JP4224985B2 - Map drawing apparatus, map display system, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map display system or the like, and more particularly to a map display system or the like that performs map display switching.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a map display system such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) mounted on a portable information device or a map display system such as an in-vehicle navigation system (car navigation system), the map information obtained from various memories is switched and the display (monitor ), A plurality of map information can be switched and displayed. Examples of switching map information include switching and displaying maps with different scales, or switching to and displaying related maps according to designation from the user, for example.
[0003]
Conventionally, switching between these maps has been performed based on latitude and longitude. For example, with respect to a plurality of maps having different scales such as a map of Japan, a map of Kanto, a map of Tokyo, etc. There is something configured. It is also possible to change the currently displayed map to an adjacent map based on the latitude and longitude, or to change the general map to a deformed map having the same latitude and longitude.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, conventionally, since a plurality of maps are managed with latitude / longitude or numerical values converted based on the latitude / longitude, it is necessary to have latitude / longitude in all maps. However, there are cases where the latitude / longitude information is not provided as data in the map information, and in such a case, the map cannot be related. In addition, for example, the relationship between latitude and longitude may not be particularly important among a plurality of maps, such as a general map and an architectural map, and a ground map and an underground shopping center map. In such a case, even if a different map is displayed depending on the relationship between latitude and longitude, it may not be possible to switch to actually useful map information. Furthermore, in a small range map such as a parking lot map or an underground shopping center map, it is wasteful to measure and associate the latitude and longitude. In addition, latitude and longitude information may not be obtained in an underground shopping center, and it cannot be said that it is practical to have latitude and longitude information in the map itself.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the technical problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to more appropriately associate a plurality of maps and provide a map that is easy for a user to use. There is.
Another object is to facilitate the construction of a system when associating maps, and to facilitate the production and change of maps.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this purpose, the present invention is characterized by switching display of maps by associating symbol marks displayed on different maps. That is, a map drawing device to which the present invention is applied is displayed on a map based on input information recognizing means for recognizing input information from a user on the displayed map and input information recognized by the input information recognizing means. Symbol mark information reading means for reading the detailed information of the symbol mark, and drawing means for drawing a map linked to the symbol mark based on the detailed information read by the symbol mark information reading means. It is a feature.
[0007]
Here, the detailed information read by the symbol mark information reading unit includes link information of other symbol marks to which the symbol mark is linked, and a map including the other symbol marks is drawn by the drawing unit based on the link information. . Further, the detailed information read by the symbol mark information reading means includes link information of a plurality of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark, and the symbol mark specified by the user from the other plurality of symbol marks. The map including is drawn by the drawing means.
[0008]
From another point of view, the map display system to which the present invention is applied is displayed on the first map display means for displaying the first map including the symbol mark, and on the first map display means. An input unit that receives input from the user for the symbol mark and outputs input information, an input information recognition unit that recognizes input information output from the input unit, and an input information recognized by the input information recognition unit Link symbol mark recognizing means for recognizing a link symbol mark linked to the symbol mark, map information reading means for reading map information of the second map related to the link symbol mark recognized by the link symbol mark recognizing means, A second map table for displaying a second map based on the map information read by the map information reading means It can be characterized in that a means. Here, the link symbol mark recognition means reads symbol mark information including link information of the symbol mark, and recognizes the link symbol mark from the symbol mark information.
[0009]
On the other hand, in the map drawing method to which the present invention is applied, the first map including the symbol mark is drawn in the memory, the input from the user to the symbol mark is recognized, and the detailed information of the symbol mark based on the recognized input And recognizing the identification information of the other symbol mark linked to the symbol mark from the detailed information, and drawing the second map including the other symbol mark in the memory based on the recognized identification information. To do. Also, a selection information of a plurality of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark is output based on the read detailed information, and an input from the user for a specific symbol mark is recognized from the selection information. A second map including a specific symbol mark whose input is recognized can be drawn in a memory.
[0010]
From another point of view, the map drawing method to which the present invention is applied displays the first map including the symbol mark, and recognizes the input from the user to the symbol mark included in the displayed first map. Display the selection information of other symbol marks that are linked to the symbol mark based on the recognized input, recognize the input from the user for the displayed selection information, and specify based on the recognized input The second map including the specific symbol mark is displayed by recognizing selection from the user for the symbol mark.
[0011]
In addition, this invention can be grasped | ascertained as a program which makes a computer perform these inventions. As a program, a computer constituting a map display system for displaying a map has a function of drawing a first map including a symbol mark in a memory and a function of recognizing an input from a user to the symbol mark. The function of reading the detailed information of the symbol mark based on the input, the function of recognizing the identification information of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark from the detailed information, and including other symbol marks based on the recognized identification information It is characterized by realizing a function of drawing a second map in a memory. A function of outputting selection information of a plurality of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark based on the read detailed information, and a function of recognizing a user's input for a specific symbol mark from the selection information; And a function of drawing a second map including a specific symbol mark recognized by the user in a memory.
[0012]
In addition, the form with which this program is provided with the storage medium which memorize | stored the program made to run by the computer which comprises a map display system so that a computer can read can be considered. As this storage medium, for example, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM medium, or the like is applicable, and a program is read by a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM reader or the like, and the program is stored in a predetermined memory and executed. Conceivable. In addition, there is a form in which these programs are provided to a computer constituting the map display system by a program transmission device via a wireless network or the like.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a map display system to which this embodiment is applied as viewed from hardware. This map display system is applied to various systems capable of displaying map information, such as portable navigation systems, PDAs, portable information devices such as cellular phones, in-vehicle navigation systems, and various computer devices. Here, the “system” means a logical collection of a plurality of functions (devices), and does not ask whether or not the functions (devices) of each configuration exist in the same casing.
[0014]
The map display system shown in FIG. 1 performs processing of various types of information and performs control of the entire system as a backbone of this system, and an input that allows the user to input various types of information to the control unit 11. An output device 14 having a device 12 such as a LCD (liquid crystal display) and outputting image information obtained from the control device 11 such as a CD-ROM, DVD, HDD, etc. A storage device 15 that stores various data such as, for example, is provided with a wireless communication function such as a mobile phone, and includes an external communication device 16 that inputs and outputs data from outside the system.
[0015]
The control device 11 includes a CPU 21 that executes arithmetic processing according to a predetermined control program, an I / O circuit 22 that controls various devices connected to the control device 11, a ROM 23 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 21, and the like. , A RAM 24 used as a work memory for the CPU 21, for example, a VRAM 25 used as a work memory for writing map information to be output and displayed on the output device 14. A map is obtained from the obtained information to the VRAM 25. Functions as a map drawing device. The contents drawn in the VRAM 25 are displayed and output on the monitor of the output device 14.
[0016]
The input device 12 includes a keyboard 31, a mouse 32, a remote controller (remote controller) 33, and a touch panel 34 that touches and inputs, for example, a monitor of the output device 14. In addition, a joystick, a game controller, etc. are also considered as the input device 12.
[0017]
Based on the control program stored in the ROM 23, the CPU 21 executes various processes using, for example, the RAM 24 as a working memory. As this processing, for example, map data, facility data, symbol marks, drawing colors, drawing patterns, etc. are read from the storage device 15 such as a DVD-ROM, coordinate conversion, position information management, etc. are performed. To develop map data. From the input device 12, various inputs by the user, such as scrolling of the map displayed on the monitor screen of the output device 14, magnification conversion, and display of a list, are transmitted to the system. The CPU 21 obtains such information via the I / O circuit 22 and executes various processes such as a scroll process and a magnification conversion process based on the information. In addition, various programs can be downloaded to the system via the external communication device 16, and various information can be input from the outside and various information can be output to the outside. As the external communication device 16, other communication means such as PHS and Bluetooth can be considered in addition to the mobile phone. The map information and the like may be read from the storage device 15 by the map data reading means of the CPU 21 or may be read from the external communication device 16 via the external network.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the overall hardware configuration shown in FIG. The control device 11 to which the present embodiment is applied extracts map information (map data) from the input information processing unit 51, for example, the storage device 15, which extracts only information relating to map display, for example, from user input information from the input device 12. Map information / symbol information reading unit 52 for reading symbol information (symbol information) and map information read by the map information / symbol information reading unit 52, for example, various kinds of processing such as enlargement and reduction The processing unit 53, the symbol information processing unit 54 that processes the symbol mark information read by the map information / symbol information reading unit 52, the map information obtained from the map information processing unit 53, and the symbol information processing unit 54 A screen drawing processing unit 55 that develops an image to be drawn on the output device 14 on the VRAM 25 based on various information such as symbol mark information. It has. The storage device 15 includes a map information storage unit 41 that stores map information, and a symbol information storage unit 42 that stores symbol mark information.
[0019]
Here, as symbol mark information, there is a symbol mark that is displayed on an electronic map and indicates the position of a building existing on the map, detailed information about the building, and the like. Symbols include, for example, information on subways, underground malls, shopping districts, department stores, parking lots, parks, theme parks, etc., as well as various information such as entrances, elevators, escalator information, attraction information, facility information, and building information. Information is listed and used as these landmarks. In the symbol information storage unit 42, information on these symbol marks is stored in association with, for example, predetermined table information (described later). The symbol information processing unit 54 takes out symbol mark data from the symbol information storage unit 42 via the map information / symbol information reading unit 52. When the symbol mark is associated with another symbol mark, the associated symbol mark (link symbol mark) is acquired.
[0020]
The present embodiment is characterized in that symbol marks displayed on different maps are associated with each other and map display switching is performed based on the association. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of map display switching by hierarchy. For example, a city map shown in FIG. 3A is currently output and displayed on the output device 14, and this city map shows a symbol mark S indicating an entrance to an underground mall. When the user selects the symbol mark S using the input device 12, for example, an underground shopping center map as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed on the output device 14. The underground map shown in FIG. 3 (b) shows a symbol mark U1 serving as an entrance to the ground. This display switching is performed according to information on the symbol mark S included in the map of FIG. This is possible by associating with the information of the symbol mark U1 included in the map of (b).
[0021]
Here, the symbol mark is selected by using the input device 12 such as the mouse 32 or the remote controller 33 to move the pointer displayed on the output device 14 such as a monitor to the symbol mark, Various methods such as a method of inputting an execution key after moving the pointer and a method of directly touching a symbol mark on the display screen by the touch panel 34 are conceivable. As for the display method of the map, a method of switching the map on one screen, a method of displaying a new map on another window in Microsoft Windows, for example, and a two-screen display used for a car navigation device are used for half. Only a method of switching images can be considered. That is, when another window display or two-screen display is performed, the first map is displayed on the first map display screen, and the first symbol having a link symbol mark linked to the symbol mark included in the first map is displayed. The second map can be configured to be displayed on the second map display screen.
[0022]
Further, when the underground street map of FIG. 3B is displayed, by selecting the symbol mark U1 displayed on the map, the city map which is the first ground map as shown in FIG. Is displayed. Even at this time, as a display method, the method of returning the screen that has previously displayed the underground city map of FIG. 3 (b) to the previous city map of FIG. 3 (a), or a new display is provided. To display the first map (Fig. 3 (a)) after deleting the map (Fig. 3 (b)), the urbanization map of Fig. 3 (b), which was divided into two screens, is displayed on one screen. A method such as returning to the city map of FIG.
[0023]
Furthermore, it is possible to register a plurality of maps as link destinations of symbol marks displayed on the map.
4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating examples of symbol marks linked to a plurality of maps. Here, the three maps of the city map shown in FIG. 4 (a), the underground map shown in FIG. 4 (b), and the underground market survey map shown in FIG. A link is set up.
[0024]
Here, for example, consider a case where the user selects the symbol mark S when the city map shown in FIG. Then, for example, a selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the output device 14, and the user can select one map. FIG. 5 shows an example of user confirmation when there are a plurality of links. In FIG. 4 (b), the map is linked to the symbol mark S on the city map shown in FIG. 4 (a). A balloon display 60 for selecting one of the underground market map shown in FIG. 4 and the underground city survey map shown in FIG. When the user selects any one of the balloon displays 60 shown in FIG. 5 using the input device 12, it is possible to display another map associated with the symbol mark.
[0025]
Next, symbol mark data (symbol mark information) will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of symbol mark data stored in the symbol information storage unit 42. The symbol mark data is stored in the memory (storage device 15) as table information, for example. The symbol mark table shown in FIG. 6 stores information such as an ID for identifying the symbol mark, a symbol mark name, an address, a relative coordinate of the symbol mark in the map, a telephone number, and memo information (Note). . Further, in the present embodiment, link IDs with other symbol marks (link symbol marks) are stored.
[0026]
Here, for example, it is assumed that the user has selected the symbol mark S from the map of the city map shown in FIG. At this time, the input information processing unit 51 of the control device 11 recognizes this selection. Based on this recognition, the symbol information processing unit 54 refers to the data of the corresponding symbol mark from the symbol mark table shown in FIG. 6 stored in the symbol information storage unit 42 (column with ID “C0001”). The symbol mark (link symbol mark) having the IDs of “U0046” and “C0180” of the link destination can be searched from the item “No.”. “U0046” is the symbol mark U1 of the underground shopping street map shown in FIG. 4B, and “C0180” is the underground shopping survey map shown in FIG. 4C. Based on the search for “U0046” and “C0180”, a balloon display 60 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed to prompt the user to select. If there is only one link destination, the corresponding map can be displayed immediately. When the user selects an underground city map from the balloon display 60 shown in FIG. 5, the underground city map shown in FIG. 4B is displayed around the symbol mark U1 of “U0046”.
[0027]
Next, the map display switching process described above will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of map display switching processing to which the present embodiment is applied. In the control device 11, first, upon receiving a user input from the input device 12, input processing is executed by the input information processing unit 51 (step 101), and it is determined whether or not to perform symbol mark processing by this input. (Step 102). If the symbol mark process is not performed, the process ends. When performing symbol mark processing, the map information / symbol information reading unit 52 acquires symbol mark information as shown in FIG. 6 from the symbol information storage unit 42, and the symbol information processing unit 54 performs symbol mark processing. It is executed (step 103).
[0028]
In the symbol mark process, first, it is determined whether or not the acquired symbol mark data has a link destination ID (step 104). If it does not have a link destination ID, the process ends. If it has a link destination ID, it is determined whether or not it has a plurality of link destination IDs (step 105). If there is no plurality of link destination IDs, that is, if there is only one link destination ID, the routine proceeds to step 108. If there are a plurality of link destination IDs, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is output to the monitor of the output device 14 to wait for selection from the user (step 106). That is, the user is informed that the user has a plurality of link destination IDs, and the plurality of link destination information is displayed, for example, and the map of which link destination is displayed by the input device 12 to the user. Let them choose what to do. When the input information processing unit 51 recognizes that there is an input from the user, a user selection process is executed (step 107), and when the symbol information processing unit 54 finds out the link destination map, the link destination The symbol mark information is acquired, and the linked symbol mark process is executed (step 108).
[0029]
Next, the map information / symbol information reading unit 52 reads the corresponding map information from the map information storage unit 41 in accordance with an instruction from the map information processing unit 53 based on the acquired symbol symbol information of the link destination (step 109). The read map data is stored in the RAM 24. The screen drawing processing unit 55 draws the read map data in the VRAM 25 (step 110), is output to the output device 14 and displayed on the monitor, and a series of map display switching processing ends.
[0030]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the symbol mark used as a landmark such as a building is used to associate the symbol mark displayed on the map with the symbol mark on another map. Further, by switching the display using this association, it is possible to switch the display between maps having no latitude / longitude information. Furthermore, since the related map can be known as the detailed information of the symbol mark, a user-friendly map display system can be provided. Furthermore, since the current symbol mark database can be used, it is easy to construct a system. Also, it is easy to create and change maps. Is suitable.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more appropriately associate a plurality of maps, and for example, it is possible to easily switch the map display.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a map display system to which this embodiment is applied as viewed from hardware.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the overall hardware configuration shown in FIG. 1;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of map display switching by hierarchy. FIGS.
FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating examples of symbol marks linked to a plurality of maps.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of user confirmation when there are a plurality of links;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of symbol mark data stored in a symbol information storage unit.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of map display switching processing to which the present embodiment is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Control apparatus, 12 ... Input device, 14 ... Output device, 15 ... Storage device, 16 ... External communication device, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... I / O circuit, 23 ... ROM, 24 ... RAM, 25 ... VRAM, 31 ... Keyboard, 32 ... Mouse, 33 ... Remote control (remote controller), 34 ... Touch panel, 41 ... Map information storage unit, 42 ... Symbol information storage unit, 51 ... Input information processing unit, 52 ... Map information / symbol information reading unit, 53 ... Map information processing unit, 54 ... Symbol information processing unit, 55 ... Screen drawing processing unit, 60 ... Speech balloon display

Claims (6)

Input information recognition means for recognizing input information from a user for a symbol mark corresponding to an entrance on the displayed map;
Based on the input information recognized by the input information recognition means, the symbol mark information reading means for reading link information of other symbol marks corresponding to the doorway, to which the symbol mark displayed on the map is linked,
A map drawing apparatus comprising: drawing means for drawing another map including the other symbol mark based on the link information read by the symbol mark information reading means. The symbol mark information reading means reads link information of a plurality of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark,
2. The map drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing means draws a map including a symbol mark specified by a user from among the plurality of other symbol marks. First map display means for displaying a first map including a symbol mark corresponding to the doorway;
Input means for receiving input from a user for the symbol mark displayed on the first map display means and outputting input information;
Input information recognition means for recognizing the input information output from the input means;
Link symbol mark recognition means for recognizing a link symbol mark corresponding to the entrance and linking to the symbol mark based on the input information recognized by the input information recognition means;
Map information reading means for reading map information of the second map related to the link symbol mark recognized by the link symbol mark recognition means;
A map display system comprising: second map display means for displaying the second map including the link symbol mark based on the map information read by the map information reading means.   4. The map display system according to claim 3, wherein the link symbol mark recognition means reads symbol mark information including link information of the symbol mark and recognizes the link symbol mark from the symbol mark information. To the computer that constitutes the map display system that displays the map,
A function for drawing a first map including a symbol mark corresponding to the doorway in a memory;
A function of recognizing input from the user for the symbol mark;
A function of reading detailed information of the symbol mark based on the recognized input;
A function of recognizing identification information of other symbol marks corresponding to the doorway and linked to the symbol marks from the detailed information;
A program that realizes a function of drawing a second map including the other symbol mark in a memory based on the recognized identification information. In the computer,
A function of outputting selection information of a plurality of other symbol marks linked to the symbol mark based on the read detailed information;
A function of recognizing an input from a user for a specific symbol mark from the selection information;
The program according to claim 5 , further realizing a function of drawing the second map including the specific symbol mark recognized by the user in a memory.

Images