JPH085722A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a navigation system to efficiently and selectively display a plurality of maps of different areas drawn on different reduced scales. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 12 which operates in response to a request for display designates either one of buffer memories 13 and 14 storing map data of an area to be displayed and its surrounding areas read out from a map information recording medium 5, copies one picture quantity of map data segmented from the map data stored in the memories 13 and 14 in a picture memory 7 for display, and displays a map on a display 9. Therefore, when, for example, the display on the screen is again switched to a destination display after the display is switched from the destination display to a present location display, map retrieval requiring time-consuming map scrolling can be omitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a navigation device capable of efficiently selecting and displaying a plurality of maps having different regions and different scales.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A navigation device is available which can be used to find a present location by using radio waves from a satellite, display it on a map read out from a map information storage medium such as a CD-ROM on a screen, and guide a route to a destination. It has begun to spread for in-vehicle use and personal mobile use.

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

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

[0005]

The conventional navigation device 1 previously confirms a map near the destination while traveling while displaying the current position of the vehicle on the display 9 according to the GPS navigation, for example. For this reason, it is assumed that the cursor keys on the keyboard 10 are operated to search the map, the map near the destination is once displayed on the display 9, and after confirmation is completed, the destination display mode is switched to the current position display mode. In this case, the screen is instantly switched to the current position display centering on the vehicle with the mode switching operation. However, if it becomes necessary to check the map near the destination again after returning to the current position display, the map must be scrolled from the current position to the destination while operating the cursor keys in the same manner as the previous time. Therefore, if the current location and the destination are not too far apart, the key operation will not be too much trouble, but if there is a considerable distance from the current location to the destination, repeated cursor key operations will be very difficult. The problem was that it was troublesome and it took time to search for the destination. Further, when the conventional navigation device 1 displays the map data relating to the same area on the screen at different scales, it must read the map data corresponding to the scale from the map information storage medium 5 and develop it on the buffer memory 6. Therefore, even if the map is different in scale only, it takes time to switch the display, and there is a problem that quick contrast observation is not possible when maps of the same area are compared alternately at different scales. It was Also, when comparing the maps of the same area, when switching to the detailed map with the cross cursor slightly moved on the wide area map, the position of the cross cursor on the detailed map moves beyond imagination. It was easy to get stuck, and it sometimes took time to align the cursor. Furthermore, even when entering route points on the map along the planned travel route, setting the route points while referencing both the wide area map and the detailed map allows the allocation of route points with a limited number of points. Although it is known to be effective, the conventional navigation device 1 allocates route points only on the momentum detailed map because it takes time to switch between the wide area map and the detailed map, and the route is set in front of the destination. This could lead to a lack of points.

In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-152310, "Navigation device for mobile body", a window is provided in a part of the display screen when the destination is not included in the map including the current location of the mobile body. An apparatus is disclosed in which a map including a destination is displayed in a window so that a display screen switching operation is unnecessary. This device has the advantage that you can check the current location and the destination at the same time without switching the screen, but the smaller the distance between the current location and the destination, the smaller the scale of the wide area map displayed in the window. Since it is unavoidable, there is a problem that it may be almost impossible to confirm a detailed map around the destination from the window display.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-229288, "Map Drawing Device", a detailed map and a schematic map of an area corresponding to the current vehicle location is read from a CD-ROM into a buffer memory, and the traveling direction is determined while the vehicle is moving. A navigation device is disclosed in which a schematic map is displayed on the head-up screen shown above and a detailed map is displayed on a north-up screen showing north when the vehicle is stopped. This one has the advantage of being able to grasp the current location in detail when the vehicle is stopped, which gives more visibility than when driving, but the buffer memory has rough map data (MP
O) and detailed map data (MPD) are only stored, and since these map data are map data of the same scale in the same area, for example, the current location and the destination are read at arbitrary scales and read on the arbitrary screen. There is a restriction that it is not suitable for applications such as being useful for route guidance.

[0008]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a display for displaying a map, a display image memory for storing one screen of map data displayed on the display, and a map. A plurality of buffer memories that store the map data read from the information storage medium for several screens each including a screen display area and its surrounding area, and one of the plurality of buffer memories in response to a display request from the outside. Of the map memory, the CPU cuts out one screen from the map data stored in the buffer memory and copies it to the display image memory.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of buffer memories store map data regarding different areas at arbitrary scales, or store map data regarding the same area at different scales. It is a thing. Furthermore, the buffer memory stores map data in which nine screens including the screen display area and the peripheral area are developed in three columns and three rows.

According to the present invention, the CPU replenishes the map data in priority to the other buffer memories with respect to one buffer memory in which the copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the screen is stored. Replenishing map data corresponding to the other buffer memory on condition that it is not necessary to replenish the one buffer memory,
Alternatively, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share the map data relating to the same area, the CPU converts the map editing data added later to the map data into the map data stored in the buffer memory sharing the map data. It is characterized in that it is added in common, and is characterized in that the CPU is configured to accept an operation input only for the map currently displayed on the display.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a navigation device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the keyboard shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing each example of a map display screen by the navigation device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a map processing operation by the CPU shown in FIG.

The navigation device 11 shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of buffer memories 13 in the CPU 12 so that two different areas such as the present location and the destination can be displayed at arbitrary scales or the same area can be displayed at two different scales. , 14 are connected, and a map switching key 16 is newly provided on the keyboard 15. Buffer memory 1
RAMs 3 and 14 that can store map data in which nine screens including the screen display area and its surrounding area are developed in three columns and three rows in the horizontal direction are used to move the current location. Alternatively, when the search location is moved, as the map data for one screen copied to the display image memory 7 shifts from the center of the nine screens to the periphery, map data in the moving direction is supplemented at any time. Yes, it enables high speed map display. Also, each buffer memory 1
A RAM (not shown) for storing the map control data such as position information and scale information related to the map data stored in 3, 3
However, it is built in the CPU 4 together with a RAM (not shown) that stores map editing data such as route point data and travel locus data.

The operation program of the CPU 12 is added with a processing flow necessary for switching the displayed map by the map switching key 16, and the map processing is performed according to the flowchart described later. Further, in the case of the embodiment, since the map processing for the map displayed on the screen is given the highest priority, the CPU
Reference numeral 12 denotes one buffer memory in which copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the screen of the display 9 is stored, for example, while the other buffer memory 14 is preferentially replenished with map data, and the other buffer memory is also stored. The operation is stipulated so that map data corresponding to the other buffer memory 14 is replenished on the condition that it is not necessary to replenish 13 to the other. Further, when reading maps including the same area from different buffer memories 13 and 14, the CPU 12 makes sure that there is no difference in map editing data such as marks, route points, or traveling loci added later to the map data.
When the buffer memories 13 and 14 share the map data related to the same area, the map edit data is commonly added to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14, and further, the careless map against the user's operation intention is added. The CPU 12 controls the display 9 so that no processing is performed.
The operation is specified so that the operation input can be accepted only for the map currently displayed.

The keyboard 15 has the key arrangement shown in FIG. In the figure, 17 is a power key, and when the power key 17 is turned on, the entire navigation device 11 starts to operate. Reference numeral 18 denotes a menu key for calling a selection menu list on the screen of the display 9, which is actually pressed by pressing the enter key 19 in a state where the cursor is aligned with a desired selection menu. Reference numeral 20 denotes a cursor key for moving the cursor in the cross direction, which is used when selecting the menu or searching the map. The scale change key 21 is used to change the scale of the map displayed on the display 9,
The scale selected by the scale changing key 21 is represented by a distance display surrounded by a square having a width corresponding to the distance in the figure at the lower right corner of the map displayed on the screen. Current location key 22
Is for operating the current position determined based on the output of the GPS receiver 2 together with the surrounding map on the screen, and presses the current position key 22 regardless of the screen display mode of the display 9. Will immediately switch the screen to the current location. The direction key 23 is a key for switching the direction of the displayed map, and the guidance key 24 is a key for displaying a previously designated route point on the map for route guidance.

When the power key 17 is turned on, the CP
U12 is started according to a predetermined start program, and
In step (101) shown in (1), initial setting (initialization) is performed. CPU12 that has completed the initial settings
Checks the key input in the following step (102) and, if the key input is made, performs the processing corresponding to various determination steps for specifying the key input. That is, for example, when it is determined that the scale change key 21 is operated in the determination step (103), the step (10
In 4), the scale of the displayed map is changed. Also,
When the cursor key 20 is operated while the map is displayed, the mode shifts to the map search mode and the determination step (10
In step (106) following 5), the map search in the direction designated by the cursor key 20 is started.
In this case, as shown in the north-up screen of FIG. 3 (A), the cross cursor displayed in the center of the screen remains stationary and the map relatively moves in accordance with the map search.

On the other hand, if the present location key 22 is pressed for confirming the present location during the map search, a decision step (107)
In step (108) following, the display screen of the display 9 is instantly switched to the current position display. This display switching is performed by, for example, cutting out one screen of map data including the current location from the peripheral map data including the current location stored in one of the buffer memories 13 and displaying the image memory 7 for display.
It is done by copying to. Further, since this copying is performed instantly, the display can be switched quickly on the screen, and as shown in the head-up screen of FIG. 3 (B), the current position mark that is displayed in the center of the screen and faces the traveling direction. On the other hand, the map moves relative to the progress of the vehicle.

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

By the way, the copy of the map data including the current location, which is executed in connection with the above step (108), is performed by cutting out the map data from the one buffer memory 13, and the other buffer memory. In 14 are stored 9 screens of map data including the destination. Therefore, simultaneously with the switching of the copy source, one screen of map data including the destination is cut out from the map data stored in the other buffer memory 14 and copied to the display image memory 7. Specifically, copying to the display image memory 7 is performed by overwriting the map data near the current location with the map data near the destination, and in parallel with this overwriting, the map near the destination is displayed on the display 9. Is displayed. Therefore, the greater the distance between the current location and the destination,
The map switching effect by one-touch operation of the map switching key 16 is large, and the burden of destination search on the driver or a person sitting in the passenger seat can be significantly reduced.

As for map data near the present location, the map data necessary for displaying the present location is continuously changed during the map retrieval because the map data is constantly changing as the vehicle moves. Read from
As shown in step (112), drawing on one buffer memory 13 continues until the filling is completed. However, since the map data currently displayed on the display 9 has priority in this drawing, the other buffer memory 14 needs to be replenished with new map data for several screens out of 9 screens at the time of map search. In this case, the other buffer memory 14 is supplemented with the corresponding map data in preference to the one buffer memory 13. However, the other buffer memory 14
When the replenishment of the map data with respect to is completed and the keys 16 to 24 on the keyboard 15 have not been pressed for a certain time, the reading from the map information storage medium 5 corresponds to one buffer memory 13. Aimed at supplementing map data. Therefore, as shown in step (113), drawing on the buffer memories 13 and 14 is appropriately switched by the CPU 12 according to the drawing state on the assumption that the display map has priority over the non-display map.

In this way, the map processing flow that has proceeded to step (113) is the key input check step (1
Return to 02). In this case, when the CPU 12 receives a key input, the CPU 12 designates the map data stored in the buffer memory 13 or 14 which is being drawn at that time for display on the screen. Therefore, the following judgment step (103)
All of (105), (107), and (109) are executed based on the map actually displayed on the screen of the display 9, so that the scale change and the cursor movement are performed on the hidden map. It does not extend. Further, when it is found that the scale change key 21 is pressed during the map search and the scale is changed in the step (104) following the determination step (103), map data of different scales relating to the same area is stored in the buffer memory 13. , 14 are stored.
In this case, if the map switching key 16 is operated, both the wide area map and the detailed map for the same area can be alternately switched and displayed, so that it is easy and quick to compare the map at different scales with respect to the destination. Is possible,
It can be useful for comprehensive judgment of the course.

By repeating the map search with the cursor key 20 and the map switch with the map switch key 16, the buffer memories 13 and 14 can store map data of two different regions other than the present location and the destination. It can be useful for preliminarily inspecting the route from the current location to the destination. In this case, the map data written in the buffer memories 13 and 14 is
It is unrelated to the movement of the current location, and the same map data is saved unless you manually scroll the map or change the scale, so if you want to switch to the current location display,
You may press the present location key 22.

As described above, according to the navigation device 11, the map data of the current location and the destination or the map data other than the destination stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14 are copied to the display image memory 7 as needed, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily It is possible to quickly switch between the maps of the two areas and display them on the screen.
Also, not only can the maps for two arbitrary areas be switched in an instant, but the scale of each map can be specified independently, so for example, the destination is displayed on the detailed map, while the current location is displayed on the wide area map. Or vice versa, the destination can be displayed on the wide area map while the current location can be displayed on the detailed map. Furthermore, the destination can be displayed on the north-up display while the current location is displayed on the head-up display. It is also possible to make detailed usage suitable for use.

Further, the CPU 12 causes the buffer memory 1 which is the copy source of the map displayed on the screen of the display 9.
In order to replenish map data to 3 or 14 preferentially, the display of the map currently displayed on the screen is given top priority, and for the displacement of the current location due to movement or the displacement of the search location due to map search,
By giving priority to eliminating screen display delays, on the other hand, for maps that are not currently displayed on the screen but do not know when the display designation will be received in the future, it is possible to supplement the priority map data when it is not necessary. You can be prepared for unexpected display designations. When the buffer memories 13 and 14 share the map data relating to the same area, the CPU 12 commonly adds the map edit data added later to the map data to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14. Therefore, the map data displayed on the screen for the map edit data such as marks that can be written on the map, route points that can be specified in advance within a certain number along the planned traveling route, or locus points that indicate the traveling locus. It can be commonly added to the map data stored in the buffer memories 13 and 14 regardless of the copy source. Therefore, for example, when setting a route point with a limited number while switching between the detailed map and the wide area map, the route point set on one map is automatically added to the other map, and the route point setting The efficiency can be increased. In addition, the CPU 12
However, since the configuration is such that the operation input is received only for the map currently displayed on the display 9, the CPU 12
It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that even the map not displayed on the display 9 is operated by the operation input received by the user, and it is possible to surely perform the careless map processing against the user's operation intention. Can be prevented.

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

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The CPU that operates in response to a display request specifies one buffer memory from among a plurality of buffer memories that store the map data read from the map information storage medium for several screens each including the screen display area and the surrounding area. However, since the one screen is cut out from the map data stored in the buffer memory and copied to the display image memory and the map is displayed on the display, only a single buffer memory is prepared for the display image memory. Unlike conventional navigation devices that were not used, when displaying a destination, there is no need for a map search accompanied by map scrolling with the cursor keys each time, switching from one region display to another region display Map data of one region saved in one buffer memory when the original one region is displayed again after By copying the image memory for display, an excellent effect such as can be displayed on the screen by quickly switching any two local map.

Further, according to the present invention, since the plurality of buffer memories store the map data relating to different areas at each arbitrary scale, the maps relating to any two areas are requested together with the switching request accompanied by the key input. ,
Since it is possible to switch and display in an instant, and the scale of each map can be specified independently, for example, one area is displayed on a detailed map, while other areas are displayed on a wide area map, or vice versa. Detailed usage such that one area is displayed on a wide area map while other areas are displayed on a detailed map, and one display is a north-up display while the other display is a head-up display. It has an excellent effect such as being possible.

Further, according to the present invention, since the plurality of buffer memories store the map data relating to the same area at different scales, different buffer memories are stored for the areas recorded in the map information storage medium at a plurality of scales. By simply copying the map data stored in the different scales to the display image memory, you can instantly switch and display different scale maps for the same area, and you can compare the maps due to the different scales quickly. Since it is possible, it has an effect of exerting power in comprehensive judgment of the course and the like.

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

Further, the CPU replenishes the map data in priority to the other buffer memories with respect to the one buffer memory storing the copy source map data relating to the map displayed on the screen, and Since the map data corresponding to the other buffer memory is replenished on condition that it is not necessary to replenish the buffer memory,
The map displayed on the screen is given top priority, and the delay of screen display is given the highest priority to the displacement of the current location due to movement or the displacement of the search location due to map search, while it is currently displayed on the screen. For maps that are not displayed but do not know when the display designation will be received in the future, by supplementing the map data when it is not necessary to supplement the priority map data, it is possible to prepare for an unexpected display designation.

Further, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share the map data relating to the same area, the CPU stores the map edit data added later to the map data in the buffer memory for sharing the map data. Since it is commonly added to the map data stored by, map such as marks that can be written on the map, route points that can be specified in advance within a certain number along the planned traveling route, and trajectory points that indicate the traveling trajectory The edited data can be commonly added to the map data stored in multiple buffer memories that share the map data regardless of the copy source of the map data displayed on the screen. When reading from the buffer memory,
It is possible to eliminate the inconvenience that the user feels uncomfortable due to the difference in map editing data. For example, when setting a route point with a limited number while switching between the detailed map and the wide area map, By automatically adding the set route point to the other map, it is possible to improve the efficiency of setting the route point.

Further, since the CPU is configured to accept the operation input only for the map currently displayed on the display, even the map not displayed on the display is operated by the operation input accepted by the CPU. It is possible to eliminate inconveniences and to prevent inadvertently performing map processing contrary to the user's operation intention in advance and surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

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

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

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

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

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A display for displaying a map, a display image memory for storing one screen of map data displayed on the display, and map data read from a map information storage medium for a screen display area and its display area, respectively. A plurality of buffer memories that store the surrounding areas for a few screens, and one buffer memory is designated from the plurality of buffer memories in response to a display request from the outside. A navigation device comprising: a CPU that cuts out one screen and copies it to the display image memory. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of buffer memories store map data relating to different areas at arbitrary scales. 3. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of buffer memories store map data regarding the same area at different scales. 4. The plurality of buffer memories store map data in which nine screens each including the screen display area and its peripheral area are developed in three columns and three rows. 1. The navigation device according to 1. 5. The CPU replenishes map data in priority to another buffer memory with respect to one buffer memory in which copy source map data relating to a map displayed on the screen is stored. 2. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein map data corresponding to another buffer memory is supplemented on condition that it is not necessary to supplement one buffer memory. 6. The CPU, when at least two of the plurality of buffer memories share map data relating to the same area, the map editing data added later to the map data is stored in a buffer for sharing the map data. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the navigation device is commonly added to the map data stored in the memory. 7. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the CPU is configured to accept an operation input targeting only a map currently displayed on the display.