IMAGE CONTROL PROGRAM, IMAGE CONTROL DEVICE, AND IMAGE CONTROL METHOD

An image control device includes a display control unit that controls images to be displayed on the display unit, and an acquisition unit that acquires a user operation. The display control unit switches the image to be displayed on the display unit from a first image to a second image based on the user operation acquired by the acquisition unit. The first image is an image that includes a first line and a location point information representation, the first line being a line indicating a route and representing a guided location point on the route with a shape of the first line, the location point information representation representing information related to a guided location point. The second image is an image that includes a second line, a location point mark and the location point information representation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to technical fields related to display control for switching between images each including a route, and displaying an image.

BACKGROUND ART

A car navigation device typically provides route guidance while displaying a map indicating a route from a current location to a destination on a display unit. On such a map, a line indicating a route (hereinafter, referred to as a “route line”, in some cases) is displayed, and the line representing a location point on the route (for example, a location point where the route turns, such as an intersection where to make a left or right turn) with its shape is displayed in a highlighted manner. In addition, together with a map indicating the route, a location point information representation indicating information related to the location point on the route (information indicating a location point name, a distance from the current location to the location point, and the like) is displayed on the display unit. Users are able to acquire the location point where to make a left or right turn and the information related to the location point, based on the map indicating the route and the location point information representation, and are able to travel along the route in a smoother manner.

On the other hand, a car navigation device is provided with an audio function, a television function, and the like, and is capable of displaying audio information (information such as an artist name, an album name, and a song title) and television video images on the display unit. However, the display area of the display unit is limited, and the amount of information that can be displayed is limited.

Therefore, by displaying the route in a simplified manner, the area for displaying the route on the display unit can be reduced and the area for displaying other information can be expanded, so that a large amount of information can be provided to the users. Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for representing a route with a straight line, as a method for simplifying the route. This method is also used for guiding a highway in typical car navigation devices, for example.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2011-38970 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

Here, assuming that the image is switched from an image displaying a map indicating a route and location point information representation to an image displaying a simplified route and the location point information representation, there is a drawback in that it is easier to understand the correspondence relation between the location point on the route and the location point information representation because of the shape of the route line on the image before switching, whereas the route is displayed in a different shape on the image after switching, and therefore it is difficult to understand the correspondence relation between the both.

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention has an object to provide, as an example of a solution, an image control program and the like. In a case where an image is switched from an image including a route line representing a route and a location point on the route line with a shape of the line and a location point information representation to an image including the route line having a different shape of the shape and the location point information representation, a user can easily understand a correspondence relation between the location point on the route and the location point information representation also in the image after switching.

Solution to Problem

An invention described in claim1is an image control program for causing a computer to perform: a first process of causing a display unit to display a first image including a first line and a location point information representation, the first line being a line indicating a route and representing a location point on the route with a shape of the line, the location point information representation representing information related to the location point; and a second process of causing the display unit to display a second image by switching from the first image, the second image displaying a second line to associate the location point with the location point information representation, the second line being a line indicating the route and having a shape different from the shape.

An invention described in claim8is an image control device comprising: a first processing unit that causes a display unit to display a first image including a first line and a location point information representation, the first line being a line indicating a route and representing a location point on the route with a shape of the line, the location point information representation representing information related to the location point; and a second processing unit that causes the display unit to display a second image by switching from the first image, the second image displaying a second line to associate the location point with the location point information representation, the second line being a line indicating the route and having a shape different from the shape.

An invention described in claim9is an image control method by an image control device, the image control method comprising: a first processing step of causing a display unit to display a first image including a first line and a location point information representation, the first line being a line indicating a route and representing a location point on the route with a shape of the line, the location point information representation representing information related to the location point; and a second processing step of causing the display unit to display a second image by switching from the first image, the second image displaying a second line to associate the location point with the location point information representation, the second line being a line indicating the route and having a shape different from the shape.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference toFIG.1.

As shown inFIG.1, a display control device100includes a first processing unit101and a second processing unit102.

The first processing unit101causes a display unit to display a first image including a first line that is a line indicating a route and that represents a location point on the route with a shape of a line, and a location point information representation that represents information related to the location point.

The second processing unit102causes the display unit to display a second image by switching from the first image. The second image displays a second line that is a line indicating the route and that has a different shape from the afore-mentioned shape so as to associate the location point with the location point information representation.

According to the display control device100, the first image is switched to the second image. The first image includes the first line and the location point information representation. The first line is a line indicating the route and representing the location point on the route with a shape of the line, and the location point information representation represents information related to the location point. The second image displays the second line to associate the location point on the route with the location point information representation. The second line is a line indicating the route and having a shape different from that of the first line. Therefore, also in the image after switching, the user can easily understand the correspondence relation between the location point on the route and the location point information representation.

EXAMPLES

Next, examples corresponding to the above-described embodiment will be described. It is to be noted that the examples to be described below are examples in a case where the present invention is applied to an on-vehicle device200.

A configuration of the on-vehicle device200in the present example will be described with reference toFIG.2. As shown inFIG.2, the on-vehicle device200is configured to include a control unit211, a storage unit212composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and an input unit213composed of a keyboard, a remote controller, a touch panel, or the like, a display unit214, a bus line215, an input and output interface unit220, a vehicle speed sensor221, an angular velocity sensor222, an acceleration sensor223, a steering angle sensor224, and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver225.

The vehicle speed sensor221detects, for example, a current speed of a vehicle on which the on-vehicle device200is mounted by using a speed detection process or the like using a vehicle speed pulse or the like to be acquired from the vehicle, and outputs speed data. The angular velocity sensor222detects, for example, an angular velocity of a change in direction of the vehicle, and outputs angular velocity data and relative bearing data per unit time. The acceleration sensor223detects, for example, acceleration of the vehicle in a front-rear direction, and outputs acceleration data or the like per unit time. The steering angle sensor224detects a steering angle of the vehicle, and outputs steering angle data or the like. The GNSS receiver225receives navigation radio waves from a GNSS satellite, and outputs GNSS positioning data.

The storage unit212stores data for displaying various images (including detailed route images and simple route images, which will be described later) on the display unit214. For example, map data for displaying a map, map information used in searching for a route, road link information, and the like are stored. In addition, the storage unit212stores various programs such as an operating system and an application program. In particular, the storage unit212stores a display control program for switching and displaying a detailed route image and a simple route image, which will be described later, on the display unit214. It is to be noted that the various programs may be acquired from, for example, a server device or the like via a network, or may be read from a recording medium such as a CD, a DVD, or a USB memory.

The input unit213receives an input operation of a user, and transmits an operation signal indicating an operation content to the control unit211.

The display unit214displays an image based on the image data under the control of the control unit211. The display unit214includes, for example, a graphics controller214a, a buffer memory214bcomposed of a memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM), a display214ccomposed of a liquid crystal display or the like. In this configuration, the graphics controller214acontrols the entire display unit214, based on control data sent from the control unit211via the bus line215. In addition, the buffer memory214btemporarily stores image data that can be displayed immediately. Then, the image is displayed on the display214c, based on the image data output from the graphics controller214a.

The control unit211includes a CPU211athat controls the entire control unit211, a ROM211bin which a control program and the like for controlling the control unit211is stored beforehand, and a RAM211cthat temporarily stores various data. Then, the CPU211afunctions as various unit by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM211band the storage unit212. The control unit211or the CPU211acorresponds to a “computer”.

Further, the control unit211is coupled to the vehicle speed sensor221, the angular velocity sensor222, the acceleration sensor223, the steering angle sensor224, and the GNSS receiver225via the bus line215and the input and output interface unit220.

The control unit211performs satellite positioning based on the GNSS positioning data, autonomous positioning based on the speed data, the angular velocity data, the relative bearing data, the acceleration data, the steering angle data, and the like, or hybrid positioning or the like that combines the above data, and acquires current location information indicating the current location (a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude) of an own vehicle (which will be referred to as “the own vehicle” in some cases).

[2. Image Switching Control by Control Unit211]

The control unit211controls switching of the image to be displayed on the display214cby sending the image data that has been generated based on the map data and the like stored in the storage unit212and the control data related to switching of the image to the display unit214. The control is performed by the control unit211executing the display control program. Hereinafter, the image to be displayed on the display214cand image switching control by the control unit211will be described with reference toFIGS.3A-3F.

[2.1. Control of Switching from Detailed Route Image to Simple Route Image]

FIGS.3A-3Fare diagrams showing an image transition example in switching from the detailed route image to the simple route image.FIG.3Ais a diagram showing an example of a detailed route image300A, andFIG.3Fis a diagram showing an example of a simple route image300F. In addition,FIGS.3B to3Eare diagrams respectively showing examples of intermediate images300B to300E, which are displayed in the process while the image is being switched from the detailed route image300A to the simple route image300F.

The detailed route image300A and the simple route image300F are each a route guidance image for guiding a user along a route to a destination, and each display an own vehicle mark M indicating the own vehicle mounted with the on-vehicle device200and route lines301A and301F.

In the present example, a user can choose a display mode when the route guidance image is displayed on the display214cfrom two display modes. The display mode includes a detailed mode and a simple mode. In a case where the detailed mode is chosen, the control unit211displays the detailed route image300A, and in a case where the simple mode is chosen, the control unit211displays the simple route image300F.

It is to be noted that in the present example, a process of displaying an image before image switching (the detailed route image300A) is referred to as a first process, and a process of displaying another image after the image switching (the simple route image300F) is referred to as a second process.

The detailed route image300A includes a map depicting the route line301A indicating the route to the destination and location point information representations311,312, and313respectively representing information related to location points on the route line301A. In the detailed route image300A, the map is always displayed so that the traveling direction is an upward direction, and the own vehicle mark M is fixedly displayed at a location of the lower center. The route line301A is superimposed on roads on the map and is depicted with, for example, a color or thickness different from the color of the road, so that the user can distinguish between the road that is the route and the road that is not the route. Further, the route line301A represents location points321and322on the route line301A with its shape. That is, the route line301A represents a location point on the route with a bent part of the line. The location point on the route is, for example, an intersection, a landmark, or the like, where a left or right turn is made.

The location point information representations311,312, and313respectively represent information related to location points on the route. In particular, the location point information representation311represents the information related to the location point321, and the location point information representation312represents the information related to the location point322.

In addition, the arrangement order of the location point information representations311,312, and313is based on a passing order of respectively corresponding location points from the current location of the own vehicle (hereinafter, “current location” indicates “current location of the own vehicle”). In the detailed route image300A in the present example, the own vehicle mark M is fixedly displayed at the location of the lower center. Accordingly, in the order from the lower side, the location point information representation311that represents the information related to a first passing location point, the location point information representation312that represents information related to a second passing location point, and the location point information representation313that represents information related to a third passing location point are displayed.

Furthermore, in the example of the detailed route image300A, a location point where to make a course change next after passing through the location point322(the third passing location point) along the route line301A cannot be displayed on the detailed route image300A. However, the location point information representation313corresponding to the location point where to make a course change next is displayed. In this situation, since the location point corresponding to the location point information representation313is not represented in the shape of the route line301A, a display form (for example, the displayed color) for the location point information representation313may be different from those of the location point information representations311and312. It is to be noted that regarding the number of the location point information representations to be displayed, the number of the representations that have been set may be displayed up to the number that can be displayed in the display area.

Examples of the information related to the location points represented by the location point information representation311,312, and313include a direction of making a turn at the location point, a distance from the current location to the location point, a name of the location point, and the like. In the present example, the direction of making a turn at the location point321, the distance from the current location to the location point321, and the name of the location point321are represented by the location point information representation311corresponding to the first passing location point321. The directions of making turns at the location points and the distances from the current location to the location points are respectively displayed by the location point information representation312and the location point information representation313respectively corresponding to the second and third passing location points. However, the location point information representations corresponding to the second and subsequent location points may respectively represent the directions of making turns at the location points, the distances from the current location to the location points, and the names of the location points, or some of the above information representations may be represented.

Then, when the user performs an operation of switching the display mode from the detailed mode to the simple mode, the control unit211switches the image from the detailed route image300A to the simple route image300F.

The simple route image300F includes a route line301F, which is a straight line indicating a route to a destination, and the location point information representations311,312, and313, which respectively represent the information related to the location points on the route. When comparing the detailed route image300A and the simple route image300F, in the detailed route image300A, the route line301A represents the location points321and322on the route with its shape, whereas in the simple route image300F, the route line301F does not represent the location points321and322on the route with its shape. In addition, the map is not displayed on the simple route image300F. Furthermore, regarding the location point information representations311,312, and313, no change is made in the display forms or the display locations between the detailed route image300A and the simple route image300F. No change is made in the display form or the display location of the location point information representations311,312, and313. Accordingly, it is unlikely for the user to lose sight of the image when the image is switched from the detailed route image300A to the simple route image300F. It is to be noted that at least one of the display form and the display location may be displayed to be substantially identical to each other. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused as compared with a case where the display form and the display position are both changed.

The simple route image300F does not represent the location point321or322on the route with the shape of the route line301F. Hence, it is difficult for the user to understand the correspondence relation with the location point information representations311and312. For this reason, the control unit211determines points on the route line301F respectively corresponding to the location points321and322, and represents the points with location point marks331and332. A location point mark has a display form by which the user can recognize at a glance as a point on the route line301F. It is to be noted that the location point mark in the present example has a display form that is circular and larger in diameter than the thickness of the route line301F. However, any other display form may be used, as long as the user can understand at a glance as a point on the route line301F.

The user can understand correspondence relations between the route line301F and the location point information representations311and312, from positional relationships between the location point marks331and332and the own vehicle mark M and a positional relationship (an arrangement order) between the location point information representations311and312(that is, the location point mark331corresponds to the location point information representation311, and the location point mark332corresponds to the location point information representation312). The simple route image300F includes a connection line341connecting the location point mark331and the location point information representation311, and a connection line342connecting the location point mark332and the location point information representation312. Consequently, the user can clearly understand that the location point mark331corresponds to the location point information representation311, and the location point mark332corresponds to the location point information representation312.

Here, a description will be given with regard to a method, by the control unit211, for determining the points (the locations where the location point marks are drawn) on the route line301F respectively corresponding to the location points321and322. First, the control unit211determines a point corresponding to the location point321on the route line301F, so that a length from the vehicle mark M to the location point321in the detailed route image300A and a length from the vehicle mark M to the location point mark331in the simple route image300F are substantially identical to each other. Consequently, the length to the first passing location point does not change in the detailed route image300A or the simple route image300F. Therefore, the image can be switched from the detailed route image300A to the simple route image300F without giving the user an uneasy feeling.

In addition, the control unit211determines a point corresponding to the location point322on the route line301F, based on a length from a point represented by the location point mark331on the route line301F to the own vehicle mark M, and travel distances from the current location to the location point321and from the location point321to the location point322. In the example ofFIGS.3A-3F, the travel distance from the current location to the location point321is 300 m, and the travel distance from the location point321to the location point322is 180 m. Here, in a case where the length from the point represented by the location point mark331on the route line301F to the own vehicle mark M is 2.5 cm, a point 1.5 cm (=(2.5×180)/300) ahead from the point represented by the location point mark331is determined to be the point corresponding to the location point322.

The control unit211determines the points on the route line301F respectively corresponding to the location points321and322, as the vehicle travels, and repeats a process of changing the locations representing the location point marks331and332. Consequently, the locations of the location point marks331and332move in a direction closer to the own vehicle mark M, as the own vehicle travels.

On the other hand, the control unit211does not immediately switch the image from the detailed route image300A to the simple route image300F. The control unit211switches and displays the detailed route image300A, the intermediate images300B to300E, and the simple route image300F in this order.

The intermediate images300B to300E respectively display the own vehicle mark M and the route lines301B to301E indicating the route. The intermediate images300B to300E represent a process of changing from the shape of the route line301A in the detailed route image300A to the shape (a straight line shape) of the route line301F in the simple route image300F. In addition, as shown in the intermediate image300B and the intermediate image300C, the map displayed in the detailed route image300A is gradually erased.

As described heretofore, in the on-vehicle device200in the present example, the control unit211(an example of “the first processing unit” and “the second processing unit”) causes the display214c(an example of “the display unit”) to display the detailed route image300A (an example of “a first image”) including a line, which indicates a route and which is the route line301A (an example of “a first line”) representing the location points321and322on the route with a shape of the line, and the location point information representations311and312representing information related to the location points321and322. The control unit211displays the simple route image300F (an example of “a second image”), which is displayed by switching from the detailed route image300A. The simple route image300F displays the route line301F (an example of “a second line”) having a shape different from that of the route line301A to respectively associate the location points321and322with the location point information representations311and312.

Therefore, according to the on-vehicle device200in the present example, the display image is switched from the detailed route image300A including the route line301A and the location point information representations311and312, to the simple route image300F, which displays the route line301F having a shape different from that of the route line301A to respectively associate the location points321and322on the route line301A with the location point information representations311and312. Accordingly, the user can easily understand the correspondence relation between the location point on the route and the location point information representation also in the image after switching.

In addition, in the on-vehicle device200in the present example, in the second process, the control unit211displays the simple route image300F including the location point marks331and332(an example of “a symbol”) indicating the correspondence relation between the points on the route line301F respectively corresponding to the location points321and322, and the location point information representations311and312respectively related to the location points321and322. Consequently, the user can easily understand the correspondence relation between the location point on the route and the location point information representation.

Furthermore, in the on-vehicle device200in the present example, the control unit211(a determination processing unit) performs a determination process of determining a location of the point on the route line301F, based on a distance to the location point from a current location as a reference, and displays the simple route image300F, in which the location point marks331and332are displayed at the locations that have been determined in the second process. Consequently, the user can understand a feeling of distance from the current location to each location point and a feeling of distance between the respective location points.

Furthermore, in the on-vehicle device200in the present example, in the second process, the control unit211causes the simple route image300F to be displayed such that the location point information representations311,312, and313displayed in the simple route image300F have at least one of a substantially identical display form or a substantially identical display location to the location point information representations311,312, and313displayed in the detailed route image300A. Consequently, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused due to a change in the display form regarding the location point information representations311,312, and313.

Furthermore, in the on-vehicle device200in the present example, the length of the line indicating from the location of the own vehicle mark M (the current location) on the route line301A to the first passing location point321in the detailed route image300A and the length of the line indicating from the location of the own vehicle mark M (the current location) on the route line301F to the location point mark331indicating the first passing location point in the simple route image300F are substantially identical to each other. Consequently, in the detailed route image300A and the simple route image300F, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by a change in the length of the line indicating the first passing location point from the current location between on the route line301A and on the route line301F and a change in the distance indicated by the line to a guided location point, that is, a change in scale.

Next, modifications of the present example will be described. It is to be noted that the modifications described below can be combined as appropriate.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3F, the connection lines341and342respectively connecting the location point marks331and332and the location point information representations311and312are displayed in the simple route image300F. However, as shown inFIG.4, the connection lines341and342may not be necessarily displayed. By displaying the location point marks331and332and the location point information representations311and312in the passing order from the current location, the correspondence relations between the location point marks331and332and the location point information representations311and312can be understood, even when the connection lines341and342are not displayed.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3A, in the detailed route image300A, the location point where to make a course change next after the location point322on the route line301A cannot be displayed on the detailed route image300A. However, the location point information representation313corresponding to the location point where to make the course change next is also displayed. In accordance with this, as shown inFIG.3F, the location point information representation313is also displayed in the simple route image300F. However, as shown inFIG.5, the location point information representation313related to the location point where the location point mark is not displayed may not be necessarily displayed. Then, when it becomes possible to represent the location point where to make the course change next after the location point322with the location point mark as the own vehicle travels, the control unit211displays the location point mark and the location point information representation313that represents the information related to the location point indicated by the location point mark.

In the above example, as shown inFIGS.3A and3F, the location point mark331is displayed so that the length from the own vehicle mark M to the location point321in the detailed route image300A and the length from the own vehicle mark M to the location point mark331in the simple route image300F are substantially identical to each other, and the location point mark332is displayed at a location on which the actual distances from the current location to the location points321and322are reflected. However, the location where the location point mark is displayed may be determined according to the number of the location point information representations to be displayed in the simple route image300F. For example, as shown inFIG.6, in a case where three location point information representations are displayed, the three location point marks331,332, and333respectively corresponding to the location points321,322, and323may be displayed so that the locations are evenly spaced apart from each other. In this case, even though the corresponding location point mark is not displayed, an uneasy feeling that the location point information representation is displayed will not be given to the user.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3F, in the simple route image300F, the connection lines341and342respectively connecting the location point marks331and332and the location point information representations311and312are displayed to be horizontal. However, the connection lines may be displayed diagonally. For example, as shown inFIG.7, in a case where the distance from the current location to the location point where the information is represented by the location point information representation311is 300 m, the distance from the current location to the location point where the information is represented by the location point information representation312is 400 m, and the distance from the current location to the location point where the information is represented by the location point information representation313is 500 m (that is, the distance between the location points is 100 m), the location point marks331,332, and333representing the respective location points are displayed in close proximity to each other on the route line301F. In such a case, the connection lines341,342, and343are displayed so as to clarify the correspondence relations between the location point marks331,332, and333and the location point information representations311,312, and313. In this situation, the connection lines342and343may be displayed diagonally.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3F, the connection lines341and342respectively connecting the location point marks331and332and the location point information representations311and312are displayed in the simple route image300F. However, instead of this, the display forms of the location point marks displayed on the route line301F may be different from each other, and the display form of each location point mark may be displayed in association with the location point information representation. For example, as shown inFIG.8, the location point mark331indicating the location point321representing the information with the location point information representation311is displayed in the display form of a white circle. A location point mark332A indicating the location point322representing the information with the location point information representation312is displayed in the display form of a white triangle. A mark311A having the display form of the white circle is displayed in the location point information representation311. A mark312A having the display form of the white triangle is displayed in the location point information representation312. Consequently, the correspondence relation between the location point mark331and the location point information representation311and the correspondence relation between the location point mark332and the location point information representation312can be clarified.

As shown inFIG.9, the route line301F displayed in the simple route image300F may be displayed to be thicker in a bar shape. By making the route line301F thicker, the marks can be displayed inside the line. Accordingly, a mark that clarifies the correspondence relation between the location point and the location point information representation may be displayed there. For example, a location point mark331B indicating the location point321where the information is represented by the location point information representation311is displayed in the display form of “circled 1”. A location point mark332B indicating the location point322where the information is represented by the location point information representation312is displayed in the display form of “circled 2”. A mark311B having the display form of “circled 1” is displayed in the location point information representation311. A mark312B having the display form of “circled 2” is displayed in the location point information representation312. Consequently, the correspondence relation between the location point mark331B and the location point information representation311and the correspondence relation between the location point mark332B and the location point information representation312can be clarified.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3F, the route line301F displayed in the simple route image300F is a straight line. However, as shown inFIG.10, the route line301F may be bent. In this manner, by displaying the route line301F along the lower part and the right part of the simple route image300F, more location point information representations311,312,313,314, and315can be displayed than those in the example of3F.

In the above example, an intersection or a location point where to make a course change has been described as an example of the location point where the related information is displayed by the location point information representation. However, a location point where a facility such as a store, which is a stopover, exists may be used.

In the above example, as shown inFIG.3A, in a case where the information related to the intersection is displayed as the location point information representation311, the traveling direction, the distance, and the intersection name are displayed. However, only the traveling direction may be displayed. Information related to a vehicle lane (a lane) may be additionally displayed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST