JPH0239820B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] a. Technical Field The present invention relates to a portable electronic map device, and in particular to a portable electronic map device that can display desired graphical information in accordance with key operations using a memory that converts map information into data. This is what I did.

b. Prior Art and its Disadvantages Conventionally, when driving, hiking, etc., people generally carry and use a booklet or large-sized atlas to know the route, current position, direction, or distance.

However, booklets or large-format atlases,
Difficult to find the desired location, heavy to carry,
Moreover, it is extremely troublesome to search for the pages of the booklet.
Also, if a road on the map is cut off at the top, you will need to turn the page that contains the continuation of the road to find out where it is, making it difficult to calculate the distance between two points.
It had various drawbacks, such as it was difficult to determine the shortest distance, and the large atlas had to be spread out.

c. Purpose The present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional technology, and provides a portable electronic device which is excellent in portability, can display a desired area with a single touch, and can display various map information as graphical information. The purpose is to provide a mapping device.

Here, the embodiments which are the features of the portable electronic map device according to the present invention are listed as follows.

(i) Map information is stored or caused to be stored in a semiconductor digital memory, and desired map information is selectively read out and displayed as graphic information.

(ii) The displayed map information is subject to various processing operations, namely:
You can zoom in, zoom out, flip vertically, scroll, etc., and move any point on the map to X, Y.
By specifying coordinates, the actual distance can be calculated and the shortest route can be shown.

(iii) By inputting various data such as speed, distance, time, fuel amount, etc. using the built-in program, it is possible to display information such as fuel consumption, arrival time, and how long the gasoline can be maintained.

(iv) Programs can be created using the Basic language and keys can be defined.

(v) Be able to perform the four arithmetic and square root operations according to formulas.

(vi) It consists of a foldable cover part, with a display part on one cover part and a key operation part on the other cover part, and the display part consists of a character display screen and a graphic display screen, making it possible to configure the device compactly. be.

d Embodiment FIG. 1 shows an external view of a portable electronic map device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device main body 1 is composed of a pair of foldable cover parts, one cover part 2 is provided with a display part 3, and the other cover part 4 is provided with a key operation part 5.

<Display Unit> The display unit 3 is divided into a character screen 31 for displaying characters and a graphics screen 32 for displaying graphs such as map information. Mode display 3 is displayed at the top of the character screen 31.
3 and processing display 34 are displayed, and 12 lines of characters are displayed at the bottom. In this case, one line is 15
It consists of characters, and two of the 12 lines are provided as backup in case the number exceeds 15 characters. The name currently being input is displayed on the bottom line. Up to 9 names can be displayed on one character screen, and a total of 27 names can be registered from 1 to 27 using the memory key. A map is displayed on the graphic screen 32, and in the initial mode, the Japanese archipelago is displayed with the module attached, and the range of the map that can be displayed is shown. 35
represents the map of Japan (initial state) stored in the memory (ROM), and 36 represents the range of the map stored in the attached module (not shown). Therefore, a module storing map information can be attached to the main body 1 of the apparatus. Also, X,
Y is an X coordinate axis and a Y coordinate axis, respectively, and can be moved appropriately on the map by key operation. Furthermore, elastic rubber 37 is provided on the cover portion 2 at four corners.

<Key Operation Section> A key operation section 5 and a mode switch 6 are provided on the cover section 4. Mode switch 6 is the map mode that displays the map, the map display disappears, and the program (PRO) is stored in the pocket computer.
The mode also consists of a RUN mode in which the display disappears, a formula is displayed, and the answer is answered by pressing the ENTER key.At the same time, it also serves as the power ON/OFF key. The key operation unit 5 is
It has a built-in program key 51 (P ₁ to P ₄ ) and a defined program key 52 (P ₅ to P ₈ ), a program is input to each of the built-in program keys 51, and a self-made program is input to each of the defined program keys 52. program is input. 53 is a scroll key or cursor key, and there are 4 types "↑" and "↓"
It consists of the ``←'' and ``→'' keys, and serves as both a scroll key and a cursor key. 54 is an alphabet (Q to SPC) and a memory key (1 to 27).
In other words, you can register the name of the city or expressway you want to display on a total of 27 keys, memory keys "Q" to "SPC." The names are sorted and numbered sequentially from 1 to 27. A character screen switching display section 38 (,,) is displayed in the upper right corner of the character screen 31 of the display section 3.
are provided, and by using the page key 55, memory numbers 1 to 9 are displayed, memory numbers 10 to 18 are displayed, and memory numbers 19 to 27 are displayed. Reference numerals 56 and 57 are X and Y coordinate keys, and when the + side of these coordinate keys is pressed, the coordinate axes on the graphic screen 32 move to the + side, and when the - side is pressed, the coordinate axes move to the - side. Further, D ₁ and D ₂ are keys for finding the straight distance and real distance on the map, respectively. In addition, there are four arithmetic keys, numeric keys and function keys for performing square root calculations, and ``To'', ``Do'', and ``Fu''.
Move the "Prefecture", "City", "Town", and "Village" keys, the "Enlarge" key to perform enlargement processing, and the X and Y coordinate axes appropriately by key operation to find the intersection point at the destination point, and then select the coordinates. A "position" key for registering the position in memory is provided. Further, the cover parts 2 and 4 are connected via a joint 7 and electrically connected via a connecting cord 8.

Figure 2 is a system configuration block diagram, with 10
is the microprocessor (MPU), 11 is the LCD
12 is a display drive circuit that drives the display unit; 13 is a key operation unit; and 14 is a display unit consisting of an EL or the like;
ROM15 is RAM that stores map information, 16
17 is a module, and 17 is a data/address/control bus.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the portable electronic map device according to the present invention. Here are the operating instructions: First, insert the battery, attach the module (n ₁ ), and it will automatically turn on.
The bit pattern begins to be read into RAM (n ₂ ), and nothing is displayed even if the switch is turned on during this time. When the reading to the RAM is finished (after a certain period of time) and the switch is turned on (n ₃ ), the Japanese archipelago and module range stored in the ROM will be displayed. This range is stored in advance in each module as coordinates on the screen.

Once information is entered into RAM, it does not need to be read again until the battery is replaced. As soon as the switch is turned on, the above display appears.
When switch 6 (Fig. 1) is set to the map mode position (n ₄ ), the map disappears, and when the PRO mode (n ₂₇ ) is set, the display disappears and the mode becomes pocket computer mode, which is the same as setting it to RUN mode (n ₂₉ ). The display disappears, the formula is shown, and the answer is given by pressing the ENTER key. When the map mode is set on the switch 6, various mode changes such as registering the region name to be displayed according to the present invention, reading out the registered region, and displaying the map are shown in FIG. The mode can be switched by pressing the mode key of the key operation unit 5 shown in FIG. For example, initially in map mode,
The memory mode (registration, modification, deletion, etc. of area names, etc.) is entered (n ₅ ), page , , is selected by operating the page key 55 (n ₆ ), and processing 1 is performed (n ₇ ). Also, if you operate the mode key while in memory mode, it will switch to RUN mode (n ₈ ), and here you can enter the registered region name, etc. by pressing page key 5.
By operating 5, you can read out (9 regions at a time) one by one ( _n9 ), and when you press the memory key number (1 to 27) corresponding to the desired region number, the region containing that place name will be displayed ( _n11 , _n13 ). Place name and region are 1:1
It is stored in the module. If it is not registered, enter the key directly (n ₁₂ ).

When in PRO mode (n ₂₂ ), processes 6 and 7 are performed as described later.

Next, the contents of each process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be explained.

Processing 1...n ₇ Processing 5...n ₂₁ Processing 2...n ₁₅ Processing 6...n ₂₄ Processing 3...n ₁₇ Processing 7...n ₂₆ Processing 4...n ₁₉ Processing 8...n ₂₈ Processing 9...n ₃₀ Processing 1 Processing 1 Details of the contents are shown in FIG. Register the names of City A and Expressway B that you want to display on a total of 27 memory keys, ``Q'' to ``SPC.'' The names are also sorted and assigned numbers from 1 to 27 in memory using the page keys.
Nos. 1 to 9, 10 to 18, and 19 to 27 are displayed (S ₁ to S ₉ ). Furthermore, the contents of memories No. 1 to 27 are rewritten or modified (S ₅ , S ₁₀ , S ₁₁ ).

Process 2 (enlargement process) On the map of the module, move the X and Y coordinate axes appropriately using the keys 56 and 57 to bring the intersection to the desired point, and press the "Enlarge" key.
A rectangular section with a predetermined number of dots centered on the intersection point is displayed in place of the previous map.

Process 3 (Distance Calculation) Move the X and Y coordinate axes appropriately using key operations to reach the desired point, and by pressing the "position" key, the coordinates are stored in the memory. Let this be point A. Similarly, go to another point B
decide the point. By pressing the "D ₁ " key, the direct distance between AB can be found using the scale factor and the Pythagorean theorem. Also, by pressing the "D ₂ " key, even if there are multiple routes to go from point A to point B, the microprocessor MPU calculates the shortest route and outputs the actual distance using line integral. Flash directions.
Points A and B are indicated by x marks on the map. The calculation results are shown on the bottom line of the character screen.

Process 4 (reversal process) Rotate the coordinates of the V-RAM pit pattern by 180 degrees.

Process 5 (scroll process) When you want to scroll as shown in Figure 5, Δx and Δy are determined by scroll → □↑□, so
The coordinates of the origin of the display screen relative to RAM are X=x+
Δx, Y=y+Δy. In this way, V from RAM
-Scrolling is possible by sending data to RAM. Even if the road breaks in the middle of the screen, you can move the screen up, down, left, and right to quickly search for the next part of the screen.

Processing 6 (Built-in program processing) Built-in program key 51 (P1 to _P4 keys in Figure ₁ )
Executes a predefined program. It will request input data on the bottom line of the character screen, so if you enter an appropriate value using the keys, it will be calculated and the answer will be displayed.

Processing 7 (self-made program processing) Defining program key 52 (Fig. 1 _P5 to _P8
Execute the self-made program defined in the key).

Processing 8 (program creation) Create your own program using BASIC language P ₅ - P ₈
Can be defined for keys. When mode switch 6 is set to program mode (PRO), all displays disappear and LISTs can be created and modified on both the character screen and the graphic screen.

Process 9 (Calculation) The entire display disappears, and you can perform calculations of the four arithmetic formulas, square root, and Katsuko on the bottom line of the character screen. Equations that cannot be displayed are sequentially scrolled to the left.

(ROM module data) Several types of line elements necessary for map creation are prepared and stored in the ROM module in the form of vectors as shown in Figure 6. The length is the same for each NO. A map is created by connecting these line elements. A line element consists of several dots to several tens of dots. This data is converted into a pit pattern by the microprocessor MPU and stored in RAM as a bit pattern. Place names, names, etc. are stored in a separate ROM, along with the lower left coordinates (in RAM) of the leftmost character. Both are combined when displayed.

(RAM) RAM stores data obtained by converting vectors stored in modules into bit patterns. A detailed map of a certain area is stored in the RAM, and in enlarged mode, a portion of the map is stored in the V-RAM and displayed. When an entire area is stored in V-RAM, it is displayed using the matching method. This means that if there are 9 squares and there are dots in 5 or more of the 9 squares, the entire 9 squares will be treated as one dot.
Display in RAM.

e Effects As explained above, the portable electronic map device of the present invention is not only highly portable, but also very easy to operate to display a desired region from among the entire map information that can be displayed. become. for example,
By registering the region name you want to display in advance, you can display a map of that region simply by entering the corresponding code (for example, a number) assigned to the registered region. The operation becomes very simple and the use can be made more convenient.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an external view of a portable electronic map device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a system configuration block diagram, Fig. 3 is an overall flowchart of the device, and Fig. 4 is a flowchart of process 1. , FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the scrolling process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for creating a map. 1: Main body, 3: Display section, 32: Graphic screen, 33: Character screen, 5: Key operation section, 1
0: Microprocessor, 14: ROM, 1
5: RAM, 16: Module.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A memory for storing map information and information such as area names related to the map information, a key operation unit for selectively reading out desired contents of the memory, and read information such as area names, etc. In a portable electronic map device equipped with a display unit that displays map information as map information, in order to register in advance a plurality of region names, etc. to be displayed, there is a storage unit that stores the information, and information that is input using the key operation unit. means for storing the region names, etc. stored in the storage section in a predetermined order, and reading out the region names, etc. stored in the storage section by inputting codes assigned in the order in which they were stored; 1. A portable electronic map device comprising: means for displaying map information corresponding to .