GPS unit 201. However, the second mode of the map display may be a mode in which a map within a predetermined direction and distance from the position specified by the user is displayed as a reference position regardless of the actual current position. it can. In addition, the first mode of map display may be a mode in which a map in a predetermined range including a position designated by the user is displayed.

C5. Modification 5:
In the above embodiment, the map range displayed in the second mode is the same as the map range displayed in the first mode immediately before. Then, the user gives an instruction to the mobile phone 200 to continuously change the positions of the four ranges by operating the first part P1 and the second part P2 of the cursor key 206b (FIG. 4). FIG. 5, FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 (see arrow AD). However, the position of the range in which the map is displayed in the second mode can be specified in other manners.

  For example, the user can operate the numeric keypad 206a to specify the distance from the reference position. Further, the reference position can be the current position displayed in the first mode immediately before, or can be the position designated by the user using the input means such as the numeric keypad 206a or the cursor key 206b.

  Further, regardless of whether the button is a software button or a hardware button, the process executed when an instruction to increase or decrease the distance r by pressing a predetermined button is given. It may be a stepwise modification of the distance r so that the screen change can be seen continuously, or a stepwise modification of the distance r so that the screen change can be seen intermittently on the display panel 202. .

C6. Modification 6:
In the above-described embodiment, the orientation of the map displayed first in the second mode is the same as the orientation of the map displayed in the first mode immediately before. Then, the user operates the third part P3 and the fourth part P4 of the cursor key 206b to give an instruction to the mobile phone 200 to continuously change the orientation of the map (FIGS. 5 and 5). 8 arrow AR). However, the orientation of the map displayed in the second mode can also be specified in other manners.

  For example, by operating a predetermined part located in the direction of 12:00 to 3 o'clock with the cursor key 206 as an input unit, the display range position can be changed clockwise with respect to the map orientation. it can. And it can be set as the aspect which changes the position of a display range counterclockwise with respect to the azimuth | direction of a map by operating the predetermined part located in the direction of 9:00 to 12:00 in an input part.

  Further, for example, the user can operate the numeric keypad 206a to specify an angle from a predetermined direction as a reference. The predetermined reference direction can be the direction on the map displayed in the first mode immediately before, or can always be north.

  Regardless of whether the button is a software button or a hardware button, the processing performed when an instruction to change the relative angle between the map and the display range by pressing a predetermined button is given. The relative angle may be changed so that the change of the screen can be seen continuously, or the relative angle may be changed so as to be seen intermittently.

  Furthermore, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the position of the display range in which the cursor key 206 as the input unit is traced clockwise is changed clockwise with respect to the map orientation. Then, by tracing the input unit counterclockwise, the display range can be changed counterclockwise with respect to the orientation of the map.

  Moreover, in each said aspect, the relationship between input operation and the direction of rotation can also be reversed. That is, the input unit only needs to be able to specify the direction of the display range with respect to the map orientation by some method.

C7. Modification 7:
In the above embodiment, in the second mode, the map is displayed at the same scale as the map displayed in the first mode immediately before the transition to the second mode (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4). (Refer FIG.6, FIG.7, FIGS.9-11). However, the scale for displaying the map in the second mode may be other scales. However, in the second mode, one map including one range including the four ranges (ranges Da1 to Da4 and ranges Da5 to Da8) displayed on the display panel 202 (see FIGS. 5 and 8). The map is preferably displayed at a scale smaller than the scale that can be displayed as.

  In such a case, the map is displayed at a scale that can display one range including four ranges (in the above embodiment, the ranges Da1 to Da4 and the ranges Da5 to Da8) as one continuous map. Compared to, the object can be easily searched. In such an aspect, the four ranges (ranges Da1 to Da4 and ranges Da5 to Da8) displayed on the display unit are ranges including portions that do not overlap each other.

  In this specification, “to smaller scale” (to smaller scale) means a range narrower than the comparison target when displaying one continuous map within the same size display range. This means that the map is displayed. And, "~ larger scale" (~ larger scale) means that when displaying one continuous map in the same size display range, a map with a wider range than the comparison target is displayed. Means an embodiment.

C8. Modification 8:
In the above embodiment, the display of the first mode and the second mode is realized by switching (see FIGS. 2 and 10). However, a mode in which the first display for the first mode and the second display for the second mode are simultaneously displayed on the display panel 202 as a display unit may be employed.

  In such a mode, for example, the state in which the user can operate the first display via the input unit and cannot operate the second display is the first mode. The state in which the user can operate the second display via the input unit and cannot operate the first display is the second mode. Certain displays remain the same as long as the user cannot operate them. After the user operates the first display in the first mode, when shifting from the first mode to the second mode, the scale of the map in the second display is the first scale just before the mode transition. It is preferably the same as the scale of the map in the display.

C9. Modification 9:
When a target object is found in the second mode of the above embodiment, the cursor key 206b can be operated to search for a route from the current position to the target object. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 6, when the center portion Pc of the cursor key 206b is pressed, the display panel 202 asks "Do you want to search for a route to the station XX (station St02)?" A message prompting you to set a destination is displayed, "Do you want to search for a route to P01)?" These displays are displays that prompt the user to decide whether or not to set the object displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 of the display panel 202 as the destination.

  The user operates the cursor key 206b to select one of them. Then, information on the current position and the destination is transmitted from the mobile phone 200 to the route search server 100. The route search server 100 refers to the route network data in the storage unit 106 and searches for a route from the current position to the destination. Then, the route data is transmitted to the mobile phone 200. The mobile phone 200 displays the route on the display panel 202 using the route data. In addition, route guidance can be performed using the GPS unit 201. If it is set as such an aspect, the convenience of the user at the time of a user moving outside can be improved more.

C10. Modification 10:
In the above embodiment, the operation menus M1 and M2 are displayed so as to overlap the map image (see FIGS. 2 and 10). However, the display for the user to input information to the map display system, such as the operation menu, can be in a mode shown in a region different from the region where the map image is displayed on the display panel 202. The display for the user to input information to the map display system can be provided on the right side, the left side, the upper side, or the lower side of the area for displaying the map, for example.

C11. Modification 11:
In the above embodiment, the boundaries between the areas 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028 for displaying the map are displayed with black lines (see FIGS. 3 and 11). However, the boundaries between the areas displaying the map may be shown in other manners, for example, displayed with lines of other colors such as white or red.

C12. Modification 12:
In the above embodiment, the icon CI indicating the orientation of the displayed map and the distance to the display range is displayed at the center of the display panel 202 (see FIGS. 2 and 10). However, the area indicating the direction of the map and the distance to the display range (icon CI in the embodiment) can also be set to another position in the display area. The area indicating the direction of the map and the distance to the display range can be arranged, for example, at a position closer to the end of the display area than the center point of the display area. The distance between the area indicating the orientation of the map and the center point of the display area and the edge of the display area is the shortest distance between the area indicating the orientation of the map and the center point of the display area and the edge of the display area. Shall be evaluated.

  In the aspect in which the area indicating the direction of the map and the distance to the display range is displayed in a range that does not include the center point of the display area, it is preferable that the center point of the display area is represented by a predetermined display. That is, it is preferable that a point where the four vertices of the areas 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028 for displaying the map overlap are arranged at the center point of the display area and shown as a center point by a predetermined display.

C13. Modification 13:
In the said Example, a map display system contains the route search server 100, the map server 150, the area | region information server 180, and the mobile telephone 200 as the component. However, a mobile terminal that is carried by the user and that includes a GPS unit and a display may be provided with the functions of the route search server 100 and the map server 150. Furthermore, the function of the area | region information server 180 can also be provided in a portable terminal. Further, the route search server 100 and the map server 150 may be the same server. The area information server 180 may be the same server as the route search server 100. Note that the portable terminal may be a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a notebook computer, or the like as a device that does not have a telephone function. That is, the mobile terminal may be any device that can be carried by the user and can perform a predetermined output to the user based on the data.

  That is, the map display system as a guide device may be one device in which each component is housed in one housing. In addition, the map display system can be configured as two or more devices whose constituent elements are connected to each other via a data communication line. For each function such as a function for generating route data and a function for selecting a specific area, one or more arbitrary functions can be assigned to each device. Each function may be realized by one device, or two or more devices may be realized in cooperation. In an aspect in which two or more components are connected by a communication line, the output unit that outputs information to the user is preferably carried by the user.

  In the various aspects described above, the map display system can be configured to be operated via a mouse. The mouse can have, for example, an aspect having a left button and a right button arranged side by side and a wheel partially exposed on the surface of the mouse.

  In such an aspect, the distance r from the current position of the range of the four maps displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028 is obtained by pushing and rotating the wheel surface from the side closer to the user to the side farther. Is increased. The distance r from the current position of the four map ranges displayed in the areas 2021 to 2024 and 2025 to 2028 is reduced by an operation of pulling and rotating the wheel surface from the far side to the near side. . That is, the operation of pushing and rotating the wheel surface from the side closer to the user to the far side corresponds to the operation of the first portion P1 in the first embodiment. The operation of pulling the wheel surface from the far side to the near side and rotating it corresponds to the operation of the second portion P2 in the first embodiment.

  When the left button is pressed, the directions of the display ranges Da1 to Da4 rotate counterclockwise with respect to the map. When the right button is pressed, the directions of the display ranges Da1 to Da4 rotate clockwise with respect to the map. That is, the operation of the left button corresponds to the operation of the fourth portion P4 in the first embodiment. The operation of the right button corresponds to the operation of the third portion P3 in the first embodiment. With such an aspect, the user can change the range of the map displayed intuitively via the mouse.

C14. Modification 14:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. For example, a part of the function of the application software 212 (FIG. 1) can be executed by the control circuit.

  A computer program for realizing such a function is provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a CD-ROM. The host computer reads the computer program from the recording medium and transfers it to the internal storage device or the external storage device. Alternatively, the computer program may be supplied from the program supply device to the host computer via a communication path. When realizing the function of the computer program, the computer program stored in the internal storage device is executed by the microprocessor of the host computer. Further, the host computer may directly execute the computer program recorded on the recording medium.

  In this specification, the host computer is a concept including a hardware device and an operation system, and means a hardware device that operates under the control of the operation system. The computer program causes such a host computer to realize the functions of the above-described units. Note that some of the functions described above may be realized by an operation system instead of an application program.

  In the present invention, the “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but an internal storage device in a computer such as various RAMs and ROMs, An external storage device fixed to a computer such as a hard disk is also included.

The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the map display system which is 1st Example of this invention. The figure which shows the state which displayed the map of the range Da0 containing the present position on the display panel 202 of the mobile telephone 200. FIG. The figure which shows the display of the display panel 202 when the choice M13 is selected from the state of FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the relative position of the map displayed on the display panel 202 in the 1st and 2nd mode. The figure which shows the range of the four maps displayed on the area | regions 2021-2024 of the display panel 202 in a 2nd mode on the map of a wide range. The figure which shows the display of the display panel 202 when 300m is designated as the distance r from the present position to the range of the map displayed. The figure which shows the display of the display panel 202 when 1.0 km is designated as the distance r from the present position to the range of the displayed map. The figure which shows the range of the four maps displayed on the area | regions 2021-2024 of the display panel 202 in a 2nd mode on the map of a wide range. It is a figure which shows the state from which the 4th part P4 of the cursor key 206b was pushed from the state of FIG. 6, and the range of the map displayed on the area 2021-2024 was shifted to the left. The figure which shows the display of the display panel 202 when 1.0 km is designated as the distance r from the present position to the range of the map displayed on the area | regions 2021-2024. The figure which shows the display of the display panel 202 immediately after transfering from 1st mode to 2nd mode in 2nd Example. The conceptual diagram which shows the relative position of the map displayed on the area | regions 2025-2028 of the display panel 202 in the 1st and 2nd mode of 2nd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Route search server 102 ... Communication part 104 ... Control part 106 ... Memory | storage part 150 ... Map server 152 ... Communication part 154 ... Control part 156 ... Map database 180 ... Area | region information server 200 ... Mobile phone 201 ... GPS unit 202 ... Display panel 2021 ... Upper left area of display panel 202 2022 ... Upper right area of display panel 202 2023 ... Lower right area of display panel 202 2024 ... Lower left area of display panel 202 2025 ... Area above display panel 202 2026 ... Display panel 202 right area 2027 ... area below display panel 202 2028 ... left area of display panel 202 203 ... audio output section 204 ... vibration mechanism 205 ... communication section 206 ... command input section 206a ... numeric keypad 206b ... cursor key 210 ... Main control unit 212 ... application Application software 220 ... call control unit 231 ... input unit 232 ... map display unit A1 ... line segment AD ... arrow indicating change in distance r from current position to range where map is displayed AR ... range where map is displayed Arrow indicating change in relative angle with map An ... Arrow indicating north As ... Arrow indicating south C1, C2 ... Display indicating map orientation CI, CIb ... Distance r from current position to range where map is displayed Icon indicating the orientation of the map Da0 ... The range in which the map is displayed on the display panel 202 immediately before shifting to the second mode in the first mode Da10 ... Distance r = 0m in the direction of 45 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Range Da11: Range of distance r = 300 m in the direction of 45 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Da12: Range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction of 45 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Da20: Base Range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 45 degrees to the right with respect to the direction Da21 ... Range of distance r = 300 m in the direction of 45 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction Da22 ... Distance r in the direction of 45 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction = Range of 1.0 km Da30: Range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 135 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction Da31 ... Range of distance r = 300 m in the direction of 135 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction Da32 ... With respect to the reference direction A range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction of 135 degrees to the right Da40... A range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 135 degrees to the left relative to the reference direction Da41... Distance r in the direction of 135 degrees to the left of the reference direction. Range of 300 m Da42: Range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction of 135 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Da50: Range of distance r = 0 m in the reference direction Da51: Range of distance r = 300 m in the reference direction Da52 ... Range of distance r = 1.0 km in the quasi direction Da60: Range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 90 degrees right with respect to the reference direction Da61: Range of distance r = 300 m in the direction of 90 degrees right with respect to the reference direction Da62 The range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction 90 degrees to the right with respect to the reference direction Da70 ... The range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction Da71 ... In the direction of 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction Range of distance r = 300 m Da72: Range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction of 180 degrees with respect to the reference direction Da80: Range of distance r = 0 m in the direction of 90 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Da81: In the reference direction On the other hand, a range of distance r = 300 m in the direction of 90 degrees to the left Da82: a range of distance r = 1.0 km in the direction of 90 degrees to the left with respect to the reference direction Indicate Display INT ... Internet M1 ... Operation menu M11 ... Options for moving the display range of the map M12 ... Options for changing the scale of the map M13 ... To display a map of four ranges centering on the current position PP Options P01 ... Park P1 ... First part of cursor key 206b P2 ... Second part of cursor key 206b P3 ... Third part of cursor key 206b P4 ... Fourth part of cursor key 206b PP ... Current position Pc ... center part of cursor key 206b R01-R03 ... road RR01 ... railway St01-St03 ... station W01 ... pond r1 ... radius R2 of circle S1 passing through one vertex closest to current position PP of ranges Da11, Da21, Da31, Da41 r2 ... Closest to the current position PP of the range Da12, Da22, Da32, Da42 One of the radius of the circle S2, which passes through the vertex

Claims (14)

A device for displaying a map,
An input unit capable of receiving a designation of a distance from a user, the input unit capable of receiving an instruction to increase the designated distance from the user as at least a part of the designation of the distance ;
A display that can display four ranges of maps that are located in four directions with fixed relative angles to a reference position and that are at the specified common distance from the reference position in a display area. A display unit capable of arranging the four ranges of maps in a positional relationship respectively positioned in directions corresponding to the four directions with respect to the center of the display region and displaying the maps in the display region A map display device comprising: The map display device according to claim 1,
The said display part is a map display apparatus which displays the map of the said 4 range by the scale smaller than the reduced scale which can display one range including the said 4 ranges as one continuous map. The map display device according to claim 1 or 2,
The display unit
A first mode for displaying a range including the reference position as one continuous map;
A second mode for displaying the map of the four ranges arranged in a positional relationship corresponding to the four directions, and
Transition from the first mode to the second mode,
A map display device capable of shifting from the second mode to the first mode. The map display device according to claim 3, which is dependent on claim 1,
The display unit
When displaying the map in the second mode after displaying the map in the range including the reference position in the first mode, the map is displayed in the first mode immediately before shifting to the second mode. The map display apparatus which displays the map of the said 4 range with the reduced scale which displayed. The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each of the four ranges is a quadrangular range having a vertex closest to the reference position.
The display unit
A rectangular display area ;
When displaying the map of the four ranges, the one vertex of the four ranges faces the upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left positions in the rectangular display area . A map display device that displays four ranges. The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Each of the four ranges is a triangular range having one vertex at a point closest to the reference position,
The display unit
A rectangular display area ,
When displaying the map of the four ranges, the four ranges are arranged such that the one vertex of the four ranges faces the upper, right, lower, and left positions in the rectangular display area . A map display device that arranges and displays each range. The map display device according to claim 5 or 6,
Wherein the display unit, when displaying a map of the four ranges, a part of the range of the display area, and displays on the distance of the specified to a range including the center of the display area, Map display device. The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Wherein the input unit, as at least part of the specified the distance, further, can receive an instruction to reduce the distance that the specified by the user, the map display device. A device for displaying a map,
An input unit that can receive a distance specification from the user;
It is a display unit that can display four ranges of maps that are located in four directions at fixed relative angles to a reference position and that are at the specified distance from the reference position in a display area. A display unit capable of arranging and displaying the map of the four ranges in a positional relationship respectively positioned in directions corresponding to the four directions with respect to the center of the display region. ,
The input unit can receive a designation regarding the orientation of the four directions,
The said display part is a map display apparatus which can determine the direction of the said 4 directions with respect to the azimuth | direction of a map according to the specification regarding the said direction, and can display the map of four ranges. The map display device according to claim 9,
Wherein the display unit, when displaying a map of the four ranges, a part of the range of the display area, and displays relating to the specified orientation range including the center of the display area, Map display device. The map display device according to claim 9,
The map display device, wherein the input unit can receive an instruction to change the designated direction clockwise or counterclockwise as at least a part of the designation related to the orientation. The map display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The input unit is
A first operation unit for receiving an instruction to increase the designated distance;
A second operation unit for receiving an instruction to reduce the specified distance;
A third operation unit for receiving an instruction to change the direction of the four directions clockwise;
A fourth operation unit for receiving an instruction to change the direction of the four directions counterclockwise,
When the position of the first operation unit in the input unit is a 12 o'clock direction,
The second operation unit is arranged in the direction of 6 o'clock,
The third operation unit is arranged in the direction of 3 o'clock,
The fourth operation unit is a map display device arranged in a 9 o'clock direction. A method of displaying a map,
(A) the map display device receives a designation of distance from the user;
(B) The map display device displays four ranges of maps that are located in four directions with their relative angles fixed with respect to a reference position and that are at the specified common distance from the reference position . A step of displaying in the display area, wherein the map of the four ranges is arranged and displayed in the display area in a positional relationship corresponding to the four directions with respect to the center of the display area. When,
(C) the map display device receiving an instruction from the user to increase the designated distance;
(D) The map display device includes a step of executing the step (b) based on the designated distance increased based on the instruction of the step (c) . A computer program that is executed in a computer and displays a map on a display unit,
A function to receive a distance specification from the user,
A function of displaying in a display area of a display unit four maps that are located in four directions with relative angles fixed to a reference position and that are at the specified common distance from the reference position. A function of arranging the maps of the four ranges in a positional relationship respectively positioned in directions corresponding to the four directions with respect to the center of the display region and displaying the maps in the display region ;
A function of receiving an instruction from the user to increase the specified distance;
A computer program for causing the computer to realize a function of displaying the map of the four ranges in the display area in the positional relationship based on the designated distance increased based on the instruction .

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