JP2616447B2 - Map data input method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map data input system, and more particularly, to a map for storing map data used in a navigation system such as a mobile body as vector data from a map displayed on paper in a storage device. It relates to a data input method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When map data is stored in a storage device, it is converted into vector data as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-162170 "Map Information System" (hereinafter referred to as related prior art). There are a method of storing image data in a storage device and a method of inputting and storing image data. In the case of map data used for a navigation system, a method of directly inputting image data and using it as a navigation map is not used. Since it becomes very difficult to use map data, a method of storing map data obtained by converting only necessary portions such as roads into vector data and using it is common.

In the case where map data drawn on a paper is converted into such vector data and input to a storage device, in a conventional method, a paper map is placed on a flat plate, and a tablet or a digitizer is used. For example, coordinate data is input by tracing a road or the like drawn on a map. However, this method requires time and effort, and its accuracy depends on the skill level of the operator.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional map data input method in which map data is converted into vector data and input to a storage device, coordinates are input by tracing the map using a tablet or digitizer. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time and effort, and the accuracy is also affected by the skill of the operator.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and greatly simplifies the operation of converting map data into vector data and inputting the data to a storage device, thereby reducing the skill of the operator. The purpose is to provide a map data input method that is not affected.

[0006]

A map data input method according to the present invention reads a map drawn on a paper surface as a color image, classifies the map into a set of pixels for each color (pixel value), and also sets a color image for each color (pixel value). Means for displaying the binarized image of each of the above-described binarized images on the display screen, and after matching the coordinate position of the map data in which the pixel address of the displayed binarized image is stored, the pixel of the desired object is set with a touch pen or the like There is provided a means for converting the object into vector data and storing it by designating and inputting with an input device.

[0007] The present invention is characterized in that a means for enlarging and displaying the binarized image displayed on the display screen is provided.

Further, by utilizing the fact that the boundary of the object displayed in the binarized image has a known coordinate position and becomes the boundary between the pixels "0" and "1", the apparatus itself uses the pixel itself. A means for determining a unique element in an array is provided.

[0009]

According to the map data input method of the present invention, by using the above-described means, it is possible to input a binary image whose position is accurately determined by simply tracing the image with a touch pen. In addition, by displaying the binary image in an enlarged manner, it is possible to accurately input even a slightly rough operation. Further, it is easy to determine the unique element in the pixel array by the device itself by utilizing the fact that the coordinate position of the boundary of the object is known and becomes the boundary of the pixels “0” and “1”. Will be able to do it.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a map data input device for implementing a map data input method according to the present invention. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a map image input device using a color scanner, and 2 denotes a data input device. The data processing device 2 is provided with a classifying unit 21 and a vectorizing unit 22, which will be described later, in addition to a function as a conventional data processing device of this type. Reference numeral 3 denotes a display device such as a CRT, 4 denotes an input device such as a touch pen, and 5 denotes a storage device for storing created map data.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of this embodiment. First, a map image is input in color using the color scanner 1, and the image information is classified and arranged by color using the classification unit 21. That is, when the input color map image is used as image data, the image data is classified into binary data in pixel value (color) units as shown in FIG. That is, when the difference between the pixel values (colors) is 1 to N, a set of 1 to N binary data is created. More simply,
For example, when a road on a map is displayed in "green", buildings are displayed in "gray", and various objects are displayed in different colors, the image information is classified and arranged. By doing so, the image is displayed on the display device 3 as binary image data of only the “green” distribution, the “gray” distribution,... Therefore, for example, only the roads on the map can be displayed on the display device 3.

Next, the operator directly designates the pixel of the desired object with the input device 4 constituted by a touch pen or the like while viewing the display screen displayed as binary image data for each pixel value. Thereby, the vectorization means 22 vectorizes the designated pixel and stores the vectorized object (map data) in the storage device 5. The address of each pixel and the coordinate position of the recorded map data are matched by the data processing device 2.

As described above, in the present embodiment, instead of tracing a map itself drawn on paper with a tablet or a digitizer as in a conventional input method, a binary image whose position is accurately determined is touched by a touch pen. The user can input a desired object easily and accurately by tracing. If the configuration is such that the binary image can be enlarged and displayed at a desired magnification, even if the operation of the touch pen is a little rough, the coordinate position can be accurately input, and further easy and accurate input can be performed. Become like

Further, vectorization using a touch pen or the like
The display can be performed by directly tracing all pixels of the display screen. For example, a display screen displayed for each pixel value is binary data, and as shown in FIG. Is divided into “0” and “1”, and it is easy to detect the coordinate position of this boundary by the apparatus itself. Therefore, with such a configuration,
For example, on a display screen displaying pixel values of continuous roads, by specifying any one of the points, a boundary of coordinate data including a unique element such as a curved road having the same pixel value is detected and input by the apparatus itself. It can also be done.

[0015]

As described above, according to the map data input method of the present invention, a map image captured by a color scanner is classified and displayed in the same color (pixel value) unit, and is directly displayed on a display screen with a touch pen or the like. A desired object can be easily and accurately vectorized and input simply by tracing the upper pixel. In addition, by enlarging the display on the display screen displayed in units of pixel values, it is possible to more easily and accurately input. Furthermore, since the device itself can easily detect the coordinates of the boundary of the binary-separated object,
There is an effect that the unique element can be determined by the apparatus itself.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus configuration for implementing a map data input method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing an operation performed by the classification unit shown in FIG. 1 to divide image data into binary data in pixel value (color) units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Color scanner 2 Data processing device 3 CRT 4 Touch pen 5 Storage device 21 Classification means 22 Vectorization means

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A map drawn on paper is read as a color image, classified into a set of pixels for each color (pixel value), and a binarized image for each color (pixel value) is displayed on a display screen. After matching the pixel address of the displayed binarized image with the coordinate position of the map data to be stored, the target object is designated by inputting a pixel of the desired object with an input device such as a touch pen and inputting the object. Means for converting into vector data and storing the vector data. 2. The map data input method according to claim 1, further comprising means for enlarging and displaying the binarized image displayed on the display screen. 3. A boundary of an object displayed in the binarized image, whose coordinate position is known, and “0”,
3. The map data input method according to claim 1, further comprising means for determining a unique element in the pixel array by utilizing the boundary of the pixel of "1".