JP2007004294A - Three-dimensional map image generation device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a three-dimensional map image generation device and method, capable of reducing a work burden of a user concerning three-dimensional map image generation. <P>SOLUTION: In this three-dimensional map image generation device 100, a reception part 102 receives an input instruction from a user. A setting part 152 sets an outline image showing an outline of the upper face of an object to a two-dimensional ground surface on the basis of the received input instruction from the user. An altitude value allocation part 154 allocates an altitude value to the set outline image. A true height value holding part 110 holds a true height value of a three-dimensional ground surface corresponding to the two-dimensional ground surface inside a virtual three-dimensional space. A ground surface image conversion part 156 converts the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image on the basis of the true height value. A columnar image formation part 158 sets a height of the outline image in the virtual three-dimensional space, generates a plane dropped onto the three-dimensional ground surface image from sides of the outline image, and forms a three-dimensional columnar image of the object. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for generating a three-dimensional map image, and more particularly to a technique for generating a three-dimensional map image as a landscape image made up of buildings such as buildings and houses and terrain.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for creating a landscape image of an urban area or the like with a three-dimensional model in a virtual space by CG (computer graphics) processing is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a landscape image in which a building such as an urban area or a factory is forested based on a vertical photograph obtained by photographing a building from above and a horizontal photograph obtained by photographing a side surface of the building using a CG system. A technique for creating a three-dimensional model is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-348815

  However, in Patent Document 1, the user sets the temporary 3D model so that the height of the building shown in the horizontal photograph matches the height of the 3D model of the building displayed on the display. It takes time and effort to correct the height data. Furthermore, in order to realize the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare not only a vertical photograph but also a horizontal photograph, and the user needs to perform a camera pattern matching operation on the horizontal photograph and the CG photograph. There is. Therefore, according to the 3D model creation technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a user's work burden is heavy.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a subject, The objective is to provide the three-dimensional map image generation apparatus and method which can reduce the user's workload concerning a three-dimensional map image generation.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a three-dimensional map image generation device. This device is set with a receiving unit that receives an input instruction from a user, and a setting unit that sets a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the object on the two-dimensional ground surface based on the received input instruction from the user. An altitude value assigning unit that assigns altitude values to the contour image, an altitude value holding unit that holds altitude values in the virtual three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional ground surface corresponding to the two-dimensional ground surface, and A ground surface image conversion unit that converts a three-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image, and sets the height of the contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the altitude value. A columnar image forming unit that generates a surface lowered to form a three-dimensional columnar image of the object.

  In the three-dimensional map image generation device of this aspect, the three-dimensional columnar image is directly arranged in the three-dimensionally displayed virtual three-dimensional space, or the three-dimensional columnar image is directly arranged on the three-dimensionally displayed three-dimensional ground surface. A 3D map image can be generated based on an altitude value assigned to the contour image by allowing the user to set a contour image on the two-dimensional ground surface without performing a three-dimensional operation such as. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user related to the generation of the three-dimensional map image.

  The columnar image forming unit may arrange the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image at a point having the lowest elevation value of the three-dimensional ground surface image existing under the contour image that is the upper surface of the three-dimensional columnar image. The altitude value assigning unit may be able to assign an altitude value to an arbitrary point forming the contour included in the contour image.

  The setting unit is for setting a plurality of contour images on the two-dimensional ground surface, and the altitude value assigning unit is a target object representing the height of each target object on each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface. Altitude value is assigned, and among the plurality of contour images set by the setting unit, the relative positional relationship in the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space of the contour images is targeted. You may further provide the positional relationship determination part to determine. In this case, the columnar image forming unit adds the object height value of the contour image assigned by the height value assigning unit to the object height value assigned by the height value assigning unit to the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit. A value obtained by adding an altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image is set as the sea level altitude value of the contour image, and the other contour image of the other contour image is determined relative to the other contour image whose relative positional relationship is determined. The sea level altitude value of the other contour image is obtained by adding the target altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit to the sea level altitude value set for the contour image located one level below. Furthermore, the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space is set based on the sea level altitude value set for each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined, and the relative positional relationship is determined. The Was based on the object height values assigned to each of the contour image to set the length in the height direction of the surface drawn from the side of each of the contour image, it may form a respective three-dimensional columnar image.

  The setting unit sets a plurality of contour images on the two-dimensional ground surface, and the altitude value allocating unit adds each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface to each object from zero meters above sea level. The altitude value representing the altitude is assigned, and among the contour images set by the setting unit, the overlapping contour images are targeted with respect to each other in the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space. A positional relationship determination unit that performs a positional relationship determination process for determining an appropriate positional relationship may be further provided. In this case, the columnar image forming unit determines the two-dimensional ground surface from the sea level altitude value of the object of the contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit to the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit. Is obtained by subtracting the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image in the contour image as the object height value of the contour image, and for the other contour image whose relative positional relationship is determined, A target obtained by subtracting the sea level altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the contour image from the sea level altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit. Set the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the altitude value assigned to each contour image for which the relative positional relationship has been determined. Based on the object height value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship has been determined, the length in the height direction of the surface lowered from the side of each contour image is set, and each three-dimensional columnar shape is set. An image may be formed.

  The positional relationship determination unit includes a comparison unit that compares the areas of the overlapping contour images, and the positional relationship determination unit determines the relative position in the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the comparison result by the comparison unit. A relationship may be determined. The positional relationship determination unit may determine that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit is positioned relatively below.

  The positional relationship determination unit may include an overlap determination unit that determines whether one contour image included in a plurality of set contour images overlaps another contour image. The apparatus extracts a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component on the two-dimensional ground surface expressed in the XY coordinate system from the plurality of vertices included in each of the plurality of contour images. Or, based on the extraction criterion set by the extraction criterion setting unit, an extraction criterion setting unit that sets an extraction criterion regarding whether to extract a vertex having a coordinate value with the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component, An extraction unit that extracts, for each contour image, a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component or a coordinate value with the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component, and extracted for each contour image. Among a plurality of vertices, a vertex having a smaller X-direction component or Y-direction component of a coordinate value or a vertex having a coordinate value having a larger X-direction component or Y-direction component The high priority etc., the priority assignment unit to assign to the contour image with the vertices may further comprise a. The overlap determination unit may determine whether or not the contour image is overlapped with another contour image in order from the contour image assigned the highest priority.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for generating a three-dimensional map image. The method includes a step of receiving an input instruction from a user, a step of setting a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the object on the two-dimensional ground surface based on the input instruction from the user, and a set contour Assigning an altitude value to the image, converting a 2D ground surface into a 3D surface image based on elevation values in a virtual 3D space of the 3D ground surface corresponding to the 2D ground surface, Setting the height of the contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the value, generating a surface drawn from the side of the contour image to the three-dimensional ground surface image, and forming a three-dimensional columnar image of the object And comprising.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the user's work burden concerning a three-dimensional map image generation can be reduced.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a three-dimensional map image generation device according to the present embodiment. This three-dimensional map image generation device 100 is roughly divided into two functions. First, the three-dimensional map image generation device 100 according to the present embodiment reads an elevation data file held in an elevation data file, which will be described later, and coordinates points on the map designated by the user (hereinafter simply “designated”). Elevation value at “point” is calculated. The calculated altitude value is associated with a designated point and is held in an altitude value holding unit described later. Thereby, the three-dimensional map image generation device 100 can acquire the altitude value of an arbitrary point designated by the user, and can generate map data such as altitude mesh data in which the points are arranged at an arbitrary interval. .

  The altitude data file is a file that holds points having altitude values, and will be described later in detail, but is saved in a mesh format or a coordinate format data format. Specifically, it refers to map data such as elevation mesh data and contour line data issued by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Elevation mesh data, as is known, refers to map data with elevation values that is organized in units of sections, where areas on the map are divided into multiple squares or rectangles based on meridian parallels, fixed distances, etc. For example, it refers to map data having an altitude value in which an area on a map is divided into 5 m sections, 50 m sections, or 1 km sections.

  Secondly, the three-dimensional map image generation device 100 converts a two-dimensional ground surface such as contour data into a three-dimensional ground surface image in a virtual three-dimensional space based on the elevation value held in the elevation value holding unit. In addition, a three-dimensional columnar image of an object such as a building is formed. In this embodiment, the altitude value calculated by using the first function is used as the altitude value. As another example, the altitude value of each point included in commercially available altitude mesh data or contour data stored in advance in the altitude data file may be used.

  The three-dimensional map image composed of the three-dimensional ground surface image and the three-dimensional columnar image generated by the three-dimensional map image generating device 100 can freely change the viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space realized by a car navigation device or a game device. It is used as a landscape CG (computer graphics) model that can be changed. In this landscape CG model, the strictness of the shape and size of each three-dimensional columnar image is not required.

  The three-dimensional map image generation device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a reception unit 102, a display unit 104, an elevation data file holding unit 106, a calculation formula holding unit 108, an elevation value holding unit 110, and an elevation value generation process. A unit 112 and a three-dimensional map image generation unit 114. The configuration relating to the first function will be described below.

  Although the details will be described later, the altitude data file holding unit 106 holds a plurality of altitude data files in which altitude mesh data and contour line data are recorded, and an index for searching a desired altitude data file at high speed.

  The calculation formula holding unit 108 holds a plurality of algorithms used for calculating the altitude value of the designated point input and designated by the user via the receiving unit described later. Specific algorithms include the nearest neighbor method, the Triangulated Irregular Network method, the Inverse Distance Weighted method, the average method, and the like.

  The receiving unit 102 detects a mouse operation and a keyboard operation from the user and receives an input from the user. Examples of inputs include arbitrary coordinate values, coordinate types, coordinate systems, coordinate units, search distances, elevation data file selection instructions, calculation formula selection instructions, and the like. The elevation value generation processing unit 112 calculates the elevation value of the designated point designated by the user based on these parameters. Hereinafter, these parameters will be described in detail.

  As coordinate values, numerical values of coordinates in the XY coordinate system or the latitude / longitude coordinate system are input by the user. Further, either the XY coordinate system or the latitude / longitude coordinate system is designated by the user as the coordinate type. When the XY coordinate system is designated as the coordinate type, a so-called plane rectangular coordinate system is further specified by the user. That is, one of the 19 coordinate systems in which the origins are set in 19 regions in Japan is designated by the user. For example, the ninth coordinate system having the origin at 139 degrees 50 minutes 0 seconds east longitude and 36 degrees 0 minutes 0 seconds north latitude is designated.

  Also, as coordinate units, the user designates meters in the case of the XY coordinate system, and degrees, minutes and seconds in the case of the latitude and longitude coordinate system. Further, the radius of a circle centered on the designated point (hereinafter simply referred to as “search range circle”) is input as the search distance by the user. The search distance cannot be specified in degrees, minutes and seconds, so it is specified in meters. The search range circle is a circle set to search for a coordinate point close to a specified point. Although the details will be described later, the above calculation formula is applied to points existing in the circle.

  The altitude value generation processing unit 112 includes a coordinate system specifying unit 118, a point extraction unit 120, a distance calculation unit 130, and an altitude value calculation unit 132, and a designated point designated by the user via the reception unit 102. The altitude value of is calculated. The coordinate system specifying unit 118 specifies an XY coordinate system having an origin closest to a designated point designated in the latitude / longitude coordinate system among 19 coordinate systems expressed in XY coordinates.

  The point extraction unit 120 includes a coordinate conversion unit 122, a search range setting unit 123, an index specifying unit 124, and a search unit 126, and is based on each parameter input and specified via the reception unit 102. With reference to the elevation data file stored in the data file holding unit 106, a point close to the designated point is extracted, and an elevation value of the extracted point is acquired.

  The search range setting unit 123 generates a search range circle centered on the designated point specified via the receiving unit 102 and having the search distance input via the receiving unit 102 as a radius. Although details will be described later, a search rectangular area circumscribing the search range circle is generated as necessary. The index specifying unit 124 specifies one index by comparing the range on the map covered by the search range circle or the search rectangular area with the range on the map covered by the index. The search unit 126 searches for an elevation data file such as elevation mesh data or contour line data associated with the index specified by the index specification unit 124, and further searches the search range circle or the search rectangular area on the elevation data file. Set and extract points present in the circle or rectangle.

  The coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the designated point input and designated by the user via the receiving unit 102 from the XY coordinate system to the latitude / longitude coordinate system or vice versa. Although details will be described later, the coordinate values of the four corners of the search rectangular area circumscribing the search range circle generated by the search range setting unit 123 are converted from the XY coordinate system to the latitude / longitude coordinate system or vice versa. Further, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the point extracted by the point extraction unit 120 from the XY coordinate system to the latitude / longitude coordinate system or vice versa.

  The distance calculation unit 130 calculates the distance between each point extracted by the point extraction unit 120 and the designated point. The elevation value calculation unit 132 calculates the elevation value of the designated point by applying the elevation value of the point extracted by the point extraction unit 120 to the calculation formula selected by the user via the reception unit 102. That is, the altitude value of the designated point is complemented and calculated by the altitude value of the point close to the designated point. If necessary according to the calculation formula, the altitude value calculating unit 132 uses the distance calculated by the distance calculating unit 130. The elevation value of the designated point calculated by the elevation value calculating unit 132 is stored in the elevation value holding unit 110 in association with the coordinate value of the designated point.

  For example, when the distance reciprocal weight method is selected as the calculation formula, the altitude value calculation unit 132 gives a higher weight to a point having a smaller distance from the point extracted by the point extraction unit 120 to the specified point, thereby specifying the specified point. The altitude value of is calculated. When the average method is selected as the calculation formula, the elevation value calculation unit 132 sets the average value of the elevation values of the plurality of points extracted by the point extraction unit 120 as the elevation value of the designated point. Note that when the averaging method is selected, the distance calculated by the distance calculation unit 130 is not used.

  FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the elevation data file held in the elevation data file holding unit and the index. As illustrated, the elevation data file “001” to the elevation data file “008” are associated with the index A, while the elevation data file “009” to the elevation data file “012” are associated with the index B. It has been. Although the reason will be described later, if this index is used, only the required elevation data file can be searched without searching all the elevation data files, and the processing speed can be increased.

  The index includes, as elements, coordinate values of the lower left corner point and the lower right corner point of the basic rectangular area, a coordinate type, a coordinate system, and a grid division number “m × n”. The basic rectangular area is a range that covers the elevation data file associated with the index, and the range is specified by specifying the two coordinates of the lower left corner point and the upper right corner point of the area. The The grid division number “m × n” is a parameter set to further divide the basic rectangular area specified by the designation of the coordinates of the lower left corner point and the lower right corner point into a plurality of divided rectangular areas. It is set to an arbitrary value by the user via Although the reason will be described later, it is possible to further speed up the search for the altitude data file by further dividing the basic rectangular area into a plurality of divided rectangular areas.

  The index A shown in FIG. 2 includes, as elements, a lower left corner point (100, 100), a lower right corner point (250, 200), an XY coordinate system, a ninth coordinate system, and a grid division number “3 × 2”. That is, the index A is set with a basic rectangular area formed by the lower left corner point (100, 100) and the lower right corner point (250, 200) in the ninth coordinate system expressed in XY coordinates. This indicates that the basic rectangular area is divided into six divided rectangular areas. On the other hand, the index B is set with a basic rectangular area formed by the lower left corner point (100, 100) and the lower right corner point (250, 150) in the tenth coordinate system expressed in XY coordinates. This represents that the basic rectangular area is divided into three divided rectangular areas.

  FIG. 3 shows a state in which a desired elevation data file is searched based on the search unit index. The upper part of FIG. 3 shows a representation of each parameter held by the index A shown in FIG. That is, in the ninth coordinate system expressed by XY coordinates, a basic rectangular area 18 formed by the lower left corner point A (100, 100) and the lower right corner point B (250, 200) is set, and further, the basic rectangular area A state is shown in which 18 is divided into six first divided rectangular areas 20a to 6f divided rectangular areas 20f. On the other hand, in the lower part of FIG. 3, the elevation data file “001” to elevation data file “004” is stored in the fourth divided rectangular area 20d, and the elevation data file “003” to elevation data file “008” is stored in the fifth divided rectangular area 20e. Is shown as being associated.

  Hereinafter, a search operation for a desired elevation data file will be described with reference to FIGS. For example, it is assumed that the ninth coordinate system expressed in XY coordinates is specified via the receiving unit 102, and further, a specified point (130, 130) and a search distance “10 meters” are input. In this case, the index specifying unit 124 specifies the index A shown in FIG. 2 as an index associated with the basic rectangular area including the search range circle centered on the designated point from the plurality of indexes. Further, the index specifying unit 124 specifies the fourth divided rectangular area 20d as the divided rectangular area including the search range circle 14 centered on the designated point 12 in the basic rectangular area 18 associated with the index A. . If the fourth divided rectangular area 20d is specified, the elevation data file “001” to the elevation data file “004” are searched as files related to the area. Hereinafter, points included in the search range circle 14 are extracted from the obtained elevation data file “001” to elevation data file “004”.

  According to the present embodiment, by using the index, it is possible to quickly search only the necessary elevation data files associated with the basic rectangular area without searching all the elevation data files. Furthermore, by dividing the basic rectangular area into a plurality of divided rectangular areas, it is possible to search only the elevation data file associated with the divided rectangular areas, and further increase the search speed.

  The two types of data formats of the elevation data file shown in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows a data portion included in the altitude data file in the mesh format. The elevation data file includes a header part and a data part. The header part includes coordinates of points on the diagonal of the mesh basic region 26, coordinate types, coordinate units, coordinate system, number of mesh divisions in the X direction, and Y Attribute information about the elevation data file such as the number of mesh divisions in the direction is included. On the other hand, the data portion holds the altitude value of the center point in each mesh divided region obtained by dividing the mesh basic region 26 according to the number of mesh divisions in the X direction and the number of divisions in the Y direction mesh.

  FIG. 4 shows the elevation data file “001” shown in FIG. The coordinates of the diagonal points of the mesh basic region 26 are C (100, 100) and D (150, 150), and the number of mesh divisions in the X direction and the number of mesh divisions in the Y direction are respectively. “5” and “3”. That is, the mesh basic area 26 is divided into “5 × 3 = 15” mesh divided areas. Also, the altitude value “Z11” shown in FIG. 4 is the altitude value of the center point of the mesh division region 24.

  At the time of point extraction by the point extraction unit 120, the search unit 126 is centered on the designated point 30 input via the reception unit 102, and similarly searches using the search distance input via the reception unit 102 as a radius. A range circle 27 is set. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a point 29 existing in the circle is extracted. The elevation value of this point 29 is “Z23”. The altitude value at this point is used in the above formula.

  FIG. 5 shows a data portion included in the elevation data file in the coordinate format. The elevation data file includes a header part, a lattice index part, and a data part. The header contains attribute information about the elevation data file, such as the coordinates of the diagonal points of the grid basic area, coordinate type, coordinate unit, coordinate system, grid division number in the X direction, and grid division number in the Y direction. It is. In addition, the lattice index portion includes an index for specifying each lattice divided region obtained by dividing the lattice basic region 28 according to the number of lattice divisions in the X direction and the number of lattice divisions in the Y direction. A plurality of points having XYZ coordinate values are included. Similar to the index in the altitude data file, a desired grid division area can be searched at high speed by using an index included in the grid index section.

  FIG. 5 also shows the elevation data file “001” shown in FIG. The coordinates of the diagonal points of the lattice basic region 28 are E (100, 100) and F (150, 150). Further, the number of mesh divisions in the X direction and the number of mesh divisions in the Y direction are both “4”. Is. That is, the lattice basic region 28 is divided into “4 × 4 = 16” lattice divided regions.

  At the time of point extraction by the point extraction unit 120, the search unit 126 is centered on the designated point 30 input via the reception unit 102, and similarly searches using the search distance input via the reception unit 102 as a radius. A range circle 27 is generated. Based on the search range circle centered on the designated point input via the receiving unit 102, the index stored in the grid index unit is referred to by the index specifying unit 124, and the grid is divided into regions that cover the search range circle 27. For example, the lattice division region group 36 is specified. In the example shown in FIG. 5, points 32 and 34 existing in the circle are extracted. In addition, the Z value of these points, that is, the altitude value is used in the above-described calculation formula.

  Depending on whether the coordinate type of the input specified point is an XY coordinate system or a latitude / longitude coordinate system, and whether the coordinate type included in the index is an XY coordinate system or a latitude / longitude coordinate system, Since the operation until the extraction of the difference is different, the operation will be described below in four patterns.

(1) When the coordinate type of the input specified point is the XY coordinate system (A) When the coordinate type included in the index is the XY coordinate system In this case, the search unit 126 specifies the input input in the XY coordinate system A necessary altitude data file is searched using a search range circle centered on a point and having a search distance input by the receiving unit 102 as a radius. Next, the point extraction unit 120 extracts points existing in the search range circle from the searched elevation data file.

(B) When the coordinate type included in the index is a latitude / longitude coordinate system The search range setting unit 123 is centered on a specified point input in the XY coordinate system, and the search distance input by the reception unit 102 is a radius. A search rectangular area that circumscribes the search range circle is generated. Next, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate values of the four corners of the search rectangular area in the XY coordinate system designated by the coordinate system into the coordinate values of the four corners of the search rectangular area in the latitude / longitude coordinate system. The search unit 126 searches the necessary altitude data file by referring to the index in the search rectangular area. Next, a point existing in the search rectangular area is searched from the searched altitude data file. Since this point has a coordinate value in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the found point into a coordinate value in the XY coordinate system. The point extraction unit 120 extracts a point where the distance between the point converted to the coordinate value of the XY coordinate system and the coordinate value of the designated point is within the search distance.

  FIG. 6A shows a search rectangular area generated in the XY coordinate system, while FIG. 6B shows a search rectangular area in the latitude / longitude coordinate system after the conversion process is performed. As shown in FIG. 6A, a search range circle 42 centered on the designated point 40 input in the XY coordinate system is generated, and a search rectangular area 44 circumscribing the circle is generated. In this state, since the index specified in the latitude / longitude coordinate system cannot be used, as shown in FIG. 6B, the coordinate conversion unit 122 displays the search rectangular area 44 shown in FIG. 6A in the latitude / longitude coordinate system. The search rectangle area 48 is converted. If a search rectangular area expressed in a latitude / longitude coordinate system is generated, an index specified in the latitude / longitude coordinate system can be used, so that an altitude data file can be searched at high speed. Since the search distance is designated by the user by the user, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the point expressed in the latitude / longitude coordinate system to the coordinate value in the XY coordinate system.

(2) When the coordinate type of the input designated point is a latitude / longitude coordinate system (A) When the coordinate type included in the index is an XY coordinate system The designation of the input latitude / longitude coordinate system by the coordinate conversion unit 122 The points are converted to the XY coordinate system. Thereafter, based on the designated point in the converted XY coordinate system, the same processing as (A) in (1) above is performed.

(B) When the coordinate type included in the index is a latitude / longitude coordinate system The coordinate system identification unit 118 is the origin closest to the designated point specified in the latitude / longitude coordinate system among the 19 coordinate systems expressed in XY coordinates. An XY coordinate system having is specified. The coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the designated point designated in the latitude / longitude coordinate system into the coordinate value in the XY coordinate system identified by the coordinate system identification unit 118. Next, the search range setting unit 123 generates a search rectangular area that circumscribes a circle centered on the designated point in the converted XY coordinate system and having a search distance as a radius. The coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate values of the four corner points of the search rectangular area in the specified XY coordinate system into coordinate values in the latitude / longitude coordinate system.

  The search unit 126 refers to the index in the search rectangular area of the latitude / longitude coordinate system, and searches for a necessary elevation data file using the search rectangular area. Next, the point extraction unit 120 extracts points existing in the search rectangular area from the searched elevation data file. Since the extracted point is a coordinate value in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the retrieved point into a coordinate value in the XY coordinate system. The point extraction unit 120 extracts a point where the distance between the point converted to the coordinate value of the XY coordinate system and the coordinate value of the designated point is within the search distance.

  An example of the point extraction operation when the coordinate type of the input designated point is a latitude / longitude coordinate system and the coordinate type included in the index is a latitude / longitude coordinate system will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. . FIG. 7 shows a map of Japan shown in a latitude / longitude coordinate system. When the designated point 50 in the latitude / longitude coordinate system is input, the coordinate system specifying unit 118 sets the origin 52 closest to the designated point 50 designated in the latitude / longitude coordinate system among the 19 coordinate systems expressed in XY coordinates. An XY coordinate system is specified.

  FIG. 8A shows a search rectangular area in the specified XY coordinate system generated by the search range setting unit, and FIG. 8B shows a search rectangular area converted into a latitude / longitude coordinate system by the coordinate conversion unit. FIG. 8C shows the search rectangular area converted into the XY coordinate system again. FIG. 8A shows a search rectangular area 56 circumscribing the search range circle 54 centered on the designated point 50 in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, and the area includes an upper left corner point 58a, a lower left corner point 58b, It has a lower right corner point 58c and an upper right corner point 58d.

  FIG. 8B shows the search rectangular area 56 in which the XY coordinate values of the four corner points of the search rectangular area 56 are coordinate-converted into the latitude / longitude coordinate system. The search rectangular area 56 is set on a map of Japan shown in the latitude / longitude coordinate system of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8B, when the search rectangular area 56 in the XY coordinate system is converted into the search rectangular area 56 in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, it is usually slightly inclined. In this state, the high-speed search using the index cannot be performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8C, the search rectangular area 56 in the latitude / longitude coordinate system includes the upper left corner point 60a, the lower left corner point 60b, and the lower right corner. You may extend to the search rectangular area 60 which makes the point 60c and the upper right corner point 60d the four corners. Thereafter, the points included in the search range circle 59 inscribed in the search rectangular area 60 are extracted by the point extraction unit 120.

  FIG. 9 shows a flow of elevation value calculation processing by the three-dimensional map image generation device according to the present embodiment. In order to avoid complication, in this figure, “coordinate type of designated point” is abbreviated as “A”, and “coordinate type included in index” is abbreviated as “B”. The receiving unit 102 detects a mouse operation and a keyboard operation from the user, and receives an arbitrary coordinate value, coordinate type, coordinate system, coordinate unit, search distance, any elevation data file selection instruction from the user, An input such as a calculation formula selection instruction is accepted (S10).

  When the coordinate type of the designated point is the XY coordinate system (Y in S12) and the coordinate type included in the index is the XY coordinate system (Y in S14), the search unit 126 designates the designated point input in the XY coordinate system. Is set as a search range circle with the search distance input by the receiving unit 102 as a radius (S18), and a necessary elevation data file is searched using the circle (S20). Next, the point extraction unit 120 extracts points existing in the search range circle from the searched elevation data file (S44).

  When the coordinate type of the designated point is the XY coordinate system (Y in S12) and the coordinate type included in the index is the latitude / longitude coordinate system (N in S14), the search range setting unit 123 is connected via the receiving unit 102. A search range circle with the specified search point as the center and the search distance input via the receiving unit 102 as the radius is generated. Further, the search range setting unit 123 generates a search rectangular area circumscribing the search range circle (S22).

  Next, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate values of the four corners of the search rectangular area in the XY coordinate system designated by the coordinate system into the coordinate values of the four corners of the search rectangular area in the latitude / longitude coordinate system (S24). The search unit 126 refers to the index in the search rectangular area and searches for the necessary elevation data file (S26). Next, a point existing in the search rectangular area is searched from the searched altitude data file. Since this point has a coordinate value in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the searched point into a coordinate value in the XY coordinate system (S28). The point extraction unit 120 extracts a point where the distance between the point converted to the coordinate value of the XY coordinate system and the coordinate value of the designated point is within the search distance (S44).

  When the coordinate type of the designated point is a latitude / longitude coordinate system (N in S12) and the coordinate type included in the index is an XY coordinate system (Y in S16), the coordinate conversion unit 122 receives the input latitude / longitude coordinate system. The designated point is converted into the XY coordinate system (S30). The search unit 126 sets a search range circle centered on the designated point in the converted XY coordinate system and having the search distance input by the receiving unit 102 as a radius (S18), and uses the circle to obtain necessary elevation data. A file is searched (S20). Next, the point extraction unit 120 extracts points existing in the search range circle from the searched elevation data file (S44).

  When the coordinate type of the designated point is a latitude / longitude coordinate system (N in S12) and the coordinate type included in the index is a latitude / longitude coordinate system (N in S16), the coordinate system specifying unit 118 is expressed in XY coordinates. Among the 19 coordinate systems, the XY coordinate system having the origin closest to the designated point designated in the latitude and longitude coordinate system is specified (S32). The coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the specified point specified in the latitude / longitude coordinate system into the coordinate value in the XY coordinate system specified by the coordinate system specifying unit 118 (S34). Next, the search range setting unit 123 generates a search rectangular area circumscribing a circle centered on the designated point in the converted XY coordinate system and having a search distance as a radius (S36). The coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate values of the four corner points of the search rectangular area in the specified XY coordinate system into coordinate values in the latitude / longitude coordinate system (S38).

  The search unit 126 refers to the index in the search rectangular area of the latitude / longitude coordinate system, and searches for a necessary elevation data file using the search rectangular area (S40). Next, the point extraction unit 120 extracts points existing in the search rectangular area from the searched elevation data file. Since the extracted point is a coordinate value in the latitude / longitude coordinate system, the coordinate conversion unit 122 converts the coordinate value of the retrieved point into a coordinate value in the XY coordinate system (S42). The point extraction unit 120 extracts a point where the distance between the point converted to the coordinate value of the XY coordinate system and the coordinate value of the designated point is within the search distance (S44).

  The distance calculation unit 130 calculates the distance between each point extracted by the point extraction unit 120 and the designated point (S46). The altitude value calculating unit 132 calculates the altitude value of the designated point by applying the altitude value of the point extracted by the point extracting unit 120 to the calculation formula selected by the user via the receiving unit 102 (S48). .

  According to the present embodiment, a map such as altitude mesh data in which altitude values of arbitrary points designated by the user can be acquired simply and at high speed, and points having altitude values at arbitrary intervals are arranged. Data can be generated.

  Next, a configuration related to the second function will be described. Returning to FIG. 1, the three-dimensional map image generation unit 114 includes a setting unit 152, an altitude value allocation unit 154, a ground surface image conversion unit 156, a columnar image formation unit 158, a positional relationship determination unit 160, and an extraction reference setting. Unit 166, extraction unit 168, and priority order assignment unit 170.

  The accepting unit 102 further accepts an operation related to the processing for generating the 3D map image from the user. The display unit 104 displays a 3D map image generated by the 3D map image generation device 100 to the user, in addition to an operation screen that accepts an operation related to the generation process of the 3D map image, via a display (not shown). The setting unit 152 sets a contour image representing the upper surface of a building or the like on the two-dimensional ground surface based on the input instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102. Hereinafter, a state in which the contour image is set based on an input instruction from the user will be specifically described.

  FIG. 10A shows an operation screen operated by the user when generating a three-dimensional map image. The operation screen 180 includes a map display screen 182, a three-dimensional map image generation button 186, and a cancel button 188. The map display screen 182 displays a map image taken from the sky, such as an aerial photograph, a satellite photograph, or a laser profiler. The user traces the outline 184 of an object such as a building in the map image displayed on the display by the display unit 104 using an external device such as a mouse. A specific tracing method will be described later. As illustrated, if the object is a rectangular parallelepiped building, the outline 184 representing the upper surface of the object is rectangular.

  After the user traces the outlines of all objects in the map image, the three-dimensional map image generation button 186 is pressed. At the timing when the 3D map image generation button 186 is pressed by the user, the 3D map image generation device 100 starts the map image generation process. When the cancel button 188 is pressed by the user, the 3D map image generation device 100 stops the 3D map image generation process started by pressing the 3D map image generation button 186.

  FIG. 10B shows how the contour image of the object is set on the two-dimensional ground surface. When the 3D map image generation button 186 is pressed by the user, the setting unit 152 described later sets the contour image 190 on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 expressed in the XY coordinate system. FIG. 10B shows a state where a contour image 190 having the contour 184 shown in FIG. 10A traced with a mouse is set as a specific example. The positional relationship between the contours of the objects on the map image and the positional relationship between the contour images of the objects on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 are the same. In addition, the background image representing the ground surface and the terrain included in the map image displayed on the map display screen 182 is imprinted on the portion other than the contour image 190 set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200. As described above, the XY coordinate system is set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200, and the coordinate value of each vertex of the contour image 190 represents the set position on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 of the contour image. It is stored in a database (not shown).

  A survey point is set at the center of each pixel constituting the two-dimensional ground surface 200, and the XY coordinate values of the respective survey points on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 are associated with the altitude value and hold the altitude value. Held in the section 110. The altitude values associated with these survey points are calculated by the first function described above.

  Further, after the setting process of all the contour images by the setting unit 152 is completed, the height value of the contour image is input on the screen by the user via the receiving unit 102 for each set contour image. Specifically, after all the contour images are set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200, an input dialog is sequentially activated in the vicinity of the contour images in the order in which the contour images are set, and the target is included in the dialog. The object height value is input by the user. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one altitude value is allocated to one contour image by an altitude value allocation unit described later. The altitude value here may be an object altitude value that represents the height from the bottom surface to the top surface of the object, or an altitude value that represents the altitude of the object from zero meters above sea level. Good.

  When inputting as the altitude value of the object, as another example, the altitude of the object may be input instead of directly inputting the altitude of the object in the input dialog. In this case, a value obtained by multiplying the input floor number by the height per floor is assigned as an object height value by an altitude value assigning unit described later. The “height per floor” is stored in advance in the 3D map image generation apparatus 100. Further, the height of the object may be varied by adding or subtracting a small random value to the height per floor. Since the height of an object such as a penthouse is approximately the height of the first floor, the height of the first floor may be automatically assigned as the object height value.

  By the way, FIG. 10 (a) and FIG. 10 (b) show a state in which an outline image of a building in which no other building is provided on the roof is set on the two-dimensional ground surface. May be provided with small building objects such as penthouses. In this case, the setting unit 152 sets a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the penthouse in the contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the building based on the input instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102. If a plurality of penthouses are provided on the roof of the building, a plurality of contour images representing the contour of the top surface of the penthouse are set in the contour image representing the contour of the top surface of the building. In addition, if another building is provided on the roof of the building and a penthouse is provided on the roof of another building, the setting unit 152 displays the upper surface of the other building in the contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the building. A contour image representing the contour is set, and a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the penthouse is set in the contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the other building.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns the altitude value obtained by screen input to the contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface by the setting unit 152. When the setting unit 152 sets contour images of a plurality of objects on the two-dimensional ground surface, the altitude value assigning unit 154 obtains each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface by screen input. Assign each altitude value.

  The positional relationship determination unit 160 includes an overlap determination unit 162 and a comparison unit 164. Among the plurality of contour images set by the setting unit 152, the positional relationship determination unit 160 is a virtual tertiary of the contour images. The relative positional relationship in the height direction in the original space is determined. Thereby, the vertical relationship in the height direction of the plurality of contour images in the virtual three-dimensional space is determined. The overlap determination unit 162 determines whether any one of the contour images included in the plurality of contour images set on the two-dimensional ground surface by the setting unit 152 overlaps with another contour image.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of overlap determination by the overlap determination unit 162 will be described. When the contour image is first set on the two-dimensional ground surface by the setting unit 152, a time correlating unit (not shown) associates the same set time with each pixel constituting the contour image. The same associating work is performed for the contour image set thereafter, but if there is a pixel that overlaps with the pixel included in the contour image already set on the two-dimensional ground surface in the contour image to be set The overlapping pixels are updated at the set time of the newly set contour image.

  The overlap determination unit 162 acquires a set time for each pixel of one contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface by the setting unit 152, and determines that it does not overlap other contour images if they are all the same time. To do. In addition, if there is a pixel having a different set time in one contour image, the overlap determination unit 162 determines that it overlaps with any one of the contour images, and performs the overlap determination with another contour image. If there is a contour image having a different set time, it is determined that the contour image overlaps with the other contour image. In the following, other overlap determination methods that can realize speeding up of the overlap determination of contour images will be described.

  The extraction reference setting unit 166 has a coordinate value having the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component on the two-dimensional ground surface expressed by the XY coordinate system among the plurality of vertices included in each of the plurality of contour images. An extraction criterion is set regarding whether to extract a vertex or to extract a vertex having a coordinate value having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component. Hereinafter, the extraction criterion for extracting the vertex having the smallest coordinate value is referred to as “minimum extraction criterion”, while the extraction criterion for extracting the vertex having the largest coordinate value is referred to as “maximum extraction criterion”. This extraction criterion is set in advance by the user and held in the 3D map image generating apparatus 100.

  Based on the extraction criterion set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166, the extraction unit 168 has a vertex having the smallest coordinate value in the X-direction component or the Y-direction component, or a coordinate value having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component. Are extracted for each contour image. The priority order assigning unit 170 has a coordinate value having a smaller X-direction component or Y-direction component or a larger X-direction component or Y-direction component among the plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image. A higher priority is assigned to a vertex image to a contour image having the vertex. The overlap determination unit 162 determines whether or not it overlaps with other contour images in order from the contour image to which the highest priority is assigned. Thereby, in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, overlap determination can be performed in order from another contour image close to one contour image, so that the overlap determination process can be made efficient.

  Specifically, when the overlap determination unit 162 determines the overlap between one contour image and another contour image, the contour determination unit 162 selects a contour image with a relatively low priority in a contour image with a relatively high priority. It is determined whether any vertex is included. When it is determined that it is included, it is determined that one contour image and another contour image are overlapped. On the other hand, when it is determined that they are not included, one contour image and another contour image are Is determined not to overlap. As another example, the overlap determination unit 162 may determine whether or not the vertices overlap depending on whether or not all the vertices are included, or overlap depending on whether or not the sides of the contour image intersect. It may be determined whether or not.

  Furthermore, when the minimum extraction criterion is set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166, the point having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of one contour image having a relatively high priority, and the priority Is compared with the point having the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of other contour images with relatively low values, and the former has a smaller coordinate value of the X-direction component or Y-direction component than the latter In this case, it may be determined that the one contour image and the other contour image do not overlap, and further, the overlap determination with another contour image having a lower priority may be skipped. This is because there is no possibility that one contour image satisfying such a condition overlaps with another contour image. As described above, in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, by performing overlap determination in order from another contour image close to one contour image, the skip processing can be executed, thereby enabling the overlap determination processing to be performed at high speed. Can be

  Further, when the maximum extraction criterion is set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166, the point having the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of one contour image having a relatively high priority, and the priority Is compared with the point having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component of the coordinate values among the vertices of other contour images having relatively low values, and the former has a larger coordinate value of the X-direction component or Y-direction component than the latter In this case, it may be determined that the one contour image and the other contour image do not overlap, and further, the overlap determination with another contour image having a lower priority may be skipped. This is because there is no possibility that one contour image satisfying such a condition overlaps with another contour image. As described above, in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction, by performing overlap determination in order from another contour image close to one contour image, the skip processing can be executed, thereby enabling the overlap determination processing to be performed at high speed. Can be

  The comparison unit 164 compares the areas of the contour images that are overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162, and the positional relationship determination unit 160 determines the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the comparison result by the comparison unit 164. The relative positional relationship of is determined. In the present embodiment, the positional relationship determination unit 160 determines that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit 164 is positioned relatively below.

  The elevation value holding unit 110 holds the elevation value in the virtual three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional ground surface corresponding to the two-dimensional ground surface in association with each survey point on the two-dimensional ground surface. The ground surface image conversion unit 156 converts the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image based on the elevation value held in the elevation value holding unit 110.

  The columnar image forming unit 158 sets the height of the contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the altitude value assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154, and lowers it from the side of the contour image to the three-dimensional ground surface image. A surface is generated to form a three-dimensional columnar image of the object. In the present embodiment, the columnar image forming unit 158 may generate a surface vertically lowered from the side of the contour image to the three-dimensional ground surface image. Thereby, in a virtual three-dimensional space, a three-dimensional columnar image standing vertically can be easily generated, and a natural three-dimensional map image in which an object such as a building does not tilt can be generated. Further, the generation of the surface may be performed by a side surface generation unit (not shown) in the columnar image forming unit 158. Hereinafter, a specific operation of the columnar image forming unit 158 will be described for each of the case where the object height value of the object is assigned and the case where the sea level altitude value of the object is assigned.

  When the target object altitude value of the target object is known and the altitude value is designated by the user via the receiving unit 102, the altitude value assigning unit 154 adds to each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface, Assign an object height value for each object. The columnar image forming unit 158 adds the object height value of the contour image assigned by the height value assigning unit 154 to the object height value of the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit 160, on the two-dimensional ground surface. A value obtained by adding an altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image is set as the sea level altitude value of the contour image. Note that the sea level altitude value is set according to this procedure for the contour image that has not been overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162.

  Furthermore, the altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns the sea level altitude value set in the contour image positioned immediately below the other contour image to the other contour image whose relative positional relationship is determined. A value obtained by adding the object height value of the other contour image is set as the sea level altitude value of the other contour image.

  Further, the columnar image forming unit 158 sets the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the sea level altitude value set for each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined. Based on the object height value assigned to each of the contour images for which a specific positional relationship has been determined, the heights of the surfaces drawn from the sides of the respective contour images, i.e., the heights of the side surfaces, are set. An original columnar image is formed.

  On the other hand, when the sea level altitude value of the object is known and the altitude value is designated by the user via the receiving unit 102, the altitude value assigning unit 154 applies each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface. Assign an altitude value for each object above sea level. The columnar image forming unit 158 determines the two-dimensional ground surface from the sea level altitude value of the object of the contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 to the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit 160. Is obtained by subtracting the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image at the contour image. As described above, the sea level altitude value is set in accordance with this procedure for the contour image that is not overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162.

  In addition, the altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns the sea level altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the other contour image to the other contour image whose relative positional relationship has been determined. A value obtained by subtracting the sea level altitude value of the other contour image is set as the object height value of the other contour image.

  Further, the altitude value assigning unit 154 sets the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the sea level altitude value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined. Based on the object height value assigned to each of the contour images for which a specific positional relationship has been determined, the heights of the surfaces drawn from the sides of the respective contour images, i.e., the heights of the side surfaces, are set. An original columnar image is formed.

  The display unit 104 provides a user with a 3D map image including a 2D ground surface and a 3D surface image and a 3D columnar image generated by the 3D map image generation device 100 via a display (not shown). indicate.

  Hereinafter, a generation operation of a three-dimensional columnar image by the three-dimensional map image generation device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 (a) shows how to trace the outline of a building where no other building is provided on the roof, while FIG. 11 (b) shows how to outline the outline of a penthouse provided on the roof of the building. Show. As shown in FIG. 11A, the user points one point on the map image displayed on the map display screen 182 using an external device such as a mouse. Next, the user points another point on the map image in the same manner. Hereinafter, the point pointed first by the mouse is referred to as a first point point 62, and the point pointed next is referred to as a second point point 63. Further, the user points a point other than the straight line connecting the first point point 62 and the second point point 63 in the same manner. Hereinafter, this point is referred to as a third point point 64.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the first point point 62, the second point point 63, and the third point point 64 are generated by the user, the first point point 62 is the lower left vertex and the second point point 63 is the right side. A first rectangular area 202 is generated that has a height as a lower vertex and a vertical line extending from the third point point 64 to a side connecting the first point point 62 and the second point point 63. The outline of the building on the map image can be traced by the first rectangular area 202 thus generated. A first contour image having the same shape as the first rectangular region 202 is set on the two-dimensional ground surface by the setting unit 152.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), the user points the fourth point point 61 first with the mouse, and the mouse pointer is moved while dragging as it is. When the drag state is released at the point 67, the second rectangular area 204 having the fourth point point 61 as the upper left vertex and the fifth point point 67 as the lower right vertex is generated. At this time, the side connecting the fourth point point 61 and the first upper right vertex 68 of the second rectangular area 204 is parallel to the side connecting the fourth point point 61 and the second upper right vertex 65, and The side connecting the fourth point point 61 and the lower left vertex 66 of the second rectangular area 204 is adjusted to be parallel to the side connecting the fourth point point 61 and the first point point 62.

  The outline of the penthouse on the map image can be traced by the second rectangular area 204 thus generated. The setting unit 152 sets the second contour image having the same shape as the second rectangular region 204 on the two-dimensional ground surface so as to be included in the first contour image.

  12A shows the first contour image set by the setting unit in the tracing method shown in FIG. 11, while FIG. 12B shows the second contour set by the setting unit in the tracing method shown in FIG. An image is shown. As shown in FIG. 12A, the first contour image 203 having the same shape as the first rectangular region 202 shown in FIG. 11 is set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 by the setting unit 152. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12B, the second contour image 205 having the same shape as the second rectangular region 204 shown in FIG. 11 is set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 by the setting unit 152. Although details will be described later, the positional relationship determination unit 160 determines that the first contour image 203 is positioned below the second contour image 205.

  FIG. 13 shows another example of the positional relationship between a plurality of contour images set on the two-dimensional ground surface. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the fourth contour image 212 protrudes outside the third contour image 210. This state is often caused by an operation error of the mouse by the user. Even in the state shown in FIG. 13, the positional relationship determination unit 160 may determine the relative positional relationship in the height direction of the third contour image 210 and the fourth contour image 212 without performing error processing. The three-dimensional columnar image formed on the basis of the contour image is used as a landscape CG. However, since the landscape CG does not require strictness such as shape, the positional relationship described above may be maintained. Thereby, the operation | work which concerns on the resetting of the outline image by a user can be skipped.

  FIG. 14 shows a state in which determination is performed by the overlap determination unit in order from the contour image to which the highest priority is assigned. For convenience of explanation, a plurality of contour images set obliquely with respect to the XY coordinate system will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 14, a fifth contour image 220, a seventh contour image 224, and an eighth contour image 226 are set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200, and the sixth contour image 220 has a sixth contour image. An image 222 is set. Among the plurality of vertices included in each of the fifth contour image 220 to the eighth contour image 226, a point satisfying the extraction criterion set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166 is extracted by the extraction unit 168 for each contour image.

  That is, if the extraction reference setting unit 166 has previously set an extraction criterion for extracting a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component, the extraction unit 168 may determine whether the X-direction component or the Y-direction component is A vertex having the smallest coordinate value is extracted for each contour image. On the other hand, if the extraction criterion setting unit 166 has previously set an extraction criterion for extracting a vertex having a coordinate value having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component, the extraction unit 168 determines that the X-direction component or Y-direction component is A vertex having the largest coordinate value is extracted for each contour image.

  For example, assuming that an extraction criterion for extracting a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest Y-direction component is set, the first extraction point 230 included in each of the fifth contour image 220 to the eighth contour image 226. The second extraction point 232, the third extraction point 234, and the fourth extraction point 236 are extracted by the extraction unit 168.

  Next, with respect to the four points extracted by the extraction unit 168, the priority assignment unit 170 assigns a higher priority to the contour image having the vertex as the vertex of the coordinate value has a smaller Y-direction component. The order in which the Y-direction component of the coordinate value is small is, as shown in FIG. 12, first extraction point 230 → second extraction point 232 → third extraction point 234 → fourth extraction point 236. Therefore, the highest priority is assigned to the fifth contour image 220 having the first extraction point 230, and the sixth contour image 222, the seventh contour image 224, and the eighth contour image 226 are assigned in this order.

  Finally, the overlap determination unit 162 determines whether or not the image overlaps with other contour images in order from the contour image assigned the highest priority. That is, first, it is determined whether the fifth contour image 220 and the sixth contour image 222 overlap, and then it is determined whether the seventh contour image 224 and then the eighth contour image 226 overlap. When the overlap determination process for the fifth contour image 220 with the other contour image is completed, the overlap determination process for the sixth contour image 222 with the other contour image is performed. Hereinafter, the same applies to the seventh contour image 224 and the eighth contour image 226.

  For example, for the fifth contour image 220 and the sixth contour image 222, any vertex of the sixth contour image 222 having a relatively low priority in the fifth contour image 220 having a relatively high priority, for example, Since the vertex 235 is included, it is determined that the fifth contour image 220 and the sixth contour image 222 overlap each other, and an area comparison process is performed. Next, for the fifth contour image 220 and the seventh contour image 224, the coordinate value of the Y direction component of the vertex 237 of the fifth contour image 220 is the Y direction component of the third extraction point 234 of the seventh contour image 224. Since it is smaller than the coordinate value, the overlap determination process between the fifth contour image 220 and the seventh contour image 224 is skipped. Thereafter, there is no possibility that the fifth contour image 220 overlaps with another contour image having an extraction point having a coordinate value larger than the coordinate value of the Y-direction component of the third extraction point 234. The overlap determination is completed.

  Next, it is determined that the sixth contour image 222 has already overlapped with the fifth contour image 220, and further, it is determined that the fifth contour image 220 and the seventh contour image 224 do not overlap with each other. There is no possibility of overlapping with other contour images having a lower priority than the seven contour images 224, and the overlap determination process based on the sixth contour image 222 is skipped. Next, for the seventh contour image 224 and the eighth contour image 226, any vertex of the eighth contour image 226 having a relatively low priority is included in the seventh contour image 224 having a relatively high priority. Since it is not included, it is determined that the seventh contour image 224 and the eighth contour image 226 do not overlap. Thus, by performing overlap determination in order from another contour image close to one contour image in the Y-axis direction, it is possible to execute the skip processing, thereby speeding up the overlap determination processing.

  The comparison unit 164 compares the areas of the contour images determined to be overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162. The positional relationship determination unit 160 determines that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit 164 is positioned relatively below. For example, since the fifth contour image 220 overlaps the sixth contour image 222 and the fifth contour image 220 has a larger area than the sixth contour image 222, the fifth contour image 220 has the sixth contour image 222. It is determined that it is located relatively lower than.

  FIG. 15 schematically shows a three-dimensional ground surface image converted and generated by the ground surface image conversion unit. For ease of viewing, the two-dimensional ground surface 200 is represented by diagonal lines. As described above, the three-dimensional ground surface image 240 is obtained by converting the two-dimensional ground surface 200 based on the elevation value held in the elevation value holding unit 110. Specifically, the ground surface image conversion unit 156 plots a point from each survey point on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 at a position higher by the elevation value directly above the vertical direction while maintaining the XY coordinate values. The three-dimensional ground surface is formed by connecting the plotted points. The two-dimensional ground surface and the three-dimensional ground surface correspond in the sense that the XY coordinates are shared.

  As shown in FIG. 15, among the plurality of survey points existing on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 by the ground surface image conversion unit 156, for example, survey point A (X1, Y1, 0), survey point B (X2, Y2) , 0) and survey point C (X3, Y3, 0), Z1, Z2, and Z3 are assigned as elevation values, respectively, so that elevation point A ′ (X1, Y1, Z1), elevation point B ′ (X2) , Y2, Z2) and an elevation point C ′ (X3, Y3, Z3). That is, in a state where the XY coordinate values on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 are maintained, the respective points are plotted at high positions in the vertical direction by the elevation values of Z1, Z2, and Z3. By giving elevation values for all survey points existing on the two-dimensional ground surface 200, the two-dimensional ground surface 200 can be converted into a three-dimensional ground surface image 240 based on the given elevation values.

  Hereinafter, the 3D map image generation operation when the object height of the object is input and the 3D map image generation operation when the sea level altitude value of the object is input will be described separately for each case. A specific example will be described with reference to the first contour image 203 and the second contour image 205 shown in FIG. Since the first contour image 203 and the second contour image 205 overlap and the first contour image 203 has a larger area than the second contour image 205, the first contour image 203 is added to the second contour image 205. It is determined by the positional relationship determination unit 160 that it is positioned relatively lower than that.

(A) When the object height value of the object is assigned For the first contour image 203 and the second contour image 205, as object height values representing the height of each object, for example, "100 meters" It is assumed that “5 meters” is assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154. As described above, these object height values are input on the screen by the user via the receiving unit 102.

  For the first contour image 203 determined as the lowest position, the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image on the two-dimensional ground surface is assigned to the object height value of the contour image allocated by the altitude value allocation unit 154. Is added by the columnar image forming unit 158 as the sea level altitude value of the contour image. For example, as the elevation value corresponding to the set position of the contour image, the elevation value of the survey point in the pixel located at the center of the first contour image 203 on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 is used. Assuming that the altitude value of the surveying point is “200 meters”, the altitude value “200 meters” is added to the object altitude value “100 meters” assigned to the first contour image 203, and “300 meters” is obtained. The columnar image forming unit 158 sets the sea level altitude value of the first contour image 203.

  Next, with respect to the second contour image 205 which is another contour image, the altitude value assigning unit 154 sets the sea level altitude value set in the first contour image 203 located immediately below the second contour image 205 by the altitude value assigning unit 154. The columnar image forming unit 158 sets a value obtained by adding the object height value of the assigned second contour image 205 as the sea level altitude value of the other contour image. As described above, the sea level altitude value set in the first contour image 203 is “300 meters”, and the target altitude value of the second contour image 205 is “5 meters”. “305 meters” is set as the altitude value.

  FIG. 16 shows each three-dimensional columnar image formed by the three-dimensional columnar image forming unit. The same components as those in FIG. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Since the altitude value set in the first contour image 203 is “300 meters”, it is 300 meters from the sea level in the virtual three-dimensional space, that is, 300 meters from the XY plane where the two-dimensional ground surface is set. The first contour image 203 is set at the height. Furthermore, since the object height value assigned to the first contour image 203 is “100 meters”, a surface having a length of “100 meters” in the height direction is set from the side of the first contour image 203. Is done.

  As a result, the first contour image 203 is set at a position at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, and a first three-dimensional columnar image 250 having a height of 100 meters with the set first contour image 203 as the upper surface is formed. Similarly, the second contour image 205 is set at a position at an altitude of 305 meters above sea level, and a second three-dimensional columnar image 252 having a height of 5 meters with the set second contour image 205 as an upper surface is formed. As a result, a 3D model in which the second 3D columnar image 252 is arranged on the first 3D columnar image 250 can be generated.

(B) When the altitude value of the target object is assigned to the first contour image 203 and the second contour image 205, the altitude value indicating the altitude of the target object from zero meters above sea level, for example, "305 meters ”And“ 300 meters ”are assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154. As described above, these sea level altitude values are input on the screen by the user via the receiving unit 102.

  From the sea level altitude value of the contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 to the first contour image 203 determined as the lowest position, an altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image on the two-dimensional ground surface is obtained. The reduced image is set by the columnar image forming unit 158 as the object height value of the contour image. As in the case of (a), the elevation value of the survey point in the pixel located at the center of the first contour image 203 on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 is used as the elevation value corresponding to the set position of the contour image. If the altitude value of the survey point is “200 meters”, the altitude value “200 meters” is subtracted from the sea level altitude value “300 meters” assigned to the first contour image 203, and “100 meters” is The columnar image forming unit 158 sets the object height value of the one contour image 203.

  Next, with respect to the second contour image 205 which is another contour image, the altitude value assigning unit 154 determines from the sea level altitude value set in the first contour image 203 located immediately below the second contour image 205. The columnar image forming unit 158 sets a value obtained by subtracting the sea level altitude value of the set second contour image 205 as the target altitude value of the other contour image. As described above, the sea level altitude value assigned to the second contour image 205 is “305 meters”, and the sea level altitude value set in the first contour image 203 is “300 meters”. "5 meters" is set as the object altitude value.

  Each three-dimensional columnar image formed by the three-dimensional columnar image forming unit in the case where the sea level altitude value of the object is assigned is also shown in FIG. Since the altitude value assigned to the first contour image 203 is “300 meters”, the height is 300 meters from the sea level in the virtual three-dimensional space, that is, 300 meters from the XY plane where the two-dimensional ground surface is set. The first contour image 203 is set at the height. Furthermore, since “100 meters” is set as the object height value in the first contour image 203, “100 meters” is defined as the length in the height direction of the surface lowered from the side of the first contour image 203, that is, the side surface. Is set. As a result, a first three-dimensional columnar image 250 having a height of 100 meters with the first contour image 203 as the upper surface is formed. Similarly, a second three-dimensional columnar image 252 having a height of 5 meters with the second contour image 205 as an upper surface is formed. As a result, a 3D model in which the second 3D columnar image 252 is arranged on the first 3D columnar image 250 can be generated.

  FIG. 17 shows the flow of the three-dimensional columnar image forming process by the three-dimensional map image generating device according to the present embodiment when the object height value of the object is assigned. The accepting unit 102 accepts an input instruction for the contour of the upper surface of an object such as a building from the user (S50). The setting unit 152 sets a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of an object such as a building on the two-dimensional ground surface based on the input instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102 (S52). The altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns an object altitude value representing the altitude of each object to each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface (S54).

  The extraction criterion setting unit 166 sets a minimum extraction criterion for the Y direction (S56). The extraction unit 168 extracts, for each contour image, a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest Y direction component, based on the extraction criterion related to the Y direction set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166 (S58). The priority order assigning unit 170 assigns a higher priority order to the contour image having the vertex as the vertex having the smaller Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image (S60). The overlap determination unit 162 determines whether or not the image overlaps with another contour image in order from the contour image assigned the highest priority (S62).

  In S56, the minimum extraction criterion for the Y direction is set, but the maximum extraction criterion for the Y direction may be set, or the minimum extraction criterion or the maximum extraction criterion for the X direction may be set. For example, when the maximum extraction criterion for the Y direction is set, the vertex having the coordinate value having the largest Y direction component is extracted for each contour image, and the priority order assigning unit 170 extracts a plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image. Among them, a vertex having a larger Y-direction component of the coordinate value is assigned a higher priority to the contour image having the vertex.

  As a specific process of S62, when the overlap determination unit 162 determines the overlap between one contour image and another contour image, the priority order is relatively low in the contour image having a relatively high priority order. It is determined whether any vertex of the contour image is included. When it is determined that it is included, it is determined that one contour image and another contour image are overlapped. On the other hand, when it is determined that they are not included, one contour image and another contour image are Is determined not to overlap. A point having the largest Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of one contour image having a relatively high priority, and a Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of another contour image having a relatively low priority. Is compared with the smallest point, and if the former has a smaller coordinate value of the Y-direction component than the latter, the overlap determination processing by the overlap determination unit 162 of the one contour image and the other contour image is skipped. .

  When the overlap determination unit 162 determines that one contour image overlaps another contour image (Y in S62), the comparison unit 164 compares the areas of the contour images that are overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162. (S64). The positional relationship determination unit 160 determines that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit 164 is positioned below (S66). When the overlap determination unit 162 determines that one contour image does not overlap any other contour image (N in S62), the positional relationship determination process is skipped. The ground surface image conversion unit 156 converts the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image based on the elevation value held in the elevation value holding unit 110 (S68).

  The columnar image forming unit 158 adds the object height value of the contour image assigned by the height value assigning unit 154 to the object height value of the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit 160, on the two-dimensional ground surface. A value obtained by adding an altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image is set as the sea level altitude value of the contour image. Furthermore, with respect to the other contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined, in order from the contour image immediately above the contour image determined as the lowest position to the contour image determined as the highest value, A value obtained by adding the target altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 to the sea level altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the other contour image. It is set as the sea level altitude value of the contour image (S70).

  Further, the columnar image forming unit 158 sets the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the sea level altitude value set for each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined. Set the length in the height direction of the surface drawn from the side of each contour image based on the object height value assigned to each contour image for which a specific positional relationship has been determined, and each three-dimensional columnar image Is formed (S72).

  FIG. 18 shows the flow of the three-dimensional columnar image forming process by the three-dimensional map image generating device according to the present embodiment when the sea level altitude value of the object is known. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the process similar to FIG. The flow of the three-dimensional columnar image formation process by a map image generation device is shown. The accepting unit 102 accepts an input instruction for the contour of the upper surface of an object such as a building from the user (S50). The setting unit 152 sets a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of an object such as a building on the two-dimensional ground surface based on the input instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102 (S52). The altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns an altitude value representing the altitude of each target object from zero meters above sea level to each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface (S74).

  The extraction criterion setting unit 166 sets a minimum extraction criterion for the Y direction (S56). The extraction unit 168 extracts, for each contour image, a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest Y direction component, based on the extraction criterion related to the Y direction set by the extraction criterion setting unit 166 (S58). The priority order assigning unit 170 assigns a higher priority order to the contour image having the vertex as the vertex having the smaller Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image (S60). The overlap determination unit 162 determines whether or not the image overlaps with another contour image in order from the contour image assigned the highest priority (S62).

  In S56, the minimum extraction criterion for the Y direction is set, but the maximum extraction criterion for the Y direction may be set, or the minimum extraction criterion or the maximum extraction criterion for the X direction may be set. For example, when the maximum extraction criterion for the Y direction is set, the vertex having the coordinate value having the largest Y direction component is extracted for each contour image, and the priority order assigning unit 170 extracts a plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image. Among them, a vertex having a larger Y-direction component of the coordinate value is assigned a higher priority to the contour image having the vertex.

  As a specific process of S62, when the overlap determination unit 162 determines the overlap between one contour image and another contour image, the priority order is relatively low in the contour image having a relatively high priority order. It is determined whether any vertex of the contour image is included. When it is determined that it is included, it is determined that one contour image and another contour image are overlapped. On the other hand, when it is determined that they are not included, one contour image and another contour image are Is determined not to overlap. A point having the largest Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of one contour image having a relatively high priority, and a Y-direction component of the coordinate value among the vertices of another contour image having a relatively low priority. Is compared with the smallest point, and if the former has a smaller coordinate value of the Y-direction component than the latter, the overlap determination processing by the overlap determination unit 162 of the one contour image and the other contour image is skipped. .

  When the overlap determination unit 162 determines that one contour image overlaps another contour image (Y in S62), the comparison unit 164 compares the areas of the contour images that are overlapped by the overlap determination unit 162. (S64). The positional relationship determination unit 160 determines that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit 164 is positioned below (S66). When the overlap determination unit 162 determines that one contour image does not overlap any other contour image (N in S62), the positional relationship determination process is skipped. The ground surface image conversion unit 156 converts the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image based on the elevation value held in the elevation value holding unit 110 (S68).

  The columnar image forming unit 158 determines the two-dimensional ground surface from the sea level altitude value of the object of the contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 to the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit 160. Is obtained by subtracting the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image at the contour image. Furthermore, with respect to the other contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined, in order from the contour image immediately above the contour image determined as the lowest position to the contour image determined as the highest value, A value obtained by subtracting the sea level altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the other contour image from the sea level altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 It is set as the object height value of the contour image (S76).

  Further, the altitude value assigning unit 154 sets the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the sea level altitude value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined. Set the length in the height direction of the surface drawn from the side of each contour image based on the object height value assigned to each contour image for which a specific positional relationship has been determined, and each three-dimensional columnar image Is formed (S72).

  In the three-dimensional map image generating apparatus 100 of this aspect, a three-dimensional columnar image is directly arranged in the three-dimensionally displayed virtual three-dimensional space, or a three-dimensional columnar image is directly arranged on the three-dimensionally displayed three-dimensional ground surface. A 3D map image can be generated on the basis of an altitude value assigned to the contour image by setting a contour image on the two-dimensional ground surface displayed on the plane by the user without performing a three-dimensional operation such as or the like. As a result, it is possible to reduce the work burden on the user related to the generation of the three-dimensional map image.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a method that is manually performed when a user corrects the planar position of each building displayed in three dimensions and the XYZ coordinate values of each vertex. This method is suitable for processing a small number of three-dimensional data, but when correcting each vertex data of each figure for three-dimensional data including a large number of element figures such as a three-dimensional map image. Is not preferred. In this embodiment, when correcting the setting position of the three-dimensional columnar image, the contour image once set on the two-dimensional ground surface is moved to another position, and the altitude value is simply assigned to the contour image at the moved destination. The correction work can be easily performed.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. . Such modifications are listed below.

  As a modification, the columnar image forming unit 158 arranges the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image at a point having the lowest altitude value of the three-dimensional ground surface image existing under the contour image that is the upper surface of the three-dimensional columnar image. Also good. FIG. 19 shows an arrangement relationship between the three-dimensional ground surface image and the three-dimensional columnar image. As shown in the drawing, the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image 260 is arranged at the plot point D having the lowest elevation value of the three-dimensional ground surface image 240 existing under the contour image that is the upper surface of the three-dimensional columnar image 260. The case where the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image 260 is arranged at the plot point E having the highest altitude value is shown.

  In the former case, no extra space is generated between the three-dimensional ground surface image 240 and the three-dimensional columnar image 260, but in the latter case, an extra space is generated. If a user sees a three-dimensional map image in which an extra space is generated as a landscape CG, unnaturalness may be felt. Therefore, it is meaningful to arrange the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image 260 at the point D having the lowest elevation value to prevent the generation of extra space. As shown in FIG. 15, the points scattered on the two-dimensional ground surface 200, for example, contour data, are separated to some extent, and the intervals between plot points generated based on the points are not so narrow. . Therefore, the presence or absence of extra space occurs depending on which plot point the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image is arranged.

  In the embodiment, the altitude value of the survey point in the pixel located at the center of the first contour image 203 on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 is used as the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image. As an alternative, the average value of the elevation values of the survey points in each pixel included in the first contour image 203 may be used. Note that an instruction to select which altitude value is used is made by the user via the receiving unit 102.

  In the embodiment, the altitude value allocating unit 154 sets one altitude value in the contour image, but as a modification, the altitude value allocating unit 154 includes an altitude value at an arbitrary point forming the contour included in the contour image. Can be assigned. 20A shows a contour image of a building provided with a roof such as a house set on a two-dimensional ground surface, and FIG. 20B shows a virtual three-dimensional contour image based on altitude values. A state of being arranged in the space is shown. The first contour image point 272a to the fourth contour image point 272d in the contour image 270 set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200 shown in FIG. 20A have an altitude value “h1”, while the fifth contour image point. The altitude value assigning unit 154 assigns an altitude value “h2” different from “h1” to the 272e and the sixth contour image point 272f.

  For example, when assigned as sea level altitude values, as shown in FIG. 20B, the first contour image point 272a to the fourth contour image point 272d are “h1” from the two-dimensional ground surface in the virtual three-dimensional space. The fifth contour image point 272e and the sixth contour image point 272f are arranged at a height of “h2” from the two-dimensional ground surface. In addition, when each is assigned as the object height value, the contour image point is arranged at the height assigned from the lower surface of the object. As a result, in the virtual three-dimensional space, a three-dimensional columnar image whose upper surface represents the shape of the roof can be formed, and a three-dimensional map image with a higher presence can be generated.

  The three-dimensional columnar image targeted in the embodiment is mainly a building, but may be a bar graph indicating the number of traffic accidents as a modification. In this case, the target altitude value assigned by the altitude value assigning unit 154 may be set based on a numerical value held inside the 3D map image generating apparatus 100. For example, if the number of traffic accidents occurring at an intersection is 200 cases per year, 100 meters is assigned as the object height value for the number of cases, and a three-dimensional columnar image having a height of 100 meters is formed on the intersection. 100.

  In the embodiment, after the setting processing of all the contour images by the setting unit 152 is completed, the user inputs the altitude value of the contour image on the screen for each of the set contour images. Each time one contour image is set on the two-dimensional ground surface, the user may input the altitude value of the contour image on the screen. In this case, specifically, every time the contour image is set on the two-dimensional ground surface, an input dialog is activated in the vicinity of the contour image, and the altitude value is input by the user in the dialog.

  Although the two-dimensional ground surface 200 in the embodiment is expressed in the XY coordinate system, it may be any coordinate system that can specify at least the setting position of each contour image. As a modification, the two-dimensional ground surface 200 is expressed in the latitude / longitude coordinate system. Also good. Also, two-dimensional contour data in which the ground surface and topography are imprinted as a background image may be used in a portion other than the contour image 190 set on the two-dimensional ground surface 200.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the three-dimensional map image generation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the altitude data file hold | maintained in the altitude data file holding | maintenance part, and an index. It is a figure which shows a mode that a desired elevation data file is searched based on a search part index. It is a figure which shows the data part contained in the altitude data file of a mesh format. It is a figure which shows the data part contained in the elevation data file of a coordinate format. (A) shows the search rectangle area | region produced | generated in the XY coordinate system, On the other hand, (b) is a figure which shows the search rectangle area | region in the latitude longitude coordinate system after the conversion process was performed. It is a figure which shows the Japan map shown by the latitude longitude coordinate system. (A) shows the search rectangular area in the specified XY coordinate system generated by the search range setting unit, (b) shows the search rectangular area converted into the latitude / longitude coordinate system by the coordinate conversion unit, ( c) is a diagram showing the search rectangular area converted into the XY coordinate system again. It is a figure which shows the flow of the calculation process of the altitude value by the three-dimensional map image generation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. (A) is a figure which shows the operation screen operated by the user when producing | generating a three-dimensional map image, (b) is a figure which shows a mode that the outline image of a target object is set on the two-dimensional ground surface. is there. (A) shows how to trace the outline of a building where no other building is provided on the roof, while (b) shows how to trace the outline of the penthouse provided on the roof of the building. . (A) is the 1st outline image set by the setting part by the tracing method shown in FIG. 11, and (b) is a figure which shows the 2nd outline image set by the setting part by the tracing method shown in FIG. It is. It is a figure which shows the other example of the positional relationship of the some outline image set on the two-dimensional ground surface. It is a figure which shows a mode that determination is performed by the overlap determination part in an order from the outline image to which the highest priority was assigned. It is a figure which shows typically the three-dimensional ground surface image converted and produced by the ground surface image conversion part. It is a figure which shows each three-dimensional columnar image formed by the three-dimensional columnar image formation part. It is a figure which shows the flow of the three-dimensional columnar image formation process by the three-dimensional map image generation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment when the target object altitude value of a target object is allocated. It is a figure which shows the flow of the three-dimensional columnar image formation process by the three-dimensional map image generation apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment in case the sea level altitude value of a target object is known. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between a three-dimensional ground surface image and a three-dimensional columnar image. (A) represents a contour image of a building provided with a roof such as a house set on a two-dimensional ground surface, and (b) represents a contour image arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space based on altitude values. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 3D map image production | generation apparatus, 102 reception part, 110 Elevation value holding part, 152 Setting part, 154 Altitude value allocation part, 156 Ground surface image conversion part, 158 Columnar image formation part, 160 Positional relationship determination part, 162 Overlap determination part 164 comparison unit, 166 extraction reference setting unit, 168 extraction unit, 170 priority assignment unit, 200 two-dimensional ground surface, 203 first contour image, 205 second contour image, 240 three-dimensional ground surface image, 250 first tertiary Original columnar image, 252 Second 3D columnar image.

Claims (9)

A reception unit for receiving input instructions from the user;
A setting unit configured to set a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the object on the two-dimensional ground surface based on an input instruction from the received user;
An altitude value assigning unit for assigning an altitude value to the set contour image;
An elevation value holding unit that holds the elevation value in the virtual three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional ground surface corresponding to the two-dimensional ground surface;
Based on the elevation value, a ground surface image conversion unit that converts the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image;
Based on the altitude value, the height of the contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space is set, and a surface drawn from the side of the contour image to the three-dimensional ground surface image is generated, and the three-dimensional columnar image of the object A columnar image forming unit for forming
A three-dimensional map image generation device comprising:   The columnar image forming unit arranges the lower surface of the three-dimensional columnar image at a point having the lowest elevation value of the three-dimensional ground surface image existing under the contour image that is the upper surface of the three-dimensional columnar image. The three-dimensional map image generation device according to claim 1.   The three-dimensional map image generation device according to claim 1, wherein the altitude value assigning unit is capable of assigning an altitude value to an arbitrary point that forms a contour included in the contour image. The setting unit sets a plurality of contour images on a two-dimensional ground surface,
The altitude value allocating unit allocates an object altitude value representing the altitude of each object to each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface,
A positional relationship determination unit that determines a relative positional relationship in the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space of overlapping contour images among a plurality of contour images set by the setting unit. Further comprising
The columnar image forming unit, on the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determination unit, the object height value of the contour image allocated by the altitude value allocation unit on the two-dimensional ground surface A value obtained by adding an altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image is set as the sea level altitude value of the contour image, and the other contour image is determined with respect to the other contour image whose relative positional relationship is determined. A value obtained by adding the altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit to the altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the image is the sea level of the other contour image. And setting the height of each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space based on the sea level altitude value set for each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship has been determined. Based on the object height value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship has been determined, the length in the height direction of the surface lowered from the side of each contour image is set, and each three-dimensional columnar shape is set. The three-dimensional map image generation device according to claim 1, wherein an image is formed. The setting unit sets a plurality of contour images on a two-dimensional ground surface,
The altitude value allocating unit is for allocating an altitude value representing an altitude from a zero meter above sea level of each object to each contour image set on the two-dimensional ground surface,
Position relation determination processing for determining relative position relations in the height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space of overlapping outline images among a plurality of outline images set by the setting unit A positional relationship determination unit for performing
The columnar image forming unit, based on the altitude value of the object of the contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit to the contour image determined as the lowest position by the positional relationship determining unit, A value obtained by subtracting the altitude value corresponding to the set position of the contour image on the surface is set as the object height value of the contour image, and for the other contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined, The other contour obtained by subtracting the sea level altitude value set in the contour image located immediately below the other contour image from the sea level altitude value of the other contour image assigned by the altitude value assigning unit. Set as an object altitude value of the image, and further, based on a sea level altitude value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship is determined, each contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space And setting the length in the height direction of the surface lowered from the edge of each contour image based on the object height value assigned to each of the contour images for which the relative positional relationship has been determined The respective three-dimensional columnar images are formed, and the three-dimensional map image generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The positional relationship determination unit includes a comparison unit that compares the areas of the overlapping contour images, and the positional relationship determination unit is configured to calculate a height direction in the virtual three-dimensional space based on a result of comparison by the comparison unit. The three-dimensional map image generation device according to claim 4, wherein a relative positional relationship between the two is determined.   The three-dimensional map image generation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the positional relationship determination unit determines that the contour image whose area is relatively large by the comparison unit is positioned relatively below. The positional relationship determination unit includes an overlap determination unit that determines whether one contour image included in the plurality of set contour images overlaps another contour image,
The device is
Of the plurality of vertices included in each of the plurality of contour images, on the two-dimensional ground surface expressed in the XY coordinate system, extract a vertex having a coordinate value with the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component, or Alternatively, an extraction criterion setting unit that sets an extraction criterion regarding whether to extract a vertex having a coordinate value having the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component;
Based on the extraction criterion set by the extraction criterion setting unit, the vertex having the coordinate value with the smallest X-direction component or Y-direction component or the vertex having the coordinate value with the largest X-direction component or Y-direction component is contoured An extraction unit that extracts each image;
Among the plurality of vertices extracted for each contour image, a vertex having a smaller X-direction component or Y-direction component of the coordinate value or a vertex having a coordinate value having a larger X-direction component or Y-direction component has a higher priority. A priority order assigning unit for assigning the contour image having the vertex;
Further comprising
The three-dimensional object according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the overlap determination unit determines whether or not the image overlaps with another contour image in order from the contour image to which the highest priority is assigned. Map image generator. Receiving an input instruction from the user;
A step of setting a contour image representing the contour of the upper surface of the object on the two-dimensional ground surface based on an input instruction from the received user;
Assigning an altitude value to the set contour image;
Converting the two-dimensional ground surface into a three-dimensional ground surface image based on an elevation value in a virtual three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional ground surface corresponding to the two-dimensional ground surface;
Based on the altitude value, the height of the contour image in the virtual three-dimensional space is set, and a surface drawn from the side of the contour image to the three-dimensional ground surface image is generated, and the three-dimensional columnar image of the object Forming a step;
A three-dimensional map image generation method comprising:

Images