JP2008209845A - Method of selecting landmark in map, and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of selecting a landmark in a map and a navigation system by which a user can easily select a desired point. <P>SOLUTION: The method of selecting a landmark in a map includes: a step to read, with an electronic pen, a map printing medium 2 overlaid on a pattern 15 convertible into coordinates showing the position in a page 11 and printed with landmarks 14 in a map 12 to generate read coordinates indicating the read position in the page 11; and a step to extract, out of a storage means 46 which stores the information about the landmarks 14 printed on the map printing medium 2 associated with the printing color in each map printing medium 2 and the printing position in each map printing medium 2 or the actual address, information about the landmarks 14 associated with the printing position in a prescribed extraction area 8 based on the read coordinates or the actual address and with the printing color matching the read color. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for selecting landmarks in a map and a navigation system.

  Patent Document 1 includes a recommended route search unit that determines a route based on position information such as a destination, and a route display unit that displays a route determined by the recommended route search unit. A navigation system including a route guidance device for guiding is disclosed. The navigation system further includes sheet-like map display means, position information instruction means for indicating a position on the map displayed on the map display means, and position information indicated by the position information instruction means. A position indicating device including position information reading means for reading and position information transmitting means for transmitting the position information read by the position information reading means to the above-described route guiding device. Position information receiving means for receiving the position information.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a writing system using a pen. This writing system with a pen includes a sheet in which a writable area and a writable area are associated with colors, a pen that is gripped by hand and written, and a detection that detects a color on the sheet. And a restricting means for restricting the writing of the pen to only the writable area of the sheet based on the color detected by the detecting means.

JP 2003-287432 A (claims, etc.) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-275519 (claims, etc.)

  In a navigation system such as a car navigation system installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a point in a map printed by an electronic pen is selected, and position information of the selected point is used. By searching for a guidance route, it is not necessary to perform an operation for setting a destination or the like on the navigation device. Even a user who is not good at operating electronic devices such as a navigation device can easily set a destination or the like in the navigation device.

  However, when the user designates a point on the map using the electronic pen, there is a possibility that the point set by the designation using the electronic pen does not necessarily match the point that the user wants to set.

  For example, when the reading position of the electronic pen is deviated from the pen tip, the point specified by reading the electronic pen is different from the point indicated by the pen tip. In addition, since the electronic pen is used by holding it in your hand, the tilt angle of the pen changes depending on the size of the hand of the user and the electronic pen reading position may not match the pen tip. Expected to be many.

  In addition to this, for example, when the scale of the map is large, if the position pointed to by the pen tip is slightly shifted, the point specified based on the reading of the electronic pen is different from the desired point. .

  In this way, the user cannot easily select a desired point simply by reading the map with the electronic pen.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present application have conducted intensive research, and the points that the user selects as the destination of the guidance route are facilities in most cases, and such facilities are displayed as landmarks on the map. It came to know that it was possible to print, and came to complete this invention.

  According to the present invention, a landmark indicating a facility or the like is printed on a map, and the printed landmark can be selected as a desired point by using a reading device such as an electronic pen. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for selecting a landmark in a map and a navigation system that can easily select a map.

  A method for selecting landmarks in a map according to the present invention is a device that reads a map print medium on which a plurality of landmarks are printed in a color-coded manner on a map, superimposed on a pattern that can be converted into a coordinate value indicating a position on a paper surface. And a step of generating a reading coordinate value indicating the position in the paper surface read, a step of acquiring a reading color indicating the color of the landmark read by the reading device, and information on the landmark printed on the map print medium. The printing position within the predetermined extraction range based on the read coordinate value or the actual position from the storage means storing the printing color on each map printing medium and the printing position or actual location on each map printing medium. Extracting information about landmarks associated with a print color that matches the location and the read color. It is intended.

  The navigation system according to the present invention reads a pattern by reading a pattern, a map print medium on which a plurality of landmarks are color-coded in a map, superimposed on a pattern that can be converted into a coordinate value indicating a position on a paper surface. Information on a plurality of landmarks printed on a map printing medium, a reading device that generates a reading coordinate value indicating a position in the paper surface, an acquisition unit that acquires a reading color indicating a color of a landmark read by the reading device, and Storage means for storing the print color on each map print medium and the print position or actual location on each map print medium, and the print position within the predetermined extraction range based on the read coordinate value or the actual position Extraction means for extracting from the storage means information relating to landmarks associated with the location and the print color that matches the read color , Using information on landmarks extracted by the extraction means, and has a, a search means for searching for a guide route.

  The navigation system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the above-described configuration of the invention. That is, the acquisition means acquires the reading color based on an operation on a key device provided in the reading device, and reads the pattern printed on the map print medium with the color sample or the color-coded mark. The reading color is acquired based on the reading by the reading device, or the reading color is acquired based on reading the color sample or the color-coded mark on the map printing medium by the reading device.

  The navigation system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the components of the above-described invention. That is, the storage means stores the positional information of each location printed in the map in association with information about each landmark, and prints the maps as a plurality of extraction ranges according to the map scale. The paper corresponding to the common paper size is stored. Further, the extraction means converts the read coordinate value into actual position information, and determines whether the distance between the actual position information and the location is within the extraction range corresponding to the scale of the printed map. to decide.

  The navigation system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the above-described configuration of the invention. That is, when information about a plurality of landmarks is extracted by the extracting unit, the searching unit selects a landmark closest to the point read by the reading device, and searches for a guide route to the selected landmark. To do.

  The navigation system according to the present invention has the following features in addition to the above-described configuration of the invention. That is, landmarks that are not stored in the storage means are printed on the map print medium.

  In the present invention, a landmark indicating a facility or the like is printed on a map, and the printed landmark can be selected as a desired point by using a reading device such as an electronic pen. Can be easily selected.

  Hereinafter, a landmark selection method and a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The navigation system is described as an example of a car navigation system that is installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, reads a map book as a map print medium with an electronic pen, and uses the points read by the electronic pen to generate a guide route. To do. A method of selecting landmarks in the map will be described as a part of the operation of this car navigation system.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a car navigation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The car navigation system 1 includes a map book 2 as a map print medium, an electronic pen 3 as a reading device for selecting a point in the map book 2, and a navigation body 4 that can communicate with the electronic pen 3. Have. Note that the navigation body 4 may be fixedly installed with respect to the vehicle or may be installed so that it can be removed from the vehicle.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a page 11 of one page of the map book 2 in FIG. 2 indicates a location selected by the electronic pen 3 to be described later and is not printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2. The cross mark in the center of the paper surface 11 in FIG. Further, a dotted circle 8 centered on this x mark indicates an extraction range described later, and is not printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2.

  A map 12 of a predetermined area is printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2. In the map 12, a plurality of landmarks existing therein are printed. Each landmark is printed on the map 12 by a rectangular figure 13 and a landmark name 14 which are printed over the respective locations. Further, as shown in the list on the left side of FIG. 2, the plurality of landmark names 14 are printed in the map 12 with different colors for each landmark name 14. For example, the ward doctor's hall and Azabu Hospital are printed in blue letters, and the Azabu library adjacent to the ward doctor's hall is printed in brown letters. The landmark name 14 may be color-coded so that the same color is not included for each predetermined range, or may be color-coded for each genre.

  2 is printed with a dot pattern 15 composed of a plurality of dots over the entire surface of the paper 11 so as to overlap the lower side of the map 12. The dot pattern 15 is printed on a sheet with, for example, white ink that absorbs infrared rays, and can be converted into a coordinate value indicating each position in the paper surface 11 with, for example, 6 × 6 dots. This coordinate value is, for example, a two-dimensional coordinate value based on (x, y) with the upper right corner of the paper surface 11 in FIG. 2 as a reference. At this time, the coordinate value at the point marked with x in FIG. y1). The dot pattern 15 is printed so as to overlap with a plurality of landmark characters printed in the map 12.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the car navigation system 1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pen 3 has a pen-shaped housing 21, and a color liquid crystal panel 22 and buttons 24 of a key device 23 are disposed on the side thereof. In addition to the color liquid crystal panel 22 and the key device 23, the electronic pen 3 is connected to an infrared LED (Light Emitting Diode) 25, an infrared camera 26, a communication I / (Inter Face) F 27, as shown in FIG. And a microcomputer (not shown) for supplying power to them.

  The infrared camera 26 is, for example, an infrared CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and periodically outputs received infrared pattern data to the microcomputer 28. The infrared LED 25 and the infrared camera 26 are disposed toward the pen tip of the electronic pen 3. Thereby, the infrared camera 26 of the electronic pen 3 receives the reflected light from the paper surface 11 of the infrared map book 2 irradiated by the infrared LED 25 toward the pen tip, and periodically reads the dot pattern 15 near the pen tip. be able to.

  The communication I / F 27 is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) I / F. The USB I / F transmits / receives data to / from a USB I / F (here, a communication I / F 41 of the navigation main body 4) of another device connected by a USB cable (communication cable 5). In addition, the communication I / F 27 may be so-called Bluetooth even if it communicates by being connected to another device by a communication cable 5 such as an E / N (Ethernet (registered trademark)) cable. Communicating with other devices by infrared communication, wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

  The microcomputer 28 of the electronic pen 3 includes a timer 29 for measuring time and elapsed time, a memory 30, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and the like. The memory 30 stores various data such as read data 31 and read color data 32. The CPU reads and executes a program (not shown) stored in the memory 30. Accordingly, the microcomputer 28 of the electronic pen 3 realizes functions such as a reading color determination unit 33, a coordinate reading unit 34, and a transmission unit 35 as acquisition means.

  Based on the operation of the key device 23, the reading color determination unit 33 selects one of a plurality of colors of the landmark name 14 printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2, and selects the selected color as a color liquid crystal. Display on the panel 22. Note that the reading color determination unit 33 only needs to have a plurality of color data of the landmark name 14 printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 in advance.

  The read color determination unit 33 may display the name of the selected color (for example, “blue”) on the color liquid crystal panel 22. Further, the read color determination unit 33 stores the selected color in the memory 30. As a result, the read color data 32 is stored in the memory 30.

  The coordinate reading unit 34 analyzes each pattern data periodically supplied from the infrared camera 26 and generates a read coordinate value encoded in each pattern data. The coordinate reading unit 34 stores the generated read coordinate value in the memory 30 in association with the current time measured by the timer 29. As a result, the read data 31 is stored in the memory 30. The read data 31 includes handwriting data composed of a plurality of read coordinate values generated by the coordinate reading unit 34 and a plurality of time information indicating the read time of each read coordinate value.

  The transmission unit 35 manages communication by the communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3. The transmission unit 35 supplies the read data 31 to be stored in the memory 30 to the communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3 for transmission.

  The navigation body 4 includes a communication I / F 41, a liquid crystal device 42, an input device 43 such as a touch panel, a GPS receiving device 44 for receiving radio waves from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, a microcomputer 45 to which these devices are connected, and the like. .

  The microcomputer 45 of the navigation body 4 has a memory 46 as a storage means, a CPU (not shown), and the like. The memory 46 stores various data such as received data 47, conversion table 48, scale database 49, analysis data 50, landmark DB (database) 51, extraction point list 52, navigation data 53, and guide route data 54. The CPU reads and executes a program (not shown) stored in the memory 46. Thereby, the microcomputer 45 of the navigation body 4 includes a current position generation unit 55, a reception unit 56, a conversion unit 57 as a part of the extraction unit, a point selection unit 58 as a part of the extraction unit, and a search unit. Functions such as a route search unit 59 and a UI (User Interface) unit 60 are realized.

  Note that the program stored in the memory 30 of the electronic pen 3 and the program stored in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 described above may be stored in the memories 30 and 46 before shipment of these devices. It may be stored in the memories 30 and 46 after the shipment of these devices. Moreover, a part of program memorize | stored in the memories 30 and 46 may be memorize | stored after shipment of these apparatuses. As described above, the programs stored in the memories 30 and 46 after shipment are installed programs stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, it may be downloaded from a server device or the like via a transmission medium such as the Internet.

  The program stored in the memory 46 of the navigation main body 4 and the various data described above may be partly or wholly detachable from the microcomputer 45 such as an external storage device such as an HDD or the navigation main body 4. It may be stored in a memory card or CD-ROM. In particular, since the conversion table 48 and the scale database 49 have data closely related to the printed contents of the map book 2, they are stored in a memory card that is removable from the navigation body 4 and provided to the user together with the map book 2. It is good to make it. Thereby, the navigation main body 4 can respond | correspond to several map books 2 etc. by replacing | exchanging and mounting the memory card corresponding to each map book 2 grade | etc.,.

  The current position generation unit 55 generates a latitude / longitude value of the current position of the vehicle based on the radio wave received by the GPS receiving device 44. When the navigation main body 4 has a function of receiving a gyro sensor or a D (Differential) -FM FM (Frequency Modulation) radio wave or the like, the current position generation unit 55 is based on information obtained by these functions. The latitude and longitude values of the current position may be generated, or the latitude and longitude values generated based on the GPS receiving device 44 may be corrected based on these functions.

  The receiving unit 56 manages communication by the communication I / F 41 of the navigation main body 4. When the communication I / F 41 of the navigation main body 4 receives data from the communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3, the receiving unit 56 stores the data in the memory 46. As a result, the received data 47 is stored in the memory 46. When the communication I / F 41 of the navigation main body 4 receives the read data 31 from the communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3, the received data 47 having the same contents as the read data 31 is stored in the memory 46. .

  The conversion unit 57 uses the received data 47, the conversion table 48, and the reduced scale database 49 to extract points when the read data 31 and the read data 47 as the read color data 32 are stored in the memory 46. Are determined and stored in the memory 46. As a result, the analysis data 50 is stored in the memory 46.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the conversion table 48 in FIG. The conversion table 48 has a plurality of coordinate values obtained from the dot pattern 15 printed on the map book 2. Further, in the conversion table 48, each coordinate value is associated with a latitude / longitude value of a point in the map 12 that is printed over the dot pattern 15 in which the coordinate value is encoded. For example, the coordinate value (x1, y1) encoded in the dot pattern 15 at the point marked with X in FIG. 2 is associated with latitude and longitude values of 35 ° 39'17 ”N and 139 ° 44: 07” E. It has been.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the scale database 49 in FIG. The scale database 49 stores the scales of a plurality of maps 12 printed on the map book 2. Each scale is associated with extraction range size information indicating the size (radius) of the extraction range described later. For example, extraction range size information with a radius of 2 kilometers is associated with a scale of 1 / 100,000. The plurality of extraction range size information is information on a plurality of extraction ranges according to the scale of the map 12. The size (radius) of the plurality of extraction ranges in FIG. 3 is a predetermined common size (for example, a radius of 2 centimeters) on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the analysis data 50 in FIG. The analysis data 50 is, for example, a landmark within the extraction range corresponding to the scale of the selected map 12 with the point selected by the electronic pen 3 as the center, and is printed with the reading color selected by the electronic pen 3. A condition for extracting the landmarks that have been added. For this purpose, the analysis data 50 includes, for example, the latitude and longitude of the center of the extraction range, the radius of the extraction range, and the reading color selected by the electronic pen 3. The analysis data 50 in FIG. 6 has a latitude / longitude value at a point marked with X in FIG. 2, a radius of 2 kilometers, and a blue color.

  The point selection unit 58 in FIG. 3 uses the analysis data 50 and the landmark DB 51 to extract information on landmarks that meet the extraction conditions of the analysis data 50 (here, the latitude and longitude values of the landmarks). The point selection unit 58 stores the extracted landmark information in the memory 46. As a result, information on landmarks that match the conditions selected by the electronic pen 3 is stored in the extraction point list 52 in the memory 46.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the landmark DB 51 in FIG. The landmark DB 51 has a plurality of records for each landmark. Each record has information such as a landmark name as information relating to the landmark, a latitude / longitude value of the actual location of the landmark, and a print color of the landmark name in the map book 2. In the landmark DB 51 of FIG. 7, the record of the ward doctor hall printed on the paper surface 11 of FIG. 2 has the ward doctor hall, north latitude 35 degrees 39 minutes 17 seconds, east longitude 139 degrees 44 minutes 07 seconds, and blue information. The record of Azabu Hospital has information on Azabu Hospital, north latitude 35 degrees 39 minutes 17 seconds, east longitude 139 degrees 44 minutes 06 seconds, and blue.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the extraction point list 52 in FIG. The extraction point list 52 stores information on landmarks extracted from the landmark DB 51 by the point selection unit 58. The extraction point list 52 can store information on a plurality of landmarks. Each landmark information includes information such as a landmark name and a latitude / longitude value. The extraction point list 52 in FIG. 8 stores information on two landmarks of the ward doctor's hall and Azabu Hospital.

  The route search unit 59 in FIG. 3 searches for a guide route using the landmark information registered in the extraction point list 52 and the navigation data 53. For example, the route search unit 59 searches for a guide route to one landmark registered in the extraction point list 52. Further, when information of two or more landmarks is registered in the extraction point list 52, the route search unit 59 of this embodiment causes the user to select one of them, and selects the selected one Search for guidance routes to landmarks. Then, the route search unit 59 stores the guide route generated by the search in the memory 46. As a result, the guide route data 54 is stored in the memory 46.

  The navigation data 53 in FIG. 3 includes, for example, map display data, a plurality of node data, a plurality of link data, a plurality of facility data, and the like. The map display data is data for displaying a map on the liquid crystal device 42, and is, for example, image data of the map 12 or the like posted on the map book 2. The node data is data of intersections and corner points, and has attribute information such as names of points and latitude / longitude values. The link data is data associated with a road section connecting the intersections, and includes attribute information such as information on a plurality of nodes to which the intersections are connected and road names. The facility data is data relating to facilities such as a company, a building, and an exhibition hall, and has attribute information such as text data indicating the name of each facility and latitude and longitude values.

  Next, the operation of the car navigation system 1 having the above configuration will be described. In the following description, an operation when the user selects the ward doctor hall in FIG. 2 with the electronic pen 3 in a state where the electronic pen 3 is connected to the navigation body 4 with the communication cable 5 will be described as an example.

  When the user connects the electronic pen 3 and the navigation body 4 with the communication cable 5 such as a USB cable, the communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3 and the communication I / F 41 of the navigation body 4 can communicate with each other.

  When the electronic pen 3 performs an operation of selecting a cross in FIG. 2, the infrared camera 26 of the electronic pen 3 receives the infrared light reflected by the sheet and periodically outputs infrared pattern data. . Infrared rays are absorbed by the dot pattern 15 printed on the sheet. The coordinate reading unit 34 analyzes the dot pattern 15 periodically supplied from the infrared camera 26 and generates a read coordinate value. The coordinate reading unit 34 stores the generated read coordinate value in the memory 30 in association with the current time measured by the timer 29. As a result, the memory 30 stores the read data 31 having the coordinate values encoded in the dot pattern 15 that is printed so as to overlap the point marked with X in FIG.

  Further, when the user operates the button 24 of the electronic pen 3, the reading color determination unit 33 of the electronic pen 3 displays the landmark printed on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 based on the operation data from the key device 23. One of a plurality of names 14 is selected, and the selected color is displayed on the color liquid crystal panel 22. When selecting the ward doctor hall in FIG. 2, the user operates the button 24 so that blue is displayed on the color liquid crystal panel 22. As a result, the reading color determination unit 33 selects blue and causes the memory 30 to store the selected blue. The value of the read color data 32 in the memory 30 is blue.

  When new read data 31 and read color data 32 are stored in the memory 30, the transmission unit 35 of the electronic pen 3 reads these data and supplies them to the communication I / F 27 as transmission data. The communication I / F 27 of the electronic pen 3 transmits the supplied transmission data to the communication I / F 41 of the navigation body 4 via the communication cable 5. The receiving unit 56 of the navigation main body 4 acquires the data received by the communication I / F 41 and stores it in the memory 46. As a result, the same data as the read data 31 and the read color data 32 generated by the electronic pen 3 is stored as received data 47 in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of analysis processing executed by the conversion unit 57 in FIG. When the read data 31 and the read color data 32 are stored as received data 47 in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4, the conversion unit 57 starts an analysis process.

  After determining that the read data 31 and the read color data 32 have been received (Yes in step ST1), the conversion unit 57 converts the read coordinate value included in the read data 31 into a latitude and longitude value (step ST2). Specifically, the conversion unit 57 specifies one read coordinate value (for example, the read coordinate value of the center of gravity position) from the read coordinate values included in the read data 31, and corresponds to the specified read coordinate value from the conversion table 48. Get the attached latitude / longitude value. The conversion unit 57 refers to the conversion table 48 of FIG. 4 and acquires latitude and longitude values at 35 degrees 39 minutes 17 seconds north latitude and 139 degrees 44 minutes 07 seconds east longitude from the read coordinate values (x1, y1).

  After converting the read coordinate values into latitude and longitude values, the conversion unit 57 determines a circular extraction range centered on the latitude and longitude values (step ST3). For example, the conversion unit 57 first estimates the scale of the map 12 read by the electronic pen 3 from the correspondence relationship between the plurality of coordinate values and the plurality of latitude / longitude values in the conversion table 48 that has read the latitude / longitude values. Next, the conversion unit 57 acquires the extraction range size associated with the estimated scale in the scale database 49. For example, the conversion unit 57 estimates the scale of the map 12 as 1 / 100,000 and acquires a radius of 2 kilometers as the extraction range size information.

  Thereafter, the conversion unit 57 stores the latitude / longitude value acquired by converting the read coordinate value, the extraction range size (radius) acquired based on the scale of the read map 12, and the read color data 32. The stored color information is stored in the memory 46 (step ST4). As a result, the analysis data 50 shown in FIG. Moreover, the conversion part 57 instruct | indicates a spot selection process (step ST5), and complete | finishes an analysis process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the point selection process executed by the point selection unit 58 in FIG. The point selection unit 58 starts the extraction point list 52 generation process based on the instruction from the conversion unit 57 described above.

  The point selection unit 58 obtains information related to one landmark from the landmark DB 51 of FIG. 7 (step ST11), and then calculates the distance between the obtained latitude / longitude value and the latitude / longitude value of the central point in the analysis data 50. Then, it is determined whether or not the distance is equal to or less than the radius in the analysis data 50 (step ST12). If the distance between the acquired landmark and the center point in the analysis data 50 is not less than or equal to the radius in the analysis data 50 (No in step ST12), the point selection unit 58 ends the processing related to the landmark. .

  When the distance between the acquired landmark and the central point in the analysis data 50 is equal to or less than the radius in the analysis data 50 (Yes in step ST12), the point selection unit 58 further acquires the color acquired from the landmark DB 51. It is determined whether or not the information and the read color in the analysis data 50 match (match) (step ST13). Then, when the acquired printing color of the landmark and the read color in the analysis data 50 do not match (match) (No in step ST13), the point selection unit 58 ends the processing related to the landmark. .

  When the color information acquired from the landmark DB 51 matches the read color in the analysis data 50 (Yes in step ST13), the point selecting unit 58 acquires the landmark acquired from the landmark DB 51. Is added to the extraction point list 52 (step ST14), and the processing relating to the landmark is terminated.

  When the process regarding each landmark acquired from the landmark DB 51 is completed, the point selection unit 58 determines whether or not the process up to the last record of the landmark DB 51 has been completed (step ST15). If the processing up to the last record of the landmark DB 51 has not been completed (No in step ST15), the point selection unit 58 repeats the above comparison processing (steps ST11 to ST14). That is, the point selection unit 58 reads the next landmark information from the landmark DB 51 (step ST11), the read landmark is within a predetermined distance from the center point read by the electronic pen 3, and the read color is the same. If the print color matches (matches), the landmark information is added to the extraction point list 52 (step ST14).

  When the process up to the last record of the landmark DB 51 is completed (Yes in step ST15), the point selection unit 58 instructs a route search (step ST16) and ends the point selection process. When the point selection process is completed, the extraction point list 52 of FIG. 8 is stored in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 as information on the point selected by the electronic pen 3. In the extracted point list 52 of FIG. 8, information on two points (landmarks) of the ward doctor's hall and Azabu Hospital is registered.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of route search processing executed by the route search unit 59 in FIG. The route search unit 59 searches for a guide route to one point in the extraction point list 52 based on the instruction from the point selection unit 58 described above.

  The route search unit 59 first acquires the extracted point list 52 from the memory 46 (step ST21), and determines the number of points (landmarks) extracted in the list. When the number of extraction points extracted in the extraction point list 52 is 0 (Yes in step ST22), the route search unit 59 ends the route search process. When the number of extraction points extracted in the extraction point list 52 is one (No in step ST22 and No in step ST23), the route search unit 59 searches for a guide route to the extraction point ( Step ST26) is started.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the number of extracted points extracted in the extracted point list 52 is two or more (No in step ST22 and Yes in step ST23), the route search unit 59 uses the extracted point list 52. Is supplied to the UI unit 60, and the extraction point list 52 is displayed (step ST24). The UI unit 60 displays the supplied extraction point list 52 on the liquid crystal device 42.

  12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the liquid crystal device 42 in FIG. 3 in order to display the extraction point list 52 in FIG. In the display screen of FIG. 12, a selection button 71 for the ward doctor hall, a selection button 72 for the Azabu hospital, and a reselection button 73 are displayed. Further, the selection button 71 of the ward doctor's hall and the selection button 72 of the Azabu hospital are displayed in order from a point close to the mark x in FIG. When the input device 43 is operated under this display, the UI unit 60 supplies input data corresponding to the selected buttons 71, 72, 73 to the route search unit 59.

  The user who has selected the ward doctor hall in FIG. 2 with the electronic pen 3 operates the selection button 71 of the ward doctor hall because the name of the desired point (landmark) is displayed on the liquid crystal device 42. Based on the input data supplied from the UI unit 60 based on this operation, the route search unit 59 determines that one point (ward doctor's hall) is selected in step ST25, and guides to the one selected point. The route search process (step ST26) is started. When the reselection button 73 is operated, the route search unit 59 determines that no point has been selected (determined No in step ST25), and ends the route search process.

  As described above, when only one point (landmark) is stored in the extraction point list 52 or one point (landmark) in the extraction point list 52 is selected, the route search unit 59 determines that one. The search process (step ST26) for a guide route to two points (landmarks) is started.

  In the guide route search process, the route search unit 59 uses the navigation data 53 to select one point (landmark: ward doctor's hall) selected from the latitude and longitude values of the current position generated by the current position generation unit 55. It searches for a guide route that moves to the latitude and longitude values. Then, the route search unit 59 stores the searched guide route in the memory 46 (step ST27). Thereby, the memory 46 stores guide route data 54 to one selected point (landmark: ward doctor's hall).

  When the new guide route data 54 is stored in the memory 46, the UI unit 60 reads the guide route data 54 and causes the liquid crystal device 42 to display a screen for allowing the user to check the guide route (step ST28). The UI unit 60 may read the map display data in the navigation data 53 together with the guide route data 54 and display a display screen for displaying the guide route on the map 12 on the liquid crystal device 42.

  Thereafter, when the vehicle on which the navigation main body 4 is installed starts moving or when a predetermined guidance start operation is performed on the input device 43 of the navigation main body 4, the UI unit 60 of the navigation main body 4 stores the memory 46. Route guidance based on the guidance route data 54 stored in the is started. For example, the UI unit 60 reads map display data from the navigation data 53 and causes the liquid crystal device 42 to display the map 12 centered on the current position generated by the current position generation unit 55. In addition, the UI unit 60 displays a part of the guide route on the map 12 so as to overlap. When the current position approaches the corner of the guide route, the UI unit 60 notifies the user of the fact by voice or the like and guides the route. When the UI unit 60 determines that it has reached the end point of the guidance route, that is, for example, the ward doctor hall, the route guidance is terminated.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, a plurality of landmark names 14 are superimposed on the color-coded map 12 on the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 and converted into coordinate values indicating positions in the paper surface 11. A possible dot pattern 15 is printed, and the electronic pen 3 reads the dot pattern 15 and generates a read coordinate value (read data 31). Further, the reading color determination unit 33 of the electronic pen 3 specifies the reading color based on the operation of the button 24 of the electronic pen 3 and generates the reading color data 32. Further, the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 stores a landmark DB 51 in which a plurality of landmark names 14 in the map 12 are associated with latitude and longitude values indicating the respective printing colors and actual locations. . Then, the conversion unit 57 and the point selection unit 58 of the navigation body 4 match the latitude / longitude value and the reading color within a predetermined extraction range centered on the reading coordinate value generated by the electronic pen 3 from the landmark DB 51. The latitude / longitude value associated with the print color to be matched is extracted, and the route search unit 59 searches for a guide route to the one extracted latitude / longitude value.

  Therefore, the user can easily select a desired point by using the electronic pen 3 to select the landmark name 14 printed in the map 12 and use it for generating a guidance route. That is, it is not necessary for the user to read a desired point in the map 12 with the electronic pen 3 with high accuracy in a pinpoint manner. Further, for example, even if the landmark name 14 is printed at a position different from the actual location on the map 12, the user can read the vicinity of the printed position with the electronic pen 3. The reading position is not lost. Furthermore, since the predetermined extraction range is set, the user does not have to worry about whether or not a desired point has been read by the electronic pen 3.

  Moreover, even if a plurality of landmark names 14 are printed within a predetermined extraction range with reference to the reading position by the electronic pen 3 in the map book 2, the conversion unit 57 and the point selection unit 58 Some of the plurality of landmark names 14 (for example, the ward doctor hall and Azabu Hospital) can be selected and extracted. It is possible to prevent all landmark names 14 (9 in FIG. 2) within the extraction range from being extracted.

  As a result, for example, even if a plurality of landmark names 14 are densely printed because the scale of the map 12 is small, the user can select a desired point (for example, a ward doctor's hall) by specifying the reading color. Easy to choose. Further, since the landmark names 14 are classified by color, the user is not forced to have special knowledge to give an instruction to narrow down the landmark names 14.

  Moreover, for example, it is not necessary to limit the density of the landmark names 14 in the map 12 by limiting the scale of the map 12 to a low scale or reducing the print size of the landmark names 14. The user can easily select the landmark name 14 printed in an appropriate print size that is easy to read on the large scale map 12.

  Further, the read color determination unit 33 of this embodiment acquires the read color based on the operation of the button 24 provided on the electronic pen 3. Therefore, the reading color determination unit 33 can acquire the reading color based on the operation of the button 24 with the electronic pen 3. There is no need to perform an operation on the navigation body 4 in order for the reading color determination unit 33 to acquire the reading color.

  In this embodiment, the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 stores the latitude and longitude values indicating the respective locations printed in the map 12 in the landmark DB 51 in association with the landmark names. In the reduced scale database 49, as a plurality of extraction ranges corresponding to the reduced scale of the map 12, those corresponding to a common paper size on the paper 11 on which the map 12 is printed are stored. Then, the point selection unit 58 converts the read coordinate value into a latitude / longitude value, and then calculates the distance calculated from the latitude / longitude value of the read position (center position) and the latitude / longitude value of each landmark. It is determined whether or not it is within the extraction range according to the scale.

  Therefore, it is not necessary to use the printing position of each landmark as the position information of each landmark stored in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4. It is not necessary to convert the actual position information of each landmark so as to correspond to the print position on the paper surface 11. The amount of work for obtaining information to be stored in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 can be reduced.

  Moreover, the extraction range is determined so as to have a predetermined common paper size regardless of the scale of the map 12. Accordingly, for example, as in the case where the extraction is determined based on the difference in the coordinate values on the paper surface 11, a certain size can be provided on the paper surface 11 as the ambiguity of the reading position by the electronic pen 3. For example, if the ambiguity of the reading position differs for each scale of the map 12 and is not aligned on the map 12 of a different scale, the user is aware of the ambiguity of each reading position each time the map 12 is read. However, in this embodiment, such a situation does not occur. There is no burden on the user.

  The above embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

  In the above embodiment, the map 12 and the dot pattern 15 having the landmark name 14 are printed on the map book 2. In addition, for example, the map 12 having the landmark name 14 and the dot pattern 15 may be printed on a sheet such as a tourist information flyer.

  In the above embodiment, the landmark names 14 are printed in different colors in the map 12. In addition to this, for example, in the map 12, landmark symbols 16 such as map symbols may be color-coded and printed.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 on which landmark symbols 16 such as map symbols are printed in different colors. For example, a blue building mark is overprinted at the location of the ward doctor's hall, and a blue hospital map symbol is overprinted at the location of Azabu Hospital.

  In the above embodiment, the coordinate value indicating the position in the paper surface 11 is encoded in the dot pattern 15. In addition to this, for example, the coordinate value indicating the position in the paper surface 11 may be encoded in a QR (Quick Response) code, a barcode, or the like. Further, in these patterns that can be read by the electronic pen 3, coordinate values in one coordinate system common to the plurality of maps 12 may be coded.

  In the above embodiment, the dot pattern 15 printed on the map book 2 is read by the electronic pen 3. In addition to this, for example, the pattern printed on the map book 2 may be read by a mobile phone terminal with a camera or a mobile information terminal.

  In the above embodiment, the reading color is acquired by the reading color determination unit 33 based on the operation of the button 24 provided on the electronic pen 3. The read color determination unit 33 may be provided in the navigation main body 4. Further, a color sample or a color-coded legend mark (landmark symbol 16) is printed on the map book 2 or a command sheet different from it, and the read color determination unit 33 electronically prints the dot pattern 15 printed on top of these. Even if the reading color is acquired based on reading by the pen 3, or the reading color is acquired based on directly reading the printed color by a visible light camera (not shown) of the electronic pen 3. Good. In addition, for example, a visible light camera (not shown) of the electronic pen 3 may read the colors of the landmark names 14 and the landmark symbols 16 themselves printed in different colors on the map 12. In addition, for example, the conversion unit 57 analyzes the landmark name 14 and the landmark symbol 16 that are color-coded in the map 12 to recognize the character string or symbol, and the point selection unit 58 The point to be extracted may be further narrowed down to one point using the recognized character string or symbol.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 on which a map 12 in which the landmark name 14 is color-coded and a pallet indicating a sample of the color used for the landmark name 14 is printed. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the paper surface 11 of the map book 2 on which the landmark symbol 16 and a legend palette indicating a sample of the color used are printed together with the map 12 in which the landmark symbol 16 is color-coded. It is. In the case of these map books 2, the user only has to read a desired point (landmark name 14 or landmark symbol 16) in the map 12 and the corresponding color in the palette. As a result, the read color determination unit 33 can analyze the color components of the read image generated by the visible light camera (not shown) of the electronic pen 3 and acquire the read color.

  In the embodiment described above, the memory 46 of the navigation main body 4 stores the latitude and longitude values in the landmark DB 51 in association with a plurality of landmark names printed in color on the map 12. In addition to this, for example, the memory 46 of the navigation body 4 stores the coordinate values of the respective printing positions in the landmark DB 51 in association with the plurality of landmark names 14 that are color-coded on the map 12. It may be. In the case of this modification, the conversion unit 57 and the point selection unit 58 can extract the landmark name 14 of the reading color in the extraction range from the landmark DB 51 without the conversion table 48 and the scale database 49. .

  In the above embodiment, the electronic pen 3 selects one point on the map 12. In addition to this, for example, the electronic pen 3 may select a plurality of points on the map 12. Further, the reading color may be switched every time a point is selected. In the case of this modification, the conversion unit 57 and the point selection unit 58 extract a point (landmark) from the landmark DB 51 for each selection in the map 12 by the electronic pen 3, and the route search unit 59 extracts for each selection. It is preferable to search for a guide route that goes around the plurality of spots (landmarks) in order.

  In the above embodiment, the landmark DB 51 has a landmark name as information on the landmark. In addition, for example, the landmark DB 51 may have a facility address or a telephone number as information on the landmark. In the case of this modification, the route search unit 59 obtains the latitude / longitude value of the landmark from the facility data in the navigation data 53 using the extracted landmark address, telephone number, etc. Can be used for searching.

  In the above-described embodiment, the point selection unit 58 extracts the latitude and longitude values of landmarks whose print color associated with the landmark DB 51 matches (matches) the read color. In addition to this, for example, the point selection unit 58 may extract the color difference between the print color and the read color associated with each other in the landmark DB 51 and satisfying a predetermined value or less. The visible color can be represented by a combination of values from 0 to 255 for each RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color component.

  In the above embodiment, when two or more landmarks are extracted by the point selection unit 58, the route search unit 59 displays them on the liquid crystal device 42, and selects one landmark based on the user's selection. , Searching for a guide route to the selected landmark. In addition to this, for example, when two or more landmarks are extracted by the point selection unit 58, the route search unit 59 selects a landmark closest to the point read by the electronic pen 3 from the landmarks and selects the selected landmark. You may make it search for the guidance route to a landmark.

  When the user selects a desired point (landmark) using the electronic pen 3, the user tries to read a place near the point (landmark) with the electronic pen 3. Therefore, in this modified example, the route search unit 59 appropriately selects a desired point (landmark) that the user has attempted to select with the electronic pen 3, and guides to the desired point (landmark). Can be explored. In addition, in this modification, after the point selection unit 58 performs extraction based on a predetermined extraction range, the route search unit 59 further selects one of them, so that the ambiguity of reading designation by the electronic pen 3 (freedom) It is possible to appropriately select a point (landmark) desired by the user while permitting the degree.

  In the above embodiment, all landmark names 14 in the map 12 are color-coded, and all the landmark names that have been color-coded are registered in the landmark DB 51. In addition to this, for example, a landmark name 14 that is not registered in the landmark DB 51 may be printed in the map 12. In the case of this modification, it is not necessary to convert all landmark names 14 to be printed in the map 12 into the landmark DB 51. While improving the convenience of the map book 2 using the landmark name 14 or the like, the work of converting the landmark name or the like into data can be reduced.

  In the case of this modification, the density of the landmark names 14 that can be selected in the map 12 can be substantially reduced. Depending on the purpose of publishing the map book 2 or the like, for example, the purpose of tourist information, etc., it is possible to read the necessary and sufficient landmarks according to each purpose without reducing the information amount by the landmarks printed on the map 12. be able to. The creation load of the landmark DB 51 can be reduced without impairing the convenience as the map book 2.

  In the above embodiment, the conversion table 48, the scale database 49, and the landmark DB 51 are stored in the memory 46 of the navigation body 4, and the conversion unit 57 and the point selection unit 58 are realized in the navigation body 4. These may be provided in an electronic pen 3, a mobile phone terminal, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, or a separate unit that can communicate with the navigation body 4. In addition, a mobile phone terminal, a portable information terminal, a personal computer, or the like may have the function of the electronic pen 3.

  The present invention can be suitably used in a car navigation system or the like to easily set a desired point (landmark) as a destination.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a car navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a page of one page of the map book in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the car navigation system of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the conversion table in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a scale database in FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the analysis data in FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the landmark DB in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the extraction point list in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the analysis processing by the conversion unit in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a point selection process by the point selection unit in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing route search processing by the route search unit in FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of the extraction point list in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a paper surface of a map book on which landmark symbols are color-coded. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map book on which a color sample palette is printed together with a map in which landmark names are color-coded. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map book on which a color sample legend palette is printed together with a map in which landmark symbols are color-coded.

Explanation of symbols

1 Car navigation system (navigation system)
2 Map book (map printing media)
3 Electronic pen (reading device)
14 Landmark name (Landmark printed in different colors on the map)
15 dot patterns (patterns that can be converted to coordinate values)
23 Key device 33 Reading color determination unit (acquisition means)
46 Memory (memory means)
49 Scale database 51 Landmark DB
57 Conversion unit (part of extraction means)
58 point selection part (part of extraction means)
59 Route search unit (search means)

Claims (6)

Reading coordinates indicating the position in the paper read by reading a map print medium on which a plurality of landmarks are printed in different colors by overlapping the pattern that can be converted into coordinate values indicating the position on the paper. Generating a value;
Obtaining a reading color indicating the color of the landmark read by the reading device;
The information on the landmark printed on the map print medium is stored in the reading means from the storage means for storing the print color on the map print medium and the print position or actual location on the map print medium. Extracting information related to the landmark associated with the print color that matches the print position or the actual location and the read color within a predetermined extraction range based on coordinate values;
A method for selecting landmarks in a map, comprising: A map printing medium in which a plurality of landmarks are printed in a color-coded manner on a map, superimposed on a pattern that can be converted into a coordinate value indicating a position on paper,
A reading device that reads the pattern and generates a read coordinate value indicating a position in the read paper;
Acquisition means for acquiring a reading color indicating the color of the landmark read by the reading device;
Storage means for storing information on the plurality of landmarks printed on the map print medium in association with the print color on each map print medium and the print position or actual location on each map print medium;
Extraction means for extracting from the storage means information relating to the printing position or actual location within a predetermined extraction range based on the reading coordinate value and the landmark associated with the printing color that matches the reading color. When,
Search means for searching for a guide route using information on the landmark extracted by the extraction means;
A navigation system comprising:   The acquisition means is for acquiring the read color based on an operation on a key device provided in the reading device, and the pattern printed on the map print medium so as to overlap with a color sample or a color-coded mark. The reading color is acquired based on reading the image by the reading device, or the reading color is acquired based on reading the color sample or the color-coded mark on the map printing medium by the reading device. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein: The storage means stores location information of each location printed in the map in association with information on each landmark, and the maps are used as a plurality of extraction ranges according to the scale of the map. Store the equivalent of the common paper size on the printed paper,
The extraction means converts the read coordinate value into actual position information, and whether the distance between the actual position information and the location is within the extraction range according to the scale of the printed map. Judging whether or not,
The navigation system according to claim 2.   When the information relating to the plurality of landmarks is extracted by the extraction means, the search means selects a landmark closest to the point read by the reading device, and guides to the selected landmark 3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the navigation system is searched.   3. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein landmarks that are not stored in the storage unit are printed on the map printing medium.

Images