JP2805670B2 - Map data display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map data display device for reading and displaying map data according to selection from a recording medium on which map data corresponding to a plurality of scales are recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation system reads, for example, map data recorded on a CD-ROM as a recording medium, detects position information such as a vehicle speed and a traveling direction through a hardware device mounted on a vehicle, and detects such information. Are synthesized and displayed on the display device. Various methods for obtaining information on the current position using the above hardware device have been studied and implemented.

[0003] A map viewed through hardware such as this navigation system has only a display resolution that depends on the hardware. Therefore, the relationship between the range that can be simultaneously viewed on one screen and the object that can be expressed within this range is considerably limited.

[0004] On the other hand, a user requires a map resolution suitable for the purpose of the map. In order to respond to this request, simply changing the scale and displaying it is possible, for example, by recording detailed map data from the beginning on a recording medium and devising the hardware side for display. However, in order to respond to the higher demands of users, it is necessary to respond on the software side. A map viewed through hardware in consideration of the necessity of software has a plurality of sets of map data describing the same area corresponding to the range of a range displayed on one screen. Having a plurality of sets of map data in this way is called map hierarchy. There are a plurality of types of map scales corresponding to this map hierarchy.

When displaying a map of a certain area, it is necessary to indicate which scale level the currently displayed map is displaying in a hierarchical map. Several methods have been proposed to indicate this scale level hierarchy. The first method is to relatively display the scale level from the map data of a scale level for overlooking a wider area in a coarse description recorded on a recording medium to the map data of a narrow area in detail. It is a method of displaying on the screen by treating it as a typical thing. For example, if a layer above a certain layer is displayed with a certain layer as a boundary, “wide area” is displayed on the screen, and if a layer below this layer is displayed, “detail” is displayed on the screen. indicate.

In the second method, an error message is simply displayed unless the scale specified by the operation exists without displaying the scale level (hierarchy level) displaying the map data on the screen. There is something.

In the third method, a dedicated display device is provided outside the screen, and the hierarchy of the map being displayed is highlighted. In the dedicated display device shown in FIG. 6, for example, a CD-ROM currently used has six layers out of a maximum of 30 scale-level layers, and the display device displays the current display in these six layers. You can indicate where the hierarchy level is. In this way, the number of layers fixed by hardware is displayed.

[0008]

However, in the first and second methods described above, it is not possible to know exactly where the current layer is among all the layers of the recording medium.
Further, it is difficult to perform operations such as moving the hierarchy one or more steps or jumping directly to the selected hierarchy from the current hierarchy.

In the third method, the number of layers that can be displayed is limited because dedicated hardware is used.

However, a CD-R for recording map data
There are various types of CD-ROMs, such as OMs, which have many layers and inexpensive ones which have only a few layers. When the current hierarchy is indicated in correspondence with all of these various CD-ROMs, each CD-ROM is stored in the fixed unit.
If the hierarchical level bar indicating the hierarchical level is provided in consideration of the maximum number of hierarchical levels in, an area of the hierarchical level bar that is not used is generated and is wasted.

In fact, as shown in FIG. 6, the maximum number of layers is determined to be 30 as described above by setting the format. CD-RO having only six layers, for example, even if the fixed unit has 30 layers as hardware
When the current layer of M is shown, only the area A from the bottom to the sixth layer is used, and there are also 24 layers whose unused level bar is indicated by area B. In the display of layers by such a fixed unit, the compatibility of the CD-ROM is impaired because it is necessary to define the number of layers at the scale level in addition to the format.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the display compatibility of the information is flexibly supported when displaying the information recorded on each recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map data display device capable of displaying read information so as not to be damaged.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided a map data display device for reading out and displaying map data from a recording medium on which map data corresponding to a plurality of scales are recorded. By arranging the symbols as display elements in the order of the plurality of types of scale scales of the map data recorded on the medium and displaying the selected scale scale symbols separately from other symbols, Solve the problem.

Here, the map data display device displays a symbol on a display screen two-dimensionally by controlling display of data through a data processing unit for performing data processing of the read information by a graphic display unit. . In addition, the map data display device moves the position of the selected symbol according to a key operation in order to clearly display the position of the hierarchy selected in this display, and highlights the selected symbol to distinguish it from other symbols. Display. This highlight display can be moved like a cursor. With this display, the user knows the relative positions of the symbols in the hierarchy on the recording medium.

The above-mentioned problem is solved by displaying a number of symbols on the screen according to the total number of the plurality of types of scales recorded on the recording medium.

Further, the above-mentioned problem is solved by displaying the symbols in a predetermined area secured in advance on a display screen with the size of the symbols varied according to the total number of the plurality of types of scales. Resolve.

Further, the above-mentioned problem is solved by configuring the map data display device to be mounted on a vehicle using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle-mounted power supply.

[0018]

According to the map data display device of the present invention, the scale of a symbol is changed in software according to the number of scales recorded on the recording medium in a predetermined area as a symbol display area. Are arranged in the order of the scale, and the symbols of the selected scale are displayed separately from the other symbols.

Further, the map data display device can be mounted on a vehicle as a vehicle-mounted configuration using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle-mounted power supply.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a map data display device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The map data display device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the schematic functional block configuration shown in FIG. Here, the map data is an optical disk, for example, a CD, which can have a large amount of digital data.
-Written in the ROM 10.

The map data display device is a data reading section 11 which is a data reading section for reading information recorded on a recording medium, and a data processing section for performing a process based on the information from the data reading section 11. The data processing unit 12, a graphic control unit 13 as display control means for controlling display data from the data processing unit 12, and a display device 14 as display means for displaying an output signal from the graphic control unit 13. Make up.

The operation based on this circuit configuration is as described below. Digital data recorded on the CD-ROM 11 shown in FIG. 1 is supplied to a data processing unit 12 via a data reading unit 11. The data reading section 11 is generally constituted by an optical pickup 11a and a signal processing circuit 11b. The optical pickup 11a includes an MPU (micro processing unit:
It is driven according to a control signal from the MPU 12a and moves to a target position. The target position is irradiated with laser light, and the return light reflected by the CD-ROM 10 is converted into an electric signal and supplied to the signal processing circuit 11b. The information read in this way is sent from the signal processing circuit 11b to the MPU 12a in the data processing unit 12.

The data processing unit 12 includes an MPU 12a for controlling the map data display device, a RAM 12b for temporarily storing read information, and a ROM 12c for storing data processing procedures for creating image data. It consists of:

The MPU 12a stores input information in the RAM 1
2b for writing. Also, R
The AM 12b is read again in response to a read signal from the MPU 12b. The MPU 12b supplies a control signal to the ROM 12c and, for example, writes a control processing program for a display operation of the map data display device, and thus creates display data according to the processing program.
In addition, the ROM 12c stores the overall control procedure of the map data display device.

The program of the ROM 12c and the MPU
The map data read from the CD-ROM 10 under the control of 12a and subjected to data processing necessary for displaying the map is sent to the graphic control unit 13. The graphic controller 13 includes a GDC (graphic display controller: hereinafter abbreviated as GDC) 13a and a V-RAM (video RAM: abbreviated as V-RAM) 13b. The map data supplied to the graphic control unit 13 is sent to the V-RAM 13b under the control of the GDC 13a, where the map data is temporarily stored. By storing the map data in the V-RAM 13b in this manner, the display on the display device 18 can be performed more easily.

Information such as read image data is displayed on a two-dimensional display screen of the display device 18 in response to an operation of an operation unit (not shown).

The map data display device may be used after the map data display device is reset or after the CD-ROM 1
After exchanging 0, various information is read. At this time, the map data display device reads, for example, a TOC (table of contents table: hereinafter abbreviated as TOC) area of the CD-ROM 10. This TOC information records the total number of scales of a plurality of types of maps written on the recording medium. The total number of scales of this map is stored in the RAM 12b as _Nmax .

The total number _Nmax of map scales stored in the RAM 12b is used as data of a screen display program built in the ROM 12c. The MPU 12a arithmetically processes parameters for displaying a so-called "scale bar" indicating the level of the scale according to the screen display program in a preset area. In addition, the map data display device highlights the corresponding scale level during the current display in order to easily visually recognize the scale level indicated by the actual scale bar. For the purpose of this highlight display, the currently displayed scale level, that is, the selected scale level is represented by using a variable n.

In the map data display device, the map data display at the start of the operation displays, for example, the widest area.
Here, the value of the variable n is larger at a scale level that can display a wider area. Therefore, the initial value of the variable n is set to _Nmax . After displaying the initial screen, the user changes the variable n by, for example, moving up or down a scale level selection key for selecting a scale level on the operation panel. Thus C
While displaying the total number of scales included in the D-ROM 10,
If the scale level being displayed can be known in response to the operation of the scale level selection key, the operability of the user can be significantly improved.

The procedure for displaying the hierarchy of the map data, that is, the scale level, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 1 is referred to as needed. The display of the scale level is part of a routine for displaying map data. Activate the map data display device and press C
The D-ROM 10 is set.

The CD-ROM set in step S10
10. Digital data is read from 10. Step S11
The TOC information written in the CD-ROM 10 is also read out and written in the RAM 14 and stored. In this step, the number of layers of the total scale level of the CD-ROM 10 is read as _Nmax , and the process proceeds to step S12.

[0033] represents the scale level of the display image in the initial In step S12 using the variable N _init, set the N _max is the total value of the hierarchy, for example, variable N _init. Also,
The initial screen is displayed through a screen display routine (not shown) by substituting the value of N _init for a variable n indicating the layer to be actually displayed.

Next, in step S13, the subsequent display operation is changed depending on whether or not the scale level selection key has been pressed. If the operation of pressing the scale level selection key has not been performed (No), the process returns to step S13. Also,
If the operation of pressing the scale level selection key has been performed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S14. In step S13, the scale level selection key may be interrupted in response to a pressing operation, and the process may proceed to step S14.

In step S14, it is determined whether the user's operation of the scale level selection key has been performed in the direction of raising or lowering the scale level hierarchy. If it is determined that the operation has been performed in a direction to raise the displayed hierarchy, the process proceeds to step S15. On the other hand, if it is determined that the operation has been performed in a direction to lower the displayed hierarchy, step S17
Proceed to.

In step S15, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable n before raising the hierarchy is smaller than the total number _Nmax . When the value of the variable n is a large value equal to or greater than the total number _Nmax , for example, control is performed so as to display the maximum wide area that can be displayed, and the display and the scale level display are not changed at all and step S13 is performed. Return to If the value of the variable n is smaller than the total number _Nmax, step S
Proceed to 16.

In step S16, the value of the variable n is incremented by one.
Subroutine S
Proceed to UB.

In the step S17 in which the displayed hierarchy is lowered, the value of the variable n before lowering the hierarchy is set to CD-
If the value is smaller than the lowermost layer (n = 1) of the ROM 10, for example, control is performed so that the most detailed map data is displayed on the CD-ROM 10 being displayed.
The process returns to step S13 without making any change in the display and the scale level display. If the value of the variable n is larger than 1, the process proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the value of the variable n is set to -1.
Subroutine S
Proceed to UB.

The subroutine SUB includes the changed variable n
The display is changed according to the value of. In accordance with this display change, the highlight display position in the display of at least the scale level is changed and displayed. When the display is completed, the process returns to step S13 and waits until the next scale level selection key is operated.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the scale level is displayed on the display screen. The display screen 15 shown in FIG. 3 has an area 16 secured in advance at the lower right of the screen. In this area 16, symbols are displayed as display elements corresponding to the number of layers recorded on the CD-ROM 10. CD-ROM 10 currently read by the map data display device
It is easy to see that has a scale level of eight levels. Further, in the mode for displaying the position of this hierarchy, selected a hierarchy S ₃ on two from the lowest hierarchy to highlight current or displaying the hierarchy that you want to select cursor to . With this display, it is possible to visually and easily determine the relative position in the eight layers as described above. Also, when the lowest specific scale of the scale level hierarchy is known, it is possible to know e.g. scale of the above hierarchical S ₃ also.

The procedure for controlling the symbol display in the map data display device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In order to explain these symbol display controls, reference is made to the schematic diagram shown in FIG.

The symbol display area of this map data display device is set in advance. This display area is the display area 20 shown in FIG. In this display area 20, a so-called scale level bar indicating a hierarchy is displayed.

At the same time as the start of the display process, the process proceeds to step S20, where the total number _Nmax of scale levels recorded on the CD-ROM 10 is read. The scale level bar used for this hierarchical display is one unit (hereinafter referred to as a unit)
Treat as

In step S20, the total number N of layers read
The pitch P between each unit is calculated from _max . In this calculation, the total length of one of the hierarchically displayed areas shown in FIG.
And Also, a width 21 from the upper end 20a of the hierarchical display area 20 of the CD-ROM 10 being reproduced to the unit of the highest hierarchical level, that is, the level unit displaying the widest area.
Upper margin M _U is set to. Similarly, the lowest layer from the lower end 20b of the hierarchy display area 20, i.e., the width 22 to the level of the unit to display the most detailed region lower margin M _D is set.

It is apparent that the number of pitches P between the units from the total number of layers N _max is represented by N _max -1. Therefore, the effective length obtained by subtracting the margin is given by (N _max
-1) By dividing, the pitch P can be obtained by P = {L− (M _U + M _D )} / (N _max −1) (1) The process proceeds to step S21 to find this pitch P.

In step S21, a unit size h shown in FIG. 5 is obtained from the pitch P in the effective length. The unit size h is preferably at least smaller than the pitch P (h <P). For example, the unit size h is set to h = P / 2 (2) to represent the width of the unit. This unit size h
Is set and the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the display area 2 is determined based on the parameters obtained in steps S20 and S21.
The drawing data for unit display indicating each layer is created in 0. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, drawing data from the lowest unit 1 to the highest unit _Nmax is created in the display area 20, and after the creation is completed, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the unit 21 corresponding to the scale designated by the scale level selection key is obtained from the above-described procedure.

In step S24, data for highlighting is added to the drawing data of the unit specified in step S23. In step S25, the drawing data created by the above-described procedure is supplied to, for example, the V-RAM 13b shown in FIG. 1, and a drawing process is performed. In addition, the data from the V-RAM 13b is supplied to the display device 14 for display.

The drawing data is output to the display device 14, and the procedure of the display processing is completed.

With this configuration, it is possible to visually and instantaneously determine the relative scale level of the scale level of the displayed map in the total number of recording media used. This makes it easy to make significant scale level changes. If the scale of the highest or lowest level of this scale level is clear, the absolute scale level can also be known.

Also, the display of the so-called scale level bar can be displayed in the display area corresponding to the change in the number of units. As a result, when a fixed unit using hardware is used, an unnecessary display area generated for maintaining compatibility of the information in displaying information can be eliminated, and the scale of the recording medium can be effectively displayed as a symbol. . In other words, the screen can be effectively used, and even if the recording medium is changed, the number of scale factors and the displayed scale level can be immediately known in a flexible manner.

Further, the user can efficiently display map data at a desired scale level when searching for a target place by reducing the size of the map data display device so that the map data display device can be mounted on a vehicle. Become like

[0055]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the map data display device of the present invention, a map for reading and displaying map data from a recording medium on which map data corresponding to a plurality of scales is recorded. In the data display device, the symbols serving as display elements are arranged in the order of the plurality of scale scales of the map data recorded on the recording medium, and the selected scale symbol is distinguished from other symbols. By displaying, it is possible to visually and instantaneously grasp where the scale level of the displayed map is as a relative scale level in the total number of recording media used, and greatly It is easy to change the scale level. Also, when the scale of the highest or lowest level of the scale level is clear, the absolute scale level can be known. If the map data display device is reduced in size and made possible to be mounted on a vehicle, it is easy to go to a hierarchical level of information requested by a user when searching for a target place, and to efficiently perform operations such as searching. Can be.

The symbols of the map data display device display information on a screen according to the total number of a plurality of types of scales recorded on the recording medium, thereby using a fixed unit of hardware to obtain information, That is, in displaying the information of the layers, the maximum number of layers is provided in advance to maintain the compatibility of the information, and the useless display area generated when a recording medium including only the number of layers lower than the maximum number of layers is reproduced is eliminated. The scale of the recording medium can be effectively displayed as a symbol.

Further, the symbols are displayed in a predetermined area secured in advance on the display screen by changing the size of the symbols in accordance with the total number of the plurality of types of scales, thereby providing the hardware described above. In addition to eliminating wasteful display caused by the fixed unit, effective use of the screen in the area secured in advance can be achieved, and even if the recording medium is changed, the number and display of the scale ratio can be flexibly responded immediately. You can also know the scale level you are at.

Further, the above-mentioned map data display device is configured to be mounted on a vehicle using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle-mounted power supply, so that it is possible to efficiently display map data at a desired scale level when searching for a target place. Can be done

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic block configuration of an embodiment of a map data display device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for changing the display of a scale level using the schematic block configuration shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when display control is performed according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for displaying a unit indicating a hierarchy in software in a preset display area.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between parameters necessary for displaying a unit indicating a layer by software in a display area set in advance in accordance with the procedure shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional scale level display by a fixed unit configured by hardware.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CD-ROM 11 Data reading unit 12 Data processing unit 13 ... Graphic control unit 14 Display device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G09B 29/10 G01C 21/00 G08G 1/0969

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A map data display device for reading and displaying map data from a recording medium on which map data corresponding to a plurality of scales is recorded, wherein the plurality of types of the map data recorded on the recording medium are provided. A map data display device, wherein symbols serving as display elements are arranged in the order of the scale of the scale, and the symbol of the selected scale is displayed so as to be distinguished from other symbols. 2. The map data display device according to claim 1, wherein the symbols are displayed on the screen in a number corresponding to the total number of the plurality of types of scales recorded on the recording medium. 3. The symbol according to claim 2, wherein the size of the symbol is variably displayed according to the total number of the plurality of types of scales in a predetermined area secured in a display screen. 1. The map data display device according to 1. 4. The map data display device according to claim 1, wherein the map data display device is configured to be mounted on a vehicle using a circuit configuration driven by a vehicle power supply.