JP3420979B2 - Car navigation system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted navigation device for displaying a map read out from a map database on a display screen such as a cathode ray tube display, and more particularly to enabling quick map display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional navigation device has a map information storage means such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a hard disk and an optical disk as a map database, and the map data is read from the map information storage means and displayed on a display screen. Is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 10, map information such as display data, search data, index data, and the like are collectively arranged on the disk constituting the map information storage means for each data type. . When the map is scrolled and displayed on the display screen, it is only necessary to read out the display data collectively arranged.

The map information storage means stores map data in units of units, and the data is read out in units of units each time the map information storage unit is accessed. When the map is displayed on the display screen, as shown in FIG. 11, map data in a range wider than the range (display area) displayed on the screen is read out from the map information storage means in units of the unit, and The map data of the display area of is displayed on the display screen. The map can be scrolled by moving the display area in the map data of a plurality of units read from the map information storage means.
When the display area is out of the range of the map data of the plurality of units due to scrolling, the map data in the moving direction of the display area is read out from the map information storage means in units of units. In this way, smooth map scrolling can be realized.

[0005]

However, in the conventional technique, there is a problem in that the reading of the map information is delayed due to the seek for positioning the head at the reading position when reading the data.

A conventional problem will be described with reference to FIG.
When multiple units are required to obtain the data in the display area, there may be a delay in the reading due to the seek time depending on the reading order. Here, 4
It shows an example of displaying the data of one unit,
The read addresses of Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 and Unit 4 are set to adrA, adrB, adrC.
And adrD. In this example, the read address is adrA <adrB <adrC <adrD, and the data arrangement of the map information storage means is adrA on the inner side and adrD on the outer side.

At this time, if the reading order is, for example, unit 3, unit 4, unit 1, unit 2, the read addresses are in the order of adrC, adrD, adrA, adrB. When reading unit 1 next to unit 4, ,
A unit of adrD having a larger read address is read next to a unit of adrA having a smaller read address, which may increase the seek time.

The present invention solves these conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted navigation device that prevents the delay of reading due to seek time and enables high-speed reading of map information. I am trying.

[0009]

Therefore SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, Yoo
The map information data divided into knits is stored in the unit.
In-vehicle navigation apparatus having a map information storing means stored in the order of magnitude of the address in the unit, before
A read address calculation means for calculating the address of the unit read from the map information storage means, and a display area
To the address of the unit that occupies a large
The read address calculation means
The calculated order of the addresses should be the address with the highest priority.
For addresses with the same priority,
Read order changing means for rearranging smaller addresses first and read order changing means for rearranging
From said map information storage means in the order of e was Address Unit
It is provided with a reading means for reading the theft of data. Further, the map information storage means stores the map information data.
Stores multiple types of data in units of the unit
Of the plurality of types read from the map information storage means.
A read address calculating means for calculating the address of the unit of data, address of the plurality of types of units of data
The priority of the reading order is attached to the
The order of the addresses calculated by the address calculation means is
The address with the higher priority comes first, and the address with the same priority
Regarding the same address, the smaller address comes first
A sort reading order changing means as is provided with a reading means for reading the data of the unit from the map information storage means in the order of addresses read reordering means is sorted.

Therefore, in this apparatus, the order of reading the data from the map information storage means can be rearranged so that unnecessary seek time does not occur, so that the map information can be read at high speed. Also, in the display area
High for the address of the unit that occupies a large size
If you give priority, it occupies a large part of the display area.
Units will be loaded first, so the main display area
Areas can be prioritized and displayed quickly. Also, multiple
Read order for unit address of type data
If you give priority to the order, unnecessary seek time will occur.
Read various map information efficiently and at high speed.
You can

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a first embodiment has a position calculating means 10 for calculating a current position of a vehicle.
1, operation means 102 such as a remote controller, and control means for determining the reading address and reading order of the map information to be read
10 3, the reading means 104 to read map information, a map information storage unit 105 for storing map information for each unit,
Display means 106 for displaying map information is provided. The control unit 103 also includes a read address calculation unit 107 that calculates a read address and a read order change unit 108 that changes the read order.

The operation of this vehicle-mounted navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Step 101: The control means 103 calculates the read address of the data (unit) to be displayed. While the vehicle is traveling, the map data in the vicinity of the data including the latitude and longitude of the current position of the vehicle calculated by the position calculation means 101 becomes the target of reading, and when the scroll operation is performed by the remote control of the operation means 102. Indicates that map data in the scroll direction is to be sequentially read. The control unit 103 causes the read address calculation unit 107 to calculate the addresses of the map data to be read. The address of the map data to be read is
Usually, multiple items are calculated.

Step 102: The control means 103 sorts the read addresses by the read order changing means 108 in ascending order. In the case of FIG. 11, the reading order is unit 1, unit 2, unit 3, and unit 4.

Step 103: The map information is read from the map information storage means 105 by the reading means 104 in the order of the read addresses determined in step 102.

As described above, by setting the order of reading the data in ascending order of the read address, it is possible to read the map information at high speed without generating unnecessary seek time.

In step 102, the read addresses are sorted in ascending order, but the read addresses may be rearranged in the order of the address of the data arranged inside to the address of the data arranged outside.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment,
Data reading when the display area is offset to a specific unit will be described.

In this on-vehicle navigation device, the navigation device shown in FIG.
As shown in, the control unit 201 calculates the read address by adding the priority of the read order to the read address calculation unit (with priority) 202, and the read order that changes the read order in consideration of the priority of the read order. An order changing means (with priority) 203 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

The priority of the reading order will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Figure 4, even when 4 units of data are needed to display the display area,
In the display area, only one unit like the unit 3 may be displayed in a large size, and the remaining three units may be displayed in a small amount. At this time, the display portion of the unit 3 is displayed first, and the remaining three units are displayed later. In this case, the unit 3 is set to high priority and the remaining units 1, 2, and 4 are set to low priority.

The operation of this vehicle-mounted navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Step 201: The control means 201 calculates the read address of the data (unit) to be displayed with priority. While the vehicle is traveling, the map data in the vicinity of the data including the latitude and longitude of the current position of the vehicle calculated by the position calculating means 101 becomes the target of reading, and the operating means
If a scroll operation is performed with the 102 remote control,
The map data in the scroll direction will be sequentially read. The control unit 201 causes the read address calculation unit 202 to calculate the addresses of the map data to be read, with priorities. A plurality of addresses of the map data to be read are usually calculated. In the case of FIG. 4, the high priority is unit 3, and the low priority is unit 1, unit 2, and unit 4.

Step 202: The control means 201 causes the read order changing means 203 to sort the plurality of read addresses calculated in step 201 in ascending order in consideration of priority. That is, the read addresses are sorted in ascending order for the high-priority units, and then the read addresses are sorted in ascending order for the low-priority units. In the case of FIG. 4, the high-priority unit 3 is read first, and then the read addresses of the low-priority units 1, 2, and 4 are sorted in ascending order. As a result, the reading order is unit 3, unit 1, unit 2, and unit 4.

Step 103: The map information is read from the map information storage means 105 by the reading means 104 in the order of the read addresses determined in step 202.

As described above, by setting the reading order of the data in the ascending order of the reading address in consideration of the priority order, it is possible to read the map information at high speed without generating unnecessary seek time. . In addition, since a unit occupying a large portion of the display area is preferentially read, the main display area can be preferentially displayed for quick display.

In step 202, the read addresses are sorted in ascending order, but the read addresses may be rearranged in the order of the address of the data arranged inside to the address of the data arranged outside.

Further, in this embodiment, two types of priority, high priority and low priority, are described, but there may be three or more types of priority.

(Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment,
The case of reading multiple types of data will be described.

This on-vehicle navigation device, as shown in FIG. 6, is a route searching means for calculating a route to a destination.
304 and index means 305 for searching map information, and the control means 301 controls the read address calculation means (a plurality of types) 302 for calculating a read address for a plurality of types of map information and a plurality of types. A reading order changing unit (a plurality of types) 303 for changing the reading order for the map information is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

The operation of this on-vehicle navigation device is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step 101: The control means 301 calculates the read address of the display data (unit) to be displayed by the read address calculation means 302, and step 301: the read address of the search data (unit) to be searched. Step 302: The read address of the index data (unit) to be indexed is calculated.

Step 303: The control means 301 causes the read order changing means 303 to sort the read addresses of the plurality of types of map information calculated in step 101, step 301 and step 302 in ascending order.

Step 103: The map information is read from the map information storage means 105 by the reading means 104 in the order of the read addresses determined in step 303.

In this way, by setting the reading order of the data covering a plurality of types in the order of the reading address, unnecessary seek time does not occur, and various map information can be read at high speed.

In step 303, the read addresses are sorted in ascending order, but the read addresses may be rearranged in the order of the address of the data arranged inside to the address of the data arranged outside.

In this embodiment, the case where the map display, the route search and the index are operated has been described. However, the map display and the route search, the map display and the index, the route search and the index, and the map display only and the route are displayed. An operation of only searching or only indexing may be performed. Further, the present invention is not limited to map display, route search, and index, but can be applied to the case of reading map information other than map display, route search, and index.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment,
A case where a plurality of types of data having different priorities are read will be described.

In this on-vehicle navigation device, as shown in FIG. 8, the control means 401 calculates read addresses by giving priority to the read order to a plurality of types of map information (read address calculation means (a plurality of types). , With priority) 402, and read order changing means (with multiple types, with priority) 403 for changing the read order in consideration of the priority of the read order for a plurality of types of map information. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment (FIG. 6).

The operation of this vehicle-mounted navigation device is shown in the flowchart of FIG. Step 401: The control means 401 calculates the read address of the display data (unit) to be displayed by the read address calculation means (plural types, with priority) 402. Since the read priority of the displayed data is high, the read priority is set to high.

Step 402: Further, the read address of the search data (unit) to be searched is calculated. Since the read priority of the search data is medium, the read priority is medium.

Step 403: Also, the read address of the index data (unit) to be indexed is calculated. Since the read priority of the index data is low, the read priority is set low.

Step 404: The control means 401 causes the read order changing means (plural types, with priority) 403 to consider the priority of the plural types of read addresses calculated in step 401, step 402, and step 403. And sort in ascending order. In other words, the reading order should be rearranged so that the data with the smaller read address in the map display data with the higher priority is read first, and the data with the higher read address in the data with the low priority index is read last. become.

Step 103: The map information is read from the map information storage means 105 through the reading means 104 in the order of the read addresses determined in step 404.

As described above, by setting the order of reading data of a plurality of types according to the priority of the type of data and in ascending order of read address, unnecessary seek time does not occur and various map information is generated. Can be read efficiently and at high speed.

In step 404, the reading addresses are sorted in ascending order, but the reading addresses may be sorted in the order of the addresses of the data arranged inside to the addresses of the data arranged outside.

In this embodiment, the case where the map display, the route search and the index operate has been described, but the map display and the route search, the map display and the index, the route search and the index, and the map display only, Only the route search and the index only may be used. Further, the present invention is not limited to map display, route search, and index, but can be applied to the case of reading map information other than map display, route search, and index.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the priority is divided into three types of high, medium and low has been described, but the priority may be divided into four or more types.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, the vehicle-mounted navigation device of the present invention prevents unnecessary seek time from occurring and enables high-speed reading of map information. table
To the address of the unit that occupies a large area in the display area
If you give a higher priority to the display area,
Because the unit that occupies the part is read preferentially,
The necessary display area can be prioritized and displayed quickly.
Also, for the address of the unit of multiple types of data
When a priority is given to the reading order, unnecessary seek
No gaps occur, various map information can be efficiently and at high speed.
Can be read. As a result, necessary map information can be displayed quickly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the priority of the reading order,

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the second embodiment,

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the third embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the vehicle-mounted navigation device according to the fourth embodiment,

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the concept of arrangement of map information,

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a read address.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 position calculation means 102 operation means 103 control means 104 reading means 105 map information storage means 106 display means 107 reading address calculation means 108 reading order change means 201 control means 202 reading address calculation means (with priority) 203 reading order change means ( 301 Control means 302 Read address calculation means (multiple types) 303 Read order change means (multiple types) 304 Route search means 305 Index means 401 Control means 402 Read address calculation means (multiple types, with priority) 403 Read Order change means (multiple types, with priority)

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Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. Map information data divided into units
Are stored in order of address size in units of the unit
In a vehicle-mounted navigation device equipped with the map information storage means, the read address calculation means for calculating the address of the unit read from the map information storage means, and the unit occupying a large display area. The ad
Address with a high priority and the read address
The order of the addresses calculated by the calculation means is the priority
Address with higher priority comes first, and addresses with the same priority
For, arrange the smaller addresses first.
And reading order changing means for changing the order of addresses the read sequence changing means Sorted
In-vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by comprising a reading means for reading the data of the unit from the map information storage means. 2. Map information data divided into units
Are stored in order of address size in units of the unit
In the vehicle-mounted navigation device having the map information storage means, the map information storage means stores the map information data.
Multiple types of data are stored in units of the unit, and the multiple types of data read from the map information storage means are stored.
A read address calculating means for calculating the address of the unit of data, reading the address of the plurality of types of units of data
The read address is calculated by assigning the priority of the embedding order.
The order of the addresses calculated by the means is set to the higher priority.
Addresses that have the same priority first.
The smaller addresses are sorted first.
That a reading sequence changing means, the order of addresses the read sequence changing means Sorted
In-vehicle navigation apparatus characterized by comprising a reading means for reading the data of the unit from the map information storage means.