JP3468656B2 - Map display system, map display device, storage medium, and map display 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 display device for displaying a map of searched points on a screen of a display, and more specifically, it suitably displays the searched points in a navigation device. It relates to a possible map display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a navigation device having a function of displaying a map, generally, a plurality of methods are used to search for a point desired by a user. Typically, the map displayed on the screen of the display is scrolled to search for a point required by the user (scrolling method), and the keys indicating the attributes in the displayed search image are sequentially displayed. A method (search method) for selecting a predetermined point by selecting and descending to a lower hierarchy is well known.

In the scroll method, the driver continues to press the scroll switch to scroll the map displayed on the screen of the display.
The desired point is displayed on the screen of the display, and the driver turns off the scroll switch to complete the operation.

On the other hand, in the search method, first, the driver operates a touch panel or a switch to display an image (search menu image) for searching a certain point on the screen of the display. The search menu image typically includes an attribute list indicating attributes of points to be searched such as accommodation, facilities, stations, and place names. When the driver selects a certain item from the attribute list by operating the touch panel or the like, an image including the attribute list obtained by further subdividing the selected item is displayed on the screen of the display. For example, an attribute list including regional names such as Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, and Hokuriku is arranged below the item "accommodation facility" in the attribute list. Furthermore, below that, a further subdivided attribute list is provided.

By successively selecting a certain item from the attribute list, the driver can obtain the name of a spot that satisfies the selected condition.

In a conventional navigation device capable of searching a desired point by a search method, necessary data (for example, data indicating latitude and longitude) for displaying a map corresponding to a predetermined item of a search menu image is provided. ,
The items are stored in a memory or the like in association with the items.
Therefore, since the latitude and longitude are specified by the name of the point selected by the driver, the map data of the selected point and its periphery are read from the first storage unit, and displayed on the screen of the display. It was possible to display the necessary maps. Furthermore, in the above data,
When the image data indicating the image of the selected point is included, an image (photograph or picture) of the point viewed from a predetermined position at a predetermined angle may be displayed on the screen of the display. It was possible.

[0007]

In the navigation device as described above, a map displayed on the screen of the display when the point selected by the above-mentioned search method and its periphery are displayed on the screen of the display. The display itself is changed to a predetermined one, but the other display-related conditions (for example, map direction, scale, etc.) are maintained before the search. So, for example,
If you are displaying a two-dimensional map (planar map),
The map and the map around the point specified by the search are displayed in the direction and scale of the map displayed before the search. Alternatively, when displaying a perspective map in which a plane map is viewed at a predetermined angle from the viewpoint of the sky (hereinafter referred to as “pseudo three-dimensional display”), or displaying a three-dimensional map (three-dimensional map). If so, the map of the searched point and its surroundings is displayed from the viewpoint and angle of the map displayed before the search.

Therefore, the driver cannot obtain the map image as desired (for example, along the direction of the route in which the vehicle should travel, or at a scale at which the entrance can be confirmed). There was a point. Further, since the map is displayed under the condition before the search, there is a problem that visibility may be poor. In particular, when displaying the pseudo three-dimensional display or the three-dimensional map described above, the visibility is easily affected by the scale, the position of the viewpoint, and the depression angle.

On the other hand, there is a problem that a large capacity memory for storing image data is required in order to display an image consisting of a photograph or a picture at the selected point on the screen of the display. is there. Furthermore, in this case,
There is a problem that it is extremely difficult to change the scale, the position of the viewpoint, or the depression angle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a map display system capable of suitably displaying a map image of a searched point and its surroundings.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems ] To solve the above problems
One aspect of the map display system of the present invention is the map data.
First storage means for storing, and the name and position of the point
And at least for displaying the point including the position of the viewpoint
Second storage means for storing a set with one viewpoint data
And a point specifying hand for specifying a point from the second storage means.
And the number of pairs of spots and spots specified by the spot specifying means.
At least one viewpoint data from the second storage means
Point-of-view data reading means for reading and the point-of-view data reader
If there are multiple viewpoint data read from the column,
Image showing the position of the viewpoint included in each of the viewpoint data
Is displayed and the viewpoint selection hand that accepts the selection of viewpoint data is displayed.
And the viewpoint read by the viewpoint data reading means.
If there is only one data, the read viewpoint data,
And the viewpoint read by the viewpoint data reading means
When there are multiple data, the viewpoint selection means selects the data.
Display a map viewed from the viewpoint included in the viewpoint data.
The map data necessary for reading is read from the first storage means.
Map data map reading means to be issued and the map data reader
Accept the map data read by the column
Image generating means for generating an image of the map viewed from above,
Display means for displaying the image of the figure.

Another aspect of the map display system of the present invention
Is equipped with an external fixed station and a map display device. Outside
The fixed station is the name and position of a point and the position of the viewpoint.
Memorize a set with viewpoint data for displaying the point including
And third communication means and a first communication device.
The map display device is a first memory for storing map data.
Data between the means and the first communication device
Via a second communication device that
Point specifying means for specifying a point from the third storage means
And the point of view of the point and the pair specified by the point specifying means.
Data is transferred to the third storage device via the second communication device.
The viewpoint data reading means to be read from the storage means and the viewpoint data
Included in the viewpoint data read by the data reading means
Map data required to display the map viewed from the viewpoint
Is read from the first storage means.
Read by the loading means and the map data reading means
Accept the map data and display the map image from the above viewpoint
Image generating means for generating and a table for displaying the image of the map
And indicating means.

Further , one aspect of the map display device of the present invention is
The first storage means for storing map data and the name of the point
And position, and for displaying the point including the position of the viewpoint
Storage medium for storing a combination with at least one viewpoint data
From the above, the point specifying means for specifying the point and the point specifying hand
At least one viewpoint data of the point and the pair specified by the step.
Data reading means for reading data from the storage medium
And the viewpoint data read from the viewpoint data reading means.
Included in each of the multiple viewpoint data when there are multiple data
Select the viewpoint data by displaying the image showing the viewpoint position
Viewpoint selecting means for receiving the information, and the viewpoint data reading means
If there is only one viewpoint data read by
Issued viewpoint data, and the viewpoint data reading means
If there are multiple viewpoint data read by
Is the viewpoint included in the viewpoint data selected by the selection means?
The map data required to display the map viewed from
Map data map reading means read from the first storage means
And the map data read by the map data reading means.
Accept the data and generate an image of the map viewed from the viewpoint.
Image generating means and display means for displaying the image of the map
And

Another aspect of the map display device of the present invention
Is the first storage means for storing map data and the name of the point.
Name and position, and the point including the position of the viewpoint are displayed.
From the storage medium that stores the set of viewpoint data for
Specified point specifying means and specified by the point specifying means
Read the viewpoint data of the set points and pairs from the storage medium.
The viewpoint data reading means to be issued and the viewpoint data reading means
From the viewpoint included in the viewpoint data read out
The map data required to display the map is the first
Map data read from the memory means
Receives the map data read by the figure data reading means
Image generation to generate a map image viewed from the viewpoint
Means, display means for displaying the image of the map, and an external station
A communication device for sending and receiving data to and from
The storage medium is provided in an external station.

Further , one aspect of the map display method of the present invention is
Display a map on the display based on the current location information of your vehicle.
The location where the current location of the vehicle is shown by overlaying on the map
Accepts a point search request from the user in the diagram display method
If you do, the
Multiple attributes whose items in the lower-level attribute list are point data
The gender list is displayed according to the user's instructions, and
Specify a certain point from the attribute list of the lowest layer displayed
When accepted, it is stored in association with each spot data.
The image of the specified point is simulated based on the
It is displayed three-dimensionally or three-dimensionally.

Another aspect of the map display method of the present invention
Is superimposed on the map around the current location of the vehicle and on the map.
Map display method to display the current location of the vehicle on the display
When a point search request is received from the user
Display a list of points where multiple points data are described in
The user can specify a certain point from the above point list.
In case of hitting, it was stored in association with each point data
Based on the viewpoint, the image of the specified point is pseudo-cubic
Originally or three-dimensionally displayed.

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1,
The navigation device 10 includes a display 12 composed of a CRT or LCD, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or an IC card and its reading device, a first storage unit 14 for storing map data, and an operation as will be described later. From the second storage unit 16 that stores various kinds of information regarding points searched by a person's operation, hard switches such as a scroll key and a scale change key, a joystick, and a touch panel arranged on the screen of the display 12 The input device 18 configured, a wheel speed sensor 20 that measures the traveling distance of the vehicle based on the product of the circumference of the wheel and the measured rotational speed of the wheel, and a vehicle speed sensor that detects the magnetic field held by the earth. Geomagnetic sensor 22 that detects the direction (vehicle direction), and detects that the vehicle has rotated, such as an optical fiber gyro or vibration gyro That the angle gyro 24, GPS (G
robal Positioning System) The signal from the satellite is received and the distance between the vehicle and the GPS satellite and the rate of change of the distance are calculated.
A GPS receiver 28 that measures the current position, traveling direction and traveling direction of the vehicle by measuring with respect to three or more satellites, road congestion information, regulation information such as construction or road closures, or parking lot information. A communication device 30 that receives a signal transmitted from a beacon transmitter that emits traffic information, an FM multiplex broadcast, and the like, and an in-vehicle LAN device 32 that communicates various vehicle information are provided.

In this embodiment, the first storage unit 1
The road data included in the map data stored in 4 is
It includes node data indicating coordinates of a position corresponding to an intersection of roads and link data indicating links connecting the nodes.

These various sensors 20 to 24, GPS
The components of the device, such as the receiving device 28 and the communication device 30, are
It is connected to the arithmetic processing unit 34. The arithmetic processing unit 34
The current position of the vehicle is detected based on the data output from the various sensors 20 to 24 according to a program stored in the ROM (see reference numeral 42 in FIG. 2) or the like, and necessary information is obtained based on the obtained current position information. The map data is read from the first storage unit 14, an image corresponding to the read map data is generated, the detected current position of the vehicle is superimposed on the image as a current position mark, and the display 1
Output to 2. In addition, the user operates the input device 18 to calculate an optimum route connecting the designated points (for example, the current position and the destination), and outputs this route to the display 12 or the voice input / output device 16 The process of guiding the route by voice is executed via. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the signal S1 between the arithmetic processing unit 34 and the display 12 is an RGB signal or an NTSC signal.
(National Television System Committee) signal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the arithmetic processing unit 34. As shown in FIG. 2, the arithmetic processing unit 34 includes a CPU 40 for controlling numerical operations and each device described below, a RAM 41 for temporarily storing data obtained by the operations, and a CPU 4
A ROM 42 storing a program executed by 0 and data necessary for executing the program, and a DMA (Direct Memory Access) 43 executing high-speed data transfer between the memories and between the memory and each device. , A drawing controller 44 that executes graphics drawing at high speed such as expanding vector data into pixel data, and executes display control, a VRAM 45 that temporarily stores graphics image data, and an RGB signal for image data. A color palette 46 for converting into an analog signal, an A / D converter 47 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal,
It has a serial-parallel converter (SCI) 48 for converting a serial signal into a parallel signal synchronized with the bus, a PIO 49 placed on the bus in synchronization with the parallel signal, and a counter 50 for integrating the pulse signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing the arithmetic processing unit 34 composed of these devices.
Shown in. That is, the operation processing unit 34 is functionally the current position operation unit 51, the map matching unit 52, the map reading unit 53, the user operation analysis unit 54, the search unit 55, the search command unit 56, and the viewpoint position setting unit 57. , Point / viewpoint memory 5
8, a viewpoint position temporary memory 59, a map display unit 60, a search screen display unit 61, and an image processing unit 62.

The current position calculation unit 51 is the CPU 4 of FIG.
0, the A / D converter 47, the SCI 48 and the like realize the function. The present position calculation unit 51 integrates the distance pulse data S5 obtained by the measurement of the wheel speed sensor 20 and the angular acceleration data S7 obtained by the measurement of the gyro 24, respectively, and the distance data and the angle obtained by the integration. By using the data and integrating these with respect to time, the position (X ',
Y ') is calculated.

In order to make the rotated angle of the vehicle coincide with the traveling azimuth, the vehicle uses the azimuth data S6 obtained by the geomagnetic sensor 22 and the angular data obtained by integrating the angular acceleration data S7 obtained by the gyro 24. The absolute azimuth of the traveling direction is corrected. Further, when the data obtained by the above-mentioned sensor is integrated, the error of the sensor is accumulated, so that the GPS error may occur in a certain time period.
Based on the position data S8 obtained by the receiver 28,
The current position data is output by executing the process of canceling the accumulated error.

The map matching section 52 is mainly realized by the CPU 40 shown in FIG. The map matching unit 52 is provided to correct the error of the sensor included in the current position of the vehicle calculated by the current position calculation unit 51 and further improve the position accuracy. In this embodiment, the map matching is mainly performed by the CPU 4
0, the road included in the map around the current position of the vehicle corresponding to the data read from the first storage unit 14 by the map reading unit 53 realized by the PIO 49 and the current position calculation unit 51. This is realized by checking the running locus of the vehicle and matching the current position with the road having the highest shape correlation. In many cases, the map matching in the map matching unit 52 allows the calculated current position of the vehicle to coincide with the road on which the vehicle actually travels, thereby obtaining the current position data with higher accuracy. It will be possible.

The current position data calculated in this way is
It is temporarily stored in the RAM 41 (see FIG. 2) and is used to draw a trajectory mark on the road on the corresponding map.

The map reading unit 53 operates to read from the first storage unit 14 the map data corresponding to the regions in the map requested by various components.

The user operation analysis unit 54 receives a request from the user given through the input device 18, analyzes the content of the request, and controls each unit so that the corresponding process is executed. The function of the user operation analysis unit 54 is mainly realized by the CPU 40, PIO 49, ROM 42, and the like. For example, when the driver requests route guidance to the destination via the input device 18, the display processing unit 62 is instructed to display a map for setting the destination. Further, as will be described later in detail, when the driver requests to search for a certain point through the input device 18, the search unit 55 is made to read predetermined data from the second storage unit 16. Instruct.

The search unit 55 reads predetermined data (attribute list) from the second storage unit 16 according to an instruction from the user operation analysis unit 54, and outputs the read data to the search screen display unit 61 or the like. . FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the hierarchical structure of the data (attribute list) stored in the second storage unit 16. As shown in FIG.
The second storage unit 16 includes a plurality of hierarchical attribute lists. In the present embodiment, the top-level attribute list 401 includes “leisure facilities”, “accommodation facilities”,
It includes the name of the category of the point to be searched, such as "tourist facility". For each item in these attribute list,
The lower attribute lists are associated with each other.

For example, under the item "leisure facility" in the attribute list 401, general names of places belonging to the category of leisure facility, such as "ski resort", "golf course", "amusement park", etc. An attribute list 402 including "" is associated. Similarly, in the attribute list 402, an attribute list 403 including subordinate items of “accommodation facilities” includes general names of facilities belonging to the category of accommodation facilities, for example, items such as “hotel”, “inn”, and “guest house”. Are associated with.

Further, the above-mentioned attribute lists 402, 40
Below 3 is provided an attribute list (for example, 404, 405) associated with the items included in these items. As can be understood from FIG. 4, by sequentially selecting each item of the attribute list, a golf course in a predetermined point (for example, the attribute list arranged at the lowest position (hereinafter, referred to as “point list”) 406). ) Etc. can be specified.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a description will be given of the data associated with the spot list in the above-mentioned attribute list. As shown in FIG. 5, items included in each point list (for example, “*” in the point list 406).
* Country club "and" ** golf course ") are respectively associated with a set of related data. This data set includes attribute data indicating attributes, name data indicating the name of the point, position data indicating the position, viewpoint position data indicating the viewpoint position for seeing the position, view direction data indicating the direction of the view, It includes depression angle data indicating the depression angle, distance data indicating the distance between the viewpoint and the projection surface on the map, and projection surface size data indicating the size of the projection surface on the map. As will be described later, when the operator sequentially selects items from the attribute list via the input device 18 and finally specifies a certain point in the point list, the data of these points is the image of the point. Is used to display.

The search command unit 56 receives the information to be searched from the outside, not from the storage medium such as the second storage unit 16 arranged in the vehicle, but the communication device 30.
A message requesting information is transmitted to the fixed station arranged outside via the.

The viewpoint position setting unit 57 determines the position of the viewpoint for displaying the map based on the viewpoint position data in the data set regarding a certain point read by the search unit 55. Further, the point / viewpoint memory 58 and the viewpoint position temporary memory 59 are used when executing the process of obtaining the image of the point selected by the driver.

The map display unit 60 displays the map data read from the first storage unit 14 by the map reading unit 53, the viewpoint position set by the viewpoint position setting unit 57, and the like on the display 12. A graphics drawing command necessary for displaying an image on the screen is generated and output to the image processing unit 62.

The search screen display unit 61 generates a graphics drawing command for displaying the items of the attribute list read out from the second storage unit 16 by the search unit 55 in a tabular form, and generates this graphics drawing command. To 62.

The image processing unit 62 is mainly realized by the drawing controller 44, the VRAM 45 and the color palette 46, and generates image data to be displayed on the screen of the display based on the graphics drawing command.

Among the operations of the navigation device thus configured, the search process will be described below. When the driver operates the input device 18 to give an instruction to display a search image to the user operation analysis unit 54, the user operation analysis unit 54 outputs this instruction to the search unit 5.
Give to 5. In response to this, the search unit 55 reads the highest-level attribute list from the second storage unit 16 and gives it to the search screen display unit 61. In the search screen display unit 61, the necessary graphic drawing command is generated,
This is given to the image processing unit 62, and based on this, an image in which the items included in the attribute list are represented in a tabular form is
It is displayed on the screen of the display 12. A similar operation is performed by the driver operating the input device 18 such as a touch panel, and an image in which the items included in the attribute list located in the lower order are sequentially displayed in a tabular form is displayed on the screen of the display 12. Displayed above.

When a certain item (point) in the point list is selected by the driver's operation and the operation of the navigation device as described above, a data set associated with this item (point) (see FIG. 5). ) Is read from the second storage unit 16 by the search unit 55. Here, the relationship between the data set shown in FIG. 5 and the image of the selected spot (search spot) displayed on the screen of the display 12 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the geometrical relationship between the search points and the data sets of FIG. As shown in FIG.
In order to obtain the image representing the search point 600, in the present embodiment, the position of the viewpoint 601, the view direction 602 indicating the direction overlooking the map 606 from the viewpoint 601, and the search point 6
00 is used as an angle formed by a line segment connecting 00 and the viewpoint 601 and a line perpendicular to the map plane, a distance 604 between the viewpoint and the projection surface 605, and a size of the projection surface 605. The depression angle 603 described above is a parameter for giving the depth of the image when the image based on the three-dimensional map is generated. The above five parameters are
Each corresponds to viewpoint position data, visual field orientation data, depression angle data, distance data, and projection plane size data in the data set shown in FIG. Then, in this embodiment, an image corresponding to the map displayed on the projection surface is generated and displayed on the screen of the display 12.

Depending on each place, such as a golf course and a ski resort, there is a position where the whole image can be best expressed. For example, regarding a ski resort, it is preferable to arrange a viewpoint overlooking the mountain above the foot of the mountain where the ski resort is located (see FIG. 13). On the other hand, buildings such as department stores,
Alternatively, for parking lots, it is preferable to place a viewpoint facing the front of the building where the vehicle will arrive, or at the entrance, and the depression angle, projection angle, and projection to match the scenery seen from the vehicle. It is preferable to set the plane, the viewing direction, and the like.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, appropriate viewpoint position, visual field azimuth, depression angle, distance from the viewpoint to the projection surface, and size of the projection surface are set for each place, and data corresponding to these are set. The set is stored in the second storage unit 16 in association with the place.

Next, the operation of the navigation device for obtaining the image of the spot determined by the search will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map display unit 60. As shown in FIG. 7, the map display unit 60
Is a map display determination unit 71 that determines which format is used to display the map, such as two-dimensional display, pseudo three-dimensional display, or three-dimensional display; A plane map display section 72 consisting of 74 and a second
Map data requesting unit 76 and pseudo three-dimensional map developing unit 7
It has a pseudo three-dimensional map display unit 75 composed of 7 and a three-dimensional map display unit 78 composed of a third map data request unit 79 and a three-dimensional map development unit 80.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing in the map display judging section 71. As shown in FIG. 8, the map display determination unit 71 first reads the data stored in the viewpoint position setting unit 57 (step 801). Next, it is determined whether or not the read data includes viewpoint position data indicating the viewpoint position (step 802). When it is determined in step 802 that it is not included (NO), the planar map display unit 72 is instructed to perform necessary processing (step 802). On the other hand, when it is determined to be included (Yes) in step 802, it is determined whether the map data read by the map reading unit 53 is three-dimensional map data (step 80).
4).

Here, the map data stored in the first storage unit 14 in the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the navigation device according to this embodiment is capable of two-dimensional display, pseudo three-dimensional display and three-dimensional display of a map. Map is x according to map data
When represented by the y-coordinate, two-dimensional display and pseudo three-dimensional display are possible. On the other hand, when the map is three-dimensionally represented by the map data, three-dimensional display is possible.

The map data (two-dimensional map data) that two-dimensionally represents a map is composed of data (mesh data) for each of a plurality of standard area meshes defined by longitude and latitude lines at regular intervals. The mesh data is road attribute data indicating the attributes of roads in the standard area mesh, road vector data indicating the shape of roads, polygon attribute data indicating the attributes of polygons for expressing buildings, green areas, rivers, etc. It is composed of polygon vector data indicating a shape, character data indicating a place name or facility name, point data indicating a position where a character is arranged, and the like.

Similarly to the two-dimensional map data, the map data representing the map three-dimensionally is also data (mesh data) for each of a plurality of standard area meshes defined by the longitude and latitude lines at regular intervals. Composed of. The values in the height direction (z direction) are added to road vector data, polygon vector data, and point data in the data group forming the mesh data. The data in the height direction is called elevation data. Also, the mesh data is a predetermined point (for example, four corners) of the standard area mesh.
Includes elevation data indicating the elevation value of.

As described above, the map data representing the map in three dimensions includes elevation data. Therefore, in step 804, it may be determined whether or not the data includes altitude data.

If it is determined in step 804 that it is not included (NO), the pseudo three-dimensional map display unit 75 is instructed to perform processing (step 805), and
If it is determined to be included (Yes), the three-dimensional map display unit 78 is instructed to perform processing (step 806).

Next, the process (step 803 in FIG. 8) in the plane map display section 72 will be described. Figure 9
6 is a flowchart showing the processing of the planar map display unit. First, the first map data requesting unit 73 of the flat map display unit 72 requests the map reading unit 53 for map data showing the map of the point obtained by the search and its surroundings. In response to this, the map reading unit 53 reads out necessary map data (mesh data), and this is read by the flat map display unit 7
2 to the plan map developing unit 74.

The plane map development unit 74 generates a graphic drawing command for displaying a two-dimensional map based on the obtained data.

More specifically, the planar map developing section 74 extracts vector data and point data necessary for displaying the map from the obtained map data (step 9).
01). Next, the map is displayed at a predetermined scale so that the position of the viewpoint (position on the plane) obtained in step 801 of FIG. 8 becomes the center of the display 12,
When the data about the map direction is given, the data values of the vector data and the point data are coordinate-converted so that the direction is on the upper side of the image (step 90).
2). Finally, the planar map developing unit 74 uses the data whose data values have been converted by the coordinate conversion to draw a line string that represents a road, a command that draws a polygon that represents a building, a green zone, or the like. A graphic drawing command including a command for drawing a place name or the like is generated and given to the image processing unit 62 (step 90).
3). In response to this, the image processing unit 62 generates predetermined image data and outputs it to the display 12. 12
(A) is a figure which shows an example of the image obtained on the screen of a display in this way. As shown in FIG. 12A, on the screen 1200 of the display 12, the map 1201 in two-dimensional display and the searched points (XX
The ski area) 1202 is drawn at a predetermined scale and map orientation.

Next, the processing in the pseudo three-dimensional map display unit 75 (step 805 in FIG. 8) will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing in the pseudo three-dimensional display unit. The second map data requesting unit 74 of the pseudo three-dimensional map display unit 75 requests the map reading unit 53 for map data showing the map of the point obtained by the search and its periphery. In response to this, the map reading unit 53 reads out necessary data (mesh data) and supplies this to the pseudo three-dimensional map developing unit 77 of the pseudo three-dimensional map display unit 75.
The pseudo three-dimensional map developing unit 77 displays a pseudo three-dimensional map obtained when a plane map is viewed from a given viewpoint position in a given view direction and depression angle based on the obtained data. Generate a graphic drawing command to do this.

More specifically, the pseudo three-dimensional map development unit 77.
The vector data and point data necessary for displaying the map are extracted from the obtained map data (step 1001). The map data referred to by the pseudo three-dimensional map development unit 77 has the same data format as that referred to by the planar map development unit 74.

Next, based on the data obtained in step 801 of FIG. 8, the line segment connecting the position of the viewpoint and the search point intersects perpendicularly with the perspective surface from the predetermined viewpoint toward the predetermined visual field direction. As described above, coordinate conversion is performed on the data values of the vector data and the point data (step 100).
2). Furthermore, from a given viewpoint position, a polygon or line specified by vector data or point data is located on a projection surface of a given size that is located a given distance away from the given viewpoint angle by a given distance, These data values are perspective-transformed (step 1003).

Finally, the pseudo three-dimensional map development unit 77 uses the data whose data value has been converted in step 1003 to draw a line string representing a road,
A graphic drawing command including a command for drawing a polygon expressing a building, a green zone, etc., a command for drawing a place name, etc. is generated and given to the image processing unit 62 (step 1004). In response to this, the image processing unit 62 generates predetermined image data and displays it on the display 1.
Output to 2. FIG. 12B is a diagram showing an example of an image thus obtained on the screen of the display.
As shown in FIG. 12B, the screen 1 of the display 12
On 210, a map 1211 when looking down on a plane map from a predetermined viewpoint position in a predetermined visual field direction and depression angle, and a searched point (XX ski resort) 1212 are displayed.

Next, the processing in the three-dimensional map display unit 78 (step 806 in FIG. 8) will be described. Figure 11
6 is a flowchart showing a process in a three-dimensional map display unit. The third map data requesting unit 79 of the three-dimensional ground display unit 78 requests the map reading unit 53 for map data showing the map of the point obtained by the search and its surroundings. In response to this, the map reading unit 53 reads out necessary data and gives it to the three-dimensional map development unit 80 of the three-dimensional map display unit 78. Based on the obtained data, the three-dimensional map developing unit 80 produces a three-dimensional map obtained when a three-dimensional map is viewed from a given viewpoint position in a given view direction and depression angle. Generates a graphic drawing command for display.

More specifically, the three-dimensional map development unit 80 is
Vector data and point data necessary for displaying a map are extracted from the obtained map data (step 1101). As described above, the map data extracted by the three-dimensional map development unit 80 includes altitude data indicating altitude in addition to data indicating a planar position.

Next, based on the data obtained in step 801 of FIG. 8, the line segment connecting the position of the viewpoint to the search point intersects the perspective plane perpendicularly from the predetermined viewpoint toward the predetermined visual field direction. As described above, coordinate conversion is performed on the data values of the vector data and the point data (step 110).
2). Furthermore, from a given viewpoint position, a polygon or line specified by vector data or point data is located on a projection surface of a given size that is located a given distance away from the given viewpoint angle by a given distance, These data values are perspective-transformed (step 1103).

Further, hidden surface processing is performed so that the object located on the front side from the viewpoint is positioned ahead of the object located on the rear side (step 1104). This hidden surface processing is most easily performed by arranging the surfaces formed by the vertices of the elements and marks that form the map in the depth direction (from the front side to the back side), It is realized by a method of sequentially drawing a graphic. Alternatively, it can be realized by a scan line method, a ray cast method, a Z buffer method, or the like.

Next, the three-dimensional map development unit 80 projects a vector connecting the light source and the point on the polygonal surface formed by the vertices of the objects forming the light source map, to the normal vector of the polygonal surface. The size of the vector is calculated, and based on the calculated size and the predetermined color data that should be used when displaying polygons, the color data that should be used when displaying each polygon in three-dimensional display The data value of is calculated (step 1106). The light source position described above may be determined, for example, at the time and date obtained by the GPS receiver 28 (see FIG. 1) and the sun or moon position obtained from the current position of the vehicle.
Further, when the obtained time indicates night, another predetermined position of the light source may be used. On the other hand, the intensity of the light source may be adjusted according to the weather and sunshine conditions at that time. For example, when the weather is sunny or when the sun is strong, the intensity of the light source may be increased, while in the case of cloudy weather, the intensity of the light source may be decreased. In this way, by determining the position of the light source and the intensity of the light source,
It becomes possible to obtain a more realistic three-dimensional image.

Finally, the three-dimensional map development unit 80 uses the data obtained by the above-mentioned processing to draw a command for drawing a line string representing a road and a command for drawing a polygon representing a building or a green zone. , A graphic drawing command including a command for drawing a place name, etc. is generated and given to the image processing unit 62 (step 110).
6). In response to this, the image processing unit 62 generates predetermined image data and outputs it to the display 12. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an image thus obtained on the screen of the display. As shown in FIG. 13, on the screen of the display 12, a three-dimensional map viewed from a predetermined viewpoint in a predetermined visual field direction, depression angle, etc. is displayed. As a result, the driver can more easily understand the situation around the point such as the topography of the searched point and the shape of the road.

As described above, by the processing of the map display unit 60, it is possible to obtain a two-dimensional image, a pseudo three-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image of the map including the searched points.

Next, the operation of the point / viewpoint memory 58 and the viewpoint position temporary memory 59 will be described. The point / viewpoint memory 58 stores a position of a point searched by the driver by operating the input device 18, a viewpoint for displaying a map including this point, and the like. That is, according to the driver's instruction,
When the image including the searched point is displayed on the screen of the display 12 and the instruction to register this point is given by the operation of the input device 18, the position data and the viewpoint position data regarding this point are displayed. , View direction data, depression angle data, distance data, and projection surface size data (all of which are shown in FIG. 5). In this way, by storing various data relating to the spot once searched, when the driver wants to see the image including the spot again, the desired image can be displayed quickly. Is possible. The point / viewpoint memory 58 is preferably capable of storing data regarding a plurality of points.

The point / viewpoint memory 58 stores the data changed by the driver when the driver changes various data such as viewpoint data for displaying the map of the searched point. You can also do it. More specifically, when the image of the map including the searched point is displayed on the screen of the display 12, the driver operates the input device 18 to give a command to change the position of the viewpoint or the like. In response to this, the user operation analysis unit 54 responds to this by inputting the type of data to be changed, a new data value, etc.
It is transmitted to the viewpoint position setting unit 57. In the viewpoint position setting unit 57, the data value of the data to be changed is changed, and the map display unit 60 and the image processing unit 62 obtain a new image of the map including the selected point, which is displayed on the display 12. Displayed on the screen. After that, when an instruction to register this point is given by operating the input device 18, the position data, the viewpoint position data, the view direction data, the depression angle data, and the distance data set by the viewpoint position setting unit 57 are given. And projection plane size data (see FIG. 5 for both) are stored in the point / viewpoint memory 58. As a result, various data relating to the map viewed from the driver's desired viewpoint under a desired visual field direction can be stored, so that the driver can obtain the image of the desired map again without complicated operations. Is possible.

The viewpoint position temporary memory 59 switches from a map display (normal map display) including the road where the current position of the vehicle is present such as a guide route and its surroundings (normal map display) to the display of the searched point, or At the opposite time, various data required for displaying the map are temporarily stored. The switching from the normal map display to the display of the searched point will be described in more detail.

For example, when an image of a pseudo three-dimensional display or a map in a three-dimensional display is displayed on the screen of the display, it is determined whether the map is displayed by the pseudo three-dimensional display or the three-dimensional display. The map display is defined by the type data, the viewpoint position data, the depression angle data, the distance data, and the projection surface size data shown. Therefore, the driver operates the input device 18 to specify the search point, and when the map data of this point is displayed, the above-mentioned data is stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59.

When the operator gives an instruction to display the original map by operating the input device 18 after the map of the search point is displayed, the data stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59 is displayed. Is read and given to the viewpoint position setting unit 57. In this way, the original map can be displayed in the display format of the original map.

Further, since the vehicle has moved while the map of the retrieval point is displayed, the map is not displayed based on the original viewpoint or the like, but is displayed based on the viewpoint corresponding to the current position of the new vehicle. May be desirable.
The processing in this case will be described below. In this case, when the searched point is displayed in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59, in addition to the above-described data, it is necessary to store data indicating the current position of the vehicle at that time.

When the user's instruction is given to the user operation analysis unit 54 via the input device 18 and this instruction indicates the current position of the vehicle, the vehicle position obtained by the current position calculation unit 51 is calculated. The current position data is compared with the data indicating the position of the vehicle stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59. When the data values between these match, the viewpoint position data stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59,
An image given to the viewpoint position setting unit 57 and based on the given data is obtained by the map display unit 60 and the image processing unit 62. On the other hand, when the data values between them do not match, the depression angle data, the distance data, and the projection surface size data stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59 are read. Next, the value of the view direction data is determined based on the traveling direction of the vehicle obtained by the current position calculation unit 51. Further, the value of the viewpoint position data of the vehicle is determined by back calculation based on the current position of the vehicle obtained by the current position calculation unit 51, the depression angle data, the distance data, and the projection plane size data. When various data necessary for display are obtained by such calculation, the map display unit 60 and the image processing unit 62 can obtain an image including a predetermined map based on the obtained data.

Further, when the map image in the two-dimensional display is displayed on the screen of the display, the type data indicating whether the map is displayed in the two-dimensional display,
The map display is defined by the center position data indicating the center position of the displayed map, the scale data indicating the scale of the map, and the direction data indicating the direction of the map. Therefore, the driver operates the input device 18 to specify the search point, and when the map data of this point is displayed, the above-mentioned data is stored in the viewpoint position temporary memory 59.

According to the present embodiment, the second storage unit 16
Since the map of the searched point is displayed in pseudo three-dimensional display or three-dimensional display based on the viewpoint, view direction, depression angle, etc. stored in, it was used when displaying the maps up to that point. It is possible to obtain an image that appropriately represents the searched point without depending on the viewpoint or the like.

Further, since the second storage unit 16 stores the viewpoint, the visual field direction, the depression angle, etc., which are appropriate for effectively showing the structures at various points, the driver can search. It is possible to more easily understand the spot and its surroundings by the image of the spot.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the data indicating the viewpoint etc. regarding the spot once searched is stored in the spot / viewpoint memory 58, the driver again
When it is desired to display the image at that point, it is possible to display the desired image without the driver's operation or search processing.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the data amount of the data stored in the second storage unit 16 is far larger than the data amount of the image data such as photographs and pictures at various points. Since it is small, necessary data for many points can be stored in the second storage unit 16 without requiring a large capacity memory.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the driver can change the viewpoint of the searched point and the like by operating the input device. It is possible to obtain an image of. Furthermore, the data indicating the viewpoint etc. set by the driver is
It can be stored in the point / viewpoint memory 58.

Next, a description will be given of the navigation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, when the necessary data is not stored in the second storage unit 16, or an information storage medium such as a CD-ROM is not mounted, as a result, the second storage unit 1
Even when 6 is not connected to the navigation device, it is configured to obtain necessary information and obtain an image of a point to be searched by communicating with the outside.

The configuration and operation of the navigation device according to this embodiment are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The operation of the navigation device according to the second embodiment will be described below.

When the driver requests to search a certain point through the input device 18, the user operation analysis section 5
4 gives an instruction to the retrieval unit 55 to retrieve data from the second storage unit 16. In the second embodiment, necessary data does not exist in the second storage unit 16 or a storage medium such as a CD-ROM is not installed, and therefore the second storage unit 16 is not included in the navigation device. Therefore, the user operation analysis unit 54 instructs the search instruction unit 56 to request a data search from a fixed station arranged outside via the communication device 30.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a vehicle and a fixed station arranged outside. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the fixed station 140 includes a communication device 141, a third storage unit 142 that stores predetermined data, and the communication device 1
A data search unit 143 for searching the data stored in the third storage unit 142 in accordance with an instruction given from the vehicle via 41. The fixed station 140 is provided, for example, in a facility such as an information service center. In addition, in this embodiment, the fixed station 140
Is provided for each predetermined area, and the communication device 3 of the vehicle 144 is provided.
0 and a beacon or the like arranged on the road can communicate with each other.

In the third storage section 142 of the fixed station 140,
The same data as the data stored in the second storage unit 16 of the navigation device according to the first embodiment is stored. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the attribute list of the hierarchical structure, the list of points located in the lowest layer, and
A data set including attribute data, name data, position data, viewpoint position data, visual field orientation data, depression angle data, distance data, and projection surface size data associated with the point list is stored in the third storage unit 142. Has been done.

The search command section 56 is added to the user operation analysis section 54.
When a driver's instruction is given from the search command unit 56
In response, requests the communication device 30 to open a communication line with the fixed station 140. Then, the communication device 3
The data search unit 14 of the fixed station 140 via 0 and 141.
3 is given an instruction to read the highest attribute list, and the highest attribute list is read from the third storage unit 142. This attribute list is stored in the communication devices 141 and 30.
It is transmitted to the search command unit 56 via, and is further given to the search screen display unit 61. As a result, an image in which the items included in the attribute list are displayed in a tabular format is displayed on the screen of the display 12. When the driver operates the input device 18 such as a touch panel, the same processing as the above-described processing is executed, and successively, an image showing a lower-level attribute list in a table format is displayed on the screen of the display 12. To be done.

When a certain item (point) in the point list is selected by the driver's operation and the operation of the navigation device as described above, the search command section 56 gives an instruction via the communication device 30, 141. Data search unit 14
3 reads out a set of data associated with this item (point) from the third storage unit 142, and the communication device 141,
This is transmitted to the search command unit 56 via 30.

After that, as in the first embodiment, the viewpoint setting unit 57, the map reading unit 53, the map display unit 60 and the image processing unit 62 display a predetermined image (for example, see FIG. 13) on the display 12. Obtained on the screen.

According to this embodiment, the data of the third storage section provided in the external fixed station is searched through the communication device, the necessary data is accepted, and the viewpoint of the searched point is searched. In order to obtain the data indicating the viewing direction, the depression angle, etc., it is possible to obtain an appropriate image of the searched point even when the navigation device itself arranged in the vehicle is not provided with the second storage unit. it can.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that this is what is done.

For example, in the above embodiment, the second
The storage unit or the third storage unit stores a set of data including viewpoint position data and visual field direction data corresponding to the items (points) of the point list. (Point) may be associated with a plurality of data sets. In this case, after the driver operates the input device 18 to select a certain point, the viewpoint position data corresponding to this point is read out, and the processing of the search screen display unit 61 and the image processing unit 62 is performed. Then, images showing a plurality of viewpoint positions are displayed on the screen of the display 12. When the driver selects a desired one from these viewpoint positions, the search unit 55 or the search command unit 56 generates a set of data including viewpoint position data, view direction data, and depression angle data corresponding to the selected viewpoint position. , To the viewpoint position setting unit 57. Based on the given data set, the map display unit 60 and the image processing unit 62 generate image data of the map viewed from the selected viewpoint in a predetermined visual field direction and depression angle, and the corresponding image is displayed on the display 1.
2 is displayed on the screen. According to this aspect, the driver can obtain a desired image according to his / her purpose from a plurality of viewpoints.

Further, in the first embodiment, the first storage unit 14 and the second storage unit 16 may be physically the same storage medium or may be separate units. good.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the data set (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the searched point is not limited to the one described, and other data items may be added. Further, any one of the data items shown in FIG. 5 may be selected and stored in the second storage unit 16 or the third storage unit 142.

Further, although the present invention is applied to the navigation device in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to any device other than the navigation device as long as it can display a map. Needless to say.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the display format of the two-dimensional display, the three-dimensional display or the pseudo three-dimensional display is determined based on the presence or absence of the data set including the viewpoint position data, and In addition, the display format is determined based on whether or not the altitude data is included depending on whether it is a three-dimensional display or a pseudo three-dimensional display, but the determination of the display format is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the second storage unit 16 or the third storage unit 18 stores the data set including the viewpoint position data and the data for displaying the two-dimensional map ( Data indicating the center position, display scale, map direction, etc.) may be mixed.

Further, in the present specification, the means does not necessarily mean a physical means, but also includes the case where the function of each means is realized by software.
Further, the function of one means or member may be realized by two or more physical means or members, or the function of two or more means or members may be realized by one means or member. .

[0100]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a map display system capable of suitably displaying a map image of a searched point and its surroundings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an arithmetic processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram functionally showing an arithmetic processing unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a hierarchical structure of data (attribute list) stored in a second storage unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining data associated with points included in a point list according to the first embodiment.

6 is a diagram showing a geometrical relationship between a search point and the data set of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map display unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing in a map display determination unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the planar map display unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing in the pseudo three-dimensional display unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing in the three-dimensional map display unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image obtained on the screen of the display.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of an image obtained on the screen of the display.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a vehicle and a fixed station located outside, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Navigation device 12 display 14 First memory 16 Second storage 18 Input device 20 wheel speed sensor 22 Direction sensor 24 Gyro 28 GPS receiver 30 communication devices 51 Current position calculator 52 Map Match Section 53 Map reader 54 User Operation Analysis Unit 55 Search Department 56 Search command section 57 viewpoint position setting unit 58 points / viewpoint memory 59 Viewpoint position temporary memory 60 Map display section 61 Search screen display 62 Image processing unit

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-313567 (JP, A) JP-A-5-203457 (JP, A) JP-A-7-272196 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01C 21/00-21/36 G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/00-29/10

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] 1. A second storing first storage means for storing map data, and the name and location of the earth point, a set of the at least one view data for displaying the該地point including the position of the viewpoint Storage unit, a spot identification unit that identifies a spot from the second storage unit, and at least a pair of spots identified by the spot identification unit.
The viewpoint data reading means that reads one piece of viewpoint data from the second storage means and the viewpoint data that is read from the viewpoint data reading means
If there is a plurality, they are included in each of the plurality of viewpoint data.
Display the image showing the position of the viewpoint and select the viewpoint data.
Viewpoint selecting means for accepting and viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means
When there is one, the read viewpoint data, and
Viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means
If there are multiple viewpoints, the viewpoint selected by the viewpoint selecting means
Map data necessary for displaying a map viewed from the viewpoint in the data, and the map data map reading means for reading from said first storage means, and the map data read by the map data reading means, map display system comprising: the image generating means for generating an image of the map is viewed from the viewpoint, and a display means for displaying an image of the map, the. 2. An external fixed station and a map display device, wherein the external fixed station stores a set of a name and position of a point and viewpoint data including the position of the viewpoint for displaying the point. a third storage means for a first communication device has a said map display device includes a first storage means for storing map data, between the first communication device, data Second to send and receive
A communication device, via said second communication device, from said third memory means
And the point specifying means for specifying a point, a point and a set of viewpoint data specified by the point specification means, via said second communication device, and viewpoint data reading means for reading from said third memory means, said Viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means
Map data necessary for displaying a map viewed from the viewpoint included in the map data map reading means for reading from said first storage means, and the map data read by the map data reading means, said image producing means for producing an image of the map from the viewpoint, and a display means for displaying an image of the map, to have a
Characteristic map display system. Wherein the viewpoint data is other position of the viewpoint, visual field orientation, depression, distance from the viewpoint to the projection plane, and, any size of the projection surface, or to include these combinations The map display system according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized. 4. The second storage unit stores a plurality of hierarchical attribute lists in which points to be searched are classified based on a predetermined category, each attribute list including a plurality of items, The map display system according to claim 1, wherein items in the attribute list in the lower layer correspond to points to be searched, and viewpoint data is associated with the points to be searched. When 5. read the map data represents the three-dimensional map, the image generation means, the point
Map display system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that to generate an image viewed three-dimensional map including the position of the point where the name has been identified from the viewpoint by a specific means. When 6. read map data represents the two-dimensional map, the image generation means, the point
Map display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that to generate an image viewed two-dimensional map including the position of the point where the name has been specified by the specifying means from the viewpoint. 7. Furthermore, the name and location of the point identified by the point specification means, the point a set of viewpoint data
Includes a point / viewpoint memory for storing bets, when obtaining an image of the map including the point stored in said point / viewpoint memory, the image generation means, said point / viewpoint stored in memory
The position of the selected point is stored in the point / viewpoint memory.
The map display system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an image of a map viewed from a viewpoint included in the viewpoint data is generated. 8. Further stored in said point / viewpoint memory
Map display system according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises the viewpoint data changing means for changing the data values for that viewpoint data. 9. Furthermore, the more when the point is identified in the point specification means, and wherein Rukoto with already temporarily storing viewpoints temporary memory viewpoint data related to the image displayed on the display means The map display system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A first storage means for storing map data, and the name and location of the points from the storage medium which stores a set of the at least one view data for displaying the該地point including the position of the viewpoint , and the point specifying means for specifying a point, the point and the set of least specified by the point specification means
Even a single viewpoint data, and viewpoint data reading means for reading from the storage medium, the viewpoint data read from the viewpoint data reading means
If there is a plurality, they are included in each of the plurality of viewpoint data.
Displays the image showing the viewpoint position and receives the viewpoint data selection.
Point-of-view selection means to be applied and viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means
When there is one, the read viewpoint data, and
Viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means
If there are multiple viewpoints, the viewpoint selected by the viewpoint selecting means
Map data necessary for displaying a map viewed from the viewpoint in the data, and the map data map reading means for reading from said first storage means, and the map data read by the map data reading means, map display apparatus comprising: the image generating means for generating an image of the map is viewed from the viewpoint, and a display means for displaying an image of the map, the. 11. A first storage means for storing map data.
And the name and position of the point and the point including the position of the viewpoint.
A storage medium that stores a set of viewpoint data for showing
Al, and the point specifying means for specifying a point, point and a set of viewpoint data specified by the point specification means
Data reading means for reading data from the storage medium
And the viewpoint data read by the viewpoint data reading means.
Area required to display the map viewed from the viewpoint included in
Map data for reading the graphic data from the first storage means
Map reading means and map data read by the map data reading means
To generate a map image viewed from the viewpoint.
An image generating means, and display means for displaying an image of the map, with the external station, and a communication device for transmitting and receiving data, the storage medium, that are provided outside station Features and
Map display device to be. 12. The third storage unit stores a plurality of hierarchical attribute lists in which points to be searched are classified based on a predetermined category, and each of the attribute lists includes a plurality of items, lower scores in the attribute list, corresponding to the point to be searched, and map display according to claim 2, characterized in that viewpoint data a point to be the search is associated <br/> system. 13. In a map display method of displaying a map on a display based on current position information of the own vehicle and displaying the current position of the own vehicle by superimposing on the map, when a point search request is received from a user, the hierarchy Of multiple attribute lists in the lowest attribute list
Multiple attribute lists whose items are point data
Displayed in accordance with the instructions, when receiving a specific point that is among the lowest layer of the attribute list in the display from the user, and the earth
A map display method characterized in that an image of the specified point is displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional or three-dimensional manner based on a viewpoint stored in association with each point data . 14. The attribute of the lowermost layer according to claim 13.
The list includes items such as ski resorts, golf courses, and amusement parks.
The names of leisure facilities such as
Items in the upper layer attribute list of the layer attribute list
Facilities such as leisure facilities, lodging facilities, and tourist facilities.
Tegory name is described, and the attribute list of the lowest layer
Is the item of leisure facilities in the attribute list of the upper layer.
A map display method characterized by being associated . 15. The attribute of the lowermost layer according to claim 13.
The list includes items such as hotels, inns, and guest houses.
The name of the night accommodation is described, and the attribute list of the lowest layer.
The attribute list of the upper layer of the
The category names of facilities such as facilities, accommodation facilities, and tourist facilities are recorded.
As described above, the attribute list of the lowest layer is the upper layer.
Associated with the accommodation item in the attribute list for
Map display method characterized the door. 16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
If the specified point is a ski resort, the specified
As the position of the viewpoint corresponding to the point data of the point, the position overlooking the mountain from the sky above the mountain where the ski area is located is set.
A map display method characterized by being displayed. 17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
If the identified point is denominated creation of such a department store, before
The position of the viewpoint corresponding to the point data of the specified point and
To map display method characterized by position facing the front of the building, such as the vehicle arrives are set. 18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,
When the specified point is a parking lot, the specified location
As the position of the viewpoint corresponding to the point data,
A map display method, wherein a position of an entrance to the parking lot is set . 19. The method according to any one of claims 17 and 18,
Map display method characterized in that to match the landscape seen from the vehicle, the deflection angle from the viewpoint, projection screen, the viewing direction is set. 20. A map of the vicinity of the current position of the own vehicle and a map display method for displaying the current position of the own vehicle on the display by superimposing the map on the map, when a point search request from the user is accepted,
Display a list of points where multiple data items are written,
When a specific location is accepted from the location list
In the map display method, the image of the specified point is displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional or three-dimensional manner based on the viewpoint stored in association with each point data .