JP2000267564A - Position display device for traveling object, position display method using the device, and storage medium recorded with processing program for position display - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position display device for traveling object and a position display method capable of easily grasping a guided route, and to provide a storage medium in which a position display processing program is recorded. SOLUTION: This device is composed of an external storage device 1 for storing map data, an input part 3 for designating a specific place, and a display device 4 for displaying a map including the specific place based on the map data read from the external storage device 1. The map data includes data concerning significant points set for each building, road, river, etc., and this device is further provided with the significant point calculating part 9 which sets plural pieces of display ranges including the specific place within a size to be settled in the screen of the display 4 and calculates the sum of the significant points of the buildings, roads, rivers, etc., existing in the range of this display, and a map range deciding part 20 which decides a display range with the maximum sum of the significant points as an optimal map range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an in-vehicle navigation device, a portable navigation device, and the like.
Reads the map data around the current location and the destination from the map data storage means, draws a map image including the background around the current location and the destination, the building name, the road name, and the river name together with the current location cursor and the destination cursor, and displays the map image on the display means. The present invention relates to a position display device of a moving object for displaying a screen, a position display method using the device, and a recording medium storing a processing program for position display.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional navigation system, a current position mark (location cursor) is fixed at a fixed position (for example, the center of the screen) on a display screen, and a map image is scroll-displayed according to the movement of a moving body, and a destination or the like is displayed. When is set in the screen, the map image is fixed in the screen, and the vehicle mark is moved and displayed.

An example of a conventional position display device is disclosed in
In the position display device of a moving object disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 143616, when displaying the current position on a map, the position is displayed along a straight line that bisects the angle formed by the traveling direction from the current position and the destination direction as viewed from the current position. The current position is displaced by a predetermined amount together with the map in a direction opposite to the destination when viewed from the current position.

In a map display method in a navigation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-318357, which is an example of a conventional position display method, a map showing the relationship between the current position and a destination is displayed on a display screen. In this case, an intermediate point between the current position and the destination is determined, and the map is displayed with the most detailed display scale, with both the current position and the destination positioned on the display screen with the determined intermediate point as the center.

Further, in a vehicle navigation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-66580, which is another example of the conventional position display device, the remaining distance from the current position to the destination is of low importance on a map. Display in the part.

In a car navigation system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-21738, which is another example of a conventional position display device, the importance of displaying a road name is set according to the type of road. When performing route guidance, the road name is displayed for roads with a certain degree of importance or higher, and the road name of the guidance route connecting the departure point and the destination is displayed, but the road name other than the guidance route is displayed. Is not displayed.

[0007]

However, in the method of fixing and displaying the current position at a fixed position on the screen as in the above-described position display device and position display method, buildings and roads serving as landmarks around the current position, and There is no particular problem when there are rivers, etc., which have geographical features.However, if there are no landmark buildings, roads, rivers, etc. around the current location, it is difficult to grasp the current location. (See FIG. 13). In addition, when a guide route to the destination is presented by a detour, there is a problem that the guide route protrudes from the map, making it difficult to grasp the guide route (see FIG. 14).

For example, in the position display apparatus for a moving object disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-143616, when displaying the current location on a map, the traveling direction from the current location and the destination direction as viewed from the current location are different. The current position is displayed in a direction along a straight line bisecting the angle formed and on the opposite side from the destination when viewed from the current position by shifting the current position along with the map by a predetermined amount. If the route is a detour, the guidance route may go out of the display range.

In the map display method in the navigation device disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-318357, when a map indicating the relationship between the current position and the destination is displayed on a display screen, the current position and the destination are displayed. And a map with both the current position and the destination on the display screen and the most detailed display scale is displayed with the obtained intermediate point as the center, but the guidance presented by the navigation device is displayed. If the route is a detour, the guidance route may go out of the display range (see FIG. 15).

In the vehicle navigation apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-66580, the remaining distance from the current position to the destination is displayed in a less important portion on the map. It just shows the distance,
It does not make it easy to grasp the current location.

[0011] In the on-vehicle navigation device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-21738, the importance of displaying the name of the road is set according to the type of the road. Although the road name is displayed for the road for which the degree has been set, only part of the display of the road name is selectively deleted in order to make the screen easy to see, but this does not make it easy to grasp the current position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a position display device for a moving body and a position display device for a moving body which can easily grasp the current position and the guidance route even when there is no building serving as a mark around the current position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a position display method using a device and a recording medium on which a processing program for position display is recorded.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a position display apparatus for a moving object, comprising: map data storage means for storing map data; specific position input means for designating a specific place; A display unit that displays a map including the specific location based on the map data read from the data storage unit;
The map data includes data relating to importance points set for each of buildings and locations having geographical features, and is large enough to fit on the screen of the display unit and includes a specific location. A plurality of display ranges, importance point calculating means for calculating a total of importance points of structures and geographical features present in the display ranges for each display range, and a plurality of display ranges. And a map range setting means for determining a display range in which the total of the importance points is maximum as an optimum map range.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the specific location is a current location or a destination of the mobile unit.

In the position display apparatus for a moving object according to a third aspect of the present invention, the specific location is a current position and a destination of the moving object.

The position display device for a moving object according to a fourth aspect of the present invention further comprises a guidance route storage means for storing a guidance route from a current position to a destination, wherein the importance point calculation means comprises: The value of the importance point of the structure included in the guidance route stored in the guidance route storage means,
It has importance point increasing means for increasing the value of the importance point of a structure or a location having a geographical feature adjacent to the guidance route.

In the position display device for a moving object according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the display range is set such that the specific place is displayed at a position at least a predetermined distance from an edge of a screen. Things.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the mobile object position display device, when there are a plurality of display ranges in which the total of the importance points is maximum, the map range setting means includes: A display range in which a specific place is displayed closer to the center of the screen is determined as an optimal map display range.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving object position display method, comprising:
A position display device for a moving body, comprising a specific position input means for designating a specific place and a display means for displaying a map including the specific place based on the map data read from the map data storage means. In the position display method, the map data includes data relating to importance points set for each of buildings and locations having geographical features, and has a size that fits on a screen of the display unit. In addition, a plurality of display ranges including a specific place are set, and a total of importance points of structures and geographical features existing in the display range is calculated for each display range. The display range in which the sum of the degree points is maximum is determined as the optimal map range.

A computer-readable recording medium storing the position display processing program according to claim 8 of the present invention is characterized in that the map data relates to importance points set for each of buildings and locations having geographical features. A step of setting a plurality of display ranges that include data, are large enough to fit on the screen of the display means, and include a specific location, and the importance points of locations having structures and geographical features existing in the display range. Position display processing for causing a computer to execute a step of calculating a sum for each display range and a step of determining a display range in which the sum of the importance points of the plurality of display ranges is the maximum as an optimal map range It is a recording of the program.

[0021]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a position display apparatus for a moving object according to the present invention, a position display method using the apparatus, and a recording medium storing a processing program for position display.

First, an embodiment of the moving object position display apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a mobile object navigation device which is an embodiment of a mobile object position display device of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the mobile navigation device is a recording medium serving as an external program medium, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc). Re
ad Only Memory) / MO (magnet)
o-optic) disc / MD (mini dis)
c) / DVD (digital video dis
c), an optical disc system such as an optical disc, an IC (Integr)
recorded circuit (including a memory card) / optical card or other card-based main body such as a recording medium, or a mask ROM (Read O
nly Memory), EPROM (Erasabl)
e Programmable Read Only
Memory), EEPROM (electrical)
ly eraseable programmable
ROM), a flash ROM, etc., and an external storage device 1 composed of a semiconductor memory, and a GPS (Global P
Oscillating System) Receiver 2, an input unit 3 such as a key or a pen used by a user of the mobile navigation device to input a specific place (for example, a destination), and a map image including a current location and a destination. Display together with a current location cursor, a destination cursor, a guide route, and the like, and a controller portion (hereinafter, referred to as a “navigation controller”) 10 of the mobile navigation device. It should be noted that a communication device may be further added to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 to obtain map data and the like by communication.

The external storage device 1 stores map data including a road layer, a background layer, a character / symbol layer, an importance layer, and the like. Further, the navigation controller 10 uses the map data stored in the external storage device 1 to draw map information around the current location together with the current location cursor in the current location display mode and to display the map information on the display device 4 in the current location display mode. In the place display mode, a map image around the destination is drawn together with the destination cursor and displayed on the display device 4, and in the route guidance mode, a map image around the current position is drawn together with the current position cursor and the guide route and displayed on the display device 4. It is.

This navigation controller 10
A buffer memory 11, a map image drawing unit 12, and a video RAM (Random Access Memory)
13, video conversion unit 14, departure / destination setting unit 15
, An optimal route search unit 16, a guidance route memory 17, a mode setting unit 18, an importance point calculation unit 19, a map range determination unit 20, and a scroll processing unit 21.

The buffer memory 11 stores map data read from the external storage device 1 and variables A, B, N, and E used for calculating importance.

The map image drawing section 12 draws a map image around the current position together with the current position cursor in the current position display mode, and draws a map image around the destination together with the destination cursor in the destination setting mode and the destination display mode. In the route guidance mode, a map image around the current location is drawn together with the current location cursor and the guidance route.

The video RAM 13 stores the map image drawing unit 12
This is for storing the image drawn by.

The video converter 14 reads out the image stored in the video RAM 13, converts it into a predetermined video signal, and outputs it to the display device 4.

When a specific place on the map is selected by the input unit 3, the departure place / destination setting unit 15 sets the present location detected by the GPS receiver 2 at that time as a departure place, A specific place on the selected map is set as a destination.

When the departure place and the destination are set, the optimum route search section 16 searches for the shortest optimum route connecting the departure place and the destination by using a horizontal search method or the like, using the intersection netlist in the map data. Is what you do.

The guidance route memory 17 stores, as guidance route data, a series of nodes constituting an optimal route from the departure point to the destination.

The mode setting section 18 performs a predetermined mode setting when the route guidance mode setting / cancellation key is operated on the input section 3 or the like.

The importance point calculator 19 calculates the total of importance points set for buildings, roads, rivers, and the like on the map data. In the route guidance mode, the importance point calculation unit 19 includes an importance point increasing unit (not shown) for increasing importance points of roads included in the guidance route, buildings and rivers adjacent to the guidance route. Contains.

The map range determination unit 20 determines a map in a range in which the importance points calculated by the importance point calculation unit 19 are the largest as an optimum map display range.

The scroll processing section 21 scrolls the map according to an instruction from the input section 3 when setting a destination.

The map data stored in the external storage device 1 included in the mobile navigation device is divided into appropriate longitude and latitude widths corresponding to the scale levels. Roads and the like are represented by a coordinate set of vertices (nodes) expressed in latitude and longitude. In addition,
A road is formed by connecting two or more nodes, and a portion connecting the two nodes is called a link.

The importance of buildings, roads, rivers, and the like is represented by a set of points indicating importance (importance points). The density of importance points is higher for buildings, roads, and rivers with higher importance. high,
One importance point has one importance point. The importance of the display screen is represented by the sum of the importance points of the importance points within the range of a display screen of a certain size, and the display range of the map to be displayed is determined based on the importance.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the importance point distribution. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of background data stored in the background layer, and FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an importance point distribution corresponding to background data shown in FIG. 3A among importance point distributions based on importance data stored in an importance layer.

Since the first road 101 shown in FIG. 2A is a main road and has a high degree of importance, as shown in FIG.
The density of the first importance points 111 corresponding to the first road 101 is high. Further, since the second road 102 shown in FIG. 2A has a relatively low importance, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second importance point 112 corresponding to the second road 102 Is low. Further, since the building 103 is of high importance, FIG.
As shown in (b), the density of the third importance point 113 corresponding to the building 103 is high.

The map data stored in the external storage device 1 includes (1) map matching including a road list, a node table, an intersection configuration node list, an intersection net list, and the like;
(2) Background layer for displaying roads, buildings, rivers, etc. on the map screen, (3) Character / symbol layer for displaying municipal names, road names, map symbols, etc., (4) Buildings on the map , Roads, rivers, and the like. The character data included in the character / symbol layer includes a character code string, display start position data, character size data, display color data, and the like.

The importance data included in the importance layer includes a code indicating a classification (building, road, river, etc.), a code indicating a type (station, national highway, first-grade river, etc.), and a name (Tokyo Station, National Highway No. 1). , Yodo River, etc.), longitude and latitude indicating the position of the importance point. Table 1 shows an example of this importance data. In Table 1, data relating to one importance point is shown for each row.

[0043]

[Table 1]

Next, an embodiment of a position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the position display method will be described while following the operation of the navigation controller 10 included in the mobile navigation device.

FIGS. 3 to 7 are flowcharts showing an embodiment of a position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. 8 to 12 are drawn in this mobile navigation device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation in the present location display mode. First, when the power of the moving object is turned on, the GPS receiver 2 periodically detects the current position of the moving object by satellite navigation. On the other hand, when the power of the moving object is turned on, the mode setting unit 18 of the navigation controller 10 sets the mode of the moving object navigation device to the current location display mode and performs the initial setting (step S1).
01). Then, the current location data detected by the GPS receiver 2 is input to the map image rendering section 12 (step S102), and the map image rendering section 12 sends a buffer memory from the external storage device 1 based on the input current location data. At step S11, map data around the current position is read (step S103). At this time, the initial values of the variables A and B in the buffer memory 11 become 0 (step S10).
4).

Subsequently, the importance point calculation unit 19 sets the display position of the current location cursor C1 at the upper left of the display range among the importance points included in the importance layer read out to the buffer memory 11. In this case, all the importance points of the importance points existing within this display range (for example, the first display range R1 shown in FIG. 8) are totaled and stored in the variable A of the buffer memory 11 (step S105).

The map range determination unit 20 compares the value of the variable A with the value of the variable B. If the variable A is larger, the variable A is stored in the variable B, and the variable A is further stored. Are stored in the variable N and the variable E, respectively, of the center point of the display range (ie, the first display range R1) at the time when is obtained. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison between the value of the variable A and the value of the variable B, if the value of the variable A is equal to the value of the variable B, the current location cursor C1 is displayed at a position closer to the center of the display range. The latitude and longitude of the center point of the display range are stored in variables N and E, respectively (step S10).
6).

This step S105 and step S1
The processing at 06 is performed, for example, until the display position of the current location cursor C1 is set at the lower right of the display range (for example, until the display range matches the second display range R2 shown in FIG. 8).
This is performed for all display positions within the display range while shifting the display range. That is, if the result of the determination in step S107 of determining whether all display positions within the display range have been checked is NO, steps S105 and S106 are executed for another display position,
Thereafter, steps S105 and S106 are sequentially repeated until the result of the determination in step S107 becomes YES.

Subsequently, the map image drawing unit 12 uses the map data read into the buffer memory 11 to
A map image centered on the point indicated by the variable E and with the north direction facing upward is drawn on the video RAM 13 (step S1).
08). In step S108, specifically, using the data of the background layer in the map data, a background image of a building, a road, a river, or the like with the point indicated by the variable N and the variable E as the center and the north direction facing upward is used. Is drawn on the video RAM 13, and furthermore, using the data of the character / symbol layer, a municipal name, a road name, and a map symbol are drawn at a corresponding location on the background image. And the map image drawing unit 1
2 draws the current location cursor at the position obtained by the GPS receiver 2 (step S109). This video RAM1
3 is read by the video converter 14, converted into a predetermined video signal, output to the display device 4, and displayed on the screen (step S11).
0). FIG. 9A shows an example of an image output to the display device 4. In this image, building 3 as a building
0, a station 31 and a track 32, a road 33, and a current location cursor C1.
Is displayed on the screen indicated by the display range R0.

Subsequently, after executing step S110,
The navigation controller 10 determines whether or not there has been a mode change instruction from the input unit 3 (Step S1).
11). If the determination result in step S111 is NO, the map image drawing unit 12 reads the current location data from the GPS receiver 2 (step S11).
2) It is determined whether the current location data has changed (step S113). Here, if the current location data has not changed (if the determination result in step S113 is NO), the process returns to step S111 again to determine whether or not there is a mode change instruction. On the other hand, if the current location data has changed (if the determination result in step S113 is YES), the process returns to step S103 described above, and the processing in step S103 and thereafter is repeated again. That is, if the user of the mobile object navigation device does not change the mode, the cursor on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 4 keeps the state where the current position can be easily grasped appropriately in accordance with the movement of the mobile object. Move.

Here, a map image obtained by the mobile navigation device of the present invention (see FIG. 9A) and a map image obtained by the conventional position display device (see FIG. 13).
Compare with

For example, if the screen for displaying the map image is large enough to display all the images output to the display device 4 (the entire image shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 13) at one time, Map information can be displayed all at once. Therefore, when a certain place such as the current location is arranged at the center of the screen and the map image is displayed, the map image becomes easier to see and the current location becomes easier to grasp. However, in the case of a mobile device having only a limited display range, a necessary building (that is, a building having a high degree of importance) may not be included in a display area having a limited area.

The map image shown in FIG. 9A has a display range R0 set such that the total of the importance points is maximized when displaying a map including a specific place and its surroundings. is there. Therefore, a high importance building (station 3) that is not displayed on the map image shown in FIG. 13 in which a specific location (current location cursor C1) is simply arranged at the center of the display range.
The display range R0 can be set so that 1 or the like (see the importance point 110 in FIG. 9B) is included in the screen. In other words, the screen of the display device 4 displays not the map in which the current location cursor C1 is displayed in the center but a map in a range in which importance is placed on displaying the buildings of high importance, so that the current location can be easily grasped. Become. When calculating the importance, the display position of the current position is separated from the end of the display range R0 by a certain distance or more, for example, arrows L1 and L2 in FIG.
The range R3 to R4 in a state separated by a distance equal to or more than may be calculated sequentially.

Subsequently, when the mode is changed (FIG. 3
(In the case where the determination result in step S111 is YES) will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation in the destination setting mode. When the user of the mobile navigation device wants to move from the current position to the destination by receiving the route guidance, the mode is changed to the route guidance mode using the input unit 3. Then, the mode setting unit 18 automatically changes the mode from the current location display mode to the destination setting mode (step S201). When the mode is changed to the destination setting mode, the scroll processing unit 21 sets the map currently displayed on the screen as the initial display screen (Step S202). In this state, if the user instructs to scroll the map using the input unit 3 to search for a destination on the screen (if the determination result in step S203 is YES), the scroll processing unit 21 changes continuously. The scroll amount is calculated (step S204), and the map image drawing unit 12 reads the map data corresponding to the scroll amount from the external storage device 1 to the buffer memory 11 (step S204).
205), the map image at the scroll destination is redrawn on the video RAM 13 using the read map data (step S206). The map image drawn on the video RAM 13 is read by the video conversion unit 14, converted into a predetermined video signal, output to the display device 4, and displayed on the screen (step S207). As a result, the map displayed on the screen scrolls according to the user's scroll operation.

When the desired destination is displayed on the screen as a result of the scroll operation, the destination is selected by the input unit 3 (the decision result in the step S203 becomes NO,
(The determination result in step S208 is YES.)
Then, the departure place / destination setting unit 15 sets the current location detected by the GPS receiver 2 at that time as the departure place, and sets the position selected by the input unit 3 as the destination (step S209). If there is no scroll operation (the determination result in step S203 is NO) and the destination is not selected within a predetermined time (if the determination result in step S208 is NO), ,
It returns to step S203 again. On the other hand, step S209
When the setting of the departure place and the destination is completed, the optimal route search unit 16 reads the map data of the range including the departure place and the destination from the external storage device 1 into the buffer memory 11 and uses the intersection netlist. The shortest route connecting the departure point and the destination is searched by a simulation calculation using a horizontal search method or a Dijkstra method. Then, the node sequence forming the searched guidance route is stored in the guidance route memory 17 as guidance route data (step S210).

When the search for the optimum route is completed, the mode setting unit 18 changes the mode from the destination setting mode to the route guidance mode (step S211).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation in the route guidance mode. When the mode is changed to the route guidance mode, first, the map image drawing unit 12 reads the current location data from the GPS receiver 2 (step S301), and reads the map data including the current location from the external storage device 1 to the buffer memory 11 (step S301). Step S302). At this time, the initial values of the variables A and B in the buffer are set to 0 (step S303).

Subsequently, the importance point calculation unit 19 refers to the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17 among the roads defined in the road layer read out to the buffer memory 11 and calculates one of the guidance routes. Determine the road that matches the department. Of the importance points present in the importance layer read out to the buffer memory 11, three importance points corresponding to the roads on the guidance route are important points of the buildings adjacent to the road on the guidance route. When the display position of the current position cursor is determined at the upper left of the display range with two degree points as the two points, all the importance points having the importance points existing within the range that fits on the display screen are summed up. It is stored in variable A (step S304). Here, when the value of the variable A is calculated in step S304, the destination is included in the range that fits on the display screen (step S304).
If the determination result in 305 is YES), the process proceeds to step S501 described later.

On the other hand, when the destination is not included in the range that fits on the display screen (when the determination result in step S305 is NO), the map range determination unit 20 sets the variable A
Is compared with the value of the variable B. If the variable A is larger, the variable A is stored in the variable B, and the display range when the variable A is obtained (that is, the first display The latitude and longitude of the center point of the range R1) are defined as variables N and E, respectively.
To be stored. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison between the value of the variable A and the value of the variable B, if the value of the variable A is equal to the value of the variable B, the current location cursor C1 is displayed at a position closer to the center of the display range. The latitude and longitude of the center point of the display range are stored in variables N and E, respectively (step S30).
6). The processing in steps S304 to S306 is performed for all display positions in the display range while shifting the display range until the display position of the current location cursor C1 is set at the lower right of the display range, for example. . That is, if the result of the determination in step S307 of determining whether all display positions within the display range have been checked is NO, step S304 is performed for another display position.
Through step S306, and then step S3 until the result of the determination in step S307 becomes YES.
04 to step S306 are sequentially repeated.

Subsequently, the map image drawing unit 12 uses the map data read into the buffer memory 11 to display a map image centered on the point indicated by the variables N and E and with the north direction facing upward together with the guidance route together with the video RAM 13. (Step S308). In step S308, specifically, using the data of the background layer in the map data, a background image of a building, a road, a river, or the like, with the point indicated by the variable N and the variable E as the center and the north direction facing upward, is used. Video R
The data is drawn on the AM 13 and the data stored in the map drawing area of the video RAM 13 is read out of the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17 and is different from other roads, for example, so that it can be distinguished from other roads. Draw a route that is highlighted in bold color, and use the data of the character / symbol layer to place the city, village, road,
A procedure of drawing a map symbol is performed. And
The map image drawing unit 12 draws the current location cursor at the position obtained by the GPS receiver 2 (Step S309). The image drawn on the video RAM 13 is transferred to the video conversion unit 14.
, Converted into a predetermined video signal, output to the display device 4, and displayed on the screen (step S310). FIG. 11 shows another example of an image output to the display device 4. This image includes a building 30 as a building, a road 33, a current location cursor C1, and a guidance route D, and the display device 4
Is displayed on the screen indicated by the display range R0.

Subsequently, after executing step S310,
The navigation controller 10 determines whether or not there has been a mode change instruction from the input unit 3 (Step S3).
11). If there is no instruction to change the mode (if the determination result in step S311 is NO), the map image drawing unit 12 reads the current location data from the GPS receiver 2 (step S312), It is determined whether or not has changed (step S313). Here, if the current location data has not changed (step S3).
If the result of the determination in step 13 is NO), the flow returns to step S311 again to determine whether or not there is a mode change instruction. On the other hand, if the current location data has changed (if the determination result in step S313 is YES), the process returns to step S302, and the processes in step S302 and thereafter are repeated again. That is, if the user of the mobile object navigation device does not change the mode, the cursor on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 4 keeps the state where the current position can be easily grasped appropriately in accordance with the movement of the mobile object. Move.

Here, a map image during route guidance obtained by the mobile navigation device of the present invention (see FIG. 11) and a map image during route guidance obtained by the conventional position display device (see FIG. 14). Compare with

The map image shown in FIG.
1 is fixed to the center of the display range R0, and the display range R0 is selected. When the guidance route D is a detour, the detour portion D1 of the guidance route D is set to the display range R0.
It runs off the screen and is not displayed on the screen. on the other hand,
In the map image shown in FIG. 11, when the display range R0 is selected, the display range R0 is selected such that the total of the importance points is maximized. Therefore, the guidance route D
The detour portion D1 in the middle is also displayed. Note that some conventional position display devices select a display range while moving the current location cursor C1 to the opposite side of the destination side so that more maps on the destination side are displayed on the screen. there were. However, even in this case, for example,
If the protruding direction of the detour does not match, the detour part of the guidance route protrudes from the screen and is not displayed. That is, the current location cursor C is displayed on the screen of the display device 4.
A map is displayed in a range where importance is placed on displaying the guidance route instead of a map displaying 1 at the center, so even if a part of the guidance route is a detour, the detour portion of the guidance route is displayed from the screen. Since it does not protrude, it is easy to grasp the guidance route. When calculating the degree of importance, the display position of the current position is separated from the end of the display range R0 by a certain distance or more, for example, from a range R3 in a state of being separated by more than the distances indicated by arrows L1 and L2 in FIG. Up to R4 may be sequentially calculated.

On the other hand, when the mode is changed, for example, when the user of the mobile navigation device releases the route guidance mode using the input unit 3, the result of the determination in step S311 shown in FIG. , And the result of the determination in step S314 is YES. At this time, the mode setting unit 18 cancels the route guidance mode and returns the mode to the original current location display mode (step S10 shown in FIG. 3).
Return to 1).

If the destination is included in the display range when the variable A is calculated in step S304 (if the determination result in step S305 is YES), both the current location and the destination are set. Is performed so as to fit within the screen.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation in the route guidance mode when both the current position and the destination can be included in the screen.

In this process, first, the initial values of the variables A and B in the buffer memory 11 are set to 0 (step S501).

Subsequently, the importance point calculation unit 19 refers to the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17 among the roads defined in the road layer read out to the buffer memory 11 and calculates the guidance route. Identify roads that match some. Of the importance points present in the importance layer read out to the buffer memory 11, three importance points corresponding to the roads on the guidance route are important points of the buildings adjacent to the road on the guidance route. When the display position of the current position cursor is determined at the upper left of the display range, the importance points having the importance points existing within the display screen are summed up, and the importance points in the buffer memory 11 are calculated. Is stored in the variable A. However, if the destination does not fall within the display range, the value of the variable A is set to 0 without being calculated (step S5).
02).

The map range determination section 20 compares the value of the variable A with the value of the variable B. If the variable A is larger, the variable A is stored in the variable B, and the variable A is further stored. Are stored in the variables N and E, respectively, at the center of the display range when is obtained. On the other hand, as a result of the comparison between the value of the variable A and the value of the variable B, if the value of the variable A is equal to the value of the variable B, the current location cursor C1 is displayed at a position closer to the center of the display range. The latitude and longitude of the center point of the other display range are stored in variables N and E, respectively (step S503).

This step S502 and step S5
The process at 03 is performed for all display positions in the display range while shifting the display range until the display position of the current location cursor C1 is set at the lower right of the display range, for example. That is, the determination result in step S504 of determining whether all display positions within the display range have been checked is N.
If it is O, step S5 is performed for another display position.
02 and step S503 are executed, and then step S502 and step S503 are sequentially repeated until the determination result in step S504 becomes YES.

Subsequently, the map image drawing section 12 uses the map data read out to the buffer
The map image and the guidance route centering on the point indicated by the variable E and pointing upward in the north direction are drawn on the video RAM 13 (step S505). In step S505, specifically, using the data of the background layer in the map data, background images of buildings, roads, rivers, etc., centering on the points indicated by the variables N and E and pointing north in the upward direction, are used. Video R
The data is drawn on the AM 13 and the data stored in the map drawing area of the video RAM 13 is read out of the guidance route data stored in the guidance route memory 17 and is different from other roads, for example, so that it can be distinguished from other roads. Draw a route that is highlighted in bold color, and use the data of the character / symbol layer to place the city, village, road,
A procedure of drawing a map symbol is performed. And
The map image drawing unit 12 draws the current position cursor at the position obtained by the GPS receiver 2 and draws the destination cursor at the destination position (step S506). The image drawn on the video RAM 13 is read by the video converter 14, converted into a predetermined video signal, output to the display device 4, and displayed on the screen (step S507). FIG.
FIG. 2 shows another example of the image output to the display device 4. This image includes the road 33 and the current location cursor C1.
, The destination cursor C2, and the guidance route D, and what is actually displayed on the screen of the display device 4 is the portion indicated by the display range R0.

Subsequently, after executing step S507,
The navigation controller 10 determines whether or not there has been a mode change instruction from the input unit 3 (Step S5).
08). If there is no instruction to change the mode (if the determination result in step S508 is NO), the map image drawing unit 12 reads the current location data from the GPS receiver 2 (step S509), It is determined whether or not has changed (step S510). Here, if the current location data has not changed (step S5).
If the result of the determination in step 10 is NO), the flow returns to step S508 again to determine whether there is a mode change instruction. On the other hand, if the current location data has changed (if the determination result in step S510 is YES), the process returns to step S302, and the processes in step S302 and thereafter are repeated again. That is, if the user of the mobile object navigation device does not change the mode, the cursor on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 4 keeps the state where the current position can be easily grasped appropriately in accordance with the movement of the mobile object. Move.

Here, a map image during route guidance obtained by the mobile navigation device of the present invention (see FIG. 12) and a map image during route guidance obtained by the conventional position display device (see FIG. 15). Compare with

The map image shown in FIG. 15 has a center point P of a straight line L3 connecting the current position cursor C1 and the destination cursor C2.
1 is fixed to the center of the display range R0, and displays the map with the smallest scale in which both the current location cursor C1 and the destination cursor C2 fall within the display range R0. In this map image, the detour part D1 protruding upward is not displayed. However, in the map image shown in FIG. 12, when the display range R0 is selected, the display range R0 is selected such that the total of the importance points is maximized. Therefore, the detour part D1 in the guidance route D is also displayed. In other words, on the screen of the display device 4, not a map in which the center point of the straight line connecting the current location cursor and the destination cursor is displayed at the center, but a map in a range where importance is attached to displaying the guidance route, is displayed. Even when a part of the guidance route is a detour, the detour part of the guidance route does not protrude from the screen, so that it is easy to grasp the guidance route. When calculating the degree of importance, the display position of the current position is separated from the end of the display range R0 by a certain distance or more, for example, from a range R3 in a state of being separated by more than the distances indicated by arrows L1 and L2 in FIG. Up to R4 may be sequentially calculated.

On the other hand, when the mode is changed, for example, when the user of the mobile navigation device cancels the route guidance mode using the input unit 3, the result of the determination in step S508 shown in FIG. , And the result of the determination in step S511 is YES. At this time, the mode setting unit 18 cancels the route guidance mode and returns the mode to the original current location display mode (step S10 shown in FIG. 3).
Return to 1).

Subsequently, the mode was changed, for example, when the user changed the mode to the destination display mode using the input unit 3 in order to confirm the geographical situation around the destination in the route guidance mode. However, when the route guidance mode is not canceled (the determination result in step S314 shown in FIG. 5 is NO
, Or when the result of the determination in step S511 shown in FIG. 7 is NO).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation in the destination display mode. In this process, first, in response to an instruction from the input unit 3, the mode setting unit 18 changes the mode from the route guidance mode to the destination display mode (step S401).

The map image drawing section 12 reads out the position data of the destination from the departure / destination setting section 15 (step S).
402), the map data around the destination is read from the external storage device 1 to the buffer memory 11 (step S40).
3). The variables A and B in the buffer memory 11
Is set to 0 (step S404).

Subsequently, the importance calculating unit 19 sets the display position of the destination cursor at the upper left of the display range among the importance points included in the importance layer read out to the buffer memory 11. Then, all the importance points of the importance points existing in the display range are summed and stored in the variable A of the buffer memory 11 (step S405).

The map range determination unit 20 compares the value of the variable A with the value of the variable B. If the variable A is larger, the variable A is stored in the variable B, and the variable A is further stored. Are stored in the variables N and E, respectively, at the center of the display range when is obtained. On the other hand, as a result of comparing the value of variable A and the value of variable B, if the value of variable A is equal to the value of variable B, the destination cursor is displayed at a position closer to the center of the display range. The latitude and longitude of the center point of the display range are stored in variables N and E, respectively (step S406).

Steps S405 and S4
The process at 06 is performed for all display positions within the display range while shifting the display range until the display position of the destination cursor is set at the lower right of the display range, for example. In other words, if the result of the determination in step S407 of determining whether all display positions within the display range have been checked is NO, step S405 is performed for another display position.
And step S406 are executed, and thereafter, step S4 is performed until the determination result in step S407 becomes YES.
05 and step S406 are sequentially repeated.

Subsequently, the map image drawing section 12 uses the map data read into the buffer memory 11 to
A map image centered on the point indicated by the variable E and with the north direction facing upward is drawn on the video RAM 13 (step S4).
08). In step S408, specifically, using the data of the background layer in the map data, background images of buildings, roads, rivers, etc., centering on the points indicated by the variables N and E and pointing upward in the north direction Is drawn on the video RAM 13, and furthermore, using the data of the character / symbol layer, a municipal name, a road name, and a map symbol are drawn at a corresponding location on the background image. And the map image drawing unit 1
2 draws a destination cursor at the destination position read from the departure / destination setting unit 15 (step S40).
9). The image drawn on the video RAM 13 is read by the video converter 14, converted into a predetermined video signal, output to the display device 4, and displayed on the screen (step S410).

At this time, the map image displayed on the screen is not a map centered on the destination, but a map whose display range is set with emphasis on displaying buildings of high importance. I have. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the position of the destination. Further, when calculating the importance, the display position of the destination may be sequentially calculated within a range separated from the end of the display range R0 by a certain distance or more.

After executing step S410, the navigation controller 10 determines whether or not an instruction to change the mode has been given from the input unit 3 (step S411). Until the user changes the mode (while the determination result in step S411 is NO),
This step S411 is repeatedly executed to display a map around the destination on the screen. Thereafter, when the user releases the destination display mode using the input unit 3 (the determination result in step S411 becomes YES), the mode setting unit 18
The mode is automatically changed from the destination display mode to the route guidance mode (step S412). When the mode is changed to the route guidance mode, the aforementioned step S301 is performed.
Return to the processing of.

Each step of the position display method using the position display device of the moving object described above is performed by controlling the operation of the position display device by a processing program (position display processing program) for displaying the position of the moving object. Is realized by: This position display processing program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. In the present invention, the function of reading the position display program is provided in the main body of the external storage device 1, and the position display program is read by inserting a recording medium (shown as the external medium 1a in FIG. 1) into the external storage device 1. You may control each part of a position display apparatus. Regardless of the means for reading the position display program, in any case, the position display device may be configured to directly access and execute the stored position display processing program,
Alternatively, the read position display processing program may be downloaded to a main storage device (not shown) and then executed. This download program is stored in the external storage device 1 in advance.

The external medium 1a, which is also called a program medium, is a recording medium configured to be separable from the external storage device 1. For example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk or a hard disk, or the like. CD-ROM / MO disk / MD
Recording media configured to be separable from the main body such as a disk system of an optical disk such as a DVD / DVD, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a mask RO
A medium that fixedly holds the program, such as a semiconductor memory such as an M, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash ROM, may be used.

Although not shown in the present specification, a function capable of communicating with the outside using a communication network, such as the Internet, is added to the program medium, and this function is used to enable external communication. The program may be carried in a fluid manner by, for example, downloading the display position processing program from the Internet. When the program is downloaded from the communication network, the download program may be stored in the external storage device 1 or may be installed from another recording medium.

The content stored in the recording medium is not limited to a program, but may be data used for position display processing.

In the present embodiment, a guide route is employed as an additional element of importance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a code indicating a classification (building, road, river, etc.) defined in the importance layer or a code indicating a type (station, national road, first-grade river, etc.) increases the importance point (one importance point). May be calculated with the importance point set to 2). As a specific example,
By selecting a restaurant or the like as the type and adding an importance point greater than 1 to the importance point on this restaurant,
A map in a display range selected with emphasis on displaying restaurants around the current location can be displayed on the screen.

[0092]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When displaying a specific place, for example, the current location or destination, on a map, instead of simply displaying the map centering on this specific place, if a building of high importance is in the vicinity, The display range can be automatically set with emphasis on displaying a building having a high importance in a state including a place. Therefore, even in a device such as a mobile device that does not have a large screen, it is easier to grasp a specific place.

Also, when displaying a map including both the current location and the destination, if a building of high importance is located in the vicinity, the state including both the current location and the destination is displayed.
The display range can be automatically set with emphasis on displaying buildings with high importance. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the positions of the current position and the destination.

Further, even when there is no road on the shortest distance from the current position to the destination and the guide route for reaching the destination includes a detour, a road on the guide route or a building adjacent to the guide route may be used. The display range can be automatically set with emphasis on the display of. Therefore, it is easier to grasp the destination.

When a specific place (current position or destination) on the map is displayed, the display position of the specific place is separated from the edge of the screen (the end of the display range) by a certain distance or more, so that the current position is displayed. Is easier to grasp.

In calculating the importance, if there are a plurality of points (display ranges) where the sum of the importance points is the same, the display position of the specific place is closer to the center on the screen. By choosing the point, it is easier to grasp the current position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a moving object navigation device which is an embodiment of a moving object position display device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an importance point distribution.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation in a current location display mode in one embodiment of the position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in a destination setting mode in one embodiment of the position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation in a route guidance mode in one embodiment of the position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

6 is a flowchart showing an operation in a destination display mode in one embodiment of a position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows an operation in a route guidance mode in a case where both a current position and a destination can be included in a screen, in one embodiment of a position display method using the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart shown.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information drawn when the display position of a current position cursor is set at the upper left of a display range in the current position display mode in the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1; It is.

9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information drawn in a current position display mode in the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1, and an example of importance points of the map image and map information.

10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information drawn when a display position of a current position is separated from an end of a display range by a certain distance or more in the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information drawn in a route guidance mode in the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a map image and map information drawn when both the current position and the destination can be included in the screen in the route guidance mode in the mobile navigation device shown in FIG. 1; is there.

FIG. 13 shows a conventional mobile navigation device.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the map image and map information drawn at the time of a present location display mode.

FIG. 14 shows a conventional mobile navigation device.
It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the map image and map information drawn at the time of a route guidance mode.

FIG. 15 shows a conventional mobile navigation device.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a map image and map information drawn when both a current position and a destination can be included in a screen in a route guidance mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 external storage device 2 GPS receiver 3 input unit 4 display device 10 navigation controller 11 buffer memory 12 map image drawing unit 13 video RAM 14 video conversion unit 15 departure / destination setting unit 16 optimal route search unit 17 guidance route memory 18 Mode setting section 19 Importance point calculation section 20 Map range determination section 21 Scroll processing section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C032 HB05 HC21 HD16 2F029 AA02 AA07 AB07 AB13 AC02 AC09 AC14 5H180 AA01 AA21 AA30 BB12 BB13 FF05 FF22 FF24 FF27 FF32 FF35 9A001 FF03 GG01 HH24 JJ11 JJ77

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Map data storage means for storing map data, specific position input means for designating a specific place,
A display unit for displaying a map including the specific location based on the map data read from the map data storage unit, wherein the map data includes a building and a geographical feature. Each of the locations has data on the importance point set for each of the locations, and a plurality of display ranges that include a specific location and are set to a size that fits on the screen of the display unit are set. Importance point calculation means for calculating the total importance points of existing structures and locations having geographical features for each display range, and a display having the maximum total importance points of a plurality of display ranges And a map range setting means for determining a range as an optimum map range. 2. The position display device for a moving object according to claim 1, wherein the specific location is a current position or a destination of the moving object. 3. The position display device for a moving object according to claim 1, wherein the specific location is a current position and a destination of the moving object. 4. A guidance route storage means for storing a guidance route from a current position to a destination, wherein the importance point calculating means is included in a guidance route stored in the guidance route storage means. 2. The position display of a moving object according to claim 1, further comprising importance point increasing means for increasing the value of the importance point of the vehicle and the value of the importance point of a structure or a geographical feature adjacent to the guidance route. apparatus. 5. The position display device for a moving object according to claim 1, wherein the display range is set such that the specific place is displayed at a position at least a predetermined distance from an edge of the screen. 6. When there are a plurality of display ranges in which the sum of the importance points is maximum, the map range setting means displays a specific location at a position closer to the center of the screen. The position display device for a moving object according to claim 1, wherein the range is determined as an optimal map display range. 7. A map data storage means for storing map data, a specific position input means for designating a specific place,
And a display unit for displaying a map including the specific location based on the map data read from the map data storage unit. It contains data on importance points set for each of the objects and places having geographical characteristics, and sets a plurality of display ranges that are large enough to fit on the screen of the display means and include a specific place. , Calculate the sum of importance points of structures and geographical features existing in the display range for each display range, and determine the display range in which the total A method for displaying a position of a moving object, wherein the position is determined as an optimal map range. 8. The map data includes data relating to importance points set for each of buildings and locations having geographical features, and is a display that is large enough to fit on the screen of the display means and includes a specific location. Setting a plurality of ranges; calculating a sum of importance points of structures and geographical features existing in the display range for each display range; and calculating a sum of importance points of the plurality of display ranges. Deciding a display range having the maximum sum as an optimal map range; and a computer-readable recording medium recording a position display processing program for causing the computer to execute the step.