JP2002181561A - Method and system for navigation as well as method and apparatus for creation of data for pictorial map - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a system, for navigation, wherein both the advantage of a pictorial map and a conventional navigation function are used, to provide a portable telephone and a PHS on which the system is mounted and to provide a method and an apparatus for the creation of data for the pictorial map. SOLUTION: The navigation system is provided with a display device 17 used to display the pictorial map, a CF card 22 in which positional information on the pictorial map of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map and geographical positional information are stored, a GPS turner 12 used to find a geographical present position and a CPU 13 which finds a present position on the pictorial map on the basis of the present position from the GPS tuner 12 and on the basis of the positional information stored in the CF card 22 and which displays the present position on the pictorial map displayed on the display device 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for creating picture map data, such as a navigation method and an apparatus therefor, and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional on-vehicle navigation device is equipped with a large-capacity storage device such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and maps information stored in these storage devices to, for example, position information of the navigation device. It is used for the purpose of performing navigation (direction guidance) by displaying the information on a display device and displaying sightseeing information and the like.

[0003]

The conventional in-vehicle navigation device is used for displaying route guidance, sightseeing information, and the like as described above, and displays information previously incorporated in relation to position information. An accurate scaled map is used for the route guidance.

In general, when moving toward a destination, a final destination is determined by tracing a target object or landmark rather than using an accurately drawn map. Are more likely to reach the human sensibility. In such a case, it is more likely that a person who instructs a clear target or landmark will not lose his way. For this reason, for example, a guidebook or the like is attached with a deformed picture map and is used. However, this pictorial map is only an outline of the map,
If the user goes to the destination using the pictorial map,
It was inconvenient in that point because he could not know where he was on the pictorial map.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and a navigation method, an apparatus, and a mobile phone equipped with the apparatus utilizing both the advantages of a picture map and a conventional navigation function. And a PHS, and a method and apparatus for creating pictorial map data.

[0006]

(1) In a navigation method according to one aspect of the present invention, a step of displaying a pictorial map on a display device, acquiring a geographical current position, and displaying the map on the display device. Displaying the current position at a corresponding position on the picture map. In the present invention, the pictorial map is displayed on the display device and the current position is displayed on the pictorial map. Therefore, the advantages of the pictorial map (display of target objects and landmarks) and the conventional navigation function (currently Position display) is utilized to enable navigation suited to human sensitivity.

(2) In the navigation method according to another aspect of the present invention, in the method according to the above (1), positional information on a pictorial map and geographical positional information of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map are stored in advance. And a current position on the pictorial map based on the geographical current position and the position information stored in the storage device. In the present invention, a storage device in which the position information on the pictorial map and the geographical position information are stored in advance is prepared, and the current geographical position and the position information (landmarks) stored in the storage device are prepared. The current position on the picture map is obtained based on the position information on the picture map and the geographical position information. That is, position information (on the pictorial map, geographically) is added to the landmark on the pictorial map, and the current position on the pictorial map is obtained from the relative position to the landmark.

(3) A navigation device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a display device for displaying a pictorial map, a position information detecting means for obtaining a current geographical position, and a geographical information obtained by the position information detecting means. Calculating means for displaying the above current position at a corresponding position on the pictorial map displayed on the display device. In the present invention, since the current geographical position obtained by the position information detecting means is displayed on a pictorial map displayed on the display device,
Both the advantages of the pictorial map and the conventional navigation function are utilized, and navigation suitable for human sensibility is possible, and a navigation device that is easy to use is realized.

(4) A navigation device according to another aspect of the present invention is a display device for displaying a pictorial map, and stores location information on a pictorial map and geographical location information of landmarks drawn on the pictorial map. Storage means, a position information detecting means for obtaining a geographical current position, a current position obtained by the position information detecting means, and a position on the pictorial map based on the position information stored in the storage device. Calculating means for obtaining the current position and displaying the current position on a pictorial map displayed on the display device. In the present invention, the current position on the pictorial map is obtained based on the current position obtained by the position information detecting means and the position information stored in the storage device, and the calculated position is displayed on the display device. Display on the map. As described above, since the current position is displayed on the pictorial map, navigation suitable for human sensitivity is possible.

(5) A navigation device according to another aspect of the present invention is the navigation device according to the above (4), wherein the arithmetic means comprises:
The current location on the pictorial map based on the geographical current location and the location information on the pictorial map and the geographical location information of a plurality of landmarks adjacent to the current location or a plurality of landmarks around the current location Is what you want. In the present invention, a pictorial map is provided based on a geographical current position and a plurality of landmarks adjacent to the current position or a plurality of landmarks around the current position on the pictorial map and geographical position information. I'm looking for the current location above. For this reason, the correlation between the landmark of the pictorial map and the current position is appropriate, making it easy to see and easy to use.

(6) A mobile phone according to another aspect of the present invention has the navigation device described in any of (3) to (5) above. In the present invention,
By mounting the navigation device on a mobile phone, the functions of the mobile phone are expanded.

(7) A PHS according to another aspect of the present invention comprises:
The navigation device according to any one of the above (3) to (5) is mounted. In the present invention, by mounting the navigation device on a PHS,
PHS functions are being expanded.

(8) A method of creating picture map data according to another aspect of the present invention includes a step of displaying a picture map on a display device, and a step of displaying a landmark picture drawn on the picture map displayed on the display device. Obtaining position information on a map and geographical position information and storing them in a storage device. In the present invention, since the location information on the pictorial map and the geographical location information of the landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device are obtained and stored, the landmark on the pictorial map is It has the position information on the map and the geographical position information, and can be used in the above navigation device.

(9) In a method for creating picture map data according to another aspect of the present invention, a step of displaying a picture map on a display device, and specifying a landmark drawn on the picture map displayed on the display device. Acquiring the position information of the landmark on the pictorial map and reading the geographical position information of the landmark from the first storage device in which the map information is stored in advance; Writing the location information and the geographical location information in the second storage device in association with each other. In the present invention, a position information on a pictorial map of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device is obtained, and a first storage device (for example, a map storing the map information) in which the map information is stored in advance. Geographical location information of the landmark from a commercially available CD-ROM or the like, and associates the location information of the landmark on the pictorial map with the geographical location information of the landmark, and stores it in a second storage device (for example, (CF card), the landmark on the pictorial map has positional information on the pictorial map and geographical positional information, and can be used in the above navigation device.

(10) A method for creating picture map data according to another aspect of the present invention includes the steps of displaying a picture map on a display device, and displaying a picture of a landmark drawn on the picture map displayed on the display device. A step of obtaining positional information on the map, a step of obtaining geographical position information of the landmark at a place where the landmark is drawn on the pictorial map, and a step of obtaining positional information and geography of the landmark on the pictorial map Writing the information to the storage device in association with the above position information.
In the present invention, the position information of the landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device is acquired on the pictorial map, and at the place where the landmark drawn on the pictorial map is located, the geographical location of the landmark is obtained. By obtaining the position information of the landmark, the position information on the pictorial map of the landmark and the geographical position information are obtained, and the two are associated with each other and written into the storage device. For this reason, if the landmark of the pictorial map does not exist on a CD-ROM or the like that stores commercially available map information,
For example, the present invention is suitable for guiding each exhibition hall in a large exhibition hall, a sales floor of a department store, an underground shopping mall, and the like.

(11) A picture map data creating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a display device for displaying a picture map, and a landmark drawn on the picture map displayed on the display device. Computing means for determining the position information and the geographical position information and storing the information in a storage device. In the present invention, since the location information on the pictorial map and the geographical location information of the landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device are obtained and stored, the landmark on the pictorial map is It has the position information on the map and the geographical position information, and can be used in the above navigation device.

(12) A picture map data creating apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a display device for displaying a picture map, a first storage device in which map information is stored in advance, and a display device. When the landmark drawn on the displayed pictorial map is specified, the location information of the landmark on the pictorial map is obtained, and the geographical location information of the landmark is read from the first storage device. Arithmetic means for writing information into the second storage device in association with the information. In the present invention, a position information on a pictorial map of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device is obtained, and a first storage device (for example, a map storing the map information) in which the map information is stored in advance. Commercially available CD-ROM, etc.)
Read the geographical location information of the landmark from
Since the position information of the landmark on the pictorial map and the geographical position information are associated with each other and written in the second storage device (for example, a CF card), the landmark on the pictorial map is stored in the positional information on the pictorial map and It has geographical location information and can be used in the above navigation device.

(13) An apparatus for creating picture map data according to another aspect of the present invention includes a display device for displaying a picture map and a geographical feature of the landmark at a location corresponding to the landmark drawn on the picture map. Position information detecting means for acquiring the current position on the map, and when a landmark drawn on the picture map displayed on the display device is specified, the position information on the picture map of the landmark is obtained and the position information is detected. Means for acquiring geographical position information of the landmark from the means and writing the information in a storage device in association with the information. In the present invention, the position information of the landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device is acquired on the pictorial map, and at the place where the landmark drawn on the pictorial map is located, the geographical location of the landmark is obtained. By obtaining the position information of the landmark, the position information on the pictorial map of the landmark and the geographical position information are obtained, and the two are associated and written into the storage device. For this reason, it is suitable when the landmark of the pictorial map is not on a CD-ROM or the like in which commercially available map information is stored, for example, when guiding to various exhibition halls in a large exhibition hall, department store counters, and the like.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The navigation device 10 includes a GPS antenna 11, a GPS tuner (receiver) 12, a CPU 13,
Main storage device (RAM) 14, drawing storage device 15, drawing processing device 16, display device (LCD panel or the like) 17, program storage device (ROM) 18, operation button interface 19, operation buttons 20, and card adapter 21
It is composed of The present embodiment is characterized in that a card adapter 21 is provided and a CF card 22 storing map information is mounted on the card adapter 21 without mounting a drive device for a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as in the related art. There is. A process for creating map information on the CF card 22 will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a personal computer for creating data (map information) to be written on the CF card 22. The computer body 30 has a CP
It includes a U31, a main storage device 32, a ROM 33 storing programs and the like, a display control device 34, an input / output interface 35, a CD-ROM drive device 36, a card adapter 37, a communication control device 37a, and the like. A monitor 38 is connected to the display control device 34, and a mouse 39 and a keyboard 40 are connected to the input / output interface 35. The CD-ROM drive 36 has a CD-RO
M42 is mounted and data is read. The CF card 22 is attached to the card adapter 37. An image scanner 43 is connected to the computer main body 30, and a mobile phone 44 is connected to the communication control device 37a.
Is connected. The CD-ROM 42 stores commercially available map information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when map information to be stored in the CF card 22 is created by the personal computer shown in FIG. (S1) First, the image scanner 43 is driven. The CPU 31 of the computer body 30 takes in a picture map (image data) from the image scanner 35. The picture map at this time is assumed to be read, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 described later. Then, the CPU 31 stores the picture map in the main storage device 32 and causes the monitor 32 to display the map. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a part of the picture map displayed at this time.

(S2) When the user operates the keyboard 40 to input the name of the landmark of the pictorial map shown in FIG. Captures the name of the landmark of the picture map and the position information of the part of the picture map. In the example of FIG. 4, for example, when the name of “Tokyu Inn” is input and the part is clicked, the name and the position information of the part on the picture map are stored in the main storage device 32.
Is stored.

(S3) The CPU 31 controls the CD-ROM storing map information via the CD-ROM drive 36.
42, the location information (latitude, longitude) of the landmark ("Tokyu Inn" in the above example) input above is read. If there is no corresponding information, the process returns to the above processing (S2).

(S4) The CPU 31 stores the position information on the pictorial map of the landmark entered above and the geographical position information (latitude, longitude) of the landmark in the main storage device 32 in association with each other. I do.

(S5) The above processing (S2) to (S4)
Is repeated until there is a termination instruction (an instruction by operating the mouse 39 or the keyboard 40). (S6) When there is an instruction to end, the CPU 31
2, the image data of the pictorial map, the positional information on the pictorial map and the geographical positional information (latitude, longitude) of the mutually associated landmarks are transmitted to the CF card via the card adapter 37. Output to the card 22 for writing.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure when navigation is performed by mounting the CF card 22 on which data has been written as described above to the card adapter 21 of the navigation apparatus 10 of FIG. (S11) The CPU 13 accesses the CF card 22 to read out information about the picture map, and
And a predetermined map is displayed on the display device 17. FIG. 6 is a picture map displayed on the display device 17 at this time.

(S12) The CPU 13 sends the geographical position information (latitude, longitude) of the current position from the GPS tuner 12.
Take in.

(S13) The CPU 13 sets the CF card 22
, The information about the landmark at the position adjacent to the current position or the surrounding landmark (position information on the pictorial map of the landmark and geographical position information (latitude, longitude)) is read.

(S14) The CPU 13 determines the geographical position information (latitude and longitude) of the current position, the position information on the picture map of the adjacent or neighboring landmarks, and the geographical position information (latitude and longitude). Then, the current position on the picture map is obtained. The current position on the pictorial map is obtained, for example, as follows.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams of the calculation method. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the geographical positions Pd1 and Pd2 of the map information and the current position. P
d1 and Pd2 are landmarks in the map information, which have preset geographical position information (latitude, longitude). Pdp is the current position, which also has geographical position information (latitude, longitude). Then, the relationship between Pd1, Pd2 and Pdp is determined. In this example, it can be seen that Pdp is at an intermediate position between Pd1 and Pd2.

FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram for obtaining the current position Pa1 on the pictorial map from the position Pa1 (corresponding to geographical Pd1) and Pa2 (corresponding to geographical Pd2) on the pictorial map. is there. In FIG. 7A, Pdp is Pd1
And Pd2, the current position Pap on the pictorial map or Pa1 and Pa on the pictorial map is also determined.
2 is located at an intermediate position. Thus, the current position Pap on the picture map is obtained. Although a simple example (an example in which two landmarks are extracted) is shown here to simplify the explanation, three, four, or more landmarks around the current position are extracted. It is desirable to obtain the current position on the pictorial map by performing the above processing, so that the current position on the pictorial map is appropriately obtained.

(S15) The CPU 13 causes the display device 15 to display the current position on the pictorial map calculated as described above. The display device 15 displays a pictorial map as shown in FIG. 6, for example, and displays the current position 100 (near “Tokyu Inn”) on the pictorial map.

The navigation device according to the present embodiment
Since the navigation is performed by displaying the current position on the pictorial map in this way, a user-friendly device suitable for human sensitivity is realized.

Embodiment 2 In the above embodiment, on the premise that the landmark exists in the map information on the CD-ROM, the data is associated with the location information on the pictorial map of the landmark and the geographical location information (latitude and longitude) and the data is stored in the CF.
Although the example in which the data is written on the card 22 has been described, in the present embodiment, a process when a landmark is not included in the map information will be described. Here, it is assumed that a small portable computer is used as the computer in FIG.
It is assumed that a picture map is already stored in 2.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another processing procedure when creating map information to be stored in the CF card 22. FIG. 9 is a pictorial map (for example, the layout of a department store, the layout of an exhibition hall).
And actually go to the location shown on the picture map. (S21) The user brings the computer body 10 to a location that will be a landmark of the pictorial map shown in FIG. 9 (for example, point A1). The picture map is displayed on the display device 38 by the user's operation of the keyboard 40. Here, it is assumed that the picture map of FIG. 9 is displayed.

(S22) When the user clicks, for example, on the point A1 with the mouse 39, the CPU 31 detects the position information of the landmark point A1 on the pictorial map and the geographical current position information of the point A1 on the mobile phone. Take in from. Then, these pieces of information are stored in the main storage device 32 in association with each other.

(S23) The above processing (S22) is repeated until there is a termination instruction (an instruction by operating the mouse 39 or the keyboard 40). In the example of FIG. 9, the processing is repeated at least for points A2 to A9.

(S24) When there is an instruction to end, the CPU 31
The card adapter 37 stores the data stored in the main storage device 32, that is, the image data of the pictorial map, the location information on the pictorial map and the geographical location information (latitude and longitude) of the landmark points A1 to A9. The data is output to and written on the CF card 22 via the memory.

After the data has been written in the CF card 22 as described above, the processing when the CF card 22 is mounted on the navigation device 10 of FIG. 1 to perform navigation is the same as the processing in FIG.

Embodiment 3 FIG. In the above-described second embodiment, an example in which the computer main body 30 of FIG. 2 is brought to the location of the pictorial map has been described, but the navigation device 10 of FIG. 1 is brought to the location of the pictorial map to input data. Is also good. In that case, a mobile phone is unnecessary, and the current position (geographical position information) is taken in from the GPS tuner 12. Further, in the second embodiment, the current position is grasped by the mobile phone, but the current position may be grasped by the PHS.

Embodiment 4 FIG. By the way, since mobile phones and PHSs which have a function of grasping the current position are also widely used, mobile phones and PHSs are provided with a navigation device (excluding the GPS antenna 11 and the GPS tuner 12) shown in FIG. ) May be provided to provide a mobile phone or PHS with an easy-to-use navigation function. In that case, CPU for mobile phone or PHS,
Since a built-in memory, a display device, and the like are mounted, the hardware can be used. When the navigation device of the present invention is mounted on a mobile phone or PHS, a pictorial map having map information including location information on a pictorial map and geographical location information (latitude and longitude) of a landmark point is provided. Displaying image data on Internet homepages (for example, maps around stores)
Alternatively, it can be registered in a server and taken in via the Internet. Also, P
The navigation device of the present invention may be mounted on a DA (personal digital assistant) or a personal computer (special mobile type).

Embodiment 5 FIG. To create data to be written to the CF card, the processing in FIG. 4 and the processing in FIG. 8 may be combined. For example, if there is no corresponding landmark in the map information of the CD-ROM in the processing (S3) of FIG. 4, the processing of FIG. 8 is performed after the processing of FIG. In this way, more detailed information can be written while using the map information of the CD-ROM. Further, the pictorial map used in the present invention is not limited to a freehand drawing, and may be, for example, a drawing drawn by a personal computer shown in FIG. 2 using appropriate software. It should be noted that the navigation device according to the present invention is not only for personal use (portable and used),
Needless to say, it can also be used for in-vehicle use.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, a geographical current position is acquired, and the current position is displayed at a corresponding position on the pictorial map displayed on the display device. Both of the advantages of the pictorial map and the conventional navigation function are utilized, and navigation suitable for human sensibilities is possible, and easy-to-use navigation is realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a personal computer for creating data to be written on the CF card of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a picture map displayed on the display device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process for creating data to be written on a CF card by the personal computer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the navigation device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a picture map displayed in the processing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a calculation method for obtaining a position on a picture map in the processing of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of a process for creating data to be written on a CF card by the personal computer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a picture map displayed in the processing of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 navigation device 11 GPS antenna 12 GPS tuner (receiver) 13 CPU 14 main storage unit (RAM) 15 drawing memory 16 drawing processing device 17 display device 18 program storage memory 19 operation button interface 20 operation buttons 21 card adapter 22 CF card

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A step of displaying a pictorial map on a display device, and a step of acquiring a geographical current position and displaying the current position at a corresponding position on the pictorial map displayed on the display device. A navigation method characterized in that: 2. A storage device in which positional information and geographical position information of landmarks drawn on the pictorial map on the pictorial map are stored in advance, and the geographical current position and the geographical positional information are stored in the storing device. 2. The navigation method according to claim 1, wherein a current position on the pictorial map is obtained based on the position information. 3. A display device for displaying a pictorial map, position information detecting means for obtaining a geographical current position, and a geographical current position obtained by the position information detecting means being displayed on the display device. And a calculating means for displaying at a corresponding position on the picture map. 4. A display device for displaying a pictorial map, storage means for storing location information on the pictorial map and geographical location information of landmarks drawn on the pictorial map, and obtaining a geographical current location Based on the current position acquired by the position information detecting means, and the position information stored in the storage device, to obtain a current position on a pictorial map, and display the current position on the pictorial map. A navigation device for displaying on a pictorial map displayed on the device. 5. The position information and a geographical map of the geographical current position, a plurality of landmarks close to the current position or a plurality of landmarks around the current position on a pictorial map. 5. The navigation device according to claim 4, wherein a current position on the pictorial map is obtained based on the position information. 6. A mobile phone equipped with the navigation device according to claim 3. 7. A PHS comprising the navigation device according to claim 3 mounted thereon. 8. A step of displaying a pictorial map on a display device, and a step of obtaining positional information on a pictorial map and geographical positional information on landmarks drawn on the pictorial map and storing the information in a storage device. A method for creating pictorial map data, characterized by having 9. A step of displaying a pictorial map on a display device, identifying a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device, acquiring position information of the landmark on the pictorial map, The first map information is stored in advance.
Reading the geographical position information of the landmark from the storage device, and writing the positional information on the pictorial map of the landmark and the geographical position information to the second storage device in association with each other. A method for creating pictorial map data characterized by the following. 10. A step of displaying a pictorial map on a display device; a step of acquiring positional information on a pictorial map of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device; Acquiring the geographical location information of the landmark at a location where the landmark is located, and writing the location information on the pictorial map of the landmark and the geographical location information in a storage device in association with each other; A method for creating pictorial map data, characterized by having: 11. A display device for displaying a pictorial map, and location information on a pictorial map and geographical location information of a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device are obtained and stored in a storage device. An image map data creating apparatus, comprising: an arithmetic unit. 12. A display device for displaying a pictorial map, a first storage device in which map information is stored in advance, and a landmark drawn on the pictorial map displayed on the display device is specified. Calculating means for acquiring position information of the landmark on the pictorial map, reading geographical position information of the landmark from the first storage device, and writing the information in a second storage device in association with the information; An apparatus for creating picture map data, comprising: 13. A display device for displaying a pictorial map; position information detecting means for acquiring a geographical current position of the landmark at a location corresponding to the landmark drawn on the pictorial map; When the landmark drawn on the drawn pictorial map is specified, the location information on the pictorial map of the landmark is acquired, and the geographical location information of the landmark is acquired from the location information detecting means. A picture map data creating apparatus, comprising: an arithmetic unit for associating such information with a storage device.