JP2011053571A - Map display device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a map that efficiently includes information sufficient for guidance and is easy to see, even in the case of a raster type map. <P>SOLUTION: A map display device includes: a map data storage means 15 wherein map data is stored; a route acquisition means 20 which acquires route data; a route dividing means 30 which determines a division point dividing a route into an end part route in a prescribed range from an end point and the other remaining route; a scale setting means 40 which sets such a first scale to the remaining route that the entire route may be within a range of a display screen, and sets a prescribed second scale for more detailed display than the first scale, to the end part route; an image generation means 50 which generates a first map image in the first scale including the remaining route and a second map image in the second scale including the end part route, on the basis of the map data; and an image display means 60 which combines and displays respective map images so that they may join at the position of the division point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a map of a searched route.

  Conventionally, in the field of electronic maps and navigation systems, there is a technology that allows a user to input a departure point and a destination, searches for the optimum route from the departure point to the destination, and draws the searched route on the map. Is provided. In this type of technology, the scale of a map that can display the entire route of the search result at once is calculated, and the route of the search result is drawn on the map of the scale (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a guide using the route search results, the entire route is divided into a plurality of partial routes, and the map is displayed or printed at different scales depending on the type of route, such as whether each partial route is a general road. There is also known an example in which the entire route can be traced by outputting each of the maps and following the maps sequentially (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, assuming that the map data is a vector format composed of point sequence data and character codes, etc., when displaying maps with different scales around and outside the route, background ⇒ road ⇒ place name In this way, a technique for making it easy to see a map including a route by controlling the order in which elements are displayed has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-121666 A JP 2005-10384 A

Yahoo Japan Corporation, “Yahoo! Map”, [online], [Search July 17, 2009], Internet <URL: http://map.yahoo.co.jp/>

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, the longer the route, the wider the map because the entire route is displayed. However, in the wide-area map, detailed roads and landmark buildings are omitted, so the details are particularly small. There was a problem in that it was inconvenient because information was insufficient at the starting and destination areas where left and right turn tends to occur.

  Also, in Patent Document 1, it is difficult for information shortages to occur near the starting point and destination, but the number of maps to be output increases as the route becomes long, and there are maps that do not require guidance, such as long straight roads. There was a problem that there was a lot of waste such as occupying a corresponding number of sheets.

  Furthermore, the map service provided on the Internet uses a so-called raster map, which is a bitmap image for each map scale or range, in consideration of drawing speed, etc. From the beginning, notes such as objects on the map and place names are integrated and included. For this reason, there is a limit that the technique of changing the drawing order for each element in the map to make it easy to see as in Patent Document 2 cannot be applied.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an easy-to-see map display including sufficient information for guidance even in a raster map.

  Based on the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a map data storage means for storing map data for displaying a plurality of scale map images for each area, and a route representing a route composed of a plurality of position coordinates. A route acquisition means for acquiring data; a route classification means for defining a division point for dividing the route into an end route within a predetermined range from the end point and other remaining routes; and the entire route for the remaining route. A scale setting means for setting a first scale that falls within the range, and a predetermined second scale that is displayed in more detail than the first scale for the end path, and the map data storage means 15 based on the map data stored in 15, a first map image of a first scale including at least the remaining route, and a second map image of a second scale including the end route, Generate And an image generating means, each of said map image acquired by the image generation means, image display means and a computer to be displayed in combination to bond at the position of the segment point is characterized in that to realize.

  In this way, when displaying a route with a map image typified by a raster format, only the map image at the end of the route near the starting point or destination is set to a more detailed display scale, and the remaining portion of the map is displayed. By combining and displaying so as to join at the dividing point, a map that fits the whole route on one screen without waste, but detailed information at the end is not omitted, and an easy-to-read map display that includes sufficient information for guidance Can be realized.

  Another aspect of the present invention further includes size setting means for setting the size of the second map image to a predetermined dimensional ratio with respect to the entire map display area, and the route sorting means includes the predetermined range as the predetermined range A path having a predetermined length from the end point among the paths is set as an end path, and the scale setting means sets, as the second scale, a scale in which the end path fits in a size set by the size setting means. Is realized by a computer.

  In this way, by securing a certain image size on the screen for a predetermined length from the end of the route and displaying it in detail at a scale that will fit there, it will always be the starting point and destination regardless of the overall length of the route. An easy-to-read map display that can grasp the detailed geography in the vicinity can be realized.

  It should be noted that other categories such as methods or programs corresponding to the above aspects and more specific aspects described below are also included in the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an easy-to-view map display including sufficient information for guidance even in a raster map.

The functional block diagram which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the network data in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows description of the end point, division point, and each path | route in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the scale setting in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the whole image in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the partial image in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image display in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the map image which combined the whole image and the partial image in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the 2nd scale setting in embodiment of this invention.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention (referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that assumptions common to those already described in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

[1. Constitution〕
The present embodiment relates to a map display device (hereinafter also referred to as “this device”) 1 in which a server computer displays a map of an optimum route from a departure place to a destination. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole server system. However, the present invention can be grasped as a method or a computer program corresponding to the present apparatus 1 or may be grasped as a map display apparatus including the client terminal T.

  First, the present apparatus 1 (FIG. 1) has a general computer configuration including at least an arithmetic control unit 5 such as a CPU, a storage device 6 such as an external storage device (HDD or the like) or a main memory, and a communication network ( Communication means 7 (such as a LAN adapter) with N. Further, the client terminal T is an unspecified number of personal computers, mobile phone terminal devices, and the like, which is used to access the present device 1 using the installed web browser B or the like, and is also simply referred to as “terminal” hereinafter.

  And the map display as described below in the present embodiment is realized by sending web page data from the device 1 to the web browser B of the terminal T. The specific web page construction method at that time is as follows. For example, it may be realized by a basic web realization method using an HTML file, an image, etc., a browser script (for example, JavaScript (registered trademark)) function, an interactive video file platform for a rich Internet application ( You may implement | achieve with arbitrary techniques and techniques, such as a browser plug-in of Flash (trademark), Ajax.

  Further, the terminal T includes an input device M such as a mouse and a keyboard in addition to the general computer configuration as described above (the arithmetic control unit 5, the storage device 6, the communication means 7, and the web browser B according to the above). And a display device D such as a liquid crystal display. Furthermore, the plug-in as described above may be incorporated into the web browser B.

  In the apparatus 1, a predetermined computer program (not shown) stored (installed) in advance in the storage device 6 controls the arithmetic control unit 5 so that elements (10, 20,...) Shown in FIG. ). Of these elements, information storage means can be realized in the storage device 6 in any format such as various databases (also referred to as “DB”), files, variables such as arrays, system setting values, and the like.

  Of the storage means, the network data storage means 12 stores in advance network data representing the network structure of the road. Here, the network structure of the road is represented by connecting links representing road sections with nodes (nodes) representing road intersections, branches, inflection points, and the like. Since the link is defined by the start point and the end point for each direction in which the road section can pass, one link is set for the one-way road section and two links are set in the opposite directions for the two-way road section. The

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, network data representing such a network structure includes information such as cost and road type, such as a start node ID, an end node ID, and a required transit time for each link ID of a link representing a road section. Have Note that the latitude and longitude of each node may be recorded instead of the start node ID and the end node ID.

  Further, the map data storage means 15 stores map data for displaying a plurality of scale map images for each region in advance. The map data may be the same as in the past, and is not shown in the drawing. However, the map data is raster format data, and each map image of a plurality of scales is divided as a mesh within a certain range and stored in association with latitude and longitude corresponding to each mesh. Keep it. Note that each means other than the storage means is a processing means that implements and executes the functions and operations of information processing described below.

[2. Action)
An outline of the operation of the apparatus 1 configured as described above is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[2-1. (Get route data)
That is, first, when the search request receiving means 10 receives a route search request including a route search condition such as a departure point and a destination from the terminal T (step S01), the route acquisition means 20 receives a plurality of position search requests. Route data representing a route composed of coordinates is acquired (step S02).

  Specifically, as an aspect of acquiring route data, the route acquisition unit 20 receives route search conditions received by the search request receiving unit 10 (such as departure place, destination, general road priority or high-speed priority). Based on the above, a route search is performed using the network data stored in the network data storage means 12, and the route data of the search result is acquired. The route data acquired in this way may be a plurality of link IDs corresponding to the search result, or may be a pair of a plurality of latitude and longitude data. For the route search, any known route search algorithm such as Dijkstra method or A * (A star) method can be used.

  In addition, the mode in which the route acquisition unit 20 acquires route data is not limited to the route search as described above and acquired as a result thereof. For example, route data including a plurality of latitude and longitude data from the user. The information itself may be input and acquired, or a route search result may be received from another information processing system that cooperates with the apparatus 1.

[2-2. (Division of route)
Subsequently, the route classifying means 30 determines a dividing point for dividing the route data into an end route within a predetermined range from the end point and other remaining routes (step S03). For example, in the example of FIG. 4, an end route R1 within a predetermined range from the end point S is obtained from the end point S (for example, the departure point) to another end point G (for example, the destination), and the end portion route R1 is obtained. Is defined as a dividing point A, and a route other than the end route R1 is defined as a remaining route R2.

  The reference for setting the predetermined range from the end point may be a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) or a ratio of the length of the end path to the entire path (for example, 10%). In the former example, the length of each link corresponding to the route data in the network data is accumulated while tracing from the end point. For example, when the predetermined distance is 500 m, the first link and the next link from the end point are respectively If it is 300 m, the latitude and longitude of the point that has advanced 200 m on the next link from the end node of the first link is extracted from the route data and set as the segment point A. In the latter example using the ratio of the length, the total length (for example, 15 km) of the entire route is obtained by calculation and the length (for example, 1500 m) of a predetermined ratio (for example, 10%) is obtained with respect to the total length. Similarly to the former, the latitude and longitude of the position away from the end point by the length on the route is extracted and set as the division point A.

  In addition, as the end point of the object to be displayed in a detailed scale as described later by defining the end portion path as described above, either the start point side or the end point side of the path may be both, and in both cases, the start point side In the following example, from the end point S on the path data side to the segment point A, for the sake of brevity, a total of two segment points A are determined on the end point side. A case will be described in which the end portion path R1 is to be displayed on a detailed scale.

[2-3. (Setting the scale of each image)
Then, the scale setting means 40 selects the first scale (hereinafter also referred to as “overall scale”) in which the entire path is within the range of the display screen among the remaining paths among the paths divided as described above. In addition to setting, for the end path, a predetermined second scale (hereinafter also referred to as “partial scale”) that is displayed in more detail than the overall scale is set (step S04). Here, a specific processing procedure for setting each scale will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, the scale setting means 40 first obtains the map data of the most detailed scale from the map data storage means 15 (step S11), and then the route data of the entire route is obtained at the current scale by an appropriate map projection. Conversion into pixel coordinates in the map data (step S12). That is, the map data is a representation of the earth, which is essentially a sphere, in a plane, and in order to determine the position of the latitude and longitude included in the route data on the map data, it must be converted to pixel coordinates in the entire map data. There is. Then, based on the map data, a rectangle including the pixel coordinates of all the route data of the entire route is obtained (step S13).

  At this time, the size of the rectangle is set to a size in which a surplus area of a predetermined width or proportion is given to any of the four sides when viewed from the route, so that a more detailed scale can be added to the first map image described later. When the second map image is displayed in combination, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the second map image does not fit on the map display screen.

  Then, the size of the rectangle is compared with the size of the map display screen (not shown) in the web browser B of the terminal T (step S14). In this comparison, the size of the rectangle is larger than the size of the map display screen. If it is smaller (step S15: “NO”), the current scale obtained in step S11 is set as the overall scale (step S16), and a scale that is more detailed for a predetermined hierarchy than this overall scale is applied to the display of the end path. Is set as a partial scale to be processed (step S17), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the size of the rectangle is larger than the size of the map display screen (step S15: “YES”), map data at a scale of one hierarchical area is acquired (step S18), and the route data of the entire route is converted into pixel coordinates. The processes after the conversion (step S12) are repeated.

Note that the processing of the above scale setting means is an example, and the size of the rectangle (for example, 3200 pixels × 2400 pixels) and the pixels of the map display screen are set to the most detailed scale (for example, a scale of “1/250”). A value obtained by multiplying the ratio of numbers (800 pixels × 600 pixels) (for example, “1/1000”) may be used as the overall scale. In addition, since the overall scale is a scale that fits the rectangle on the map display screen, when the proportion of the rectangle and the map display screen is different, the smaller difference (ratio) of the number of pixels in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. Will be multiplied by the most detailed scale.

[2-4. (Generation of each image)
Next, the image generation means 50 is based on the map data stored in the map data storage means 15, and is a first map image of the entire scale including at least the remaining route (hereinafter also referred to as “overall image”). Then, a partial scale second map image (hereinafter also referred to as “partial image”) including the end path is generated (step S05).

  Specifically, for the whole image, map data of the whole scale obtained by the scale setting means 40 is acquired from the map data storage means 15, and a remaining path is drawn on the map data to generate the whole image. For example, the example of FIG. 6 shows an overall image P1 of the entire scale including the entire route including the remaining route R2, and there are many facilities included in the map, and the names of facilities on the map, map symbols, etc. For note C, the name of a large-scale facility such as “○ station” is displayed up to the name in text, but facilities that can be displayed in map symbols, such as hospitals and stops, are simply displayed with map symbols. ing.

  In addition, for the partial image, the image generation unit 50 obtains the partial scale map data obtained by the scale setting unit 40 from the map data storage unit 15, draws an end path on the map data, and displays the partial image. Generate. FIG. 7 is an example of the partial image P2, and is a map image with a reduced scale that includes the end path R1 and is more detailed than the entire image. Therefore, the number of facilities included in the map is small, and even small-scale facilities are displayed on the map as notes C, such as “△△ Hospital” and “XX Tobacco Store”, and are indicated by map symbols. Even if it is a possible facility, in addition to the map symbol, a note of a character such as a name (for example, “□□ town”) is displayed. As a result, it becomes easy for the user to grasp in detail a facility that is a landmark in the vicinity of the route and use it as a landmark for passing the correct route.

[2-5. Display of each generated image)
Finally, the image display means 60 displays each map image acquired by the image generation means 50 as described above, that is, the whole image and the partial image in combination so as to be joined at the position of the division point (step). S06). As a specific processing procedure, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the image display means 60 first obtains pixel coordinates of segment points of the entire image (step S21), and calculates pixel coordinates of segment points of the partial image. Obtained (step S22). Then, a map image is generated by combining the whole image and the partial image so that the pixel coordinates of the dividing point of the whole image and the pixel coordinates of the dividing point of the partial image match (step S23). Display on the terminal T (step S24).

  Here, FIG. 9 shows an example of a map image P3 in which the entire image P1 and the partial image P2 are combined. In this example, the residual path R2 included in the entire image P1 and the end included in the partial image P2 are shown. The part path R1 is combined so that the pixel coordinates of the dividing point A match. Furthermore, it is possible for the image generation means 50 to clearly indicate the boundary with the entire image P1 by drawing the frame lines F on the four sides of the partial image P2.

[2-6. Example〕
Here, an embodiment for appropriately controlling the length of the end path and the size and scale of the image will be described. In the present embodiment, a size setting unit 45 is realized on the apparatus 1, and the size setting unit 45 sets the size of the partial image to a predetermined dimensional ratio with respect to the entire map display area. Specifically, first, the size of the map display screen in the web browser B of the terminal T is acquired. The size of the map display screen is represented by the number of vertical and horizontal pixels (for example, 800 pixels × 600 pixels) as an example. Next, a value (for example, 240 pixels × 180 pixels) obtained by multiplying the size of the map display screen by a predetermined dimensional ratio (for example, 30%) is obtained and set as the size of the partial image.

  Further, in this embodiment, the route sorting unit 30 sets a route at a predetermined distance from the end point among the routes as an end portion route. Specifically, the distance of each link corresponding to the route data in the network data is accumulated while tracing from the end point. For example, the predetermined distance is 500 m, and the first link and the next link from the end point are 300 m, respectively. Then, from the terminal node of the first link, the latitude / longitude of the point 200 meters ahead of the next link is extracted from the route data, and set as the end point of the end route, that is, the segment point A.

  In the present embodiment, the scale setting means 40 sets a scale in which the end path fits within the size set by the size setting means 45 as a partial scale. Here, an example of a processing procedure for setting a partial scale will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Note that the processing procedure for setting a partial scale described here corresponds to an example of the processing in step S17 in the flowchart of FIG.

That is, the scale setting means 40 first acquires the map data of the most detailed scale from the map data storage means 15 (step S31), and then uses the pixel coordinates in the current scale map data as the route data of the end route. (Step S32). Then, based on the map data, a rectangle including the pixel coordinates of all the route data of the end route is obtained (step S33).

  Then, the size of the rectangle is compared with the size of the partial image set by the size setting means 45 (step S34). If the size of the rectangle is smaller than the size of the partial image in this comparison (step S35: “NO”). ”), The scale acquired in step S31 is set as a partial scale (step S36), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the size of the rectangle is larger than the size of the partial image (step S35: “YES”), the map data of the scale of one hierarchical area is acquired (step S37), and the route data of the end route is converted into pixel coordinates. (Step S32) and subsequent processes are repeated.

[3. effect〕
As described above, in this embodiment, when displaying a route with a map image typified by a raster format, only the map image at the end of the route near the departure point or the destination is set to a scale that can be displayed in more detail. By combining and displaying the remaining part of the map so that it joins at the dividing point, the map can fit the entire route on one screen without waste, but the detailed information at the end is not omitted and sufficient information for guidance An easy-to-view map display including can be realized.

  In particular, in Example 1 of the present embodiment, a certain length from the end of the route is secured to a certain image size on the screen, and displayed in detail at a scale that fits there, thereby reducing the length of the entire route. Regardless of this, it is possible to realize an easy-to-read map display that can grasp the detailed geography near the departure point and the destination.

[4. Other embodiments]
In addition, said each embodiment is only an illustration, and this invention includes what is illustrated below and other embodiment other than that. For example, in the present invention, elements such as each means may be realized not only by an arithmetic control unit of a computer but also by an electronic circuit based on wired logic or the like, or a non-Neumann type information processing mechanism that will appear in the future. Further, each configuration diagram, data diagram, flowchart diagram, and the like are merely examples, and the presence / absence of each element, its order, specific contents, and the like can be appropriately changed.

  For example, this device can be realized by a plurality of server devices, or can be grasped as a system of the present invention including each terminal, or an external platform can be identified by API (Application Program Interface) or network computing depending on functions. The configuration can be changed flexibly, for example, by calling.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the implementation aspect of this invention centering on the server apparatus which comprises a client server system via a communication network, the actual implementation aspect can be selected freely and this invention is a car navigation system. It can be grasped as a device, a method, and a program in a stand-alone computer such as a device, and can be grasped as a program such as a script sent to the terminal as web page data.

T Client terminal N Communication network D Display device B Web browser M Input device S End point G on the start point side of the route data End point A on the end point side of the route data Division point R1 End route R2 Residual route P1 Overall image P2 Partial image P3 Overall image Map image C combining P1 and partial image P2 Note 1 Map display device (this device)
5 Arithmetic Control Unit 6 Storage Device 7 Communication Unit 10 Search Request Accepting Unit 20 Route Acquisition Unit 30 Route Classification Unit 40 Scale Setting Unit 45 Size Setting Unit 50 Image Generation Unit 60 Image Display

Claims (4)

Map data storage means storing map data for displaying a plurality of scale map images for each region;
Route acquisition means for acquiring route data representing a route composed of a plurality of position coordinates;
Path segmentation means for defining a segmentation point for segmenting the path into an end path within a predetermined range from the end point and another remaining path;
For the remaining route, a first scale is set so that the entire route is within the range of the display screen, and a predetermined second scale is set for the end route that is more detailed than the first scale. A scale setting means,
Based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, a first map image of a first scale including at least the remaining route and a second map of a second scale including the end route. An image generating means for generating an image;
Image display means for displaying each map image acquired by the image generation means in combination so as to be joined at the position of the dividing point;
A map display device comprising: Size setting means for setting the size of the second map image to a predetermined dimensional ratio with respect to the entire map display area;
The route classifying means uses the route having a predetermined length from the end point as the end range as the predetermined range as the predetermined range,
2. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the scale setting unit sets, as the second scale, a scale that fits the end path within a size set by the size setting unit. A computer having map data storage means for storing map data for displaying map images of a plurality of scales for each area, and route acquisition means for acquiring route data representing a route composed of a plurality of position coordinates A path segmentation process for defining a segmentation point that classifies the path into an end path within a predetermined range from the end point and a remaining path other than the end path;
For the remaining route, a first scale is set so that the entire route is within the range of the display screen, and a predetermined second scale is set for the end route that is more detailed than the first scale. Scale setting processing to
Based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, a first map image of a first scale including at least the remaining route and a second map of a second scale including the end route. An image generation process for generating an image;
Image display processing for displaying each map image acquired by the image generation means in combination so as to be joined at the position of the dividing point;
The map display method characterized by performing. A computer having map data storage means for storing map data for displaying map images of a plurality of scales for each area, and route acquisition means for acquiring route data representing a route composed of a plurality of position coordinates. Path segmentation means for defining a segmentation point for segmenting the path into an end path within a predetermined range from the end point and another remaining path;
For the remaining route, a first scale is set so that the entire route is within the range of the display screen, and a predetermined second scale is set for the end route that is more detailed than the first scale. A scale setting means,
Based on the map data stored in the map data storage means, a first map image of a first scale including at least the remaining route and a second map of a second scale including the end route. An image generating means for generating an image;
Image display means for displaying each map image acquired by the image generation means in combination so as to be joined at the position of the dividing point;
A map display program characterized by realizing the above.

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