JP2002243462A - Device for creating data for deforming model, recording medium recording data thereof, and navigation device using data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device capable of simply and easily displaying the deformed two-dimensional image of a necessary location on a map and substantially reducing the amount of data stored in a storage medium. SOLUTION: A data creating part 4 for deforming a model extracts parameter data corresponding to a road location specified from an input part 2 from two-dimensional map data. The data creating part 4 for deforming the model reads pattern data corresponding to the specified road location from a pattern model storage part 5, and creates data for deforming the model by processing the extracted parameter data while making reference to the pattern data. The created data for deforming the model is converted into two-dimensional image data at an image data creating part 6 and then displayed on a display 7. At this time, the image creating part 6 creates the two-dimensional image data by providing a previously prescribed two-dimensional display model with the data for deforming the model and deforming it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating model deformation data, a recording medium on which the data is recorded, and a navigation apparatus using the data. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for easily displaying a two-dimensional shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a map display in a conventional car navigation device is a display in which an actual road shape is reproduced as faithfully as possible. However, rather than directly reflecting small curves and intersections of intersections on the map display, the map used for tourist information and the map explaining traffic congestion on the road are somewhat deformed (simplified or exaggerated). Displaying the displayed map is often easier for the user to understand.

[0003] In recent years, various car navigation devices have been developed to display a simplified map.
Conventionally, when a simplified display of a map is performed, road information is manually deleted in advance for each road data on a two-dimensional map, or information in which an angle or length is corrected is added, and such information is added. Generate two-dimensional map data from map data,
This two-dimensional map data is stored in a map storage medium (CD-ROM,
DVD etc.). And the car navigation device in which this map storage medium is set,
When a vehicle arrives at a required location, the corresponding two-dimensional map data is read from the map storage medium and a two-dimensional image is displayed. Alternatively, a designer may create a two-dimensional image by referring to map data or a photograph of the site.
In this case, the created two-dimensional image is stored in a map storage medium (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), taken out and displayed when necessary.

[0004]

Conventionally, however, it is necessary to delete road links or add information in which angles and lengths have been corrected to each piece of road data on a two-dimensional map. Very cumbersome. In addition, preparations such as surveying are required. Moreover, two-dimensional map data includes
Since a large amount of information that does not match the actual road position is included, if a simplified two-dimensional map is created from such two-dimensional map data, the accuracy of the creation will be reduced and the driver will be confused. In order to obtain a desired two-dimensional map, the road position information of the two-dimensional map data may be corrected, or the shape data of the already completed two-dimensional map may be corrected using a CAD tool or the like. Is expected to increase the man-hour significantly.

Conventionally, simplified two-dimensional map image data itself is stored in a map storage medium (CD-ROM,
(DVD, etc.), there is a problem that the amount of map data to be stored is too large, and it is difficult to perform two-dimensional simplified display of many places.
In order to solve such inconvenience, it is conceivable to generate two-dimensional simplified image data on the side of a car navigation device mounted on a vehicle. However, such a method has another problem that the CPU of the car navigation device is overloaded, and high-speed map scrolling cannot be performed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable a deformed two-dimensional image to be displayed easily and easily at a necessary place on a map, and to significantly reduce the amount of data stored in a storage medium. It is to provide such a method and apparatus.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A first invention is a model deformation data creating apparatus, in which a two-dimensional shape of a predetermined location on a map is classified into a plurality of types of patterns in advance, Two-dimensional display model storage means for storing a two-dimensional display model capable of being deformed for each of the classified patterns; two-dimensional map storage means for storing two-dimensional map data; A part is specified on the two-dimensional map data, local two-dimensional map data corresponding to the specified predetermined part is extracted from the two-dimensional map data, and based on the extracted local two-dimensional map data, Model deformation data generating means for generating model deformation data for deforming the shape of the two-dimensional display model, and the model deformation data generated by the model deformation data generating means. And a model modification data storing means for storing the use data, two-dimensional display model storing means,
Stores at least one two-dimensional display model of a branch or merge in a highway, a sign, a grid-shaped road,
The apparatus further comprises a two-dimensional display model deforming means for deforming the two-dimensional display model by giving the two-dimensional display model to the two-dimensional display model together with parameters extracted from the two-dimensional map data or parameters newly added for two-dimensional display. Features.

As described above, according to the first aspect, in order to obtain a two-dimensional image at a predetermined location on a map,
Instead of the image data itself, model deformation data for deforming the prepared two-dimensional display model into a desired shape is generated and stored, so the amount of data to be stored is significantly larger than in the past. Be reduced.

A second invention is a recording medium for recording model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to any one of the first inventions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to any one of the first inventions is given to a corresponding two-dimensional display model and deformed. This is a recording medium for recording two-dimensional image data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a two-dimensional model is provided by applying model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to any one of the first inventions to a corresponding two-dimensional display model and deforming the model. It is a navigation device that displays an image.

A fifth invention is a navigation device for displaying a two-dimensional image using the two-dimensional image data recorded on the recording medium according to the third invention.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the embodiments of the present invention in detail, the basic concept thereof will be described for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the present invention.

The present invention makes it possible to simply display a deformed two-dimensional shape in the vicinity of a specific road point designated on a two-dimensional map. As is well known, in a conventional general car navigation device, when a taxiway approaches a branch point or a left / right turn point, the road shape in the vicinity thereof is enlarged and displayed. A typical application example of the present invention is to simplify the processing related to the enlarged display.

In the present invention, the shapes of the map to be displayed two-dimensionally are classified into similar patterns or some patterns in advance. For example, it is classified into a branch, a sign on a highway, a grid pattern such as that seen in a sorted city area, and the like. In the present invention, for each classified pattern, a standard two-dimensional display model is assumed in advance,
The parameters extracted from the two-dimensional map data are given to the two-dimensional display model (along with parameters newly added for the two-dimensional display, if necessary) and deformed into a desired shape, thereby A two-dimensional image corresponding to the road shape near the road location is obtained.

Conventionally, two-dimensional map data is treated as two-dimensional coordinate data to obtain a two-dimensional image, so that the degree of connection or branching of roads is completely ignored. Therefore, when there is an error in the two-dimensional map data, the error is directly introduced into the two-dimensional image. For example, a phenomenon occurs in which a parallel branch road is largely detoured.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, a two-dimensional image is obtained by classifying a map shape into a plurality of patterns and deforming a two-dimensional display model prepared in advance for each pattern. Compared to the case where a two-dimensional image is directly obtained from two-dimensional map data, the original purpose of the guidance (ie, the correspondence between the actual road and the guidance guide can be clearly understood). Can be displayed two-dimensionally. That is, in the present invention, the basic shape of the map is prepared in advance as a two-dimensional display model in the two-dimensional image generation algorithm. The relationship between roads, such as the state of, does not change significantly. Therefore, when determining which pattern the specified road section belongs to, a certain error existing on the two-dimensional map data is automatically corrected, and an error that is far from the original purpose of the navigation device is displayed. Less likely to do.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, the map shape is displayed two-dimensionally in a deformed (simplified or exaggerated) state from the actual shape. The displayed two-dimensional image does not completely match the actual road shape as compared with the case where it is treated as data. In other words, the present invention displays a two-dimensional map in a more animated state than before. However, when performing car guidance, the displayed two-dimensional map does not need to completely match the actual road shape. In the guidance, no problem occurs even if the intersection angle between the roads and the scale relationship are different from the actual values. At least, if it is possible to display how the road intersects with another road and how many lanes it is, the purpose of the guidance can be achieved. In other words, if the driver can display information that can clearly grasp the correspondence between the actual road and the guidance display, the purpose of the guidance is achieved. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently achieve the purpose of the guidance by simply deforming the two-dimensional display model prepared in advance. Rather, there is an advantage that the simplified display as in the present invention is easier for the driver to see.

As described above, in order to achieve the purpose of the guidance, it is not necessary to finely deform the prepared two-dimensional display model until it completely matches the actual road shape. The transformation may be performed within a range not to be performed.
This means that the number of parameters given to the two-dimensional display model may be small. Further, in the present invention,
For each designated road location, only the model deformation data for deforming the two-dimensional display model is stored instead of the two-dimensional image data itself, so the amount of map data stored in the storage medium is extremely small. Yes.

Further, according to the present invention, the configuration of an algorithm for generating two-dimensional image data can be greatly simplified. This is because the two-dimensional image generation algorithm does not need to calculate and generate two-dimensional image data from scratch, but performs only an operation of giving model deformation data to a predetermined two-dimensional display model and deforming it. It's good.

It should be noted that the above description should be used only for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and not for interpreting the concept of the present invention in a limited manner. .

(Description of Specific Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a model deformation data creating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a model deformation data creation device 1 of the present embodiment includes an input unit 2, a two-dimensional map data storage unit 3, and a model deformation data generation unit 4.
, A pattern model storage unit 5, an image data generation unit 6, a display 7, and a model deformation data storage unit 8.

The input unit 2 includes a cross pad, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like, which are operated by an operator. input. The two-dimensional map data storage unit 3 is configured by a large-capacity storage device including, for example, a CD-ROM or a DVD as a storage medium, and stores the two-dimensional map data. The data for model deformation data generation unit 4 includes information input from the input unit 2, two-dimensional map data stored in the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3, and pattern data stored in the pattern model storage unit 5. , Generating model deformation data for deforming the two-dimensional display model. The pattern model storage unit 5 stores, for each pattern model, pattern data for defining the types of parameters required to deform the pattern model. The image data generation unit 6 is configured to generate the image data based on the model deformation data generated by the model deformation data
Generate two-dimensional image data. The display 7 displays the two-dimensional shape of the designated road location based on the two-dimensional image data generated by the image data generator 6. The model deformation data storage unit 8 stores the model deformation data generated by the model deformation data generation unit 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of the model deformation data generator 4 shown in FIG. FIG.
, The model deformation data generation unit 4 includes a two-dimensional map data reading unit 41 and a parameter data extraction unit 42.
And a parameter data analysis unit 43. The two-dimensional map data reading unit 41 reads, from the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3, two-dimensional map data of an area corresponding to the map number input from the input unit 2. The parameter data extraction unit 42 reads the parameter data corresponding to the road location specified from the input unit 2 into the two-dimensional map data reading unit 4.
1 extracts from the two-dimensional map data read. The parameter data analysis unit 43 includes a parameter data extraction unit 42
By analyzing the extracted parameter data, necessary pattern data is read from the pattern model storage unit 5 to generate model deformation data.

The model deformation data generated by the parameter data analysis unit 43 is supplied to the image data generation unit 6 and converted into two-dimensional image data, and the two-dimensional shape corresponding to the display 7 is displayed. The operator checks whether or not a correct two-dimensional image is displayed by looking at the display contents of the display 7. When the user wants to modify the two-dimensional image, a parameter to be changed or added is input from the input unit 2. Thereby, the parameter data analysis unit 4
The contents of the model deformation data generated in step 3 change, and the display contents of the display 7 change accordingly. When the two-dimensional image displayed on the display 7 has a form desired by the operator, the model deformation data generated by the parameter data analysis unit 43 is stored in the model deformation data storage unit 8.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the model deformation data creating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the model deformation data generating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, a map number including a road portion to be displayed in a deformed manner is input from the input unit 2 to the model deformation data generation unit 4 (step S1). Here, in the present embodiment, the format of the two-dimensional map data stored in the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3 is DRMA.
(Digital Road Map). In the DRMA, a nationwide map is divided into a plurality of regions in a predetermined unit (for example, a secondary mesh unit). The two-dimensional map data reading unit 41 in the model deformation data generation unit 4 reads out the two-dimensional map data of the area corresponding to the map number input from the input unit 2 from the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3 (Step S2). .

Next, in the two-dimensional map data read out from the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3, the model deformation data generation unit 4 outputs a road location (for example, a branch on an expressway, an urban area) to be deformed. Is determined (step S3). The operation of specifying the road location is performed based on the designated data input from the input unit 2 (hereinafter, referred to as the former case), or performed according to an automatic road location identification algorithm (hereinafter, referred to as the latter case). ). In the former case, the image data generation unit 6 generates two-dimensional map image data corresponding to the two-dimensional map data read from the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3 and causes the display 7 to display the image data. The operator designates a road location by enclosing a portion to be deformed and displayed on a two-dimensional map (or an enlarged map thereof) displayed on the display 7 with a rectangular frame or the like. At this time, the input unit 2 outputs designated data for indicating the road location designated by the operator to the model deformation data generation unit 4. Accordingly, the parameter data extraction unit 42 in the model deformation data generation unit 4
Extracts parameter data at a location corresponding to the designated data input from the input unit 2 from the two-dimensional map data (step S4). On the other hand, in the latter case, the parameter data extraction unit 42 in the model deformation data generation unit 4
A road location that matches a preset condition is searched on the two-dimensional map data read from the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3 and the vicinity of the searched road location (for example, a radius of 500
The parameter data (within the range of m) is extracted from the two-dimensional map data (step S4).

FIG. 4 shows an example of parameter data extracted from the two-dimensional map data. In FIG. 4, the numbers 1 to 10 arranged in the vertical direction are 10
It corresponds to each of the roads of the book (hereinafter referred to as links). For example, links 1 and 3 each have a length of 50
m, the number of lanes is four, and the link attribute is a normal road which is not an elevated road. Link 1
And 3 are bidirectional, so the four lanes are
It can be seen that the vehicle is composed of two lanes, an outbound route and a return route. The link 2 has a length of 30 m, has two lanes, and indicates that the link attribute is an elevated road.
The links 4 to 7 each have a length of 10 m, have one lane, have a link attribute of side road, and have a one-way traffic direction. Further, it is shown that the link 9 has a length of 30 m, has two lanes, and has the link attribute of an underpass (a road passing under an elevated road). When the map parameters shown in FIG. 4 are visualized as a two-dimensional map, the result is as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, as described above,
Although DRMA is used as the format of the two-dimensional map data stored in the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3, two-dimensional map data described in another map data format is stored in the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3. You may do it. Information that is included in the DRMA but is not included in other map data formats (eg, information on the number of lanes), and conversely, is included in other map data formats but is included in the DRMA If there is missing information and there is insufficient data, it will be separately input from the input unit 2.

Next, the parameter data analysis unit 43 analyzes the parameter data extracted by the parameter data extraction unit 42 (step S5), and the two-dimensional shape of the corresponding road location is classified in advance according to the analysis result. It is determined to which of the patterns the pattern belongs (step S6).
This determination may be made by the operator. In this case,
A number indicating the type of pattern is input from the input unit 2 to the parameter data analysis unit 43. Next, the parameter data analysis unit 43 reads the pattern data corresponding to the determined or inputted pattern from the pattern model storage unit 5. As described above, the pattern model storage unit 5 stores, for each two-dimensional display model, pattern data for defining the types of parameters required to deform the two-dimensional display model. FIG. 6 shows an example of the pattern data stored in the pattern model storage 5.
As shown in FIG. 6, the pattern data is configured as blank table data in which parameters are set.

Next, the parameter data analysis unit 43 generates model deformation data (step S7). The details of the model deformation data generation processing will be described below.

First, the parameter data analysis unit 43 converts the parameter data that can be simply transferred from the parameter data extracted by the parameter data extraction unit 42 into the pattern data read from the pattern model storage unit 5. Set to. FIG. 7 shows an example of pattern data in which parameters are set. Referring to FIG.
The parameter data analysis unit 43 sets a parameter indicating the length and a parameter indicating the number of lanes in the pattern data as the parameter data that can be simply shifted. The parameter indicating the number of lanes is set as a parameter indicating the width of the road.

Next, the parameter data analysis unit 43 analyzes the parameter data extracted by the parameter data extraction unit 42 to infer other unset parameter values in the pattern data. For example, link 2
The angle of intersection between the link 9 and the
If you can calculate from the parameter data extracted in
The calculated intersection angle is set in the pattern data. Normal,
Since DRMA shows the coordinate position of each link,
The intersection angle can be calculated from the coordinate position. Further, the shape of each link is inferred, and the result is set in the pattern data as a parameter indicating the shape pattern. Here, the shape of each link is classified into several categories. For example, a first category (a category indicating the shape of a general road) illustrated in FIG. 8 and a second category (a category indicating a connection shape at a junction / junction point) illustrated in FIG. 9. At this time, the simplest method of inferring the shape of a general road is to determine the shape that each link constituting the determined pattern has most commonly from the result of summing up the road shapes nationwide, This is to set the shape as the shape of each link. Further, the connection shape at the branching / merging point can be inferred from the connection relationship with surrounding links.

Note that parameters not specified by inference may not be set, or appropriate parameters may be set temporarily. If the parameter is not set, the display shape of the link follows the shape of the standard two-dimensional display model embedded in the two-dimensional image data generation algorithm executed by the image data generation unit 6. However, in this embodiment, no problem occurs because the parameter can be corrected later by the operator.

Next, the parameter data analysis unit 43 outputs the pattern data in which the parameters are set to the image data generation unit 6 as model deformation data. The image data generating unit 6 generates two-dimensional image data based on the given model deformation data,
Output to In response, the display 7 displays the deformed two-dimensional map (step S8). Here, the image data generation unit 6 does not generate and generate the deformed two-dimensional image data from the beginning, but performs an operation of merely giving model deformation data to a predetermined two-dimensional display model and deforming it. I do. Therefore, the image data generation algorithm in the image data generation unit 6 is greatly simplified as compared with the conventional algorithm that generates two-dimensional image data by treating two-dimensional map data as two-dimensional coordinate data. This effect is similarly exerted in a two-dimensional map display performed later by a car navigation device mounted on the car. Since the amount of calculation when executing the simplified image data generation algorithm is greatly reduced, smooth map scrolling is possible.

Next, the operator checks whether or not a correct two-dimensional image is displayed by looking at the display contents of the display 7 (step S9). When it is desired to correct the two-dimensional image, parameters to be changed or added are input from the input unit 2 (step S10). As a result, the contents of the model deformation data generated by the parameter data analysis unit 43 change, and the display contents of the display 7 change accordingly. When the two-dimensional image displayed on the display 7 has a shape desired by the operator, the parameter data analysis unit 43
Is output and stored in the model deformation data storage unit 8 (step S11). FIG. 10 shows a display example of a two-dimensional map corresponding to the model deformation data shown in FIG.

As described above, model deformation data is created for a plurality of road locations and stored in the model deformation data storage unit 8. Thereafter, the model deformation data stored in the model deformation data storage unit 8 is preferably stored in the same storage medium together with the two-dimensional map data stored in the two-dimensional map data storage unit 3. At this time, the correspondence between the model deformation data and the two-dimensional map data is also described in the storage medium. Then, the storage medium is set in a car navigation device mounted on a car and used for guidance. That is, the car navigation device has a two-dimensional image data generation algorithm equivalent to that of step S8 in FIG. 3, and when the vehicle approaches a road portion to be deformed and displayed, the two-dimensional image data generation algorithm uses the two-dimensional image data generation algorithm. The desired two-dimensional image data is generated by reading out the model deformation data corresponding to the location and giving the data to the corresponding two-dimensional display model for deformation.

The model deformation data obtained as described above is used not only for a car navigation device for a vehicle, but also for a drive simulator that operates on a personal computer and a portable navigation device that is carried by a person. It is also possible to apply.

In the above-described embodiment, model deformation data is created by the model deformation data creation device, stored in the storage medium, and used by the car navigation device. It is also possible to create even dimensional image data, store it in a storage medium, and use it in a car navigation device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a model deformation data creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration of a model deformation data generation unit 4 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the model deformation data creating apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of parameter data extracted from two-dimensional map data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram visualizing and showing the map parameters shown in FIG. 4 as a two-dimensional map.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of pattern data stored in a pattern model storage unit 5 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of pattern data in which parameters are set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a road shape belonging to a first category.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a road shape belonging to a second category.

10 is a diagram showing a display example of a two-dimensional map corresponding to the parameter data shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Model deformation data preparation apparatus 2 ... Input part 3 ... Two-dimensional map data storage part 4 ... Model deformation data generation part 5 ... Pattern model storage part 6 ... Image data generation part 7 ... Display 8 ... Model deformation data Storage unit 41: two-dimensional map data reading unit 42: parameter data extraction unit 43: parameter data analysis unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G09B 29/00 G09B 29/00 A (72) Inventor Teruaki Ata 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric (72) Inventor Yoshiki Ueyama 1006 Kazuma, Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) EA13 FA02 FA19 5B075 ND20 ND34 NK07 NR02 NR12 QM10 UU14 UU16 5H180 AA01 FF03 FF23 FF27 FF32

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A two-dimensional shape in which a two-dimensional shape of a predetermined location on a map is classified into a plurality of types of patterns in advance, and a two-dimensional display model that can be deformed for each of the classified patterns is stored. Display model storage means; two-dimensional map storage means for storing two-dimensional map data; and a predetermined location on the map specified on the two-dimensional map data, and a local location corresponding to the specified predetermined location. Extracting two-dimensional map data from the two-dimensional map data,
Model deformation data generation means for generating model deformation data for deforming the shape of the two-dimensional display model based on the extracted local two-dimensional map data; and generation by the model deformation data generation means. Model deformation data storage means for storing the obtained model deformation data, wherein the two-dimensional display model storage means comprises at least one of a branch or a junction on a highway, a sign, and a grid-shaped road. Storing the two-dimensional display model together with the parameters extracted from the two-dimensional map data or newly added parameters for the two-dimensional display, and transforming the two-dimensional display model by giving the two-dimensional display model to the two-dimensional display model. An apparatus for creating model deformation data, further comprising a dimension display model deformation unit. 2. A recording medium on which model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to claim 1 is recorded. 3. Two-dimensional image data generated by applying the model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to claim 1 to a corresponding two-dimensional display model and deforming the same is recorded. recoding media. 4. A navigation device for displaying a two-dimensional image by giving model deformation data created by the model deformation data creation device according to claim 1 to a corresponding two-dimensional display model and deforming it. 5. A navigation device that displays a two-dimensional image using the two-dimensional image data recorded on the recording medium according to claim 3.