JP6714472B2 - Map creation device, map creation method and map creation program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to, for example, a device for creating a map for display output or print output, a method and a program used in the device.

For example, access the map information providing server on the Internet through an information processing device such as a high-performance mobile phone terminal called a smartphone, receive a map image of the target area, and display it on the display screen of the device. It is possible to use it. It is also possible to receive map data of a target area from the map information providing server, draw a map in the information processing device, and display the map on the display screen of the own device.

In addition, a navigation device that displays a map on a display screen, displays a route to be followed on the map, and the position of the vehicle to guide the route to a destination is also widely used. In recent years, high-performance mobile phone terminals and tablet PCs (personal computers) have been used to provide navigation services for automobiles, navigation services for pedestrians, navigation services for bicycles, and the like. There is.

As described above, various inventions have been made to render a map that is widely used by using various information processing devices in an easy-to-see manner and quickly. For example, in Patent Document 1 described later, a processing load is reduced when drawing a note for a so-called polyline which is a line-shaped (represented by a continuous line) map figure that represents an object such as a road, a river, or a railway line. However, an invention relating to an information processing apparatus that appropriately and quickly draws a map image is disclosed. In addition, Patent Document 2 described later discloses an invention relating to an information processing device or the like that performs processing for appropriately arranging annotations in a plurality of languages on a map.

JP, 2016-118702, A JP, 2014-092745, A

Here, consider a case where a polyline having a long distance is repeatedly drawn with notes at intervals. Normally, the alongside note is continuously drawn over the entire polyline without any gap, and the drawing start position of the alongside note is specified. Then, the actual drawing of the note along the line is limited to once every three times, once every five times, and so on. As a result, it is possible to repeatedly draw the note along the line at intervals with respect to the polyline.

However, in this case, in the end, since the alongside annotations are continuously drawn over the entire polyline and the drawing positions of the alongside notes to be actually drawn are sequentially specified, the distance is long. The load of drawing a note along a polyline increases. Further, there is usually only one alongside note for one polyline, but it may be desired to draw a plurality of different alongside notes for one polyline.

For example, there is a case where a formal name of a certain road is “National Highway XX”, but a common name such as “XX street” is widely recognized. In such a case, it may be desired to draw both the official name and the common name on the polyline indicating the road. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Japan is increasing, and there is a demand for drawing annotations in different languages on polylines indicating roads and railway lines. In this way, it is required to be able to draw the annotations along the polyline with a long distance in a flexible and appropriate manner.

In view of the above, the present invention reduces the load on the drawing processing of the annotation along the polyline even when the annotation is drawn along the scattered position with respect to the polyline, and is simple and looks good. , The purpose is to be able to draw alongside notes.

In order to solve the above problems, the map forming device according to the first aspect of the invention is
Map figure drawing means for drawing a polyline in a map creation memory based on map figure data for drawing a polyline expressed as a line-shaped map figure;
A alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data for the polyline drawn by the map figure drawing means is set for the polyline drawn in the cartographic memory corresponding to the alongside note. Along with the annotation drawing means that draws from the position determined according to the offset value,
The alignment note drawing means draws the alignment note drawn immediately before and the alignment end position of the alignment note drawn immediately before when the alignment note is repeatedly drawn at positions that are scattered with respect to the drawn polyline. From the drawing start position determined according to the offset value set corresponding to the annotation, the processing of drawing the alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data is repeated .
For each of the polylines that are map figures, it is possible to associate a plurality of different note data along the line,
When the juxtaposition note drawing means sequentially draws juxtaposition notes according to the plurality of different juxtaposition note data at positions that are discontinuous with respect to the drawn polyline, the juxtaposed note drawn immediately before is drawn. From the drawing start position determined according to the drawing end position of the trailing note and the offset value set corresponding to the trailing note to be drawn next, to the trailing note data of the trailing note to be drawn next. It is characterized in that the process of drawing the corresponding annotation is repeated according to the above.

According to the present invention, even when a note is drawn along a polyline at discrete positions, the offset value provided corresponding to the note along the polyline is used to perform drawing processing of the note along the polyline. This load can be reduced. Moreover, it is possible to draw the annotation along the line easily and visually.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the whole system which comprises the map information provision apparatus of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of a map information provision server. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the map graphic data stored in the map graphic data storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the map annotation data stored in the map annotation data storage part. It is a figure for demonstrating the drawing method of a side note. It is an example of a diagram showing a relationship between the alignment note and the polyline ln when the alignment note is drawn. It is a figure for demonstrating the example in the case of drawing a multi-line note|casing in multiple times at intervals with respect to a comparatively long polyline LN. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining processing performed by an initial position specifying unit and an offset applying unit to specify a drawing start position of a side note. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of another alongside note data, and the example of alongside note design data. It is a figure for demonstrating the process for drawing a multilingual alignment note. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a map image drawing process performed in the map information providing server of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining drawing processing of a side-by-side note executed in step S108 of the drawing processing of the map image shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a multilingual annotation drawing process executed in step S108 of the map image drawing process shown in FIG. 11. It is a block diagram for explaining an example of composition of an advanced mobile telephone terminal which is one mode of a client device. It is a block diagram for explaining an example of composition of a map information formation display. It is a figure for explaining an example at the time of drawing a side note along a polyline.

An embodiment of an apparatus, method, and program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of map information providing device (system)]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a system that constitutes the map information providing apparatus of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the map information providing device is configured as a system including a server and a client device connected via a communication network such as the Internet. Then, in the system of the example of FIG. 1, the embodiment of the map creating apparatus of the present invention is configured to be installed in a server.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the system as a map information providing apparatus of this embodiment, a map information providing server 1 that provides a map site (Web site), a personal computer 2 as an example of a client apparatus, and a smartphone called a smartphone. Function The mobile phone terminal 3 and the like are connected and configured through a communication network (including the Internet) 4. In FIG. 1, the personal computer 2 and the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 are shown as examples of the client device, but the client device is configured of various other terminal devices such as a pad type mobile terminal (tablet PC (Personal Computer)). You can also

In this example, the map information providing server 1 includes a map graphic data storage unit 11 and a map note data storage unit 12.

The map figure data storage unit 11 stores map figure data of all over Japan in this example. In this case, the map graphic data draws a topographic map excluding map notes, that is, a map graphic image that consists of the undulation/form of the land/water system, roads, railways, facilities, etc., and the arrangement of features distributed on the ground surface. It is for. The map graphic data is stored in the map graphic data storage unit 11 in association with the shape of each graphic and the latitude/longitude information which is the information of the drawing position. Further, as the map graphic data, map graphic data corresponding to each scale of the map is stored in the map graphic data storage unit 11 corresponding to each scale value.

The map note data storage unit 12 stores map note data for displaying a map note (annotation) on an object on the map such as a facility or a place on the map. The map note represents information about an object on the map such as a facility or a place by using characters, symbols, numbers, or the like. For example, the map annotation includes the names of objects such as administrative divisions, roads, railroads, buildings, parks, mountains, and rivers in letters, and also the elevations in numbers. The map annotation also includes a case where the name of the object is displayed on a specific icon or is displayed with a specific mark.

The map note data includes display data for displaying the characters (including numbers) and symbols that make up the map note for each of the above-mentioned objects on the map, and the display position of each map note on the map. And latitude/longitude data for identifying As with the map graphic information of the map data, the map note data corresponding to each map is stored in the map note data storage unit 12 corresponding to each scale value.

The personal computer 2, which constitutes an example of the client device, includes a personal computer main body 21, a display device 22, a mouse 23 as an operation input means, and a keyboard 24. In addition, a high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 that constitutes another example of the client device includes a display unit 31 formed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the display unit 31 includes a touch sensor 32 as an operation input unit. Are superposed. The display unit (display device) 31 and the touch sensor 32 form a touch panel 33.

A client device such as the personal computer 2 or the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 accesses the map information providing server 1 through the communication network 4 to request the map information service, thereby supporting the provision of the map information service. The application program) is received and the map information service can be provided under the support of this support program. That is, first, the client device such as the personal computer 2 and the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 requests the map information providing server 1 to obtain a map acquisition request including the designation of the area to be provided and the scale (map) under the support of the support program. Information request).

Upon receiving this map acquisition request, the map information providing server 1 recognizes the target map (map range) to be provided from the designated area and scale. Then, the map information providing server 1 reads the map graphic data forming the recognized map image of the target map from the map graphic data storage unit 11 and draws the map graphic image.

Further, the map information providing server 1 reads out the map note data to be displayed on the map image of the target map (map range) to be provided, and draws the map note on the map figure drawn by the map figure data. When drawing this map note, in order to prevent different map notes from being drawn overlapping each other, so-called overlap judgment is performed, and if they overlap, the drawing position of the map note described later is shifted. Is done. In this way, the map image in which the map figure and the map note are drawn is drawn (formed).

Then, the map information providing server 1 provides the map image data forming the drawn (generated) map image to the client device that has transmitted the map acquisition request. The client device such as the personal computer 2 or the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 acquires the target map information (map image data) from the map information providing server 1 by the support program, and displays the map image corresponding to the map image data. It is displayed on the display device 22 and the display unit 31. In this way, the client devices 2 and 3 can receive the map image provided from the map information providing server 1 and display it on their own display devices.

In addition, the map information providing server 1 repeats map annotations (line annotations) for polylines, which are linear map shapes representing objects such as roads, rivers, railway lines, sea routes, and air routes, at intervals. It is easy to draw. It should be noted that the polyline, which is a linear map figure, includes both those represented by one line and those represented by a certain width and length.

In addition, the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment is also capable of drawing a plurality of types of map annotations (side-by-side annotations) for one polyline at intervals. As a result, for polylines representing roads, rivers, railway lines, etc., the official name and the common name are drawn at different drawing positions, and the drawing positions of map notes in different languages are drawn at different drawing positions. It's easy and nice to do.

[Example of hardware configuration of map information providing server 1]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the map information providing server 1. The map information providing server 1 of this example includes a computer device. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the map information providing server 1 of this example, the map graphic data storage unit 11 and the map note data storage unit 12 described above are connected to the system bus 100. There is.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the map graphic data stored in the map graphic data storage unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the map graphic data is described in vector data for each map graphic type of point, polyline, and polygon. Specifically, the point represents the position of the object having no length or width with a point. The polyline represents the shape and position of an object that has a length and a direction and is displayed by connecting a plurality of points.

That is, the polyline is a line-shaped map figure that represents an object such as a road, a river, a railway line, a sea route, or an air route. Further, the polygon represents an object indicated as a region on the map by the position of each vertex of the multi-sided figure. Each map graphic data is associated with the map note data described below by a graphic ID.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the map note data stored in the map note data storage unit 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the map annotation data has a graphic ID, a map annotation, a character size, and an offset value. As described above, the graphic ID associates the map graphic data with the map note data. A map note is a note (character data such as a name) for a map figure drawn by map figure data associated with a figure ID.

The character size indicates the size (size) of the character when drawing the character in the order of the characters forming the map note. In addition, the offset value is information that is set for the side-by-side note, and determines how far the side-by-side note is drawn from the side-by-side note drawn immediately before the repeated description of the side-by-side note. This is information for specifying. In other words, the offset value is information indicating the amount of deviation from the immediately preceding alongside note when repeatedly drawing the alongside note.

In this example, as a map note (alongside note) for the polyline, as shown in FIG. 4, for the polyline with the graphic ID “L1”, “National Highway XX Route” and “□□ Highway” It is managed that there are two map notes "". Similarly, for the polyline having the graphic ID “L2”, it is managed that there are two map notes, “National Road XX Route” and “ΔΔ Street”.

Further, the system bus 100 includes a control unit 101, a communication I/F (Inter Face) 102, a reception information processing unit 103, a transmission information processing unit 104, a map graphic data processing unit 105, a map creation memory 106, and annotation data alongside. The processing unit 107 and the map annotation data processing unit 108 are connected.

The control unit 101 controls the overall operation of the map information providing server 1, and has a built-in memory for storing programs for executing various control processes in the map information providing server 1. The control unit 101 executes control processing according to a program stored in this built-in memory.

The communication I/F 102 is an interface for communicating with the client device via the communication network 4. The reception information processing unit 103 is a function processing unit that analyzes the reception information received through the communication I/F 102 and supplies the analysis result to the control unit 101 through the system bus 100 under the control of the control unit 101. .. The transmission information processing unit 104 is a functional processing unit that generates transmission information to be transmitted to the client device through the communication I/F 102 under the control of the control unit 101.

The map graphic data processing unit 105 reads each map graphic image forming the requested target map (map range) from the map graphic data storage unit 11 when a map acquisition request is made from the client device. The data is used to draw in the map creation memory 106.

The alongside annotation data processing unit 107 is a processing unit that draws alongside annotations for polylines in the map graphic drawn in the map creation memory 106. Specifically, the alignment note data processing unit 107 converts the alignment note data (map annotation data) for the polyline in the map figure drawn in the map creation memory 106 when a map acquisition request is made from the client device. It is read from the map note data storage unit 12.

Then, the alongside annotation data processing unit 107 performs processing for drawing alongside annotations at intervals on the polylines in the map figure drawn in the map creation memory 106 at intervals. In addition, when a plurality of alongside notes exist for one polyline, the alongside note data processing unit 107 of this example disperses these alongside notes in intervals and at intervals. It is also possible to perform the process of drawing. In the case of this example, it is possible to specify that the map annotation data having the graphic ID whose first character is “L”, such as L1, L2,..., Is the alignment annotation data. The details of the drawing process of the alongside note performed by the alongside note data processing unit 107 will be described later.

The map annotation data processing unit 108 is a processing unit that draws a map annotation for a map graphic other than a polyline in the map graphics drawn in the map creation memory 106. That is, the map note data processing unit 108 draws a map note other than the along note. Specifically, the map annotation data processing unit 108 stores the map annotation data for the points and polygons in the map graphic drawn in the map creation memory 106 when the client device requests a map acquisition, and stores the map annotation data in the map annotation data storage unit. Read from 12.

Then, the map note data processing unit 108 performs a process of drawing a map note for points and polygons in the map figure drawn in the map creation memory 106. In the case of this example, it is possible to specify that map annotation data having a graphic ID whose first character is “T”, such as T1, T2,... Is map annotation data for a point, and G1, G2, It is possible to specify that the annotation data having the graphic ID whose first character is “G” is map annotation data for the polygon as in “... ”.

In this way, the map image of the area corresponding to the map acquisition request from the client devices 2 and 3 is created in the map creation memory 106. Based on the map image created in this map creation memory 106, the transmission information processing unit 104 forms image information for transmission (map image data) under the control of the control unit 101, and this is transmitted through the communication I/F 102. It is sent to the communication network 4 and provided to the requesting client devices 2 and 3. As a result, in the client devices 2 and 3, it is possible to display and use the map image corresponding to the provided image information (map image data) on the display devices 22 and 31.

In addition, in the configuration of the map information providing server 1 of FIG. 2, each of the reception information processing unit 103, the transmission information processing unit 104, the map graphic data processing unit 105, the alongside annotation data processing unit 107, and the map annotation data processing unit 108. The processing function can be configured as a software function that the control unit 101 executes according to a software program stored in a built-in memory, but is described as a functional block for convenience.

[Processing Performed by Alignment Note Data Processing Unit 107]
As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment note data processing unit 107 includes an initial position specifying unit 1071, an offset applying unit 1072, and an alignment note drawing unit 1073.

The initial position specifying unit 1071 performs a process of specifying the drawing start position of the side note that is first drawn on the polyline. There may be only one alongside note for one polyline, or two or more for one polyline, as described using FIG. Therefore, the initial position specifying unit 1071 first specifies the side note to be drawn first based on the map note data to be processed in the map note data storage unit 12. Normally, for each alongside note specified by the graphic ID, the alongside note that is registered first is specified as the alongside note to be drawn first, and based on the offset value set for that alongside note. , Specify the drawing start position of the side note to be drawn first.

The offset application unit 1072 specifies the drawing start position of the side note to be drawn from the second time onward based on the offset value set in the side note. When there is one alongside note, the one alongside note is always specified as the alongside note, and when there are two or more alongside notes, each of the two or more alongside notes is drawn in order. To specify. Then, the offset application unit 1072 identifies the drawing start position of the identified along-line note based on the offset value set for the identified along-note. Therefore, when two or more side-by-side notes are set for one polyline, the offset applying unit 1072 draws the side-by-side note next to the first side-by-side note specified by the initial position specifying unit 1071. From the alignment note, the alignment note is identified and the drawing start position is identified.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 performs a process of drawing the along-line note specified by the initial position specifying unit 1071 from the drawing start position specified by the initial position specifying unit 1071. Further, the along-line note drawing unit 1073 draws the along-line note specified by the offset applying unit 1072 from the drawing start position specified by the offset applying unit 1072.

Here, a description will be given of the drawing processing of the alongside note performed by the alongside note drawing unit 1073. The side-by-side note drawing unit 1073 draws the side-by-side note using, for example, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-118702. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of drawing a side-by-side note. Here, a description will be given including the polyline drawing processing by the map graphic data processing unit 105.

(1) The map graphic data processing unit 105 reads out map graphic data for drawing a polyline from the map graphic data storage unit 11 and draws a polyline ln corresponding to the map graphic data in the map creation memory 106 (Fig. 5(A)).

(2) The initial position specifying unit 1071 or the offset applying unit 1072 functions to generate map annotation data (alignment annotation data) for the drawn polyline ln based on the graphic ID of the previously read map graphic data. The reference note to be drawn and the drawing start position P1 are specified by referring to the drawing. Details of the process for specifying the drawing start position in this case will be described later. Then, the subsequent processing is the processing of the alongside annotation drawing unit 1073.

(3) The along-line annotation drawing unit 1073 refers to the map annotation data (side-by-side annotation data) for the drawn polyline based on the graphic ID of the previously read map graphic data, and draws the drawn polyline ln. And the character size of the referenced map annotation data is used to determine the character spacing.

(4) The along-line note drawing unit 1073 draws a virtual circle cir corresponding to the character size for each character of the along-line note to be drawn (FIG. 5B). In this case, the drawing start position P1 is the position on the polyline ln specified by the initial position specifying unit 1071 or the offset applying unit 1072. The center O of the circle cir is a position on the polyline ln, and the distance from the drawing start position P1 is a position separated by a radius of a virtual circle cir corresponding to the character size. That is, the virtual circle cir is drawn with the center O at a position on the polyline ln that is determined so that the drawing start position P1 is located on the circumference thereof.

(5) Alignment The annotation drawing unit 1073 finds another intersection P2 between the circle cir and the polyline ln. As a result, two intersections P1 and P2 between the circle cir and the polyline ln are specified (FIG. 5(C)).

(6) Along the line, the annotation drawing unit 1073 draws a virtual straight line S1 that connects the intersection point P2 of the two intersections in the direction in which the character continues and the center O of the circle (FIG. 5D).

(7) Along the annotation drawing unit 1073 draws a virtual horizontal line S2 passing through the center O of the circle cir (FIG. 5(E)).

(8) Alignment The annotation drawing unit 1073 calculates an angle θ formed by the straight line S1 and the horizontal line S2 (FIG. 5(F)).

(9) The annotation drawing unit 1073 determines the angle θ as the rotation angle of the character (FIG. 5(G)).

(10) Along the line, the annotation drawing unit 1073 draws a character in the circle cir by rotating it by an angle θ.

The next character will be executed from the procedure from (3) above. For the second and subsequent characters, the drawing start position P1 coincides with the intersection P2, which is the drawing end position of the previous character. Therefore, the center O of the circle cir for the next character is the position on the polyline ln, and the distance from the intersection P2, which is the drawing end position of the previous character, is the radius of the virtual circle corresponding to the character size. Separated position.

That is, the virtual circle cir for the next character is drawn with the position on the polyline ln as the center O so that the intersection P2 which is the drawing end position of the previous character is located on the circumference. is there. In other words, the virtual circle cir for the second and subsequent characters is separated from the center of the virtual circle for the previous character by a position determined by the character spacing, and the circle cir for the second and subsequent characters is separated. Will be drawn so that the center of is on the polyline ln. The procedure for drawing characters on a circle is the same.

FIG. 6A is an example of a diagram showing a relationship between the alignment note and the polyline ln when the alignment note is drawn. In FIG. 6(A), a notation along the line "Metropolitan Expressway Line 3" is drawn. The drawing position of each character is determined by the character size and character spacing along the polyline ln, and the direction of the character (rotation angle of the character) is determined so as to be perpendicular to the polyline ln. Is drawn. This is one of the display modes that makes it easy for the user to understand the side-by-side notes.

Note that, in the side-by-side notes, the orientations of the characters in the circle are not limited to those shown in FIGS. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6A, the direction perpendicular to the polyline ln is the direction of the character, but the direction of the character can be fixed north, for example.

FIG. 6B is an example of a diagram showing the relationship between the annotation and the polyline ln when the orientation of the character is north. All the characters that make up the note, “Shuto Expressway Line 3”, are drawn facing north. In such drawing, since it is not necessary to calculate the direction of the character, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the annotation drawing unit 1073 along the line.

In this way, even in the case of the annotation along the line, any design may be made regarding the orientation of the characters in the circle. Further, the orientation of the characters may be changeable by the setting of the user.

When a polyline drawn as a map figure is long, it is necessary to draw alongside annotations for the polyline a plurality of times at intervals. This is because if the polyline is long, but the corresponding annotation is drawn only once, the name of the polyline will be difficult to grasp in the map.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case in which alongside annotations are drawn a plurality of times at intervals with intervals on a relatively long polyline LN. As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the line annotation drawing unit 1073 draws a virtual small circle for each character and sequentially determines the drawing position. If this method is used as it is, the drawing position is sequentially determined by drawing a circle for each character of the side-by-side note, as shown by a number of small dotted circles in FIG. Is controlled to be drawn only once in the section where N is drawn N times.

The example shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a case in which the annotation along the line “National Highway No. 3” is drawn only once at the beginning in a section in which it can be drawn five times consecutively. Therefore, after drawing the side-by-side note "National Highway No. 3", leave a space between the sections where the side-by-side note is drawn four times (for 20 characters along the side-by-side note), and add It is a mode of repeatedly drawing.

However, in this method, the drawing start position of the side-by-side note cannot be specified unless the drawing position is sequentially determined by drawing a virtual small circle for each character. The load is heavy. As described with reference to FIG. 4, when drawing a plurality of side-by-side notes with different numbers of characters, such as “National Highway XX Route” and “□□ Highway” for one polyline, It becomes a problem whether the space of the number of characters is left, and it becomes difficult to control.

Further, it is possible to always draw the notes along the lines with the same number of characters, but the load on the line drawing unit 1073 cannot be reduced. Also, since polylines are usually not straight lines but meandering, even if annotations are drawn along the polyline at even intervals, they are not drawn at even intervals on the map. It may be difficult to see. Also in the example shown in FIG. 7, the annotations are drawn along the polyline LN at equal intervals, but when viewed from the entire map, the annotations “National Highway No. 3” are drawn at irregular positions. You may get the impression that.

Therefore, in the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment, the initial position specifying unit 1071 and the offset applying unit 1072 of the side-by-side annotation data processing unit 107 function, and the side-by-side annotation units are used instead of the one-character units. The drawing start position of the note can be specified. The initial position specifying unit 1071 and the offset applying unit 1072 specify the drawing start position of the alongside note using the offset value set for each alongside note and described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a process performed by the initial position specifying unit 1071 and the offset applying unit 1072 for specifying the drawing start position of the alongside annotation. Here, the map figure (polyline) drawn by the map figure data specified by the figure ID "L1" described with reference to FIG. 3 is set as described with reference to FIG. An example will be described in which two types of annotations, “National highway ○○○ line” and “□□ highway” are drawn. In addition, in FIG. 8 and the description relating to FIG. 8, the map graphic drawn by the map graphic data specified by the graphic ID “L1” is described as a polyline L1.

When drawing a side note for the polyline L1, first, the initial position specifying unit 1071 of the side note data processing unit 107 functions and is set for the first side note to be drawn and the specified side note. Specified offset value. In this example, the initial position specifying unit 1071 refers to the map note data whose graphic ID is “L1” in the map note data storage unit 12 shown in FIG. No. line”, and the offset value of the alignment note is specified to be “10”.

Then, the initial position specifying unit 1071 draws a virtual circle C1 centered on the start point ST of the polyline L1 and having a radius R1 determined according to the offset value, and draws an intersection St1 between the circle C1 and the polyline L1. , The drawing start position of the first annotation along the line. Here, the radius R1 determined according to the offset value is a value determined according to the offset value and the scale of the map to be drawn.

For example, if the offset value is “10” at the scale A, the radius is 5 cm. ", and so on. Therefore, at the scale A, if the offset value is “8”, the radius is “4 cm”, and if the offset value is “6”, the radius is “3 cm”. In this way, the length of the radius when the offset value is “10” is determined in advance corresponding to the scale of the map to be drawn, and based on this, the virtual length is calculated in accordance with the offset value of each side note. The radius of the circle to be drawn is automatically determined.

As shown in FIG. 4, among the alignment notes for the polyline whose figure ID is L1, the offset value of the alignment note “National Road XX” that is drawn first is “10”. Therefore, for example, if the offset value is “10” at the scale A in the above example, the radius is set to 5 cm. According to the agreement "," the radius of the virtually drawn circle is "5 cm". For this reason, as shown in FIG. 8, the initial position specifying unit 1071 draws a circle C1 having a radius R1 corresponding to the offset value, centered on the start point ST of the polyline L1 along which the annotation is added. Then, the intersection St1 between the circle C1 that is virtually drawn and the polyline L1 to which the side note is added is specified as the drawing start position of the side note "National Road XX" that is drawn first. ..

Then, the initial position identifying unit 1071 notifies the annotation drawing unit 1073 of the alongside annotation specified as the drawing target and the identified drawing start position. In the case of this example, the initial position specifying unit 1071 notifies the side-by-side annotation drawing unit 1073 of information for instructing to draw the side-by-side annotation “National Road XX Line” from the drawing start position St1. .. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 follows the drawing method of the along-line note for the polyline described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, with respect to the polyline L1 drawn in the map creation memory 106. "○○○ line" is drawn.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 defines the intersection of the virtual small circle cir1 used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-line note and the polyline L1, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The offset application unit 1072 is notified of the drawing end position Ed1. The drawing end position Ed1 is used as the center of the virtual circle C2 drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alongside note.

The offset applying unit 1072 refers to the map annotation data whose graphic ID is L1 stored in the map annotation data storage unit 12, and draws the alongside note to be drawn next to the alongside note “National Road XX”, The offset value is specified. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, for the polyline whose graphic ID is specified as "L1", two "national road XX route" and "□□ highway" are registered as side notes. Has been done. Therefore, after "National Highway XX", "□□ Highway" can be specified as a side note to be drawn next, and the offset value of the sidenote "□□ Highway" is "7". Can be specified.

More specifically, for example, the control unit 101 functions and defines the primary array CK(N). In this case, the subscript N is an integer of 1 or more. Then, the control unit 101 stores "National Highway XX" in CK(1) and "□□ Highway" in the primary array CK(2). As a result, the initial position specifying unit 1071 can specify that the alignment note to be drawn first is the “National Road XX route” stored in CK(1).

Further, the offset application unit 1072 draws the side-by-side note stored in CK(1) by the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073, and thus draws the side-by-side note stored in CK(2) next. When it becomes a target and is drawn, next, by returning, the alignment note stored in CK(1) becomes a target of drawing, and by the control of the subscript N of the array CK(N), It is possible to specify alongside notes to be drawn.

Here, the case where there are two alongside notes has been described, but the same applies when there are three or more alongside notes. Even when there are three or more alignment notes, the control unit 101 stores each alignment note in the primary array CK(N) while incrementing the subscript N by one. Then, the maximum value of the subscript N is managed, and the subscript N to be drawn is determined by changing the subscript N from 1 to the maximum value one by one. Then, after the subscript N reaches the maximum value, the subscript N may be returned to 1, and the subscript N may be incremented by 1 up to the maximum value. Further, if the offset value corresponding to each alongside note is also stored in the primary array, the alongside note to be drawn and the offset of the alongside note can be easily specified.

Then, as described above, the length of the radius when the offset value is "10" is predetermined in correspondence with the scale of the map to be drawn. Based on this, the offset application unit 1072 specifies the radius R2 of the circle C2 that is virtually drawn in order to specify the drawing start position of the side note to be drawn this time. As a specific example, as described above, "at the scale A, if the offset value is "10", the radius is 5 cm. It has been decided. Then, when drawing the map of the reduced scale A, if the offset value of the alignment note is "7", the radius R2=5 cm×0.7=3.5 cm.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the offset applying unit 1072 draws a virtual circle C2 with a radius R2 of 3.5 cm centered on the drawing end position Ed1 notified from the side note drawing unit 1073. To Then, an intersection point St2 of the virtual circle C2 and the polyline L1 in the direction in which the character string of the alongside note continues is set as the drawing start position of the alongside note "□□ highway" to be drawn next. .. Then, the offset applying unit 1072 supplies the drawing start position St2 to the annotation drawing unit 1073 along the line.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 draws the along-line note “□□ Highway” by using the drawing start position St2 from the offset applying unit 1072 as the drawing start position of the along-line note “□□ Highway” to be drawn next. To do. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 determines the intersection of the virtual small circle cir2 used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-line note and the polyline L1, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The offset application unit 1072 is notified of the drawing end position Ed2. The drawing end position Ed2 is used as the center of the virtual circle C3 drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alongside note.

In the subsequent processing, (A) the side note to be drawn next and the offset value of the side note are specified. (B) A virtual circle with a radius corresponding to the offset value is drawn centered on the specified drawing end position, and the intersection of this circle and the polyline (the intersection in the drawing direction of the annotation) is specified as the drawing start position. To do. (C) Draw the next alignment note from the specified drawing start position. (D) The drawing end position, which is the center of the virtual circle drawn to specify the drawing start position of the alongside annotation, is specified. Thus, the processing from (A) to (D) is repeated.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the drawing end position Ed2 of the immediately preceding annotation along the line is defined as the center position of the virtual circle C3 drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next along annotation. Then, the offset application unit 1072 identifies (A) the side note “National Road XX” drawn next and the offset value “10” of the side note. (B) The offset application unit 1072 identifies the drawing start position St3 of the following note “National Road XX”. (C) The along-line note drawing unit 1073 draws the next along-line note “National Road XX” from the drawing start position St3. (D) The along-line note drawing unit 1073 specifies the drawing end position Ed3 that is the center position of the virtual circle drawn to specify the drawing start position of the along-line note, and notifies the offset application unit 1072 of this. To do.

After that, as shown in FIG. 8, when the drawing end position Ed3 is determined as the center of the virtual circle C4 drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alignment note, the offset applying unit 1072 (A) The offset note "□□ highway" to be drawn next and the offset value "7" of the offset note are specified. (B) The offset application unit 1072 identifies the drawing start position St4 of the following alignment note “□□ highway”. (C) The alignment note drawing unit 1073 draws the next alignment note “□□ highway” from the drawing start position St4. (D) The along-line note drawing unit 1073 specifies the drawing end position Ed4 that is the center position of the virtual circle drawn to specify the drawing start position of the along-line note, and notifies the offset application unit 1072 of this. To do.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to sequentially draw two different annotations along the polyline L1, that is, “National Road XX Route” and “□□ Highway”. In the case of the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment, as in the conventional case described with reference to FIG. 7, the drawing position of the annotation along the line is sequentially specified character by character over the entire polyline. Therefore, it is not necessary to specify the drawing start position of the side-by-side notes described in discrete steps. In the case of the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 8, the offset value set for each side note to be drawn is used by the function of the side note data processing unit 107. , It is possible to directly specify the drawing start position of each side note.

As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the load on the map information providing server 1 for drawing the side-by-side note, and to quickly draw the side-by-side note for the polyline. Therefore, the map image can be drawn more quickly than before. Further, since the drawing start position of the side-by-side note is directly specified and the side-by-side note is drawn by using the offset value set for each side-by-side note to be drawn, as shown in FIG. Annotations can be drawn at a uniform rate over the entire map image.

That is, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 8, there is a distance of radius R1 and R3=5 cm in front of the “National Road XX”, which is the first alignment note, and the second alignment note In front of the "□□ highway", the intervals of radius R2, R4=3.5 cm can be set, and the intervals can be set according to the offset value of each side note. As a result, the annotations along the polyline can be drawn at a uniform rate over the entire map image. It should be noted that the offset values of a plurality of alignment notes may be the same value. In this case, the entire map image can be drawn with even intervals between the annotations along the polyline. It is also possible to easily draw a plurality of side by side annotations on one polyline.

[Example of drawing annotations in different languages on one polyline]
In the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment, as described above, with respect to the drawing start position of the alongside note to be drawn first, the offset value set in the alongside note is used as a reference with respect to the start point of the polyline. It can be uniquely specified by using. Also, the drawing start position of the trailing note to be drawn thereafter is uniquely specified by using the offset value set for the trailing note to be drawn, based on the end position of the trailing note drawn immediately before. be able to. As a result, it is possible to increase the addition by drawing the same side-by-side note on one polyline in a staggered manner or by drawing a plurality of different side-by-side notes on a single polyline in a staggered manner. No, it can be done easily.

Therefore, a case will be described in which annotations in a plurality of languages are set for one polyline, and the drawn polylines are drawn in a scattered manner. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the alignment note data used in this example and an example of the alignment note design data. In this example as well, the map graphic is drawn based on the map graphic data shown in FIG. 3 stored in the map graphic data storage unit 11.

Then, the map annotation data of this example includes a graphic ID, a map annotation, a language type, and a character size, as shown in FIG. 9(A). Then, as shown in FIG. 9A, alongside notes expressed in four languages of Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean are set for one polyline, and each alongside note is set. Is different from the map note data shown in FIG. 4 in that a language type indicating what word is set is set. Further, in FIG. 9A, the language type is represented as “J” for Japanese, “E” for English, “C” for Chinese, and “K” for Korean.

Further, in this example, the offset value of the alongside note is not set for each alongside note, but is set for each language as the alongside note design data as shown in FIG. 9B. It is assumed that In the case of the example shown in FIG. 9B, the offset values for the Japanese (J) and Chinese (C) alongside notes are both set to “7”, and the offset for the English (E) alongside note is set. It is assumed that the value is set to "8" and the offset value for the Korean (K) side note is set to "3".

As a result, the control unit 101 sets the primary array CK(N) and stores the offset value corresponding to the note along with it. Therefore, CK(1)=(“Japanese alignment notes”, “7”), CK(2)=(“English alignment notes”, “8”), CK(3)=(“Chinese” The data is stored in the array CK(N), such as “Note along the line”, “7”), and CK(4)=(“Note along the Korean word”, “3”).

Then, in the case of this example, the initial position specifying unit 1071 specifies the trailing note to be drawn first and the offset value set for the trailing note. In this case, the data stored in the array CK(1) is the side note to be drawn first and the offset value set for the side note. Therefore, in this case, the alignment note “Japanese alignment note” stored in the array CK(1) is identified as the alignment note to be drawn first, and the offset value thereof is identified as “7”. It

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process for drawing a multilingual annotation. As shown in FIG. 10, the initial position specifying unit 1071 draws a circle CA having a radius RA corresponding to the offset value “7”, centered on the starting point ST0 of the polyline L11 to which the annotation is added. Then, the intersection StA between the virtually drawn circle CA and the polyline L11 to which the alongside annotation is added is specified as the drawing start position of the alongside annotation to be drawn first.

Then, the initial position specifying unit 1071 notifies the annotation drawing unit 1073 of the alongside annotation “Japanese alongside annotation” identified as the drawing target and the identified drawing start position StA. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 follows the drawing method of the along-line note for the polyline described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, with respect to the polyline L11 drawn in the map creation memory 106 from the drawing start position StA to the first line. Draw a Japanese alignment note, which is an alignment note.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 defines the intersection of the small virtual circle cirA used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-line note and the polyline L11, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The drawing end position EdA is specified and this is notified to the offset application unit 1072. This drawing end position EdA is used as the center of the virtual circle CB drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alignment note.

The offset application unit 1072 specifies the side note to be drawn next and the offset value corresponding to this. In this case, since the array used immediately before is the array CK(1), next, the data stored in the array CK(2) corresponds to the side note to be drawn next and the side note. It becomes the set offset value. Therefore, in this case, the alignment note “English alignment note” stored in the array CK(2) is identified as the alignment note to be drawn next, and the offset value thereof is identified as “8”. ..

As shown in FIG. 10, the offset applying unit 1072 draws a circle CB having a radius RB corresponding to the offset value “8” with the intersection EdA notified from the side note drawing unit 1073 as the center. Then, the intersection point StB between the circle CB that is virtually drawn and the polyline L11 to which the alongside annotation is added is specified as the drawing start position of the alongside annotation to be drawn next.

Then, the offset application unit 1072 informs the annotation drawing unit 1073 along the “English side note” that is the specified side note and the specified drawing start position StB. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 follows the drawing method of the along-line note for the polyline described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 from the drawing start position StB to the English line for the polyline L11 drawn in the map creation memory 106. Draw a note along the line.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 defines the intersection of the virtual small circle cirB used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-note and the polyline L11, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The drawing end position EdB is specified, and the offset application unit 1072 is notified of this. This drawing end position EdB is used as the center of the virtual circle CC drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alongside note.

The offset application unit 1072 specifies the side note to be drawn next and the offset value corresponding to this. In this case, since the array used immediately before is the array CK(2), next, the data stored in the array CK(3) corresponds to the side note to be drawn next and the side note. It becomes the set offset value. Therefore, in this case, the “Chinese alignment note” stored in the array CK(3) is identified as the alignment note to be drawn next, and its offset value is identified as “7”.

As shown in FIG. 10, the offset applying unit 1072 draws a circle CC having a radius RC corresponding to the offset value “7” centered on the drawing end position EdB notified from the side note drawing unit 1073. To do. Then, the intersection StC between the circle CC that is virtually drawn and the polyline L11 to which the along-line note is added is specified as the drawing start position of the along-line note to be drawn next.

Then, the offset application unit 1072 notifies the annotation drawing unit 1073 of the “Chinese side note” specified as the drawing target and the specified drawing start position StC. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 follows the drawing method of the along-line note for the polyline described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and draws from the drawing start position StC to “China” with respect to the polyline L11 drawn in the map creation memory 106. Draw a word alignment note.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 defines an intersection of the virtual small circle cirC used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-line note and the polyline L11, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The drawing end position EdC is notified to the offset application unit 1072. This drawing end position EdC is used as the center of the virtual circle CD drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alongside note.

The offset application unit 1072 specifies the side note to be drawn next and the offset value corresponding to this. In this case, since the array used immediately before is the array CK(3), next, the data stored in the array CK(4) corresponds to the side note to be drawn next and the side note. It becomes the set offset value. Therefore, in this case, the "Korean side by side note" stored in the array CK(4) is specified as the side by side note to be drawn next, and its offset value is specified as "3".

As shown in FIG. 10, the offset applying unit 1072 draws a circle CD with a radius RD corresponding to the offset value “3” centered on the drawing end position EdB notified from the side note drawing unit 1073. To do. Then, the intersection StD between the virtually drawn circle CC and the polyline L11 to which the alongside annotation is added is specified as the drawing start position of the alongside annotation to be drawn next.

Then, the offset applying unit 1072 notifies the annotation drawing unit 1073 of the “Korean side note” specified as the drawing target and the specified drawing start position StD. The along-line note drawing unit 1073 follows the drawing method of the along-line note for the polyline described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 from the drawing start position StC to “Korea” for the polyline L11 drawn in the map creation memory 106. Draw a word alignment note.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 defines the intersection of the virtual small circle cirD used for drawing the last character of the drawn along-note and the polyline L11, and the intersection on the rear end side of the character. The drawing end position EdD is notified to the offset application unit 1072. The drawing end position EdD is used as the center of a virtual circle drawn to specify the drawing start position of the next alignment note. After that, the offset applying unit 1072 and the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073 cooperate with each other in the order of Japanese side-by-side notes → English side-by-side notes → Chinese side-by-side notes → Korean side-by-side notes The drawing of the annotation along the four languages for the polyline L11 is repeated.

Note that, as described above, the alignment note drawing unit 1073 is the intersection of the virtual small circle cir used to draw the last character of the drawn alignment note and the polyline, and is the rear end of the character. The side intersection point EdX is specified and notified to the offset application unit 1072. Then, the alignment note drawing unit 1073, when the total length of the alignment note to be drawn next instructed by the offset application unit 1072 exceeds the length from the intersection Edx to the end point of the target polyline, adds the alignment note to the polyline. The drawing process of the side note is completed. The total length of the drawn alongside note can be obtained as an approximate value by, for example, multiplying the number of virtual small circles cir used to draw each character of the alongside note by the diameter of the circle cir. ..

[Map image drawing process]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of map image drawing processing performed in the map information providing server 1 of this embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is executed by the control unit 101, and the control unit 101 controls the map graphic data processing unit 105, the alignment annotation data processing unit 107, and the map annotation data processing unit 108 to perform these operations. Each part works and is performed.

The map acquisition request transmitted from the client devices 2 and 3 through the communication network 4 is received through the communication I/F 102, supplied to the reception information processing unit 103, and analyzed, and the analysis result is supplied to the control unit 101. It When the analysis result indicating that the map provision request has been received is supplied, the control unit 101 executes the processing shown in FIG. 11 and draws the map image.

First, the control unit 101 receives map map data for drawing a map image of a requested area, which is a map of a requested area, from the map graphic data storage unit 11 in response to the received map acquisition request. Read out (step S101). Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the processing has been completed for all the map graphic data necessary for drawing the map image of the requested reduced scale of the requested area (step S102). The determination process of step S102 can be simply determined depending on whether or not the map graphic data for drawing the map image of the requested reduced scale of the requested area still exists.

It is assumed that in the determination processing of step S102, it is determined that the processing has been completed for all the map graphic data necessary for drawing the map image of the requested reduced scale of the requested area. In this case, the control unit 101 controls the transmission information processing unit 104 to perform processing such as providing the map image drawn in the map creation memory 106 to the requesting client device (step S103). The process shown in FIG. 11 ends.

It is assumed that in the determination processing of step S102, it is determined that the processing has not been completed for all map graphic data necessary to draw the map image of the requested reduced scale of the requested area. In this case, the control unit 101 supplies the read map graphic data to the map graphic data processing unit 105, and performs the process of drawing the map graphic according to the read map graphic data in the map creation memory 106. (Step S104).

Then, the control unit 101 reads the map note data in the map note data storage unit 12 based on the graphic ID of the map graphic data read in step S101 (step S105). Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not there is map annotation data corresponding to the map figure drawn this time (step S106).

When it is determined that the map annotation data exists in the determination processing of step S106, it is determined whether the map annotation data is for the polyline (step S107). In this embodiment, the determination process of step S107 can be performed based on the type (information indicating the type of map figure) shown in FIG. 3 of the read map figure data to be processed.

When it is determined in the determination processing of step S107 that the map annotation data is for the polyline, the control unit 101 controls the alignment annotation data processing unit 107 to determine whether or not the map graphics drawn in step S104. The drawing process of the annotation along the polyline is executed (step S108). If it is determined in the determination processing of step S107 that the map annotation data is not for the polyline, the control unit 101 controls the map annotation data processing unit 108 to determine whether or not the map graphics drawn in step S104. , Drawing processing of a map note for points and polygons is executed (step S109).

After the processing of these steps S108 and S109, and when it is determined in the determination processing of step S106 that there is no map annotation data corresponding to the map figure drawn this time, the processing from step S101 is repeated. As a result, it is possible to draw a map image (an image including a map figure and a map note) of a reduced scale according to the area request according to the request from the client device.

[Details of drawing alongside notes]
FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the drawing process of the alongside note executed in step S108 of the drawing process of the map image shown in FIG. The process illustrated in FIG. 12 is a process executed by the alignment note data processing unit 107 functioning under the control of the control unit 101.

First, the initial position specifying unit 1071 of the alignment annotation data processing unit 107 acquires the alignment annotation to be drawn first and its offset value (step S201). As described above, when a plurality of types of side-by-side notes are set for the drawing polyline, the side-by-side notes and the corresponding offset values are set in the primary array CK(N). It is set so that the subscript N is incremented by 1 from the value "1". Therefore, in step S201, first, the alignment note set in CK(1) and the offset value corresponding thereto are acquired.

Then, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, the initial position specifying unit 1071 intersects the intersection of the circle having the radius corresponding to the offset value of the first alignment note with the tip of the polyline as a center and the polyline. Is specified as the drawing start position (step S202). After that, the initial position specifying unit 1071 supplies the side-by-side annotation of the drawing target acquired in step S201 and the drawing start position of the side-by-side annotation specified in step S2020 to the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073, and the side-by-side annotation drawing unit 1073 is supplied. The annotation is drawn (step S203). As a result, the first alignment note is drawn for the polyline to which the alignment note is added.

After that, under the control of the control unit 101, the offset application unit 1072 functions and acquires the side note to be drawn next and the offset value thereof (step S204). In the process of step S204, simply, the value of N in the array CK(N) is incremented by 1, and the alignment note and the offset value set in the array CK(N) are acquired. The offset application unit 1072 manages the maximum value of the subscript N of the array CK(N), and when the subscript N is the maximum value, the subscript N is set back to the value 1. There is.

Then, as described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, the offset applying unit 1072 centers the trailing end of the character area at the end of the trailing note drawn immediately before and offsets the trailing note to be drawn next. An intersection of a circle having a radius corresponding to the value and the polyline is set as a drawing start position (step S205). Then, the offset applying unit 1072 supplies the side-by-side annotation to be drawn this time and the specified drawing start position to the side-by-side annotation drawing unit 1073.

The along-line note drawing unit 1073 determines whether or not the along-line note drawing process has been completed (step S206). In this step S206, when the total length of the alignment note to be drawn next designated by the offset application unit 1072 exceeds the length from the current drawing start position to the end point of the target polyline, the alignment note for the polyline is drawn. It is determined that the drawing process of is finished.

In the determination processing of step S206, when it is determined that the drawing processing of the annotation along the polyline has not been completed, the processing from step S203 is performed to continue the drawing processing of the annotation along the line. When it is determined in the determination processing of step S206 that the drawing processing of the annotation along the polyline has been completed, the processing of FIG. 12 is terminated and the processing for the next map figure is started.

[Drawing process of multilingual annotations]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the drawing process of the alongside note executed in step S108 of the map image drawing process shown in FIG. 11, and the drawing process for the multilingual alongside note will be described. It is for. The process illustrated in FIG. 13 is a process performed by the alignment annotation data processing unit 107 functioning under the control of the control unit 101. When drawing multilingual side-by-side notes, it may be desirable to first draw the side-by-side language notes used by the user of the client device. This is because, for example, an annotation along the line drawn near the starting point (tip) of the polyline may be more prominent, and the number of lines drawn may be larger.

Therefore, in the drawing processing of the alongside note in this example, the alongside note of the language used by the user of the client device that is the sender of the map acquisition request can be the first alongside note to be drawn. As a premise, information indicating the language type of the language used by the user of the client device is added to the map acquisition request provided from the client device to the map information providing server 1.

The information indicating the language type added to the map acquisition request includes, for example, information indicating the language type set for the client device, information indicating the language type set for the browser executed on the client device, and the like. Can be used. Further, when forming the map acquisition request, it is possible to use the information indicating the language type which is adapted to receive the input from the user. Then, the process of adding the information indicating the language type of the language used by the user to the map acquisition request transmitted from the client device to the map information providing server 1 is an application for acquiring the map information executed by the client device. It is done by software.

On the other hand, in the map information providing server 1, the control unit 101 executes the drawing process of the side-by-side note shown in FIG. 13, but the control unit 101 uses the map acquisition request from the transmission information processing unit 104 based on the analysis result. The information indicating the language type of the person is acquired (step S301). Then, the control unit 101 identifies the drawing order of the side-by-side notes according to the language type of the user (step S302). Here, the case of the annotation along the polyline L11 shown in FIG. 10 will be described as an example. In addition, as described above, the control unit 101 sets the primary array CK(N) in the order of Japanese→English→Chinese→Korean according to the language and the corresponding offset value. Is stored.

In this case, if the user's language type is English, the English side note is specified as the side note to be drawn first. The drawing order of the alignment notes in this case corresponds to the order of the subscript N of the array CK(N), "English of CK(2)" → "Chinese of CK(3)" → "CK. (4) Korean” → “CK(1) Japanese”.

After steps S301 and S302, the same processes as the processes of steps S201 to S206 described with reference to FIG. 12 are performed. That is, in the case of this example, an English side-by-side note is drawn first, a Chinese side-by-side note is drawn next, a Korean side-by-side note is drawn third, and a Japanese side-by-side note is drawn fourth Draw a word alignment note. After that, the annotations are drawn in the order of English→Chinese→Korean→Japanese, and the annotations are drawn on the target polyline in the manner described with reference to FIG.

Note that the processing described with reference to FIG. 13 is performed in the case where a multilingual annotation is drawn, in the drawing order in accordance with the languages used by the users of the client devices 2 and 3. The notes are drawn. However, not only the order but also the display mode can be changed.

For example, as described above, it is assumed that the language type of the user is English. In this case, the control unit 101 can specify that the side note to be drawn first is the English side note stored in the array CK(2). The subscript N=2 in this case is stored in a predetermined memory by the control unit 101. Then, each time the English side-by-side notes stored in the array CK(2) are provided to the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073, the control unit 101 gives an instruction to emphasize and draw the side-by-side notes. Dispose in section 1073.

The side-by-side note drawing unit 1073 draws so as to emphasize the side-by-side note to be drawn when there is an emphasis instruction from the control unit 101. Specifically, the side-by-side annotation is drawn in bold characters, drawn with a larger character size, the character font is changed, or drawn in a drawing color different from that of other side-by-side notes. .. As a result, the line-by-line note according to the language used by the user can be set as the line-by-line note to be drawn first, the drawing can be repeated according to the drawing order, and the line along the language according to the language used by the user can be repeated. It is also possible to draw the combined note prominently.

It should be noted that, without changing the drawing order, it is also possible to draw a note along the language according to the language used by the user so as to stand out. In this case, in step S301, the control unit 101 identifies the information indicating the language type of the user and does not perform the process of step S302. Then, the control unit 101 identifies the array CK(X) in which language alignment notes corresponding to the language type of the user are stored, and stores the subscript X in a predetermined memory. Then, each time the side-by-side note stored in the array CK(X) is provided to the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073, the control unit 101 emphasizes and draws the side-by-side note in the side-by-side note drawing unit 1073. Give instructions. Accordingly, it is possible to draw prominently an annotation along a language according to a language used by a user without changing the drawing order of the annotation along the line.

[Configuration Example of Client Device 3]
A configuration example of a high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 called a smartphone or the like among the client devices 2 and 3 that receives and uses the map image drawn by the map information providing server 1 will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3. As shown in FIG. 14, the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 includes a transmission/reception antenna 301A, a wireless communication unit 301, a control unit 302, a storage device 303, an operation unit 304, a GPS unit 305, a GPS antenna 305A, a voice output unit 306, and a speaker. A request forming unit 308 and a touch panel 33 are provided. The touch panel 33 is a portion including the display unit 31 and the touch sensor 32, as described above.

The transmitting/receiving antenna 301A and the wireless communication unit 301 realize a wireless communication function. The control unit 302 controls each unit of the high-performance mobile phone terminal 3. The storage device 303 includes a non-volatile memory having a relatively large capacity, and realizes a function of recording and holding data, and reading and using the data. The operation unit 304 is a unit including a power switch and some function keys. The GPS unit 305 and the GPS antenna 305A realize a positioning function for the current position of the own device. The voice output unit 306 and the speaker 307 realize a sound emitting function such as a voice message and an alarm sound.

Under the control of the control unit 302, the request forming unit 308 forms, for example, a map acquisition request, sends the request to the communication network 4 through the wireless communication unit 301 and the transmission/reception antenna 301A, and sends it to the map information providing server 1. To realize. That is, the request forming unit 308 realizes a function of accessing various Web pages and the like provided on the communication network 4 and requesting the provision of information. The touch panel 33 realizes a function of displaying information and a function of receiving an instruction input from a user.

The image data forming the map image drawn by the map information providing server 1 as described above in response to the map acquisition request from the own device is the high-performance mobile phone terminal from the map information providing server 1 through the communication network 4. It is sent to 3. The high-performance mobile phone terminal 3 receives the map image data from the map information providing server 1 via the transmission/reception antenna 301A and the wireless communication unit 301 and stores it in the storage device 303. Then, the control unit 302 supplies the map image data stored in the storage device 303 to the display unit 31, displays the map image on the display screen of the display unit 31, and provides it to the user.

The map image provided in this way is displayed on the display unit 31 for use by the user, and when application software for navigation is executed in the control unit 302, a map image for route guidance is displayed. It can also be used as.

[Configuration example of map information forming display device]
In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the map information providing server 1 and the client devices 2 and 3 constitute a map information providing device (system). That is, a device that draws (forms) a map image (the map information providing server 1) and a device that displays the map image by receiving the map image data for displaying the map image (client devices 2 and 3). Was a separate body. However, it is not limited to this. The device that draws (forms) the map image and the device that displays the drawn (formed) map image can be configured as one device.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of the map information formation display device 5 having a function of drawing (forming) a map image and a function of displaying the drawn (formed) map image. .. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 15 and FIG. 2, the parts other than the touch panel 109 of the map information forming display device 5 are configured similarly to the map information providing server 1 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the configuration example of the map information forming/displaying device 5 shown in FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to the parts configured in the same manner as the map information providing server 1 shown in FIG. 2, and the details of those parts are given. The description will be omitted because it is redundant.

The touch panel 109 included in the map information forming display device 5 is a user interface unit including a display unit 109D and a touch sensor 109S. That is, the touch panel 109 can display a map image and the like on the display unit 109D and can receive an instruction input from the user through the touch sensor 109S.

In the map information forming/displaying device 5, a map image is drawn in the map creating memory 106 in the same manner as the case of the map information providing server 1 described above with reference to FIG. The map image drawn in the map creation memory 106 is drawn on the touch panel 109 at the designated scale for the area designated by the user. Then, the control unit 101 supplies the map image data of the map image to be drawn in the map creation memory 106 to the display unit 109D, displays the map image on the display screen of the display unit 109D, and provides it to the user. To do.

As described above, it is also possible to configure a map information forming display device having a function of drawing a map image and a function of displaying the drawn map image.

Further, in the case of the map information forming/displaying device 5 of this example, as in the map information providing server 1 shown in FIG. 2, map graphic data (FIG. 3) and map note data (required for drawing a map image) 4) is prepared in the map graphic data storage unit 11 and the map annotation data storage unit 12. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the map figure data storage unit 11 and the map note data storage unit 12 receive map figure data (FIG. 3) and map note data (FIG. 4) of the area to be drawn from the map information providing server. It may be stored and the map image may be drawn using this.

[Other drawing styles of side-by-side notes]
In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the description along the annotation is assumed to be drawn on the polyline (position covering the polyline). However, it is not limited to this. It is also possible to draw a side-by-side note so that the side-by-side note does not cover the polyline. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of a case in which a side-by-side annotation is drawn along the polyline without covering the polyline.

In the above-described embodiment, a virtual small circle cir is drawn on the polyline as described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 10 in order to draw a line along the polyline. In this way, the drawing position of each character that composes the side note is specified. On the other hand, in the case of this example, as shown in FIG. 16, a virtual quadrangle squ corresponding to the number of characters of the side note in which both ends of the bottom are positioned on the polyline is drawn, Each character of the note is drawn along the inside of the quadrangle squ.

Then, similarly to the case of the embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 8, the drawing start positions St1x, St2x, St3x, and St4x of each side note are specified. As shown in FIG. 16, the drawing start positions St1x, St2x, St3x, and St4x are the front side (head side) ends of the bottom of the quadrangle squ for drawing the head character of each alignment note.

In addition, the centers Ed1x, Ed2x, Ed3x, Ed4x of the virtual circles C1x, C2x, C3x, C4x drawn to specify the drawing start positions St1x, St2x, St3x, St4x of each of the annotations are the respective drawn positions. It is an end portion on the rear side (rear end side) of the bottom of the virtual quadrangle squ used for drawing the last character of the side note. The radii R1x, R2x, R3x, and R4x of the virtual circles C1x, C2x, C3x, and C4x have lengths corresponding to the offset values set for the respective alignment notes. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to draw the alongside note along the polyline while preventing the alongside note from covering the polyline.

Further, in FIG. 16, the alignment note is drawn along the polyline on the upper side of the polyline without being drawn on the polyline, but the invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to draw an annotation along the polyline below the polyline without overlapping the polyline. In this case, it suffices that both ends of the upper side of the virtual quadrangle squ that is virtually drawn to draw the side-by-side note be positioned on the polyline.

[Effect of Embodiment]
In the case of the map information providing server 1 and the map information forming/displaying device 5 of the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, when a polyline having a long distance is spaced apart and a note is repeatedly drawn. However, by using the offset value set for each side-by-side annotation, it is possible to reduce the load on the drawing processing of the side-by-side annotation on the polyline. Further, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, it is possible to draw a plurality of different annotations on one polyline easily and with good appearance.

[Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the drawing start position of the along-line note is set to be the position on the circumference of the virtual small circle cir used for drawing each character forming the along-line note. , But not limited to this. The drawing start position of the along-line note may be used as the center of a virtual small circle cir used to draw each character that forms the along-line note.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described as an example where the polyline is a road, but the polyline is not limited to the road. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a note is drawn along with various map figures represented by continuous lines on a map such as a river, a railway line, a route, and an air route.

Further, even when a plurality of side-by-side notes are set for one polyline, for example, it is possible to repeatedly display only the one corresponding to the language used by the user, and even in that case. The present invention can be applied.

In addition, the offset value set for each side note can be determined in various ways. For example, when there are a plurality of side-by-side notes for one polyline, the same offset value may be set for all the notes. Also, different offset values may be set for all notes. When setting different offset values, for example, you can change the offset value according to the number of characters in the side-by-side notes, randomly change the offset value, or select the offset value from the viewpoint of design and appearance. it can. Further, the offset value may be changed according to the order of annotation to be drawn.

Further, the offset value may be changed for each annotation along with different languages. Further, the offset value may be changed for each attribute of the annotation to be drawn. For example, it is possible to set an offset value for a side note according to an attribute such as a road, a river, or a railway line, and use the offset value. The point is that the offset value to be used is set for each alongside note, or even if it is not set, it is only necessary to be able to specify for each alongside note.

The mode described with reference to FIG. 4 is a mode in which an offset value is set for each alongside note, and the mode described with reference to FIG. 9 sets an offset value for each language alongside. This is a mode in which the offset value is set according to the type and attribute of the accompanying note.

[Other]
As can be understood from the above description of the embodiment, the function of the map graphic drawing means of the map creating device is realized by the map graphic data processing unit 105 of the map information providing server 1 and the function of the map creating memory of the map creating device. Is realized by the map creation memory 106 of the map information providing server 1, and the function of the alongside annotation drawing means of the map creating apparatus is realized by the alongside annotation data processing unit 107 of the map information providing server 1.

The function of the language type acquisition unit of the map creation device is realized by the communication I/F 102, the reception information processing unit 103, and the control unit 101 in cooperation with each other. Further, the function of the display means of the map creation device is realized by the display unit 109D of the map information formation display device 5, and the function of the display control means of the map creation device is realized by the control unit 101 of the map information formation display device 5. ing.

Further, the method of performing the processing described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 is the one to which the embodiment of the map creating method of the present invention is applied. Further, the program for performing the processing described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 is one to which the embodiment of the map creation program of the present invention is applied.

Further, in the map information providing server 1 and the map information forming/displaying device 5 of the above-described embodiment, the reception information processing unit 103, the transmission information processing unit 104, the map graphic data processing unit 105, the alignment note data processing unit 107, the map annotation. Each function of the data processing unit 108 can of course be realized as a function of the control unit 101 by a program executed by the control unit 101. Further, the processing executed by the control unit 101 can be variously handled by the program executed by the control unit 101, and the control unit 101 can be caused to function as a display control unit by the program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Map information providing server, 11... Map figure data storage part, 12... Map annotation data storage part, 101... Control part, 102... Communication I/F, 103... Receiving information processing part, 104... Transmission information processing part, 105 ... Map figure data processing unit, 106... Map making memory, 107... Alongside annotation data processing unit, 1071... Initial position specifying unit, 1072... Offset applying unit, 1073... Alongside annotation drawing unit, 108... Map annotation data processing unit 2... Personal computer, 21... Personal computer main body, 22... Display device, 23... Mouse, 24... Keyboard, 3... High-performance mobile phone terminal, 31... Display unit, 32... Touch sensor, 33... Touch panel, 301A... Transmitting/receiving antenna , 301... Wireless communication part, 302... Control part, 303... Storage device, 304... Operation part, 305... GPS part, 305A... GPS antenna, 306... Voice output part, 307... Speaker, 308... Request forming part, 4... Communication network, 5... Map information forming display device, 109... Touch panel, 109D... Display unit, 109S... Touch sensor

Claims (9)

Map figure drawing means for drawing a polyline in a map creation memory based on map figure data for drawing a polyline expressed as a line-shaped map figure;
A alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data for the polyline drawn by the map figure drawing means is set for the polyline drawn in the cartographic memory corresponding to the alongside note. Along with the annotation drawing means that draws from the position determined according to the offset value,
The alignment note drawing means draws the alignment note drawn immediately before and the alignment end position of the alignment note drawn immediately before when the alignment note is repeatedly drawn at positions that are scattered with respect to the drawn polyline. From the drawing start position determined according to the offset value set corresponding to the annotation, the processing of drawing the alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data is repeated .
For each of the polylines that are map figures, it is possible to associate a plurality of different note data along the line,
When the juxtaposition note drawing means sequentially draws juxtaposition notes according to the plurality of different juxtaposition note data at positions that are discontinuous with respect to the drawn polyline, the juxtaposed note drawn immediately before is drawn. From the drawing start position determined according to the drawing end position of the trailing note and the offset value set corresponding to the trailing note to be drawn next, to the trailing note data of the trailing note to be drawn next. A map creating apparatus, characterized in that it repeats the processing of drawing the corresponding annotation according to the above. The map creation device according to claim 1 ,
The alongside annotation drawing means defines an intersection between a virtually drawn circle having a radius determined based on the offset value with the drawing end position as a center, and the polyline in the alongnote drawing direction. A map creation device characterized by setting a drawing start position. The map creation device according to claim 1 ,
The map creating device, wherein the plurality of different annotations are one or more aliases such as the official name of the polyline and common names or common names. The map creation device according to claim 1,
The map generating apparatus, wherein the plurality of different annotations are annotations in different languages for the polyline. The map creation device according to claim 4 ,
A language type acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the language type of the language used by the user,
The alignment note drawing unit corresponds to the change in the drawing order of the alignment notes of the different languages according to the language type acquired by the language type acquisition unit and the language type acquired by the language type acquisition unit. A map creation device, which performs one or both of changing the drawing mode of the annotation along the language. Map figure drawing means for drawing a polyline in a map creation memory based on map figure data for drawing a polyline expressed as a line-shaped map figure;
A alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data for the polyline drawn by the map figure drawing means is set for the polyline drawn in the cartographic memory corresponding to the alongside note. Along with the annotation drawing means that draws from the position determined according to the offset value,
The alignment note drawing means draws the alignment note drawn immediately before and the alignment end position of the alignment note drawn immediately before when the alignment note is repeatedly drawn at positions that are scattered with respect to the drawn polyline. From the drawing start position determined according to the offset value set corresponding to the annotation, the processing of drawing the alongside annotation according to the alongside annotation data is repeated .
The alongside annotation drawing means defines an intersection between a virtually drawn circle having a radius determined based on the offset value with the drawing end position as a center, and the polyline in the alongnote drawing direction. A map creation device characterized by setting a drawing start position. The map creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Display processing for displaying the map graphic drawn in the cartographic memory on the display means by drawing the polyline by the map graphic drawing means and by drawing the alignment note by the alignment note drawing means A map making device characterized by comprising means. A map figure drawing step in which the map figure drawing means draws a polyline in the map creation memory based on map figure data for drawing a polyline expressed as a linear map figure;
The side-by-side annotation drawing means generates a side-by-side annotation according to the side-by-side annotation data with respect to the polyline drawn in the map figure drawing step with respect to the polyline drawn in the cartographic memory. It has an annotation drawing process along with drawing from a position determined according to the offset value set correspondingly,
In the alignment note drawing step, when the alignment note is repeatedly drawn at positions that are discontinuous with respect to the drawn polyline, the drawing end position of the alignment note drawn immediately before and the alignment From the drawing start position determined according to the offset value set corresponding to the alignment note, the process of drawing the alignment note according to the alignment note data is repeated .
For each of the polylines that are map figures, it is possible to associate a plurality of different note data along the line,
In the side-by-side annotation drawing step, when the side-by-side notes corresponding to the plurality of different side-by-side annotation data are sequentially drawn at positions that are scattered with respect to the drawn polyline, the drawing is performed immediately before. From the drawing start position determined according to the drawing end position of the trailing note and the offset value set corresponding to the trailing note to be drawn next, the trailing note data of the trailing note to be drawn next. A method of creating a map , wherein the process of drawing the note along the line is repeated . A program executed by a computer installed in an information processing device,
A map figure drawing step in which the map figure drawing means draws a polyline in the map creation memory based on map figure data for drawing a polyline expressed as a linear map figure;
The side-by-side annotation drawing means generates a side-by-side annotation corresponding to the side-by-side annotation data for the polyline drawn in the map figure drawing step, with respect to the polyline drawn in the cartographic memory. And a note drawing step along with drawing from a position determined according to the offset value set correspondingly,
In the alignment note drawing step, when the alignment note is repeatedly drawn at positions that are discontinuous with respect to the drawn polyline, the drawing end position of the alignment note drawn immediately before and the alignment From the drawing start position determined according to the offset value set corresponding to the alignment note, the process of drawing the alignment note according to the alignment note data is repeated .
For each of the polylines that are map figures, it is possible to associate a plurality of different note data along the line,
In the step of drawing alongside notes, when drawing alongside notes according to the different plurality of alongside note data at positions that are discrete with respect to the drawn polyline, the drawing is performed immediately before. From the drawing start position determined according to the drawing end position of the trailing note and the offset value set corresponding to the trailing note to be drawn next, the trailing note data of the trailing note to be drawn next. A map creation program, characterized in that the process of drawing the alignment note according to the above is repeated .

Images