JP2005077929A - Map display control unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map display control unit which reads a map that target map data indicates out of a map database according to a logotype on the input target map data and makes a display means display it. <P>SOLUTION: A car navigation device as the map display control unit recognizes a plurality of logotypes position information of the plurality of logotypes on the target map data from the target map data inputted from a scanner (step 220), reads the position information, etc., of the logotypes out of a specified geographic range of the map database (step 230), and compares the position information of those logotypes in the map database with information regarding the logotypes on the target map data to displays the plurality of logotypes in the map database whose position relation matches the target map as candidates for an area that the target map data indicates on a display device 20 (steps 240 to 260). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display control device that reads an area indicated by map data from a map database and displays it on a display means based on display of a logo mark included in input map data.

  Conventionally, in a device for searching a map database having facility location information and landmarks and displaying the map and landmarks on the map, the character land on the input external map data (hereinafter referred to as target map data) Based on the mark, a map display control device has been proposed in which an area indicated by the target map data is read from a map database and displayed on a display device. The target map data includes, for example, paper map data read by a scanner.

As an example of such a map display control device, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a character string (a station name, a “sentence” character representing a school, etc.) as a landmark is recognized from target map data, A technique for comparing a positional relationship in the map with a positional relationship of the landmark in the map database and displaying a portion having a similar positional relationship in the map database is disclosed.
JP 2000-285121 A JP 2002-228477 A

  However, when identifying a landmark corresponding to the recognized character string, if there is a recognition error in even one character of the character string, an error in identifying the corresponding landmark becomes very large.

  On the other hand, as landmarks, there are graphic landmarks (hereinafter referred to as logo marks) made of figures such as signboard images in addition to character landmarks made of letters. Even if there is an error in recognition of a part of the logo mark, the possibility that it is specified as a completely different logo mark as a whole is smaller than when there is an error in character string recognition.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a map display control device that reads out an area indicated by target map data from a map database and displays it on a display means based on a logo mark on the input target map data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a plurality of logos are stored in a recognition means (220) for recognizing a plurality of logo marks from input target map data, and in a storage medium (19). Read means (230) for reading the position information of the plurality of logo marks from within a predetermined geographical area of the map database having the position information of the marks and logo marks, and the position information of the plurality of logo marks read by the reading means A display control means (240-260) for causing the display means (20) to display a portion including the plurality of logo marks within the predetermined geographic area of the map database. is there.

  As a result, the display means causes the display device to display the part in the map database including the plurality of logo marks recognized by the recognition means using the information in the map database, so that the map display control device can input the input target map. Based on the logo mark on the data, the area indicated by the target map data can be read from the map database and displayed on the display means.

  The term “within a predetermined geographic range” is a concept including a specific partial geographic range and the entire geographic range.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the recognition means (220) for recognizing a plurality of logo marks and position information of the plurality of logo marks on the target map data from the input target map data, and storage Reading means (230) for reading out the position information of the plurality of logo marks from within a predetermined geographical area of a map database stored in the medium (19) and having a plurality of logo marks and position information of the logo marks; and the recognition means The position information on the target map data of the plurality of logo marks recognized by is compared with the position information on the map database of the plurality of logo marks read by the reading means, and based on the result of this comparison The display control means for displaying on the display means (20) a portion within a predetermined geographical area of the map database as a candidate for the area indicated by the target map data. And (240-260), a map display control device equipped with.

  Thereby, the display means uses the information in the map database to compare the information on the position of the logo mark on the target map with the position information on the map database of the logo mark. Since it is displayed on the display device as a candidate for the area indicated by the target map data, the map display control apparatus displays the area indicated by the target map data based on the logo mark and the position information on the input target map data. Can be read out and displayed on the display means.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the map display control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined geographical area of the map database is a current position specified by a current position specifying means (11). It is a predetermined range including.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map display control device according to the first or second aspect, the predetermined geographical range of the map database is a geographical range specified by a user's designation. Features.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the map display control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the reading means includes a predetermined mark given to the logo mark from the plurality of logo marks. One is selected based on the priority, and the position information of the selected logo mark is read from within a predetermined geographic area of the map database, and the logo logo other than the selected logo mark is selected from the plurality of logo marks. With respect to the remaining logo marks, the position information is read out only for those that are within a predetermined range including the selected landmark.

  Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the map display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reading means includes all the business types belonging to the facility corresponding to the plurality of logo marks. The location information of the logo mark of the facility is read out from a predetermined geographical area of the map database.

  Note that the reference numerals in parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiment described later or the software processing for causing the CPU of the control circuit 18 described below to function as the specific means. is there.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a car navigation apparatus 1, a scanner 2, and the like according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Based on a control signal from the control circuit 18, the scanner 2 reads a map drawn on paper or the like placed at a predetermined position, and outputs the read map to the control circuit 18 of the car navigation apparatus 1 as map data. . The map data output from the scanner 2 to the control circuit 18 is hereinafter referred to as target map data.

  A car navigation device 1 (corresponding to a map display control device) is connected to a position detector 11, an internal memory control device 16, an operation switch group 17, an external memory control device 19, a display device 20, a remote control sensor 21, and these. A control circuit 18 is provided.

  The display device 20 includes a display surface such as a liquid crystal display and a speaker, displays the video on the display surface such as a liquid crystal display in response to an input of the video signal from the control circuit 18, and an audio signal from the control circuit 18. The sound is output to the speaker in response to the input.

  The operation switch group 17 includes input devices such as a plurality of mechanical switches provided around the display surface of the display device 20 and a touch panel provided so as to overlap the display surface. And a signal based on the touch on the touch panel is output to the control circuit 18.

  The remote control sensor 21 outputs a signal received from the remote control 22 that transmits a radio signal using infrared rays or the like to the control circuit 18 based on a user operation.

  The position detector 11 includes a well-known geomagnetic sensor 12, a gyroscope 13, a vehicle speed sensor 14, and a GPS receiver 15 for GPS (Global Positioning System) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from a satellite. Have. These sensors 12 to 15 output information for specifying the current position based on their properties to the control circuit 18. The position detector 11 may further include a steering rotation sensor, a wheel sensor for each drive wheel, and the like (not shown).

  The internal memory control device 16 includes a nonvolatile storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and reads data from the nonvolatile storage medium based on a control command from the control circuit 18 and data if possible. Control writing of. Information stored in the nonvolatile storage medium includes so-called map matching data for improving the accuracy of position detection, various data including a map database and landmark data, and a program for operation of the car navigation device 1. Etc.

  The map database is data having a plurality of scale maps, information for specifying the positions of points on the map (for example, latitude and longitude), and information such as topography and roads on the map. In addition to the above information, the map database has information such as the name, type, type of industry, and position of the facility on the map, that is, facility information. The map database has a logo mark dictionary. For example, in the case of a chain store such as a gas station chain or a convenience store chain, the type of facility means the brand name of the chain (for example, FamilyMart (registered trademark) or Esso (registered trademark)). Stands, convenience stores, family restaurants, bookstores, etc.

  The logo mark dictionary is data composed of a plurality of entries provided for each logo mark. A logo mark is a predetermined figure (image, diagram, etc.) for distinguishing the type of facility. Each entry in the logo mark dictionary has information such as a logo mark and a position (for example, latitude and longitude) of the logo mark in the map.

  The external memory control device 19 controls data reading and data writing to an external storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, a memory stick, or a memory card, if possible. Information stored in the external storage medium includes map matching data, map database, additional data for the landmark data, and the like.

  The control circuit 18 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an I / O, and a bus line for connecting these configurations. The control circuit 18 executes a program for the operation of the car navigation device 1 read from the ROM, the internal memory control device 16, and the external memory control device 19, and in executing the program, information is read from the ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Reading, writing information to the RAM and the flash memory, and via the I / O, the position detector 11, the internal memory control device 16, the operation switch group 17, the external memory control device 19, the display device 20, and the remote control sensor 21 And exchanges signals with the scanner 2 and the like.

  In addition, the control circuit 18 can exchange information with a Web server, various information servers, and the like on an external network 24 such as the Internet via a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone 23 having a data communication function.

  When the car navigation apparatus 1 is activated, the CPU of the control circuit 18 reads out and executes a boot program, an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) from the ROM, and performs hardware control and process management based on the OS. . Processes that operate on the OS include menu programs, route search programs, map display programs, and other programs.

  If the CPU of the control circuit 18 needs to specify the current position in the execution of these programs, it is based on a signal for specifying the current position output from the sensors 12 to 15 of the position detector 11. The current position is calculated. At this time, since the outputs from the various sensors 12 to 15 have errors having different properties, the current position in the CPU of the control circuit 18 is specified in a complementary manner by using a plurality of sensors. .

  In the following, the operation in which the CPU reads and executes the program will be described as the operation of the executed program itself.

  The menu program hierarchically displays various programs operating on the OS according to the function and purpose of the program, and starts execution of the program selected by the user from the menu displayed. Note that menu display is performed by outputting image data of the menu to the display surface of the display device 20, and the user selects a remote control terminal (hereinafter referred to as a remote control) 22 or an operation switch via the remote control sensor 21. Detection is performed based on a signal input to the control circuit 18 by a selection operation (cursor movement, confirmation button press, etc.) on the group 17.

  The route search program automatically selects an optimum route from the current position to the destination when the destination position is input by the remote controller 22 or the operation switch group 17, and forms a guidance route to display the display device. 20 is displayed. A Dijkstra method or the like is known as a method for automatically setting an optimum route.

  The map display program includes a vehicle current position mark based on the current position information input from the position detector 11, a map database read from the internal memory control device 16, and additional data such as a guidance route formed by the route search program. Overlaid on the display surface of the display device 20.

  In the present embodiment, there is a target map reading program as a process operating on the OS for determining the destination in the above route search program. Hereinafter, this target map reading program will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of this reading program.

  This program starts when the user selects the map reading program by operating the operation switch group 17 in the menu program described above.

  First, at step 210, target map data is input. Specifically, by outputting a control signal to the scanner 2, the scanner 2 reads a map drawn on paper or the like placed at a predetermined position, and outputs the read map to the control circuit 18 as target map data. To do. FIG. 3 shows target map data 31 as an example. The target map data 31 includes logo marks 32-36. The logo mark 32 is a logo mark of “Asumi” which is a gas station chain, the logo mark 33 is a logo mark of “Yamashita Daily” which is a convenience store chain, and the logo mark 34 is a gas station chain. "Sat" logo mark, logo mark 35 is a logo mark of "Desaka" which is a gas station chain, and logo mark 36 is a logo mark of "Triangle F" which is a convenience store chain.

  Next, in step 220, the logo mark and the geographical positional relationship between the logo mark on the target map data are read from the target map data.

  Specifically, by using the target map data input in step 210 and the graphic information of the logo mark stored in the logo mark dictionary in the map database of the internal memory control device 16, pattern matching which is a well-known technique, It recognizes where the logo mark is in the target map data, and identifies the recognized logo mark and the geographical position in the target map where the logo mark is recognized.

  As an example of pattern matching, for example, logo marks are sequentially read from a logo mark dictionary, and whether or not the target map includes a portion that matches the read logo mark, color tone, and pattern to a predetermined degree or more is searched. If there is a part that matches more than the above, the part is identified as the read logo mark. It is determined that similar shapes also match.

  Further, as the geographical position in the target map data in which the logo mark is recognized, for example, the center position of the logo mark on the map represented by the target map data, the coordinate values of the four corners of the map (0, Assume that the two-dimensional Cartesian coordinate values are (0), (0, 100), (100, 0), (100, 100).

  Next, in step 230, the position information of the plurality of logo marks in the target map data is read from all within a predetermined geographic area of a map database (denoted as map DB in FIG. 2). The predetermined geographical range of the map database is specifically a predetermined geographical range including the search center. The search center is the current location of the vehicle on which the car navigation device 1 is mounted unless there is a change in step 280 described later after the execution of this program is started. The current location is specified based on the output from the position detector 11 as described above.

  In addition, the reading of the logo mark, specifically, the position of the logo mark within a predetermined geographical area including the search center (for example, within a radius of 10 km centered on the search center), and the facility corresponding to this logo mark Information such as name, type, type of business, and position is read from a map database in the internal memory control device 16 or in a storage medium connected to the external memory control device 19. When the logo mark and the facility are at the same position (for example, coordinates such as latitude and longitude) on the map database, the logo mark and the facility correspond to each other.

  FIG. 4 shows an example 41 of a list of landmarks in the map database read out in this way. For example, the landmark “Sat” corresponds to three stores.

Next, in step 240, the geographical positional relationship of the logo mark read in step 220 on the target map is compared with the geographical positional relationship of the logo mark read from the map database in step 230, and the geographical positional relationship is compared. Extract those that match. The geographical positional relationship means a relative geographical arrangement between logo marks. The geographical positional relationship on the target map data of the plurality of logo marks identified in step 230 is identified by the following procedures (1) and (2).
(1) Select one of the plurality of logo marks. Any standard may be used for selecting one of a plurality of logo marks. For example, it may be possible to select one that is relatively far from other logo marks.
(2) The direction of the other specified logo mark is specified with respect to the selected logo mark. As the direction, for example, eight values of north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northeast are used.

Positional relationship information is generated which consists of one logo mark selected by the above procedure and the direction of another logo mark with respect to the logo mark. The collation of whether or not the geographical position relationship of the logo mark on the target map data generated in this way matches the geographical position relationship of the logo mark on the map database is as follows. The procedure (4) is performed.
(3) From the logo marks read out from the map database, select the same logo mark as the logo mark selected by the procedure (1) described above. For example, different stores in the same store chain have the same logo mark, and thus there may be a plurality of the same logo mark.
(4) Take out one of the logo marks selected in step (3), and for other logo marks that match the positional relationship information generated in step (2) It is determined whether it is within a range (for example, within a radius of 2 km centered on the extracted logo mark). If there is another logo mark that matches all of this positional relationship information, the extracted logo mark and the other logo mark are in the same geographical location as the logo mark on the target map data. Determined. Note that the match does not have to be exactly the same in the positional relationship, and may be regarded as matching if the geographical positional relationship is close to some extent.

  According to the above procedure, a plurality of logo marks recognized in step 220 and a plurality of logo marks read from the map database in step 230 are matched in positional relationship. FIG. 4 shows a set of logo marks 42 and 43 in the map database in which the geographical position relationship matches the logo mark of the target map data.

  Next, in step 250, whether or not the corresponding place has been found, that is, in step 240, whether or not there is one or more logo marks on the map database that match the geographical position relationship with the logo mark in the target map data. judge. If there is a corresponding place, the process proceeds to step 260; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 280.

  In step 260, the corresponding place is displayed on the display device 20. Specifically, in step 240, a map of an area including the logo mark in the map database determined to have the same geographical positional relationship with the logo mark in the target map data is read from the map database of the internal memory control device 16. The image data corresponding to the read map is output to the display device 20. Thereby, the display device 20 displays a map of the area.

  FIG. 5 shows a display screen 44 as an example of the display of such a display device 20. In the display screen 44, logo marks 32-36 are displayed together with a map.

  Next, in step 270, it is determined whether the user is satisfied at this location. Specifically, the display device 20 is prompted to input whether or not the display location is the current one, such as “Is this place OK”. This corresponds to the display 45 in the example of FIG.

  Then, when the user inputs any of whether or not this location is acceptable using the operation switch group 17, the remote controller 22 or the like according to the display, the input is detected by a signal from the operation switch group 17 or the remote control sensor 21. However, if it is an input indicating that this place is acceptable, the process ends. If it is an input indicating that this place is not acceptable, the process proceeds to step 280. In the example of FIG. 5, when the user performs an operation of selecting the “Yes” button 46 or the “No” button 47 included in the display 45, whether or not the display location may be the current one, respectively. Corresponds to the input. In the example of FIG. 5, when the user performs an operation of selecting the “destination set” button 48, this program sets the center 49 of the displayed map as the destination. Further, when the user performs an operation of selecting the “spot registration” button 50, a program for registering the spot of this program is started, and thereby the spot registration of the center 49 and the like is performed.

  In step 280, the user is inquired about the change of the search center and the change of the search range. That is, (a) whether to change the search center from the current position, where to change it, and (b) whether to change the search range, and how to change it. When the user inputs (that is, user designation) according to the display, the display center and the search range are changed according to the input or left as they are. As the search range, for example, the value of the radius from the search center is used. Then, the process returns to step 230.

  By such an operation of the map reading program, the car navigation apparatus 1 recognizes a plurality of logo marks and position information of the plurality of logo marks on the target map data from the target map data input from the scanner 2 ( In step 220), the position information of the logo mark and the like are read from a predetermined geographic area of the map database (step 230). Also, the positional information of the plurality of logo marks on the map database is compared with the information about the positions of the plurality of logo marks on the target map data, and the positional relationship is determined based on the result of this comparison. Are displayed on the display device 20 as candidates for the area indicated by the target map data (steps 240 to 260).

  In addition, it can be said that the car navigation device 1 is configured to cause the display device 20 to display a portion in the map database including a plurality of recognized logo marks.

  As a result, the car navigation device 1 can read the area indicated by the target map data from the map database and display it on the display device 20 based on the logo mark and position information on the input target map data.

  In the present embodiment, the device that inputs the target map data to the control circuit 18 is the scanner 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, target map data captured by a digital camera is input to the control circuit 18. The target map data transmitted from another communication device on the external network 24 may be input to the control circuit 18 via the external network 24 and the mobile phone 23. It may be. That is, any method for inputting the target map data to the control circuit 18 may be used.

  In the present embodiment, in step 230, all the logo marks in the target map are read from near the search center of the map database. However, this is not always necessary. Based on the priority set, the logo with the highest priority among the logo marks in the target map is searched first, and other logo marks are searched on the map database of the logo with the highest priority. Only those within a predetermined range from the position may be read out. The predetermined range is a range smaller than the range in which the logo mark with the highest priority is searched in step 230, and is within a radius of 2 km from the position of the logo mark with the highest priority on the map database, for example. By doing so, it is possible to avoid searching for another logo mark far away from the logo mark with the highest priority.

  In addition, as a priority setting method, for example, a station or public facility that has a low frequency of movement or name change is higher, and a gas station or convenience store that has a high frequency of movement or name change is lower. It is possible.

  In this embodiment, in step 230, the logo mark is retrieved from the map database and read. In the logo mark thus read, in step 240, the target map and position are read. If there is no match, the process returns to step 230 where the business type of the facility corresponding to the logo mark (for example, convenience store for Yamashita Daily logo mark, gas station for Sat logo mark). It is possible to search for logo marks of all facilities belonging to. As a result, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the logo mark due to mergers between companies in the same industry. The type of business to which the facility belongs is specified based on the facility information described above.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the car navigation apparatus 1, the scanner 2, etc. which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of a map reading program. It is explanatory drawing about the operation | movement which identifies a logo mark and a landmark from a target map of a map reading program. It is explanatory drawing about the operation | movement which extracts the applicable landmark from the map database of a map reading program. It is a figure which shows the example of the map display of a map reading program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Car navigation apparatus, 2 ... Scanner, 11 ... Position detector,
12 ... Geomagnetic sensor, 13 ... Gyroscope, 14 ... Vehicle speed sensor,
15 ... GPS receiver, 16 ... internal memory control device, 17 ... operating switch group,
18 ... control circuit, 19 ... external memory control device, 20 ... display device,
21 ... Remote control sensor, 22 ... Remote control, 23 ... Mobile phone, 24 ... External network,
31 ... Target map data, 32-36 ... Logo mark, 44 ... Display screen.

Claims (6)

Recognition means (220) for recognizing a plurality of logo marks from the input target map data;
Reading means (230) for reading out the position information of the plurality of logo marks from within a predetermined geographical area of a map database stored in the storage medium (19) and having a plurality of logo marks and position information of the logo marks;
Display control means for causing the display means (20) to display a portion including the plurality of logo marks within the predetermined geographical area of the map database based on the position information of the plurality of logo marks read by the reading means. 240-260). Recognition means (220) for recognizing a plurality of logo marks and positional information of the plurality of logo marks on the target map data from the input target map data;
Reading means (230) for reading out the position information of the plurality of logo marks from within a predetermined geographical area of a map database stored in the storage medium (19) and having a plurality of logo marks and position information of the logo marks;
The position information on the target map data of the plurality of logo marks recognized by the recognition means is compared with the position information on the map database of the plurality of logo marks read by the reading means, and the result of this comparison Display control means (240-260) for displaying on the display means (20) a portion within a predetermined geographical area of the map database as a candidate for the area indicated by the target map data based on Control device. The map display control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined geographical range of the map database is a predetermined range including the current position specified by the current position specifying means (11). The map display control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined geographic range of the map database is a geographic range specified by a user's designation. The reading means selects one of the plurality of logo marks based on a predetermined priority assigned to the logo mark, and uses the position information of the selected logo mark as a predetermined geographic range of the map database. For the remaining logo marks other than the selected logo mark among the plurality of logo marks, the position information is read only for those within the predetermined range including the selected landmark. The map display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The reading means reads position information of logo marks of all facilities belonging to the type of business of the facility corresponding to the plurality of logo marks from a predetermined geographical area of the map database. The map display control apparatus as described in any one of these.

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