JPH09243380A - Navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow the newest landmark information to be quickly displayed at low cost on a map supplied by any maker. SOLUTION: A figure data converting part 7, when receiving a signal from a landmark data control part 11, outputs a command signal to the landmark data control part 11 to cause the control part 11 to produce a control signal for changing the source of the landmark information from a map data expansion memory 6 to a landmark data storage part 12 at the stage of the process of converting the landmark information into figure data. The landmark data control part 11, when receiving the command signal from the figure data converting part 7, causes a landmark changing part 10 to change the source of the landmark information from the map data expansion memory 6 to the landmark data storage part 12, and outputs a read signal to the landmark data storage part 12 to cause it to read the landmark information that corresponds to page information.

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 providing the latest landmark information immediately and at low cost and displaying the landmark information without depending on a map maker.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In conventional navigation devices, CD-
Display specific additional information (for example, the position of a gas station affiliated nationwide chain store) overlaid on the map information recorded in ROM, and display the overlayed map information while driving. It was necessary to previously record the additional information in the map information of the CD-ROM. Therefore, in order to update the landmark information with the conventional navigation device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-151713), the development company recreates the CD-ROM in which the map information used in the navigation device is recorded. The navigation device user had purchased the new CD-ROM.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device having a conventional road map correction data supply device (JP-A-7-92906). This is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a method of correcting map information using an inexpensive external recording medium is shown, and it is possible to obtain corrected map data of the same manufacturer as the CD-ROM currently owned through the inexpensive external recording medium. It is said that.

A navigation device having a conventional road map correction data supply device will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 18 denotes a vehicle-mounted navigation device, which comprises the following parts 3 to 9. Here, 3 is a position detecting unit such as GPS for detecting the own vehicle position, for example, receiving a signal from a satellite to calculate the own vehicle position information, and 4 is map information recorded based on the information from the position detecting unit 3. The map data reading section for reading the corresponding map information from the stored map memory 5 and the above-mentioned map memory 5 have the map data recorded therein, and are, for example, CD-ROMs. 6 is a map data expansion memory that temporarily stores the map data called from the map memory 5 and the vehicle position information from the position detection unit 3, and 7 displays the data temporarily stored in the map data expansion memory 6. A graphic data conversion unit for converting into graphic data for, for example, a CPU. Reference numeral 8 is an image memory for temporarily storing the graphic data converted by the graphic data conversion unit 7, and 9 is graphic information corresponding to the current position of the own vehicle temporarily stored in the image memory 8 and a map around it. Is a display unit (for example, a monitor) for displaying.

On the other hand, 19 is a correction data supply device, which comprises the following parts 13 to 16a. Here, 13 is an external storage unit (for example, a mini disk) in which the corrected map information is recorded, 14
a is a correction data input unit for reading data from the external storage unit 13 and 15a sends out the correction map information stored in the correction data storage unit 16a to the vehicle-mounted navigation device 18 within a certain range around the vehicle position information. The correction data reading unit for the above, the correction data storage unit 16a described above is the correction data input unit 1
This is for temporarily storing the corrected map information read from 4a. Reference numeral 17 is a line for sending the vehicle position information from the position detecting section 3 to the correction data reading section 15a.

FIG. 5 (a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a modified road map in which a new road (shaded line) is newly added to the conventional road map, and the vertical axis (Y axis) is in the north-south direction (latitude). ), And the horizontal axis (X
The axis indicates the east-west direction (longitude). FIG. 5B shows the external storage unit 13.
The data structure example figure of the correction map information recorded on FIG. The circles in FIG. 5A represent nodes, 998 to 1008 are the node numbers of the circles, the solid lines connecting the circles are roads on the map,
Shaded line 30 is a new road connecting node numbers 1003 and 1004. In FIG. 5 (b), 31 is a node number for identifying a node corresponding to a correction point on the road, 32 is X coordinate data indicating an X axis coordinate position where the node number exists, and 33 is a Y axis where the node number exists. Y coordinate data indicating the coordinate position, 34 is line type data indicating the type of road (highway, national road, prefectural road), 35 is the number of link destination nodes connected to that node, and 36 is connected to that node It is the link destination node number.

The operation of the conventional navigation device 18 shown in FIG. 4 configured as above will be described in accordance with the processing procedure.

Based on the vehicle position information detected by the position detecting section 3, the map data reading section 4 reads out a certain range of map information from the map memory 5 and temporarily stores it in the map data expanding memory 6. The graphic data conversion unit 7 converts the map information temporarily stored in the map data expansion memory 6 into graphic data,
The converted graphic data is temporarily stored in the image memory 8 and then output and displayed on the display unit 9.

Next, a processing procedure for correcting map information will be described.

The correction data reading unit 15a determines whether there is correction data within a certain range of coordinates based on the vehicle position given from the position detecting unit 3 via the line 17 and a correction data storage unit.
16a is accessed and confirmed, and if the correction data exists, the node number information of the map memory 5 temporarily stored in the map data expansion memory 6 which is the same as the node number of the correction data is stored as the correction data. Correct and change the contents of section 16a.

[0012]

However, according to the map information correction method of the above-mentioned conventional correction data supply device 19 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-92906), a map node recorded in the map memory (CD-ROM) 5 is used. The number differs depending on the manufacturer that creates the map map, so the node numbers of the modified map information recorded in the external storage unit 13 of the external recording medium are not compatible and There was a problem that it could only be used.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide the latest landmark information quickly and inexpensively, and to provide a navigation device capable of displaying the landmark information on the map of any manufacturer. And

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is intended to read landmark information from an inexpensive rewritable external recording medium in which the landmark information is recorded and to temporarily store the landmark information. A circuit and a circuit for comparing the coordinate range of the current monitor display with the coordinate information of the landmark information to determine the presence or absence of landmark information to be displayed within the monitor display range and controlling the display of the information. The landmark information recorded on the external recording medium includes at least map page information (latitude / longitude) for indexing the arrangement area, latitude / longitude information of the landmark information, and font information of the landmark. By including position coordinate information on a monitor that displays the landmark according to latitude / longitude information of the landmark information, The landmark information without depending on FIG manufacturers are those that can be displayed on a map.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention provides the latest landmark information.
A landmark data control unit that inputs landmark information from an external recording medium recording (display latitude / longitude, font), compares the landmark display coordinates with the current monitor display processing coordinates, and selects display information. A map memory (for example, a CD-ROM) storing map data, a display unit for displaying the map data, and a graphic data conversion for performing control and calculation for displaying the own vehicle position information together with the map data on the display unit. It is a navigation device provided with a unit (for example, a CPU), can obtain the latest landmark information quickly and at low cost, and can display the landmark information on a map without depending on a map maker.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device 1 having a landmark data supply device 2 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, blocks having the same functions as those in FIG. 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Here, 10 is a landmark data storage unit for receiving a switching signal from the landmark data control unit 11 and establishing a signal path to the graphic data conversion unit 7 with the map data expansion memory 6.
It is a landmark data switching unit that selects whether or not to establish between 12 and.

The landmark data control unit 11 described above stores the latest landmark data temporarily stored in the landmark data storage unit 12 existing within the display range corresponding to the vehicle position coordinates from the map data reading unit 4. The number is searched, and when the landmark data exists, the figure data conversion unit 7 is notified and the landmark data switching unit 10
For the landmark information processing data acquisition route from the map data expansion memory 6 to the landmark data storage unit 12
It outputs a control signal for changing to.

Reference numeral 14 is a data input section from the external storage section 13, and 15 is a data reading section for reading data from the data input section 14.

FIG. 2 shows the data structure of the latest landmark information recorded in the external storage unit 3. In FIG.
(a) shows the entire data structure, 20 is the page information (longitude / latitude) of the map, 21 is the number of landmarks included in the page information 20, and 22 is the page information 20. The latest landmark information, 23 is the mark identification number for classifying the type of building given to the latest landmark information 22, 24 is the font data of the landmark corresponding to the mark identification number, 25 is the above Latest Landmark Information 22
The detailed information link number for retrieving the detailed information assigned to the, and 26 is the detailed data corresponding to the detailed information link number 25. (b) shows an example of the data structure of the landmark information 22 of (a), 22a is the latitude information of each landmark, 22b is the longitude information of each landmark, and 22c is the mark identification of each landmark. The number 22d is a detailed information link number of each landmark.

The font information 24 of the mark identification number 23, which is given the same number as the mark identification number 22c, is referred to in the display processing, and the detailed information link number is given the same number as the detailed information link number 22d. 25 detailed data 26
Is referred to in the display process.

Next, the latest landmark information processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the circuit operation of this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Initial setting External storage unit in which the latest landmark data is recorded
The landmark data read from the data input unit 14 and the data reading unit 15 from 13 is stored in the landmark data storage unit 12.

(2) Newest landmark search processing While the automobile is running, the map data reading unit 4 stores a certain range of map information based on the information from the position detecting unit 3 in the map memory 5
And the coordinate range information is output to the landmark data control unit 11. The landmark data control unit 11 searches the page information 20 stored in the landmark data storage unit 12 in the range corresponding to the information from the map data reading unit 4, and when the number of landmarks 21 on the page is 1 or more. To the graphic data conversion unit 7, a signal notifying that the latest landmark data exists is output.

When the graphic data conversion unit 7 receives a signal from the landmark data control unit 11, the landmark data control unit 11 maps the acquisition route of the landmark information at the stage of the graphic data conversion process of the landmark information. A command signal for generating a control signal for changing from the data expansion memory 6 to the landmark data storage unit 12 is output. The landmark data control unit 11 is the graphic data conversion unit 7
When the command signal is received from the landmark switching unit 10, the landmark information acquisition route is changed from the map data expansion memory 6 to the landmark data storage unit 12, and the landmark data storage unit 12 is sent with the page information.
A read signal for reading the landmark information 22 corresponding to 20 is output.

The graphic data conversion unit 7 inputs the landmark information 22 from the landmark data storage unit 12 and outputs the latitude information.
22a, longitude information 22b to calculate the placement coordinates on the map figure,
The font data 24 corresponding to the mark identification number 22c is arranged at the arrangement coordinates. The graphic information obtained by superimposing the latest landmark data is transferred from the graphic data conversion unit 7 to the image memory 8
Is output to the display unit 9 after being temporarily stored.

(3) Landmark detailed information In order to use the detailed information given to each landmark information, a detailed information request signal for the latest landmark is output from the graphic data conversion section 7 and given to each landmark. It can be obtained by reading the detailed data 26 corresponding to the detailed information link number 22d.

The external storage unit 13 may be a mini disk, a cassette tape, or a floppy disk,
Also, an IC card or the like can be used.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of the latest landmark data recorded on the external recording medium, and the processing steps of this apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the latest landmark page information, coordinate information, and font information recorded in the external storage unit 13 are loaded into the landmark data storage unit 12. (S10
1). The landmark data storage unit 12 is calculated based on the calculated coordinate range of the monitor display based on the current vehicle position.
The page information 20 recorded in is searched to determine whether the page information 20 corresponding to the range exists. If yes, the process proceeds to S103, and if no, the process proceeds to S111 (S102). If the page information 20 exists, the information of the number of landmarks 21 in the page is searched, and if the number of landmarks in the page is 0, the process proceeds to S111, and if it is 1 or more, S104.
Proceed to (S103). The graphic data conversion unit 7 completes the graphic processing of the road information, and then enters the standby state until the stage of processing the landmark (S104). When the graphic data conversion unit 7 enters the landmark processing, it outputs a signal for switching the acquisition route of the landmark information (S105). The latitude information 22a and the longitude information 22b, which are the coordinate information of each landmark, are read from the landmark data storage unit 12 (S106). A landmark font corresponding to the mark identification number 22c of each landmark is read (S107). The read coordinate information is converted into display coordinates, and the landmark font is overwritten on the converted road map based on the values and output to the display unit 9 (S108). Subtract 1 from the number of landmarks 21 (S109). If the number of landmarks 21 is 1 or more, S1
The processing from 06 is repeated, and if 0, the process proceeds to S111 (S11
0). If the vehicle position display range has moved to another map page range, the process from S102 is repeated, and if it is within the same page, the process proceeds to S112 (S111). When the use of navigation is not ended, the process returns to S111, and when it is ended, all the processes are ended (S112).

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and inexpensively obtain the latest landmark information that does not depend on the map maker in the navigation system.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram (a) of the entire landmark information structure of the present invention and a diagram (b) of each landmark information data structure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the latest landmark data processing of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle-mounted navigation device having a conventional road map correction data supply device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram (a) showing an example of a conventional corrected road map and an example diagram (b) of a corrected map information data structure.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... In-vehicle navigation device, 2 ... Landmark data supply device, 3 ... Position detection unit, 4 ... Map data reading unit, 5 ... Map memory, 6 ... Map data expansion memory, 7 ... Graphic data Converter, 8 ... Image memory, 9
… Display section, 10… Landmark data switching section, 11
... Landmark data control unit, 12 ... Landmark data storage unit, 13 ... External storage unit, 14 ... Data input unit,
15 ... Data reading section.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A landmark information recording means for recording a landmark information in advance on a recording medium, and the landmark information in a predetermined coordinate range recorded in the landmark information recording means is read out to obtain a landmark display coordinate. A landmark overlay processing unit that compares the current display processing coordinates and selects display information, a detection unit that detects vehicle position information, a storage unit that stores map data, the vehicle position information, and the map. The landmark overlay processing unit includes a display unit for displaying data and a graphic data conversion unit for performing control and calculation for displaying the own vehicle position information together with the map data on the display unit. An interface control unit for inputting landmark information from a recorded recording medium and a memory for storing the landmark information Section, a control section that determines an inclusive relationship between the landmark information and the map information coordinates that are currently displayed, and a data synthesizing section that switches display data between the map information and the landmark information. Navigation device. 2. The recording medium comprises a mini disk, a cassette tape, a floppy disk, an IC card, or the like, and at least latitude / longitude information of each landmark to be arranged, a mark identification number of each landmark, The contents including the font information of each landmark, individual detailed information corresponding to each landmark, and peripheral enlarged map information corresponding to each landmark are recorded in advance, and the information is read from the external recording medium. The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein: