JP3232881B2 - Navigation 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 navigation device capable of efficiently selecting and displaying a plurality of maps having different regions and different scales.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation device that determines a current position using radio waves from a satellite, displays the current position on a map read out from a map information storage medium such as a CD-ROM on a screen, and can be used for route guidance to a destination, It has begun to spread for in-vehicle use and personal use.

[0005] The navigation device 1 shown in FIG.
It has a CPU 4 to which a GPS receiver 2 for receiving radio waves from the S satellite and outputting positioning data of the current position, a reader 3 for reading map information, and the like are connected. Map data necessary for present location display or map search is read from a map information storage medium 5 such as a CD-ROM via a reader 3 called a media controller. In order to enable quick map scrolling, for example, screen display is performed. The map data for several screens, in which the surrounding area is added to the outside of the area, is drawn in the buffer memory 6, and the map data for several screens developed in the buffer memory 6 is used for displaying the current location and the search location. A method of cutting out map data for one screen and copying it to the display image memory 7 is used. The map data copied to the display image memory 7 is stored in the display controller 8.
Is displayed on the screen of the display 9, and the storage contents of the display image memory 7 can be switched every moment according to the movement of the current location or the search location.

[0004] The map display mode of the display 9 is as follows.
It can be arbitrarily selected by a key operation on the keyboard 10 connected to the CPU 4, such as a north-up display in which the north is directly above or a head-up display in which the traveling direction is directly above,
By operating the keys on the keyboard 10, it is also possible to drive and display a limited number of route points on a planned travel route connecting the departure place and the destination, or to record actual travel locus data. ing. Note that map editing data such as route point data and traveling locus data, that is, additional data not originally stored in the map information storage medium 5 are stored in a ring buffer type RAM built in the CPU 4.
(Not shown) and overwritten within the storage capacity range.

[0005]

The conventional navigation device 1 checks the map near the destination in advance while driving while displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display 9 according to, for example, GPS navigation. Therefore, it is assumed that a map search is performed by operating the cursor keys on the keyboard 10, a map near the destination is temporarily displayed on the display 9, and after confirmation is completed, the mode is switched from the destination display mode to the current position display mode. In this case, the screen is instantaneously switched to the current position display centering on the own vehicle together with the mode switching operation. However, if it is necessary to check the map near the destination again after returning to the current location display, the map must be scrolled from the current location to the destination while operating the cursor keys just as in the previous case. For this reason, if the distance between the current location and the destination is not too far, key operation will not be too difficult, but if there is a considerable distance from the current location to the destination, it is very difficult to repeatedly perform cursor key operation. It is troublesome and has a problem that it takes time to search for a destination. In addition, when the conventional navigation device 1 displays the map data on the same area on the screen while changing the scale, the map data corresponding to the scale must be read out from the map information storage medium 5 and expanded on the buffer memory 6 each time. Therefore, even if the map is simply different in scale, it takes time to switch the display, and when comparing maps of the same area with different scales, it is not possible to perform quick contrast observation. Was. Also, when comparing maps of the same area, when switching to the detailed map with the cross cursor slightly moved on the wide area map, the position of the cross cursor on the detailed map may move beyond imagination. In some cases, it took time to adjust the cursor. Furthermore, when driving a route point on a map along the planned travel route, setting route points while referring to both the wide area map and the detailed map will make it possible to assign route points with a limited number. Although it is known that it is effective, the conventional navigation device 1 allocates route points only on the momentum detailed map because it takes time to switch between the wide area map and the detailed map. In some cases, a shortage of points occurred.

[0006] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-152310, "Navigation apparatus for moving object", provides a window on a part of a display screen when a destination including a current position of the moving object is not included on a map. There is disclosed an apparatus in which a map including a destination is displayed on a window, thereby making it unnecessary to switch display screens. According to this device, there is an advantage that the current location and the destination can be simultaneously confirmed on the same screen without switching the screen, but the larger the distance between the current location and the destination, the smaller the scale of the wide area map displayed on the window. There is a problem that it is almost impossible to confirm a detailed map near the destination from the window display because it is unavoidable.

[0007] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-229288 discloses a map drawing device which reads a detailed map and a schematic map of an area corresponding to the current position of a vehicle from a CD-ROM into a buffer memory, and determines the traveling direction while the vehicle is moving. There is disclosed a navigation device configured to display a schematic map on a head-up screen on the upper side and to display a detailed map on a north-up screen on the north side when the vehicle stops. This has the advantage that the current location can be grasped in detail when the vehicle is stopped, which provides more visibility than when the vehicle is traveling. However, the buffer memory stores schematic map data (MP
O) and detailed map data (MPD) are stored, and since these map data are map data of the same scale for the same area, for example, the current location and the destination are respectively read at arbitrary scales and optionally on a screen. There is a restriction that it is not suitable for applications such as use for route guidance.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a display for displaying a map, a display image memory for storing map data for one screen displayed on the display, and a map for displaying a map. One of a plurality of buffer memories for storing map data read from the information storage medium for several screens including a screen display area and a surrounding area, and one of the plurality of buffer memories in response to a display request from the outside. And a CPU for cutting out the one screen from the map data stored in the buffer memory and copying it to the display image memory.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of buffer memories store map data relating to different regions at an arbitrary scale, or store map data relating to the same area at different scales. Things. Further, the buffer memory stores map data in which nine screens including the screen display area and the peripheral area are developed in three columns and three rows.

Further, according to the present invention, the CPU replenishes map data in one buffer memory storing copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the screen with priority over the other buffer memories. Replenishing map data corresponding to the other buffer memory on condition that there is no need to replenish the one buffer memory;
Alternatively, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share map data related to the same area, the CPU converts the map editing data added later to the map data to the map data stored in the buffer memory sharing the map data. It is characterized in that it is added in common, and that the CPU is configured to accept operation input only for the map currently displayed on the display.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the navigation device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing one embodiment of the keyboard shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each example of a map display screen by the navigation device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a map processing operation by the CPU shown in FIG.

A navigation device 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of buffer memories 13 in a CPU 12 so that two different areas such as a current location and a destination can be displayed at an arbitrary scale or the same area can be displayed at two different scales. , 14 are connected, and a map switching key 16 is newly provided on the keyboard 15. Buffer memory 1
RAMs 3 and 14 are used which can store map data in which nine screens including the screen display area and the surrounding area are developed in three columns and three rows, so that the current location can be moved. Alternatively, when the search location is moved, the map data for one screen copied to the display image memory 7 shifts from the center of the nine screens to the periphery, and map data in the moving direction is supplemented as needed. It allows for fast map display. Each buffer memory 1
A RAM (not shown) for storing such map control data for storing map control data such as position information and scale information relating to the map data stored in the map data 3 and 14.
Are built in the CPU 4 together with a RAM (not shown) for storing map editing data such as route point data and traveling locus data.

The operation program of the CPU 12 is provided with a processing flow required for switching the display map by the map switching key 16, and the map processing is performed according to a flowchart described later. In the case of the embodiment, in order to give the highest priority to the map processing related to the map displayed on the screen, the CPU
Reference numeral 12 designates one buffer memory for storing copy source map data related to the map displayed on the display 9, for example, 13, supplementing the map data with priority over the other buffer memory 14, and one buffer memory. The operation is defined so that the map data corresponding to the other buffer memory 14 is supplemented on the condition that there is no need to supplement the map data 13. Further, when reading a map including the same area from different buffer memories 13 and 14, the CPU 12 controls the map editing data such as a mark, a route point, or a traveling locus to be added later to the map data so that there is no difference.
When the buffer memories 13 and 14 share map data relating to the same area, map editing data is added in common to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14, and an unintentional map that is contrary to the user's operation intention is further added. The CPU 12 controls the display 9 so that the processing is not performed.
Stipulates that the operation input is accepted only for the currently displayed map.

The keyboard 15 has the key arrangement shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes a power key, and when the power key 17 is turned on, the entire navigation device 11 starts operating. Reference numeral 18 denotes a menu key for calling a list of selected menus on the screen of the display 9, and is actually pressed by pressing the enter key 19 with the cursor positioned on a desired selected menu. Reference numeral 20 denotes a cursor key for moving the cursor in the cross direction, and is used at the time of menu selection or map search. The scale change key 21 is used to change the scale of the map displayed on the screen of the display 9.
The scale selected by the scale change key 21 is represented by a distance display surrounded by a square having a width corresponding to the distance in the figure in the lower right corner of the map displayed on the screen. Current location key 22
Is operated to display the current position measured based on the output of the GPS receiver 2 together with the surrounding map on the screen. When the display 9 is in any screen display mode, pressing the current position key 22 , The screen is immediately switched to the current location display. The azimuth key 23 is a key for switching the azimuth of the displayed map, and the guidance key 24 is a key for displaying a route point designated in advance on the map and performing route guidance.

When the power key 17 is turned on, the CP
U12 is started according to a predetermined starting program, and FIG.
In step (101) shown in (1), initialization (initialization) is performed. CPU 12 after initialization
Checks the key input in the following step (102), and if the key input is performed, performs various judgment steps for specifying the key input and processing corresponding to the key input. That is, for example, if it is determined in the determination step (103) that the scale change key 21 has been operated, the process proceeds to step (10).
In 4), the scale of the display map is changed. Also,
When the cursor key 20 is operated in a state where the map is displayed, the mode is shifted to the map search mode, and the determination step (10) is performed.
In step (106) following 5), a map search in the direction designated by the cursor key 20 is started.
In this case, as shown on the north-up screen in FIG. 3A, the cross cursor displayed at the center of the screen moves relatively to the map search without being moved.

On the other hand, if the current position key 22 is pressed during the map search to confirm the current position, a decision step (107)
In the step (108) following the step (8), the display screen of the display 9 is instantaneously switched to the current position display. This display switching is performed, for example, by cutting out map data for one screen including the current location from the surrounding map data including the current location stored in one buffer memory 13 and displaying the image data for the display 7.
This is done by copying to In addition, since this copying is performed instantaneously, the display is switched quickly on the screen, and as shown in the head-up screen of FIG. The map moves relatively as the vehicle advances.

If it is necessary to search the map near the destination again after operating the current location key 22 to switch to the current location display once, conventionally, the cursor key 20 is operated from the current location display screen. I had to keep scrolling the map until the destination was displayed. However, here, only by pressing the map switching key 16, the display is switched from the current position to the destination instantaneously. More specifically, the step (11) following the determination step (109) is performed together with the operation of the map switching key 16.
0), a command for specifying the buffer memory 14 storing the map data to be displayed (in this case, the map data near the destination) is sent to the CPU 12, and
The PU 12 switches the copy source of the map data to the display image memory 7 from the buffer memories 13 to 14.

Incidentally, the copying of the map data including the current position executed in connection with the above-mentioned step (108) is performed by cutting out the map data from one buffer memory 13 and the other buffer memory. 14 stores nine screens of map data including the destination. Therefore, simultaneously with the switching of the copy source, map data for one screen including the destination is cut out from the map data stored in the other buffer memory 14 and copied to the display image memory 7. More specifically, the copy to the display image memory 7 is performed by overwriting the map data near the current location with the map data near the destination. Is displayed. Therefore, as the distance between your current location and your destination increases,
The map switching effect by the one-touch operation of the map switching key 16 is large, and it is possible to greatly reduce a destination search burden on a driver or a person sitting in a passenger seat.

Since the map data near the current position changes momentarily with the movement of the vehicle during the map search, the map data necessary for displaying the current position is continuously stored in the map information storage medium 5 even during the map search. Read from
As shown in step (112), drawing on one buffer memory 13 continues until the filling is completed. However, in this drawing, since the map data currently displayed on the display 9 has priority, the other buffer memory 14 needs to replenish new map data for some of the nine screens during the map search. In this case, the other buffer memory 14 is supplemented with the corresponding map data in preference to the one buffer memory 13. However, the other buffer memory 14
Is completed, and the keys 16 to 24 on the keyboard 15 have not been pressed for a certain period of time, the reading from the map information storage medium 5 corresponds to one of the buffer memories 13. It is aimed at supplementing map data. Accordingly, as shown in step (113), drawing on the buffer memories 13 and 14 is appropriately switched by the CPU 12 according to the drawing state on the assumption that the display map has priority over the non-display map.

In this manner, the map processing flow that has proceeded to step (113) is again performed in the key input check step (1).
Return to 02). In this case, when the CPU 12 receives the key input, the CPU 12 specifies the map data stored in the buffer memory 13 or 14 currently being drawn for screen display. Therefore, the following judgment step (103)
Steps (105), (107), and (109) are all executed based on the map actually displayed on the screen of the display 9. Therefore, the change of the scale and the movement of the cursor are performed on the non-display map. Never reach. Also, it is known that the scale change key 21 has been pressed during the map search, and if the scale is changed in step (104) following the determination step (103), map data of the same area having different scales will be stored in the buffer memory 13. , 14 are stored.
In this case, by operating the map switching key 16, both the wide area map and the detailed map for the same area can be alternately switched and displayed instantaneously, so that the map can be easily and quickly compared at different scales with respect to the destination. Is possible,
This can be used for comprehensive judgment of the course.

By repeating the map search by the cursor key 20 and the map switching by the map switching key 16, the buffer memories 13 and 14 can store the map data of two different areas other than the current location and the destination. This can be useful for, for example, pre-researching a route on the way from the current location to the destination. In this case, the map data written in the buffer memories 13 and 14 is
It is irrelevant to the movement of the current location, and unless the map is manually scrolled or the scale is changed, the same map data is saved.
The current location key 22 may be pressed.

As described above, according to the navigation device 11, the present location and the destination stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14, or the map data other than the destination, are appropriately copied to the display image memory 7 so as to be arbitrary. The map of the two areas can be quickly switched and displayed on the screen.
In addition to being able to instantaneously switch and display maps for any two regions, the scale of each map can be specified independently. For example, a destination map is displayed on a detailed map while a current map is displayed on a wide area map. Or, conversely, the destination can be displayed on a wide-area map while the current location can be displayed on a detailed map, and the destination can be displayed on a north-up display while the current location can be displayed on a head-up display. Fine-grained usage suitable for use is also possible.

Further, the CPU 12 controls the buffer memory 1 as a copy source of the map displayed on the screen of the display 9.
In order to supplement map data with priority to 3 or 14, priority is given to the display of the map currently displayed on the screen, and the displacement of the current location due to movement and the displacement of the search location due to map search are
The highest priority is given to eliminating screen display delays.On the other hand, for maps that are not currently displayed on the screen but do not know when they will receive the display designation in the future, they can be replenished when there is no need to replenish priority map data. Thus, a preparation for an unexpected display designation can be prepared. When the buffer memories 13 and 14 share map data relating to the same area, the CPU 12 adds map editing data added later to the map data to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14 in common. Map editing data such as a mark that can be written on the map, a route point that can be designated in advance within a certain number along a planned traveling route, or a locus point indicating a traveling locus, the map data displayed on the screen. Can be added to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14 irrespective of the copy source. For this reason, for example, when setting a limited number of route points while switching between the detailed map and the wide area map, the route point set on one map is automatically added to the other map, and the route point setting Efficiency can be increased. The CPU 12
Is configured to receive an operation input only for the map currently displayed on the display 9.
Can eliminate the inconvenience that even a map that is not displayed on the display 9 is operated by the received operation input, and it is possible to ensure that careless map processing contrary to the user's operation intention is performed. Can be prevented.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the pair of buffer memories 13 and 14 are connected in parallel to the CPU 12 is taken as an example. However, three or more buffer memories are connected in parallel to the CPU 12 and the map switching key 16 is operated. Each time, the copy source to the display image memory 7 can be switched in order.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The CPU operating in response to the display request designates one buffer memory from among a plurality of buffer memories that store the map data read from the map information storage medium for several screens each including the screen display area and the surrounding area. The one screen is cut out from the map data stored in the buffer memory, copied to the display image memory, and the map is displayed on the display. Therefore, only a single buffer memory is prepared for the display image memory. Unlike a conventional navigation device that had not been used, when searching for a destination, a map search with map scrolling using the cursor key was not required each time, and switching from displaying one area to displaying another area was not required. If you want to display the original area again after the map, the map data for one area stored in one buffer memory By copying the image memory for display, an excellent effect such as can be displayed on the screen by quickly switching any two local map.

Further, according to the present invention, since the plurality of buffer memories store map data relating to mutually different regions at respective arbitrary scales, the map relating to any two regions is displayed together with a switching request accompanied by key input. ,
It is possible to switch and display instantaneously, and the scale of each map can be specified independently, so for example, display of one area is performed on a detailed map, while display of other areas is performed on a wide area map, or vice versa. Detailed usage, such as displaying one area on a wide area map while displaying other areas on a detailed map, and furthermore, displaying one display as a north-up display and the other display as a head-up display And an excellent effect such as that is possible.

Further, according to the present invention, since a plurality of buffer memories store map data relating to the same area at different scales, different buffer memories are used for areas recorded on the map information storage medium at a plurality of scales. By simply copying the map data of different scales stored in the map to the display image memory, it is possible to instantaneously switch between different scale maps of the same area and display them without any breaks. Therefore, there is an effect that the power is exerted for comprehensive judgment of the course and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, since the buffer memory is configured to store map data in which nine screens including the screen display area and the peripheral area are developed in three columns and three rows, the present location is shifted. When the search data is moved or the search location is moved, the map data for one screen copied to the display image memory shifts from the center of the nine screens to the periphery, so that the map data in the moving direction is changed. It can be replenished at any time, which eliminates the inconvenience that the display of the current location or the display of the search location does not keep up with the display of the surrounding map, and has the effect of enabling high-speed map display.

Further, the CPU replenishes the one buffer memory in which the copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the display is stored with priority over the other buffer memories, and replenishes the one buffer memory. Since the map data corresponding to the other buffer memory is replenished on condition that there is no need to replenish the buffer memory,
The display of the map currently displayed on the screen is given top priority, and the displacement of the current location due to movement or the displacement of the search location due to map search is given the highest priority to eliminating the delay of the screen display, while it is currently displayed on the screen Even for maps that are not displayed but for which it is unknown when the display designation will be received in the future, by replenishing the priority map data when it is not necessary to replenish the map data, it is possible to prepare for an unexpected display designation.

Furthermore, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share map data relating to the same area, the CPU may use the map editing data added later to the map data as a buffer memory for sharing the map data. Are added to the map data stored in the map in common. Regarding the edited data, regardless of the copy source of the map data displayed on the screen, it can be added in common to the map data stored in a plurality of buffer memories sharing the map data. When reading from the buffer memory,
It is possible to eliminate inconvenience such as giving a user a sense of incongruity due to differences in map editing data.For example, when setting a limited number of route points while switching between a detailed map and a wide area map, Since the set route point is automatically added to the other map, it is possible to improve the efficiency of setting the route point.

Further, since the CPU is configured to receive an operation input only for the map currently displayed on the display, it is possible to receive an operation even on a map not displayed on the display by the operation input received by the CPU. It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience and to prevent the careless map processing against the user's operation intention from being performed beforehand and surely.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a navigation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the keyboard shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each example of a map display screen by the navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a map processing operation by a CPU shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a conventional navigation device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 map information storage medium 7 display image memory 9 display 11 navigation device 12 CPU 13, 14 buffer memory 16 map switching key

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00 G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/10

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display for displaying a map, a display image memory for storing map data for one screen to be displayed on the display, and a map display area and a A plurality of buffer memories for storing the surrounding area for several screens, and one buffer memory among the plurality of buffer memories in response to a display request from the outside, and specifying the buffer data from the map data stored in the buffer memory. And a CPU for cutting out one screen and copying it to the display image memory.
And the plurality of buffer memories are associated with different regions.
A navigation device for storing map data at arbitrary scales . 2. A display for displaying a map and one screen of map data to be displayed on the display.
Display image memory and map data read from the map information storage medium.
Screen area and its surrounding area for several screens.
A plurality of buffer memories, and the plurality of buffer memories in response to an external display request.
Specify one buffer memory from the
Cut out one screen from the map data stored in the memory
And a CPU for copying to the display image memory.
And has the plurality of buffer memories, Na <br/> navigation device you and to store at different scales of map data for the same region. 3. A display for displaying a map, and map data for one screen displayed on the display are stored.
Display image memory and map data read from the map information storage medium.
Screen area and its surrounding area for several screens.
A plurality of buffer memories, and the plurality of buffer memories in response to an external display request.
Specify one buffer memory from the
Cut out one screen from the map data stored in the memory
And a CPU for copying to the display image memory.
And has the plurality of buffer memories, you characterized by 9 screen with the screen display area, respectively and combined vicinity stores map data developed in three columns three horizontal rows navigation <br /> Gating device. 4. A display for displaying a map, and map data for one screen displayed on the display are stored.
Display image memory and map data read from the map information storage medium.
Screen area and its surrounding area for several screens.
A plurality of buffer memories, and the plurality of buffer memories in response to an external display request.
Specify one buffer memory from the
Cut out one screen from the map data stored in the memory
And a CPU for copying to the display image memory.
The CPU replenishes the one buffer memory storing the copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the screen on the display with priority over the other buffer memories and adds the map data to the other buffer memory. Nabigeshi <br/> ® emission device you characterized by supplementing the map data corresponding to said other buffer memory on condition that there is no necessity of replenishment of the buffer memory. 5. A display for displaying a map, stores map data for one screen to be displayed on the display
Display image memory and map data read from the map information storage medium.
Screen area and its surrounding area for several screens.
A plurality of buffer memories, and the plurality of buffer memories in response to an external display request.
Specify one buffer memory from the
Cut out one screen from the map data stored in the memory
And a CPU for copying to the display image memory.
The CPU, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share map data related to the same area,
Map editing data added later to the map data, the navigation device characterized in that the buffer memory to share map data is added to the common map data stored. 6. A display for displaying a map and one screen of map data to be displayed on the display.
Display image memory and map data read from the map information storage medium.
Screen area and its surrounding area for several screens.
A plurality of buffer memories, and the plurality of buffer memories in response to an external display request.
Specify one buffer memory from the
Cut out one screen from the map data stored in the memory
And a CPU for copying to the display image memory.
And has the CPU, the navigation device you characterized by being configured to accept an operation input to the target only a map that currently displayed on the display.