JP4473963B2 - Navigation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus that displays a map around a vehicle position.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an in-vehicle navigation device is based on a map display function that displays a map of the vehicle position and the like on the screen, a route search function that searches for a route to a destination or waypoint specified by the user, and a route search. A route guidance function that guides the traveling of the vehicle along the set route is provided.
[0003]
The map displayed by the navigation device includes various roads such as expressways, national roads, prefectural roads, and general roads. These roads are often displayed with different display colors depending on the type of road, the number of lanes, etc., so that the contents of each road can be visually recognized. .
[0004]
For example, if the display color is set such as blue on an expressway, red on a national road, and green on a prefectural road, the intersection of a national road and a prefectural road will intersect if the red line and the green line intersect. In the case where the red line and the blue line are arranged in parallel, it can be understood that the national road and the expressway are in parallel. That is, based on the arrangement state of each line for which a predetermined display color is set, it is possible to recognize the contents of each road such as the presence or absence of an intersection and the presence of other roads in parallel.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional navigation device as described above, roads included in the map are displayed in different colors according to the contents thereof, but there are few users who accurately remember the display color assignment for each road, For many users, there is a problem that it is difficult to intuitively grasp the contents of each road from the displayed map.
[0006]
In addition, when multiple display colors are used depending on the type of road, etc., a number of display colors are used in the map. May be difficult.
Further, in the map display in the conventional navigation device, particularly when two-dimensional display is performed, the display in consideration of the actual vertical relationship of each road is not performed for the portion where the road intersects. For this reason, when you see a place where roads intersect on the map, you cannot distinguish whether multiple roads intersect as intersections or three-dimensionally intersect at this place. The point was also a factor that made it difficult to grasp the road contents on the map.
[0007]
The present invention was created in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can easily grasp the contents of a road in a map.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problem, the navigation device of the present invention stores map data necessary for drawing a map image including a road in map data storage means, and based on the stored map data, map drawing means. Draw a map image of a predetermined range withOnly high priority roadsIs displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional display, and a map image drawn by the map drawing means is displayed by the map display means. In particular,High priorityThe road may be a main road such as an expressway or a national road, or a road on which the vehicle is traveling. like thisHigh priorityBy performing a pseudo three-dimensional display of the road,High priorityA road and other roads can be clearly distinguished visually, and the contents of the road in the map can be easily grasped.
[0009]
  For normal map images,Various roads such as expressways, national roads, prefectural roads, and general roads are included. Among these roads, for example, highways and national roads have high priority, that is, they are considered highly necessary for users. Therefore, by performing pseudo three-dimensional display for such a road, it becomes possible to reliably grasp a road that is highly necessary.
[0010]
  In addition, when the display of the map image by the map display means can switch a plurality of reduction ratios from the detailed display to the wide area display, the map drawing meansHigh priorityIt is desirable that the pseudo three-dimensional display of the road is performed in correspondence with a map image having a reduction ratio equal to or less than a predetermined value. In general, the smaller the reduction ratio, that is, the wider the range of the map image, the larger the number and types of roads included in the display range, and it tends to be difficult to clearly distinguish each road. Therefore, it is easy to grasp the contents of each road while minimizing the increase in the processing amount by performing the pseudo three-dimensional display only when the reduction ratio equal to or smaller than the predetermined value corresponding to the wide area display is set. Map display can be realized.
[0016]
  AlsoThe map drawing means draws a third belt-like image including a region corresponding to the road and a shadow for a road having a high priority, and then a fourth belt-like image having a narrower width than the third belt-like image. Is drawn in a region that is decentered from the center of the third belt-like image and is included in the third belt-like image.Therefore, it is desirable to perform pseudo stereoscopic display. The process of shifting the drawing position and applying a shadow to the road is relatively simple, and a pseudo three-dimensional display can be performed without increasing the processing load so much.
[0017]
  Also,The second strip image in the mapHigh priorityBy making the first belt-like image correspond to the shadow in correspondence with the road, it is possible to express a road with a shadow added in a predetermined direction, that is, a road displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner.
[0018]
  Also,By making the drawing position of the second belt-like image correspond to the road position to be drawn, there is an advantage that the drawing position of the road itself does not change compared to the case where pseudo stereoscopic display is not performed.
[0019]
  The map drawing meansHigh priorityFor a road, after drawing a third belt-like image including an area corresponding to the road and a shadow, the fourth belt-like image having a narrower width than the third belt-like image is decentered from the center of the third belt-like image. By drawing in the area included in the third strip image at the positionHigh priorityA pseudo three-dimensional display of the road may be performed. Alternatively, the map drawing meansHigh priorityBy attaching a band-shaped additional image in a predetermined direction to this road,High priorityA pseudo three-dimensional display of the road may be performed. Even with the method described above,High priorityThe road can be displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner, and the choice of map drawing methods can be increased.
[0020]
Further, it is desirable that the map drawing means color the belt-like additional image so that the color gradually changes between the color of the road to which the additional image is attached and the background color around the road. Thereby, a display color comes to change smoothly between the road side and a background color, and it can improve the visibility of a map more.
[0021]
Further, it is desirable that the map drawing means perform pixel thinning processing on the belt-like additional image so that the degree of background exposure increases as the distance from the road to which the additional image is attached. By simple processing such as pixel thinning processing, it is possible to realize coloring in which the color gradually changes between the road and the background color around the road.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, a navigation device according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG.One embodimentIt is a figure which shows the detailed structure of this navigation apparatus. A navigation device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a navigation controller 1, a DVD 2, a disk reading device 3, a remote control (remote control) unit 4, a vehicle position detection unit 5, and a display device 6.
[0023]
The navigation controller 1 controls the overall operation of the navigation device 100. The navigation controller 1 realizes its function by executing a predetermined operation program using a CPU, ROM, RAM, or the like. The detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 will be described later.
[0024]
The DVD 2 is an information storage medium that stores map data necessary for map display, route search, and the like. Specifically, the DVD 2 stores map data in units of rectangular shape leaves that are divided into an appropriate size by longitude and latitude according to the reduction ratio in several stages. The map data can be specified and read by designating the leaf number. In addition, the map data of each map leaf includes (1) “drawing unit” consisting of various data necessary for displaying a map image, and (2) various data necessary for processing such as map matching, route search, route guidance, etc. (3) “intersection unit” composed of various data representing detailed information of the intersection, and the like.
[0025]
The disc reader 3 can be loaded with one or more DVDs 2 and reads map data from any of the DVDs 2 under the control of the navigation controller 1. The loaded disc is not necessarily a DVD but may be a CD. Further, both DVD and CD may be selectively loaded.
[0026]
The remote control unit 4 includes various operation keys such as up / down / left / right cursor keys, a numeric keypad, and a scale key for setting a reduction magnification of a map image, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the navigation controller 1.
The vehicle position detection unit 5 includes, for example, a GPS receiver, an orientation sensor, a distance sensor, and the like, detects the vehicle position (longitude, latitude) at a predetermined timing, and outputs a detection result.
[0027]
The display device 6 displays various information such as a map image around the vehicle position based on the image data output from the navigation controller 1.
Next, a detailed configuration of the navigation controller 1 will be described. 1 includes a map buffer 10, a map readout control unit 12, a map drawing unit 14, a VRAM 18, a vehicle position calculation unit 20, a route search processing unit 22, a guidance route memory 24, a guidance route drawing unit 26, and an input. The processing unit 28, the mark image drawing unit 30, and the image composition unit 32 are included.
[0028]
The map buffer 10 temporarily stores map data read from the DVD 2 by the disk reader 3.
The map reading control unit 12 outputs a request for reading a predetermined range of map data to the disk reading device 3 in accordance with the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculating unit 20 or a request from the input processing unit 28.
[0029]
The map drawing unit 14 generates map image data necessary for displaying a map image based on the map data stored in the map buffer 10, and includes a pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16.
The pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 performs processing for pseudo three-dimensional display of a specific road included in the map image. As specific roads in the present embodiment, highways, national roads, and prefectural roads are considered. The detailed contents of the processing performed by the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 will be described later.
[0030]
The VRAM 18 temporarily stores map image data output from the map drawing unit 14.
The vehicle position calculation unit 20 calculates the vehicle position and the vehicle direction based on the detection data output from the vehicle position detection unit 5, and when the calculated vehicle position is not on the road of the map data, A map matching process for correcting the vehicle position is performed.
[0031]
The route search processing unit 22 searches for a travel route that connects a departure point and a destination (or waypoint) designated by the user under predetermined conditions. For example, a travel route that minimizes the cost under various conditions such as the shortest distance and the shortest time is set as the guide route. Data (guidance route data) indicating the content of the guidance route set by the route search processing unit 22 is stored in the guidance route memory 24.
[0032]
The guide route drawing unit 26 selects, from the guide route data set by the route search processing unit 22 and stored in the guide route memory 24, the one included in the map drawn in the VRAM 18 at that time, and selects the guide route. Guide route drawing data to be displayed on the map is generated.
[0033]
The input processing unit 28 outputs commands for performing operations corresponding to various operation instructions input from the remote control unit 4 to each unit in the navigation controller 1.
The mark image drawing unit 30 generates image data for displaying a predetermined vehicle position mark at the own vehicle position after the map matching process has been performed or displaying a predetermined cursor mark at the cursor position.
[0034]
The image composition unit 32 performs image composition by superimposing the map image data read from the VRAM 18 corresponding to the vehicle position and the like and the image data output from the mark image drawing unit 30, and displays the composite image data on the display device 6. Output to.
The map buffer 10 described above corresponds to the map data storage means, the map drawing unit 14 corresponds to the map drawing means, and the display device 6, the VRAM 18, and the image composition unit 32 correspond to the map display means.
[0035]
  The navigation device 100 of the present embodiment has such a configuration. Next, the operation of the navigation device when displaying a map image around the vehicle position will be described.
  FIG.This embodiment5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device 100 of FIG. Note that the series of processing shown in FIG. 2 is repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.
[0036]
The map reading control unit 12 issues a request for reading a predetermined range of map data based on the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculating unit 20 and the reduction ratio of the map image set at that time. Send to. As a result, a predetermined range of map data is read from the DVD 2 by the disk reader 3 and stored in the map buffer 10 (step 100).
[0037]
Next, the map drawing unit 14 uses the map data stored in the map buffer 10 to generate map image data corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle position (step 101).
In parallel with the processing shown in step 101, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 in the map drawing unit 14 determines whether or not the currently set reduction magnification is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step 102). As a predetermined value for determining the reduction ratio, for example, a value of about 1 / 10,000 (so-called “100 m scale”) in which 1 cm on the map is a reduction ratio corresponding to an actual 100 m may be set. preferable.
[0038]
If the reduction ratio is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, an affirmative determination is made in step 102, and the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 extracts a high priority road within the display range of the map image (step 103), A process for displaying the road in a pseudo three-dimensional display (a pseudo three-dimensional process) is performed (step 104).
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the pseudo three-dimensional process performed in step 104.
The pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 performs a process of shifting the road image 100 (corresponding to the first belt-shaped image) by a predetermined movement amount in the upper left direction (FIG. 3A), and the road image 100a (the first image after the shift process) 2 (corresponding to the belt-like image 2) is overwritten on the road image 100 before the shifting process (FIG. 3B).
[0040]
Next, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 paints a portion of the road image 100 that does not overlap with the road image 100a after the shifting process in black (or gray). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, the shadow image 110 is formed on the right side and the lower side of the road image 100a after the shifting process, and the road image 100a is pseudo-stereoscopically displayed. .
[0041]
Note that the shadow image 110 may be formed by painting the entire road image 100 before the shifting process and overwriting the road image 100a after the shifting process thereon.
When pseudo-three-dimensional processing is performed on a road with a high priority, or when the reduction ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (negative determination in step 102 described above), the map drawing unit 14 stores the generated map image data in the VRAM 18. (Step 105).
[0042]
Next, the image composition unit 32 reads out map image data in a range corresponding to one screen from the VRAM 18, composes the image data generated by the mark image drawing unit 30, and outputs it to the display device 6. Based on the image data output from the image composition unit 32, a map image is displayed on the screen of the display device 6 (step 106). Thereafter, the process returns to the above-described step 100, the map data corresponding to the new vehicle position is read, and the subsequent processing is repeated.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image. As shown in FIG. 4, a pseudo three-dimensional display with a shadow is given to a road with a high priority, and a conventional flat display is given to a road with a low priority. By performing such a display, it becomes possible to clearly distinguish a road with a high priority from other roads visually.
[0044]
As described above, the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment performs pseudo-stereoscopic display by adding shadow images to high priority roads such as expressways and national roads. It becomes possible to distinguish visually from other roads clearly. Therefore, the contents of the road in the map can be easily grasped.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, an expressway, a national road, or the like is considered as a high priority road. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and another road may be set as a high priority road. For example, a road on which the vehicle is traveling or a road connected to the traveling road may be a high priority road, and a guidance route during route guidance may be a high priority road.
[0046]
Further, when performing pseudo-stereoscopic display, the priority may be further expressed by variably setting the shift amount when shifting the original road image. For example, if the priority is higher in the order of highway, national road, and prefectural road, the higher the priority, the larger the shift amount, and the lower the priority, the smaller the shift amount, the pseudo stereoscopic display is performed. It is possible to express the priority order further on the road. Even in this case, since the display colors used in the map do not increase, the visibility is not deteriorated due to heavy use of display colors.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the value “1 / 10,000” is given as a specific example of the reduction ratio in step 102 shown in FIG. 2, but this value is an example and may be set to another value. .
In the above-described embodiment, the high priority road is displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional display by shifting the shadow in the upper left direction, but the method of displaying the road in a three-dimensional display is limited to this. However, various other modifications are possible.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of a method for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road. In the case of the modification shown in FIG. 5, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 forms a belt-like shape at a position shifted from the original drawing position 120 ′ (FIG. 5A) of the road image by a predetermined amount of movement in the lower right direction. An image 120a (corresponding to the first belt-shaped image) is drawn, and a road image 120 (corresponding to the second belt-shaped image) is overwritten on the image 120a (FIG. 5B). Next, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 paints a portion of the strip image 120a that does not overlap the road image 120 with black (or gray). As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, a shadow image 130 is formed in a portion extending between the right side and the lower side of the road image 120, and a road image 120 displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner can be obtained. In this case, there is an advantage that the drawing position of the road image does not change compared to the case where the pseudo-three-dimensional processing is not performed.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another modification of the method for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road. In the modification shown in FIG. 6, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 draws a road image 140 and draws partial shadow images 142 and 144 on the lower right side of the road image 140, respectively. (FIG. 6 (A)). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6 (B), the shadow image 146 is formed in a portion extending on the right side and the lower side of the road image 140 by the partial shadow images 142 and 144, and the road image is displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner. 140 is obtained. In this case, the shadow images 142 and 144 correspond to the belt-like additional images.
[0050]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another modification of the method for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road. In the case of the modification shown in FIG. 7, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 first applies a shadow image 160 (corresponding to the third belt-like image) having a predetermined width in the vicinity of the original drawing position 150 ′ of the road image. Drawing is performed (FIG. 7A). Next, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16 has a predetermined color (width) narrower than that of the shadow image 160 in a drawing position 150 ′, that is, a position eccentric from the center of the shadow image 160 and included in the shadow image 160. For example, the black line 150a is overwritten and drawn (FIG. 7B).
[0051]
Next, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 draws the line 150a of a predetermined color by overwriting the line 150b with a display color different from the line 150a and having a slightly smaller area inside the line 150a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7C, the periphery of the line 152b is trimmed by the outer edge portion of the line 150a, and the road image 150 (corresponding to the fourth belt-like image) is formed using the lines 150a and 150b. Is formed. In addition, a part of the shadow image 160 can be seen in a portion extending to the right side and the lower side of the road image 150, whereby the road image 150 displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner can be obtained.
[0052]
As described above, the road can be displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner even by the method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 described above, and the choices of the map drawing method can be increased.
In addition, as a simpler method for pseudo-stereoscopic display of roads, it is possible to distinguish other roads by highlighting both sides of a high priority road with thick lines. . In this case, the processing amount can be further reduced.
[0053]
Further, as in the example shown in FIG. 6 described above, when a predetermined shadow image (band-like additional image) is added to the road image, the road image with the shadow image attached to the shadow image Coloring may be performed so that the display color gradually changes between the surrounding background images.
[0054]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example in the case of coloring the shadow image so that the display color gradually changes between the road image to which the shadow image is attached and the surrounding background image. A part of a road image with a shadow image is shown.
In FIG. 8, a predetermined display color is set for the road image 170, and this display color is expressed in a pseudo manner by hatching. The background image 180 is also set with a predetermined display color different from that of the road image 170. In the shadow image 172 arranged between the road image 170 and the background image 180, the display color and the display color of the road image 170 are expressed as expressed by gradually changing the hatching density in the figure. Coloring is performed such that the color gradually changes between the display color of the background image 180. For example, if the display color of the road image 170 is set to “blue” and the display color of the background image 180 is set to “white”, the display color of the shadow image 172 gradually increases between blue and white. The color changes. As a result, the display color smoothly changes between the road image 170 and the background image 180, and the visibility of the map can be further improved.
[0055]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another display example in the case where the shadow image is colored so that the display color gradually changes between the road image with the shadow image and the surrounding background image. Yes, as in FIG. 8 described above, a part of the road image with the shadow image is shown.
[0056]
Also in FIG. 9, a predetermined display color is set in the road image 170, and this display color is expressed in a pseudo manner by hatching. The background image 180 is also set with a predetermined display color different from that of the road image 170. The difference from the example shown in FIG. 8 described above is that the color is gradually changed between the display color of the road image 170 and the display color of the background image 180 by performing pixel thinning processing on the shadow image 172 ′. This is the point of coloring.
[0057]
Specifically, the shadow image 172 ′ shown in FIG. 9 is composed of five pixel columns, one pixel every five pixels in the pixel column closest to the road image 170, and four pixels in the next pixel column. Every other pixel, every third pixel in the third pixel row, every other pixel in the fourth pixel row, every second pixel, every second pixel, every fifth pixel row, every other pixel, and so on. Many pixels are thinned away from 170.
[0058]
Therefore, as the distance from the road image 170 increases, the degree of exposure of the background image 180 increases. As a result, the color gradually changes between the display color of the road image 170 and the display color of the background image 180. It is expressed in a pseudo manner. In other words, the display example shown in FIG. 9 has an advantage that it is possible to realize coloring in which the color gradually changes between the road and the background color around the road by a simple process of pixel thinning.
[0059]
In addition, as a method of performing coloring that changes the display color gradually between the road image and the surrounding background image, the intermediate color between the display color of the road image and the display color of the background image is set as a shadow image. It is also possible to do this. For example, if “blue” is set for the road image and “white” is set for the background image, a “light blue” display color may be set for the shadow image.
[0060]
  [Reference embodiment]
  By the way,EmbodimentIn the case of roads such as highways and national roads, pseudo-stereoscopic display is performed by adding shadow images. Also by displaying, it is possible to easily grasp the contents of the road in the map (specifically, the presence or absence of a three-dimensional intersection).
[0061]
  FIG.Reference embodimentIt is a figure which shows the structure of this navigation apparatus. The navigation device 100a shown in FIG.Mentioned aboveCompared to the navigation device 100 of the embodiment, only the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16 provided in the map drawing unit 14 is replaced with a pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16a having different processing contents. Hereinafter, the description will be made mainly focusing on the differences between the two.
[0062]
The pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16a performs processing for pseudo-stereoscopic display of the three-dimensionally intersecting portion of the road that is three-dimensionally crossed. The detailed contents of processing performed by the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16a will be described later.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of the map data regarding the portion where the three-dimensional intersection is present. As a specific example, as shown in FIG. 11A, assuming that road R1 and road R2 intersect planarly and road R1 and road R3 intersect three-dimensionally, map data is expressed. A method will be described.
[0063]
In the conventional map data, as shown in FIG. 11B, a node N1 is set corresponding to the intersection where the road R1 and the road R2 intersect, and attribute information (for example, connection information) regarding the intersection is associated with the node N1. The number of roads and traffic regulations that are being recorded) are recorded. Further, attribute information (for example, the number of lanes and travel cost) related to the road R1 is recorded in association with the links L11 and L12 connected to the node N1, and attribute information related to the road R2 is recorded in association with the links L21 and L22. The Similarly, attribute information related to the road R3 is recorded in association with the link L31.
[0064]
On the other hand, in the map data of this embodiment, in order to describe the information about the part where the road R1 and the road R3 intersect three-dimensionally, as shown in FIG. 11C, the map data corresponds to the upper road R1. The link L12 is newly divided into three links L121, L122, and L123, and the link L122 is associated with a portion where the road R1 and the road R3 intersect three-dimensionally. As described above, in the upper road R1, the portion where the three-dimensional intersection is made correspond to the one link L122, so that the portion where the lower road R3 and the upper road R1 are three-dimensionally crossed is displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner. The process of specifying the three-dimensional intersection becomes easy.
[0065]
In the present embodiment, predetermined height data indicating a relative height difference between the roads R1, R2, and R3 is set. Specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 11A, the road R1 and the road R2 have the same relative height, and the road R3 has a lower relative height than the roads R1 and R2. As the length data, for example, the links L11, L121, L122, and L123 describing the road R1 and the links L21 and L22 describing the road R2 are “height data = + 1” and the link describing the road R3. Data such as “height data = 0” may be recorded in L31. The expression method of the height data is an example, and other expression methods may be used as long as the data content can determine the relative height between the roads.
[0066]
  Reference embodimentThe navigation device 100a has such a configuration. Next, the operation of the navigation device 100a when displaying a map image around the vehicle position will be described.
  FIG.Reference embodimentIt is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the navigation apparatus 100a. Note that the series of processing shown in FIG. 12 is repeatedly performed at predetermined time intervals.
[0067]
The map reading control unit 12 issues a request for reading a predetermined range of map data based on the vehicle position calculated by the vehicle position calculating unit 20 and the reduction ratio of the map image set at that time. Send to. As a result, a predetermined range of map data is read from the DVD 2 by the disk reader 3 and stored in the map buffer 10 (step 200).
[0068]
Next, the map drawing unit 14 uses the map data stored in the map buffer 10 to generate map image data for drawing a map image corresponding to the vicinity of the vehicle position (step 201). Specifically, the map drawing unit 14 performs a process of generating background image data of a portion serving as a background of the map image, road image data for displaying a road, and the like.
[0069]
In parallel with the processing shown in step 201, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16a in the map drawing unit 14 determines whether or not there is a road that has a three-dimensional intersection within the display range of the map image ( Step 202).
If there is a road that is three-dimensionally crossed, an affirmative determination is made in step 202, and the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16a performs a predetermined pseudo-three-dimensional process on a portion where the road is three-dimensionally crossed (step). 203). Details of the processing contents will be described later.
[0070]
If there is no road that intersects three-dimensionally within the display range of the map image, a negative determination is made in step 202 described above, and in this case, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing shown in step 203 described above is omitted. The
Next, the map drawing unit 14 stores the generated map image data in the VRAM 18 (step 204).
[0071]
Next, the image composition unit 32 reads out the image data in a range corresponding to one screen from the VRAM 18, composes the image data generated by the mark image drawing unit 30, and outputs it to the display device 6. A map image is displayed on the screen of the display device 6 based on the image data output from the image composition unit 32 (step 205). Thereafter, the process returns to step 200 described above, the map data corresponding to the new vehicle position is read, and the subsequent processing is repeated.
[0072]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of the pseudo three-dimensional process performed in step 203 described above. As a specific example, description will be made assuming that a pseudo three-dimensional process is performed on the road illustrated in FIG.
The map drawing unit 14 draws a background image and a road image in a plurality of layers based on a difference in relative height of each road, and draws a map image by combining them. In the case of drawing the map image including the road shown in FIG. 11A, the map drawing unit 14 draws the background image on the lowermost layer # 0 and the road R3 on the upper layer # 1. A road with height data = 0 such as is drawn, and a road with height data = + 1 such as roads R1 and R2 is drawn on the upper layer # 2.
[0073]
In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16a identifies a portion that is three-dimensionally crossed based on the data of the link L122 related to the road R1. Next, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16a sets predetermined areas T1 and T2 corresponding to both sides of the road R1 on the layer # 2 that are three-dimensionally intersecting, and for these predetermined areas T1 and T2, To set a transparent color as the display color.
[0074]
Next, the pseudo three-dimensional processing unit 16a compares the road R3 drawn on the layer # 1 with the predetermined areas T1 and T2 set on the layer # 2, and as shown in FIG. 13B. For the road R3, a process of making a portion included in the predetermined region T1 or T2 (a portion indicated by hatching in the figure) in a non-display state is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13C, a part of the lower road R3 (a part close to the road R1) is deleted from the part where the road R1 and the road R3 intersect three-dimensionally. .
[0075]
In this way, in the three-dimensional intersection, the lower road and the upper road are relatively easily processed by hiding the lower road included in the predetermined range on both sides of the upper road (specific road). It is possible to express a state where the road intersects three-dimensionally. In FIG. 13 described above, the lower road included in the predetermined range on both sides of the upper road is hidden, but the lower road included in the predetermined range on at least one of the upper roads. It is also possible to express a state where the three-dimensional crossing is performed by making the non-display state.
[0076]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image in which three-dimensionally intersecting roads are displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner. As shown in FIG. 14, the vehicle position is indicated by a vehicle position mark G, and a map image of the surrounding area is displayed. In this map image, as indicated by the three-dimensional intersections 200 and 202, the predetermined pseudo-three-dimensional processing shown in FIG. It is possible to easily grasp that the road on the lower side intersects.
[0077]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another display example of a map image in which three-dimensionally intersecting roads are displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner. FIG. 15 shows a display example when roads R4 and R5 corresponding to the upper road extend in the vertical direction near the center, and a ring road R6 exists below the road. As shown in the three-dimensional intersections 204 and 206, it is understood that the upper roads R4 and R5 and the lower ring road R6 are three-dimensionally crossed by performing a predetermined pseudo-three-dimensional process. It has become.
[0078]
  in this way,Reference embodimentSince the navigation apparatus 100a performs pseudo-stereoscopic display according to actual road conditions (relative height relationship) for roads that are three-dimensionally crossed, the presence or absence of a three-dimensional crossing can be easily grasped. It becomes possible to grasp the contents of the road in the map easily.
[0079]
  As mentioned aboveReference embodimentIn the three-dimensionally intersecting upper road, the lower road included in the predetermined range on both sides of the upper road is hidden to display a pseudo three-dimensional display. A pseudo three-dimensional display may be realized by performing a drawing process in which a part of the image is made translucent.
[0080]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example in the case of performing a pseudo three-dimensional display of the upper road crossed three-dimensionally by performing a rendering process in which a part of the lower road is made translucent. 11, a portion where the road R1 and the road R3 intersect is shown in an enlarged manner.
[0081]
In FIG. 16, a predetermined display color is set for the road R3, and this display color is expressed in a pseudo manner by hatching. In the road R3, pixel thinning processing is performed at predetermined intervals in a portion included in a predetermined range close to the road R1, and a lower background display color can be seen in the thinned portion. As described above, the rendering process that is made semi-transparent is performed by a relatively simple process such as pixel thinning process, and the lower road R3 appears thin in a predetermined range on both sides of the upper road R1. The state in which the road R1 and the road R3 are three-dimensionally crossed is expressed more clearly.
[0082]
In addition to the above-described pixel thinning process, various methods such as a method of mixing the display color of the lower background and the display color of the road R3 are conceivable as a method for realizing the semi-transparent drawing process. However, either may be adopted.
In the above-described embodiment, map data is described by associating a newly set link with a three-dimensionally intersecting portion like a link L122 shown in FIG. One link can also be made to correspond to the whole including the part which is three-dimensionally crossed.
[0083]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the contents of the map data regarding the portion where the three-dimensional intersection is present. The configuration of the links and nodes shown in FIG. 17 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 11B described above as an example of conventional map data. As shown in FIG. 17, the position data P1 and P2 indicating the section intersecting the three-dimensional intersection are recorded in association with the link L12 including the three-dimensionally intersecting portion, and based on the position data P1 and P2. Thus, the pseudo-three-dimensional processing unit 16a may perform a process of pseudo-stereoscopically displaying the portion where the three-dimensionally intersects. In this modified example, position data indicating the section where the three-dimensional crossing is performed is added in association with the existing link, so there is no need to reset a new link corresponding to the three-dimensional crossing portion, and the map data There is an advantage that the labor required for the change can be reduced.
[0084]
  Also,Reference embodimentThe pseudo-stereoscopic display method related to the three-dimensional intersection shown in FIG.One embodimentA map image may be drawn by further combining the methods shown in FIG.
  FIG.One embodimentPseudo-stereoscopic display method inReference embodimentIt is a figure which shows the example of a display of the map image at the time of using in combination with the method of the pseudo | simulation three-dimensional display in. The display example shown in FIG. 18 is the same as that shown in FIG.One embodimentThe display content is substantially the same as the display example in FIG. 2, and a pseudo three-dimensional display is performed by adding a predetermined shadow image to a specific road such as an expressway or a national road. As shown, a predetermined pseudo-three-dimensional process relating to a three-dimensional intersection is performed. in this way,Reference embodimentFor the pseudo 3D display method related to the 3D intersection shown inOne embodimentBy drawing a map image using a further combination of the methods shown in (2), it becomes easier to grasp the road contents in the map.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, pseudo-stereoscopic display is performed on a specific road such as an expressway or a national road included in the map image, so that the specific road and other roads can be visually displayed. It becomes possible to distinguish clearly. Therefore, the contents of the road in the map can be easily grasped.
[0086]
In addition, according to the present invention, a pseudo three-dimensional display is performed for the upper road that is three-dimensionally crossed as a specific road, so that it is easy to grasp the presence or absence of the three-dimensional intersection and easily grasp the contents of the road in the map. Will be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[Figure 1]One embodimentIt is a figure which shows the detailed structure of this navigation apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the navigation device.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of pseudo-three-dimensional processing.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a map image.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of a technique for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another modified example of a method for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another modified example of a method for pseudo-stereoscopically displaying a road.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example when coloring a shadow image so that a display color gradually changes between a road image to which the shadow image is attached and a surrounding background image.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another display example when coloring a shadow image so that the display color gradually changes between the road image with the shadow image and the surrounding background image. is there.
FIG. 10Reference embodimentIt is a figure which shows the structure of this navigation apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the contents of map data regarding a portion where a three-dimensional intersection occurs.
FIG.Reference embodimentIt is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of this navigation apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the contents of the pseudo three-dimensional process performed in Step 203;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of a map image in which three-dimensionally intersecting roads are displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another display example of a map image in which three-dimensionally intersecting roads are displayed in a pseudo three-dimensional manner.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example in a case where a pseudo three-dimensional display of an upper road that is three-dimensionally crossed is performed by performing a rendering process in which a part of a lower road is made translucent.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a modified example of the contents of map data regarding a portion where a three-dimensional intersection occurs.
FIG. 18One embodimentPseudo-stereoscopic display method inReference embodimentIt is a figure which shows the example of a display of the map image at the time of using in combination with the method of the pseudo | simulation three-dimensional display in.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Navigation controller
2 DVD
3 Disc reader
4 Remote control unit
5 Vehicle position detector
6 Display device
10 Map buffer
12 Map readout controller
14 Map drawing part
16, 16a Pseudo three-dimensional processing unit
18 VRAM
20 Vehicle position calculator
22 Route search processing unit
32 Image composition part
100, 100a Navigation device

Claims (6)

Map data storage means for storing map data necessary for drawing a map image including a road;
Based on the map data, a map drawing means for drawing the map image of a predetermined range and performing a pseudo three-dimensional display only for roads having a high priority ;
Map display means for displaying the map image drawn by the map drawing means,
The drawing range of the map image includes a plurality of types of roads having different priorities,
The display of the map image by the map display means can switch a plurality of reduction magnifications from detailed display to wide area display,
The navigation apparatus characterized in that the map drawing means performs the pseudo three-dimensional display of a road with a high priority in correspondence with the map image having a reduction ratio equal to or less than a predetermined value. In claim 1,
The map drawing means draws the first band-like image at a drawing position shifted from the drawing target road position, and then draws the first belt-like image at a drawing position corresponding to the drawing target road position. from the Rukoto to draw the second strip-shaped image position shifted in a predetermined direction, a navigation device which is characterized in that the pseudo-three-dimensional display. In claim 1,
The map drawing means draws a third belt-like image including a region corresponding to the road and a shadow for the high priority road, and then a fourth belt-like shape having a narrower width than the third belt-like image. A navigation apparatus characterized in that the pseudo three-dimensional display is performed by drawing an image in a region that is decentered from the center of the third belt-like image and included in the third belt-like image. In claim 1,
The navigation apparatus characterized in that the map drawing means performs the pseudo three-dimensional display by attaching a band-like additional image in a predetermined direction to the road having a high priority . In claim 4,
The map drawing means performs coloration such that the color gradually changes between the color of the road to which the additional image is attached and the background color around the road with respect to the belt-like additional image. apparatus. In claim 5,
The navigation apparatus characterized in that the map drawing means performs pixel thinning processing on the belt-shaped additional image so that the degree of background exposure increases as the distance from the road to which the additional image is attached.

Images