JPH0737073A - Map data base for navigation system and map retrieval and display system for map data base - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a map data base for a navigation system for which files are constituted with map data as the sets of characters (including symbols) and numerical data and a map retrieval and display system using the map data base. CONSTITUTION:This map data base is constituted of a map data index file, plural map data files 30 classified by a display level and a display range and an annotation file. The map data files 30 are retrieved and specified by latitude and longitude obtained by referring to the map data index file. The map data file 30 are constituted of (n) pieces of carrier data groups 32, the respective pointers 33 of the point data groups of the map data files, the respective pointers 34 of segment data groups and the respective pointers 35 of surface data groups.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map database for a navigation system and a map search / display system for the map database.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a navigation system for displaying a current position of a car on a map displayed on a display device to assist driving, a map data is stored in a database stored in a predetermined file structure such as a CD-ROM. Is read out and displayed on the display device. In this case, in order to display a map including a certain point on the display device, it is necessary to read out map data having a predetermined scale from the database and including the point and within the size range of the screen of the display device. .

In the prior art, a map (for example, a Japanese road map) is divided into a certain range (latitude, longitude) for each scale as shown in FIG. Was building a database in. Then, for example, when displaying a map including the position of the vehicle, the latitude from the radio wave (position data) from the artificial satellite,
After obtaining the longitude and determining the position of the vehicle, map data (image data) including the latitude and longitude was searched from the database and displayed.

[0004]

Since such a conventional database stores a map as image data, it is possible to display only the name of a certain point (text data such as a place name or a facility name) or freely display the map. A display operation such as rotating and displaying can be realized, or the user can input a name on the map (place name, facility name, etc.) to search the map data and display a map including a point corresponding to the name. There was a problem that it was difficult.

Further, since the conventional database is used as a unit of map data for displaying map data imaged by dividing a certain range (latitude, longitude) for each scale as in the example shown in FIG. At a specific position on the display screen (for example, the center of the screen), a desired point such as a destination (for example,
There was an inconvenience that the map could not be displayed as if the Diet Library was coming (displaying a map centered on the end point of the image data divided into a certain range on the screen is a complicated file structure. Or requires the development of complex programs).

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems and inconveniences, and provides a database for a navigation system in which a map data is a file as a set of characters (including symbols) and numerical data. Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a map search display method capable of realizing map search display by place name and rotation operation of a displayed map using this database.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a map display means, a map data storage means for storing map data to be displayed on the map display means, and a map data storage. A navigation system having data selecting means for selecting desired data from the means, and selecting the desired point by the data selecting means to read the map data from the map data storage means around the point, It is characterized in that the map can be displayed by the map display means centering on, and a spot on the map can be set and stored as a spot name.

The map database of the second invention comprises a display level based on a scale, a display range whose range is defined by the coordinate values of the first coordinate system, and a point composed of the coordinate values of the first coordinate system. A group of data, a first position composed of coordinate values of the first coordinate system, and the first segment of a line segment starting from the first position.
A group of line segment data having a value indicating at least one position other than the line segment, and a group of surface data having a plurality of coordinate values of the first coordinate system indicating the boundary position of the closed area in the plane, A plurality of data files provided for each display level and a display range, and a data file reference file having a set of a display level value and a display range value of each data file. To do.

A third aspect of the present invention is the map database of the first aspect, further comprising character string data or a symbol representing the position indicated by the point data and character string data or a symbol representing a line segment obtained by connecting the line segment data. It has an annotation file containing data, characterized in that the data file contains a pointer to each string data and / or symbol data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map database of the second aspect, the annotation file further includes character string data or symbol data representing a closed area represented by surface data, and the data file includes the character string data and the symbol data. And / or includes a pointer to symbol data.

A fifth invention is characterized in that, in the map database according to the first invention to the third invention, the coordinate values of the first coordinate system are latitude and longitude.

A sixth invention is a map including a first storage unit storing the map database according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, an input unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. In the search display device, the coordinate value of the first coordinate system of the point data, the line segment data, or the plane data corresponding to the character string or the symbol data representing the point data, the line segment data, or the plane data is recorded as the name data. An information file, a second storage section for storing the information file, a name data extracting means for extracting a desired type of name data from the information file by inputting an extraction instruction from the input section, and the extracted name data. Selection information display means for editing and displaying as selection information on the display section, and a desired name selected from the information file by inputting a selection instruction from the input section and corresponding to the first name
The coordinate value of the coordinate system is obtained, the value of the display range of the file reference file is compared with the coordinate value of the first coordinate system, and the coordinate value of the first coordinate system is included in the range for each display level. Display range extraction means for detecting the value of the display range, and from the data file of a predetermined level among the data files for each display level obtained based on the value of the display range, point data,
Obtaining line segment data, surface data, and pointers to those data and their name data, and obtaining points, line segments, and surfaces based on the point data, line segment data, and surface data, respectively. Data extraction / editing means for editing the display information and editing the character string or symbol of the name data corresponding to the position of the point, line segment, or surface obtained based on the pointer with the name data, and the edited display A display unit for displaying information and a character string and / or a symbol on the display unit.

A seventh invention is the map search and display system of the fifth map database, further comprising display level setting means for setting a display level by inputting a display level from an input section.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is the map search and display method for the fifth map database, wherein the name data extracting means further selects means for selecting the type of name data to be extracted from the information file by inputting an extraction instruction from the input section. And a means for extracting the name data based on the type of the selected name data, the selection information display means selects the desired name data from the information file, and the name data selection means Selection information display means for editing each and displaying as selection information on the display screen.

The ninth invention is any one of the above second to fourth inventions.
A first storage unit that stores two map databases, an input unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. Based on the extraction instruction input and the selection instruction input from the input unit, a predetermined image is displayed on the screen of the display unit. In a search / display device displaying a display level display information and a character string and / or a symbol corresponding to a point, a line segment, and a surface represented by the display information, on the screen of the display unit by inputting a position instruction from the input unit. Screen position designating means for designating a desired position of the display information displayed on the screen or the displayed symbol, and a second coordinate system having an origin at a specific point on the screen of the position or symbol designated by the screen position designating means. Screen coordinate extraction means for obtaining the coordinate values in the first coordinate system, coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinate values in the second coordinate system into coordinate values in the first coordinate system, and the coordinate system for the first coordinate system obtained by the coordinate conversion means. File reference file based on coordinate values Display range search means for detecting the value of the display range including the coordinate value for each display level by comparing the value of the display range of the display range with the coordinate value, and the display obtained based on the value of the display range. Point data, line segment data, surface data, and pointers to these data and their name data are obtained from the data file of a predetermined level among the data files for each level, and the point data of each of them is obtained.
Corresponds to the position of the point, line segment, or surface obtained based on the pointer with the name data as well as editing the display information by obtaining the point, line segment, and surface based on the line segment data and surface data, respectively. Data extraction / editing means for editing the character string or symbol of the name data, and display means for displaying the edited display information and the character string and / or symbol on the display unit,
It is characterized by having.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the map search and display method for the ninth map database, further comprising display level setting means for setting the display level by inputting the display level from the input section.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is the map search and display method of the ninth map database, further comprising a character or symbol representing point data, line segment data, or plane data, and corresponding point data, line segment data, Or the first of surface data
An information file for recording the coordinate values of the coordinate system of No. 1 as name data, and a second storage unit for storing the information file,
Character string or symbol data corresponding to the position designated by the screen position designating means is inputted from the input means, and the inputted character string or symbol data and the converted coordinate value of the first coordinate system are used as name data. Name data registration / update means for registering or updating in the information file,
It is characterized in that the coordinate conversion means converts the coordinate value of the second coordinate system of the position or the symbol designated by the screen position designation means as the coordinate value of the first coordinate system.

The twelfth invention is characterized in that, in the map retrieval display method of the map database according to any one of the sixth to eleventh inventions, the coordinate values of the first coordinate system are latitude and longitude.

The thirteenth invention is characterized in that, in the map search and display system of any one of the sixth to twelfth map databases, the search / display device constitutes a navigation device and the display information is a map. .

[0020]

In the first aspect of the present invention, when a map is displayed, a place name or the like is input to display a map centered on a desired point, and the user arbitrarily sets the desired point, By selecting the spot name,
It can be displayed centering on that point. For example, when A city is selected and displayed, it can be displayed mainly at a characteristic point such as B city office, but this point can be changed to C company center (when A city is selected, C company is the center). Of the map). Alternatively, the selection list may be “A City C Company”. Each of the second and subsequent inventions defines more detailed technical contents necessary for carrying out the first invention,
The operation is as follows.

With the above structure, the map database of the first invention is provided for each display level based on the reduced scale, and the data files refer to the respective data files that define the point data, the line segment data, and the surface data by the coordinate values. Specify the file display level and display range.

In the map database of the second invention, the point data and line segment data of the data file and the character string of the annotation data are associated with each other by the pointer of the data file.

The map database of the third invention further comprises:
In the second database, the point data and line segment data of the data file and the character string of the annotation data are associated with each other by the pointer of the data file.

A fifth aspect of the invention is that the information file includes point data,
The coordinate value of the first coordinate system of the point data, the line segment data, or the plane data corresponding to the line segment data or the character string or the symbol data representing the plane data is recorded as the name data and input by the display range extraction means. A desired name is selected from the information file by inputting a selection instruction from the section, the coordinate value of the first coordinate system corresponding to the name is obtained, the value of the display range of the file reference file and the coordinate value of the first coordinate system. Are compared with each other to detect the value of the display range including the coordinate value of the first coordinate system within the range for each display level. Then, from the data file of a predetermined level among the data files for each display level obtained based on the value of the display range by the data extraction / editing means, point data, line segment data, surface data, and those data A pointer with the name data is obtained, and based on the point data, the line segment data, and the surface data, the display information is edited by obtaining the point, the line segment, and the surface, respectively. Edit the character string or symbol of the name data corresponding to the position of the point, line segment, or surface obtained based on the
The editing means and the edited display information and the character string and / or the symbol are displayed on the display unit.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the map search and display method for the eighth map database, wherein the display level is set by inputting the display level from the input section by the display level setting means.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is the map search and display method for the eighth map database, wherein the coordinate conversion means further determines the coordinate value of the second coordinate system of the position or symbol designated by the screen position designating means. The character string or symbol data corresponding to the position designated by the input means by the name data registering / updating means is converted into the coordinate value of the coordinate system of No. 1 and converted with the input character string or symbol data. The first coordinate value and the name data are registered or updated in the information file.

[0027]

【Example】

<Map Database of Navigation System> The map database according to the present invention is composed of the following three files. Map data index file Map data file Annotation file (1) Map data index file The map data index file divides a map (for example, Japan map) into n blocks as shown in FIG. The file name and the map data range (block range) included in the map data file are tabulated.

FIG. 1A is a format showing an example of the structure of the map data index file 10, and the map data index file 10 is composed of a header section 11 and n file index sections 12. The header part 11 includes a header size item (item) 11-1 having the size of the header part 11 and an entry number item 11-2 having the number of blocks of the map data file.
It consists of

In addition, the file index section 12 has a hierarchy (see FIG. 2) which is hierarchically divided from the file name item 12-1 having the file name of each file, the display range and the display density (scale) of the map data file. Root carrier level 12 with level value (5-0) of
-2 and a range item 12-3 having a map range as contents, and the range item 12-3 further has an item having a minimum latitude, a minimum longitude, a maximum latitude and a maximum longitude to indicate the range of the map. 12-31, 12-32, 12-33, and 12-34.

FIG. 1B is a range item 12 in which seven file index sections 12 in the Kanto area (area including the capital of Japan) are included in the files at the map division level in FIG. 1A. -3 is an explanatory diagram of the content (value) of -3. In this example, the first file name item 12-1 of the file index section 12 has the name'Chiba district 'and the item 12-3.
1, 12-32, 12-33, and 12-34 show the minimum latitude and minimum longitude of the Chiba district (35 ° 55.0012,14).
0 ° 00.003) and maximum latitude and maximum longitude (35
34.989, 140 ° 22.407) is the fifth file name item 12-1 of the file index section 12 and the name'Chiba area 'is the items 12-31, 12-32.
12-33 and 12-34 show the minimum latitude in the Tokyo area,
Minimum longitude (35 ° 34.998, 139 ° 45.00
1) and maximum latitude and maximum longitude (35 ° 20.00
2, 139 ° 59.998) is written (hereinafter, omitted).

(2) Map data file The map data file is the index file 1 described above.
The number of entries, which is the content of the entry number item 12-2 set to 0, is configured in the map database.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the map data file is subdivided into six layers of 5 to 0 levels which are hierarchically divided from the display range and the display density (scale) of the map data file. Further, in the embodiment, the scale is larger when the numerical value is larger, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the embodiment.
The number of hierarchical layers to be subdivided and the correspondence between the number of levels and the scale may be arbitrarily (uniquely) determined when the database is designed.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram visually showing a hierarchy (level) and a display density (scale), and FIG. 2B is a level value (5 to 0) and the number of block divisions at the level. , The display density, the type of name (described later) displayed as a character (character, symbol) at the level, and the scale. In the scale (remarks column), for example, "10 km" of level 4 indicates 1 km on the map and 10 km (ie 1 /
1,000,000 scale).

3 to 5 are formats of the above-mentioned map file data structure, FIG. 3 shows the entire data structure of the map data file, and FIG. 4 shows the carrier block header part of the map data file. Configuration example,
FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of a plurality of carrier data parts that similarly make up a map data file. In FIG. 3, the map data file 30 includes a carrier header 31 (see FIG. 4A) indicating the size and level of the data block, and n carrier data groups 32 indicating the range and size of the map data of the next level. (See FIG. 4B), each pointer (point data storage address) 33 of the point data (see FIG. 4C) group of this map data file, line segment data of this map data file (see FIG. 4 ( e)) pointers (line segment data storage addresses) 34, and surface data (see FIG. 4 (f)) group pointers (surface data storage addresses) 35 of this map data file. Has been done.

FIG. 4A shows a detailed format of the carrier header 31. Of these, the carrier block size item contains the size of the entire carrier block, and the bell item of this carrier has the level shown in the root carrier level item of Fig. 1, and the point data offs
The et (offset) item contains the relative address from the header header, the offset item of the line data contains the relative address from the header header, and the offset item of the plane data also contains the relative address from the header header. And

Also, the point data number item is the number of corresponding point data (0 (zero) cell; see FIG. 4 (c)), and the line segment data number item is the corresponding line data (1 cell; FIG. 4 (e)). The number of surface data items corresponds to the surface data group (2
cell; see FIG. 4D), and the center position item of this carrier block is the latitude and longitude of the center position of 24.
Set by bit value. Further, in the maximum / minimum range item of the map data consisting of four items, the latitude and longitude of the data range are represented by a 24-bit value, and the value is right-shifted by the database level and set as a 16-bit value.

FIG. 4B shows each carrier data 3
2 is a format of a detailed configuration example of 2. The carrier data 32 is data set when there is a carrier block of the next level. In FIG. 4B, the offset value item to the carrier block contains the relative address (offset value) from the beginning of the map data file as the content, and the content of the maximum / minimum range item of the map data consisting of four items is described above. Items 12-31 and 12-of range item 12-3 of file index section 12 of map data index file 10
The minimum latitude, the minimum longitude, the maximum latitude, and the maximum longitude value similar to the contents of 32, 12-33, and 12-34.

FIG. 4C is a format of a detailed configuration example of the point data (point data (0 cell)) 33. The point data 33 is data indicating a landmark name such as a place name, an airport, a government office, a department store, a lamp, etc., and the name is extracted from an annotation file (see FIG. 6) in a search process (described later). In FIG. 4C, the contents of the position x value item and the y value item of the point data are the same as the center position item of the carrier block of the carrier data 32, and the latitude (y) and longitude (x) of the point data position are 24-bit values. Set with. In addition, the position id item indicates the rank "0" of the cell, and the position type item contains the code indicating the type of landmark (place name, airport, government office, department store, etc ...), and the name data The offset value item for is the relative address that indicates the relative position from the start address of the annotation file to the relevant name position of the annotation file, and the display mode item is a numerical scale of 0 to 7 and is displayed at the current scale. The class item contains information (code) as to whether or not this point data is used in map matching (a type of navigation map display system).

FIG. 4E is a format of a detailed configuration example of the segment data (1 cell). The segment data 34 is a set of line segment data such as roads, railways, shorelines, and administrative boundaries, and names and the like are extracted from the annotation file as in the case of the point data 33. In Fig. 4 (e), offs of line segment data
The et value item contains the relative address indicating the distance from the beginning of the segment data to the beginning of the line segment position data (Fig. 4 (e ')), and the position number item contains the number of position data on that line segment. The offset value item to the name data contains the relative address indicating the relative position from the start address of the annotation file to the name position of the annotation file, and the segment id item indicates the rank "1" of the cell (cell), The type item contains a code indicating the type of line segment type (road, railway, shoreline, etc ...), and the display mode item contains a numerical value of 0 to 7 and indicates whether or not it can be displayed at the current scale. The class item has information about whether or not to use this segment data in map matching.

Further, FIG. 4 (e ') is a position data group showing the position of a line segment as segment data, and the display of the position is the latitude (y) similar to the position x value item and y value item of the point data 33. And the longitude (x) are set with a 24-bit value, and the start position item has the start position of the line segment as a content, and x1 of offset1
The y1 item represents the relative value from the start position in 1 byte (± 128 in numerical value), and the x and yn items of offsetn are the relative values from the (n-1) th offset, respectively.
Expressed in bytes (numerical value ± 128).

FIG. 4D shows area data (surface data (2
cell)) is a format of a detailed configuration example. The surface data 35 is data representing a surface such as a sea and a lake, and is data to be referred to by an area file (not shown). In FIG. 4D, the offset item to the boundary data of the surface data 35 is point data from the head of the surface data 35 (see FIG. 4C).
The number of points data is the content of the number of points data, the type of surface is the code of the type of surface (sea, lake, etc ...), and the display mode item is The numerical value of 0 to 7 indicates whether or not it can be displayed at the current scale, the class item contains information on whether or not to use this segment data in map matching, and the boundary items in the display area are the boundaries of the area. Is represented by latitude and longitude (24-bit value), the size item of the surface data has the size (size) of the surface data + point data, and the point data offset value item has the relative address to the point data.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the scale table 50 which defines the relationship between the scale and the database level (hierarchy).
For example, in FIG. 5, when the scale 51 is 0.05, the data-pace level (hierarchy) 51 is 0 (that is, the scale is 1/5, 0.
In the case of 00, the contents of the keto carrier level item 12 of the map data file is indicated by 0), and the scale 51 is 1.0.
In the case of, the data-pace level 51 is 3 (scale = 1 /
The contents of 5,000 and the root carrier level item 12 are shown in 3). The display mode 52 in FIG. 5 means that a map of a level higher than the set value is displayed.

(3) Annotation file An annotation file is a place name, building, facility, etc ... displayed on the map displayed on the display device of the navigation device.
Is a file in which a character string for displaying the name of the character is stored, and the start address of each data (character string data) corresponds to the name data of the line data of the map data file 30.
It can be obtained as a relative address from the annotation file that is the contents of the offset value item.

FIG. 6 is a format showing an example of the structure of the annotation file. The annotation file 60 has a data size 61 containing the value of header + data length and a code indicating the type of data (for example, 1 ... Name, 2 , Etc.) and its data (character string data etc.) 63.

<2. Map Retrieval Display System Using Map Database of Present Invention> (1) Hardware Configuration of Navigation Device FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of a navigation device to which the map retrieval display system of the map database of the present invention can be applied. 1 is an input device, 2 is an S-RAM which is a non-volatile memory and corresponds to a second storage unit, and 3 is C
PU, 4 is a CD-ROM and corresponds to the first storage unit,
Reference numeral 5 is a RAM, which corresponds to an internal memory, 6 is a display, which corresponds to a display unit, and 7 is a speaker (voice output device). The input device 1 has a process selection key, a display operation key (not shown), and an input keyboard. The process selection key and the display operation key may be provided on the input device 1 as a selection key different from the keyboard, or a specific key on the keyboard may be used as the process selection key and the display operation key.

The process selection key is to obtain the longitude and latitude based on the address, the current position, the guidance information, or the position data registered by the user to search the map database, and display the map on the display screen of the display 6 based on the position. This is a key for selecting various processes such as address search, current position search, guide information search, registered position search process for registration, and registration / change process for registering / changing the location name by the user. The display operation keys are used for registering and changing the scale, angle, name, point name, etc., in the format edited for display on the display 6 (for example, menu, list, etc.), and the scale, angle, name, and position are displayed. These keys are for displaying and switching the display mode.

The S-RAM 2 is an information data file (described later) containing the position data and the like registered by the user, other data that needs to be stored and updated, and an address search designated by the process selection key and the display operation key. It is an execution means for executing the present position search, guidance information search, registered position search process, registration / change process for the user to register / change the spot, and display process of scale, angle, name, position, etc. Name data extraction means, selection information display means,
Programs for display range extraction means, screen coordinate extraction means, data extraction / editing means, display means, display level setting means, coordinate conversion means, screen position designation means, name data registration / update means, etc. (described later) are stored.

The CPU 3 controls the operation of the entire navigation device, the program execution control for executing the navigation, and the program execution control for executing the above-mentioned registration processing and display processing. The CD-ROM stores a navigation system including a map database and a program group for executing navigation. In addition, the execution program of the search process and the display process is S-RA.
It may be stored in the CD-ROM 4 instead of M2.

The RAM 5 loads the navigation system from the CD-ROM 4 when the navigation system is executed, and expands the map data in the range designated by the control of the CPU 5 in the memory area. The display 6 displays the searched map, displays display marks, characters, symbols and the like on the map, and displays edited data and registered data. The speaker 7 is an option and outputs the input guidance and warnings for the user by voice.

(2) Information Data File The information data file is a file composed of a set of data in which positions such as place names, airports, government offices, department stores, ramps, roads, and railways are associated with names. The information data file is the location on the map (or the location of facilities such as airports and government offices on the map) displayed by the location registration / change processing described later.
Specify the position (latitude, longitude) and name of the specified point by inputting the name of that point, etc. after specifying with the cursor etc. (The latitude and longitude of the point etc. were displayed as described later. The user only needs to enter the name because it is automatically obtained by simply specifying the desired location on the map). The information data file can be deleted and updated. Further, a station name or a point such as a prefectural office that is likely to be a target may be registered in advance when the manufacturer provides the device, and the user may further register a desired point name or the like. FIG. 8 is an example of the information data file,
FIG. 8A shows an example in which the position (latitude, longitude) of a station is registered in association with a station name, and an example of registration in which the position and name of a ward office are associated, and in FIG. 8B, a hotel position and a hotel are shown. There is shown an example in which the registration is performed by associating with, and an example in which the location of the government office and the name of the government office are associated with each other.

(3) Search processing In the search processing, the longitude and latitude are obtained based on the address, the current position, the guide information, or the data such as the point registered in the information file by the user, and the map database is searched to find the position (longitude). , Latitude) as a base point for displaying a map on the display screen of the display 6, and roughly classified into the following three types of search methods.

Address Search In the address search, address (district) data is extracted from the information file, and an address such as "1-2, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo" or an area such as "Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo" is selected. A point or district corresponding to the address name is searched, and a map is displayed centering on the point or district (see FIG. 9). Search by current position In the search by current position, specify a point or facility on the displayed map (often displayed as a symbol on the map) with a cursor, and then the name of that point (or include that point) Displays the name of the area and the name of the facility. Further, in the search by the current position, the name of the designated point can be registered in the information file together with the position (the one converted from the screen coordinates into latitude and longitude). Search by guide information In the search by guide information, select the type of desired guide (guide) for hotels, airports, etc., extract the data of that type from the information file, edit the guide data on the display, and display the desired facility. The location of the selected facility or place is obtained based on the selection of the facility or place, the facility or place is searched, and a map including the searched facility or place is displayed. In the guidance information search, you can search by points etc. registered in the information file.For example, you can register the address of a friend / acquaintance or the address of a customer by name / name, and specify the name / name to specify the name of the friend / acquaintance. It is also possible to display a map including the address and the address of the customer.

(3-1) Address Retrieval FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the address retrieval in the above retrieval processing, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the address retrieval and the pointer relation of each file. (a) is an example of the address data table extracted from the information file and expanded on the memory 5, (b) is the map data index file 1
0, (c) is an example of the map data file 30, and (d) is an example of the annotation data file 60. [S1] When the address search process is selected by the selection process key, the address data is extracted from the information file of the S-RAM2 by the name data extraction means. [S2] The address data extracted by the selection information display means is edited on the RAM 5 in a selection display format (for example, a list format). [S3] Further, the address data edited by the selection information display means is displayed on the display 6 as an address selection screen.

[S4] The display range extraction means extracts the latitude and longitude (or the latitude and longitude range indicating the area range) from the position of the selected address. Step S4 below
-1 to step S4-1 is the detailed operation. (S4-1) A prefecture name is selected. To select the prefecture name, display an address selection screen (not shown) listing the prefecture names on the display 6 by the user moving the cursor to the desired prefecture name on both sides of the address selection and pressing the confirmation key. Selected by. The case of (a) in FIG. 10A is an example in which Tokyo is selected. (S4-2) Latitude and longitude are extracted from the address data.
In the case of Tokyo, latitude 35 ° 49 and longitude 139 ° 5 can be obtained from the address data table ((a) in FIG. 10A).

(S4-3) With reference to the map data index file 10, the range item 12-3 of the index section 12 is searched based on the latitude and longitude extracted from the address data. (S4-4) If you want to specify the position in units of city / ward / town / village / chome, which is a more detailed level than the prefecture name,
The selection key is further pressed to instruct selection by city / ward / town / village / chome. (S4-5 to S4-7) When there is a selection instruction by city / ward / town / village / chome name, the above steps S3-1 to S3.
Map index file 1 by performing the same processing as -4
Search for 0. In the example of FIG. 10, the latitude and longitude of Shinjuku Ward (35 ° 45, 139 °) in (b) of FIG.
5) is extracted, and the index section 12 including the latitude and longitude of Shinjuku Ward is searched from the map index file 10.

[S5] The map data file 30 is searched based on the route carrier level 12-2 and the latitude / longitude range 12-3 extracted by the data extraction / editing means, and the extracted map data within the latitude / longitude range is extracted. And the character data 64 from the annotation file 60. (S5-1) The file 30 of the range item 12-2 including the extracted position (latitude, longitude) is specified to specify the minimum / maximum latitude,
Read the longitude and the root carrier level of the file. Since there are as many data file levels as the range of the extracted positions (latitude and longitude), all of them are stored in the internal memory 5. In the example of FIG. 10, the range of latitude (35 ° 45, 139 ° 5) including latitude and longitude of Shinjuku Ward (35
The root carrier level 12-2 of each file having a range of (49 ° 988.35 ° 34.69) and a longitude range (139 ° 45.01 to 139 ° 59.99) is extracted.

(S5-2) Of the extracted root carrier levels, a carrier data block 32 having a latitude and longitude range including latitude and longitude extracted from the map data file 30 of the level designated by the user is extracted and extracted. Map data and character data within the latitude and longitude are extracted. The point data item, line data item, surface data item, and point data number item, line data, and the address and number of point data, line data, and surface data of the carrier data block are read from the carrier data block, and those addresses are read. And map data (point data, line data, plane data) based on the number and the number, and also the latitude and longitude of the center position are extracted, and the line segment data 34 is offs to the name data.
The relative address with the annotation file 60 is extracted from the et value. In the example of FIG. 10, “range of Tokyo area 1” is selected from the map data file 30 as shown in FIG. 0 (c), and the relative addresses of the point data, line data, surface data, and annotation data 60 are selected. obtain. Data (character string "Koshu Kaido") on the annotation file is extracted as shown in FIG. 10E by the relative address obtained as the annotation data.

(S5-3) A map is edited in the memory 5 based on the map data (point data, line data, plane data) extracted in step S5-2 and the latitude and longitude of the center position. Map data can be edited by coordinates of each data (latitude, longitude)
Is converted to coordinates on the screen, a point segment is generated at that position for line data, a line segment connecting the start position and the position of the next point is generated for line data, and a line segment between points in the x direction is generated for surface data. This is performed by sequentially forming connecting line segments in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 16) (S5-4) annotation data 64 extracted in step S8
Is edited on the memory 5.

[S6] Step S5 is performed by the display means.
The map data and the character data 64 edited in step 3 and step S5-4 are displayed on the display 6. In addition, when it is desired to change the level of the displayed information, the input device 1
The display level setting means sets the display level by the display level switching input from, and the process returns to step S5-2 to repeat the display operation of the display information of the set display level. (3-2) Search by Current Position FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a search method by the current position. The search based on the current position is performed when the map is displayed on the display 6. When the user selects "search processing by current position" with the processing selection key of the input device, a cursor as an image position designating means is displayed on the screen. When the user moves the cursor to specify a desired point on the displayed map, the screen coordinate extracting means obtains a screen coordinate value having a specific point on the screen as an apex. Now, if the position of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office is designated as the desired point, the coordinates on the screen of the designated point displayed on the screen by the screen coordinate conversion means are latitude and longitude (35 ° 41.268 N, 1 east longitude).
3 ° 95.924), search the file index section 12 of the map index file 10 based on the latitude and longitude values, and specify the maximum / minimum latitude and longitude and the designated point which are the contents of the range item 12-3. Compare the latitude and longitude of and specify the map data file that contains the latitude and longitude of the specified point.

FIG. 11A shows a file specified as a map data file having a display range including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. In FIG. 11A, file numbers 10 and 50
Two types of map data files, Level 5 and Level 0
Although 0 is displayed as the specified file, the map data file with the display range including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office is shown in Figure 1.
As conceptually shown in 1 (c), there are 6 levels of levels 5 to 0 (in FIG. 11A, the display of the map data file 30 of levels 4-1 is omitted).

Next, as shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 11 (e), the map having the higher level is sequentially displayed on the display to specify the map of the level desired by the user. A method of creating map data from the map data file 30 and displaying a map and characters may be performed in the same manner as in step S5 (details of steps S5-1 to S5-4) and step S6 described above. Omit it.

(3-3) Retrieval by guide information In the retrieval by guide information such as hotels, airports, and sightseeing spots, the type of guide information is specified, the guide information is extracted from the information file, edited, and displayed on the display 6. Display guidance information. When the user selects "search process by guide information" with the process selection key of the input device 1, a list of guide information types and a cursor are displayed on the screen. The user moves the cursor to specify desired guidance information. The process after designation of the guide information is the same as the address search process, and the description thereof will be omitted (see FIG. 11).

(4) Registration change of spot name etc. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of registration / change processing of spot name etc. [S11] A screen including a spot to be searched is displayed in order to perform a search by the spot name. [S12] When the user selects "search processing by spot name" with the processing selection key of the input device 1, the cursor is displayed on the screen by the screen position designation means. [S13] The user moves the cursor to specify a desired point on the displayed map. [S14] The coordinate conversion means converts the coordinates on the screen of the designated point displayed on the screen into latitude and longitude, and converts and calculates the latitude and longitude values into absolute coordinates (latitude and longitude). (S14-1) The latitude and longitude of the map display base point are calculated. (S14-2) The position (coordinates) on the screen of the display base point on the screen and the movement point of the cursor is calculated. (S14-3) The coordinates on the screen are converted into physical coordinates (see FIG. 15). (S14-4) From the position (latitude, longitude) of the display base point and the relative distance of the cursor movement point, the latitude of the cursor movement point,
Calculate the longitude.

[S15] The name data registration / updating means edits the point data based on the latitude and longitude of the designated point (cursor movement point). (S15-1) A spot name registration screen (not shown) is displayed. (S15-2) It is determined whether or not the processing is to change the location name. The judgment is made by judging the processing selection signal from the processing selection key. (S15-3) In the case of the spot name change process, a spot name change screen (not shown) is displayed. (S15-4) The name of the designated spot is input and displayed at a predetermined position on the spot name registration screen or the spot name change screen. Edit the calculated latitude, longitude and input name of the designated point as registration / change data.

[S16] The registered / changed data is registered in the information file by the name data registration / updating means. In case of changed data, search the information file by latitude and longitude and rewrite the data. FIG. 13 is a correspondence table of levels and map data. In FIG. 13, a plurality of scale values corresponding to the level values are set (for example, scale values for level 5; 40 Km and 20 Km, scale values for level 2:
2km and 10km are set). The scale is set in this way, and the map data corresponding to the scale value is stored on the CD.
When reading from the ROM 4 into the read memory 5, the map data file in the range of levels (5 to 0) is read and stored in a memory area of a size corresponding to each level in order to increase the display speed. This makes it possible to quickly change the scale of the display.

FIG. 14 shows 200 mainly in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office in Shinjuku Ward.
It is an example of data when a map is displayed on a scale of m.
Levels 5 to 0 are stored in the internal memory 6 based on the latitude and longitude of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and 200 m based on the stored data.
Display the map on the scale. In FIG. 14, (a) is the expansion level of map data in the memory 6 in this case, (b) is an example of a scale correspondence table, and (c) is detailed map data (point data, line data, plane data). (D) shows the details of the name of the point data. In this way, the read level and compression rate can be changed depending on the scale.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the physical coordinates and the coordinates of the display screen. As shown in the figure, the position data of the physical coordinates can be converted into the position data of the coordinates of the display screen. The converted coordinate points are edited for map display according to the data type (see FIG. 16). In the case of point data, the landmark 161 and the character data 162 are displayed at the positions of x and y coordinates. In the case of line data, points a1, a2, ...
An is sequentially connected by a line segment 163 and displayed. The point data of the x-coordinate minus −1 in the y-axis direction is connected by a line segment to display it in the filled state 164. Further, according to the database search / display method of the present invention, if the current position is known, the position after rotation can be edited by multiplying the coordinate data by the angle from the center. The map displayed by this position editing can be rotated 360 °.

[0067]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a map database for a navigation system in which a file is formed by using map data as a set of characters (including symbols) and numerical data. . According to the fifth to twelfth inventions, map search display by place name can be realized by using the map database of the first to fourth inventions. Further, according to the present invention, all the points can be displayed on the map as long as the latitude and longitude can be obtained, so that the user can provide the position information desired from various directions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a format showing a configuration example of a map data index file and its specific example.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a hierarchical level structure of a map data file.

FIG. 3 is a format showing an entire data structure of a map data file.

FIG. 4 is a format showing a detailed configuration example of each data block forming a map data file.

FIG. 5 is an example of a scale table that defines a relationship between a scale and a database level (hierarchy).

FIG. 6 is a format showing a configuration example of an annotation file.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a navigation device to which the map search / display system of the map database of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 8 is an example of an information data file.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an embodiment of address search in the search processing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of address search and pointer relations of respective files.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a search method based on the current position.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of an embodiment of address search.

FIG. 13 is a correspondence table between levels and map data.

FIG. 14 is an example of data when a map is displayed on a scale of 200 m.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between physical coordinates and coordinates on a display screen.

FIG. 16 is an editing example for displaying map data of a map.

FIG. 17 is an example of a conventional database structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Input Device 2 S-RAM (Second Storage Unit) 3 CPU 4 CD-ROM (First Storage Unit) 5 RAM (Internal Memory) 6 Display (Display Unit) 10 Map Data Index File (Data File Reference File) 30 map data file (data file) 60 annotation file

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G08G 1/0969 7531-3H G09B 29/10 A

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A navigation system comprising map display means, map data storage means for storing map data to be displayed on the map display means, and data selection means for selecting desired data from the map data storage means. In the above, by selecting a desired point by the data selection means, the map data is read from the map data storage means centering on the point, and the map display means displays the map around the point and sets the point on the map. A map map search and display method for a map database, which can be stored as a point name. 2. A display level based on a reduced scale and a display range whose range is defined by coordinate values of a first coordinate system,
A group of point data composed of coordinate values of the first coordinate system, a first position composed of coordinate values of the first coordinate system, and a segment other than the first line segment starting from the first position A group of line segment data having a value indicating at least one position in the plane, and a group of surface data having a plurality of coordinate values in the first coordinate system indicating the boundary position of the closed area in the plane, A plurality of data files provided for each level and a display range, and a data file reference file having a set of a display level value and a display range value of each of the data files. Map database. 3. The map database according to claim 2, further comprising an annotation including character string data or symbol data representing a position indicated by the point data and character string data or symbol data representing a line segment obtained by connecting the line segment data. A map database having a file, the data file including a pointer to each of the character string data and / or the symbol data. 4. The map database according to claim 3, wherein the annotation file further includes character string data or symbol data representing a closed area represented by surface data, and the data file is the character string data and / or symbol data. A map database characterized by including pointers to and. 5. The map database according to claim 2, wherein the coordinate values in the first coordinate system are latitude and longitude. 6. A map search display method comprising: a first storage unit that stores the map database according to claim 3; an input unit; a processing unit; and a display unit. Point data, line segment data corresponding to character string or symbol data representing point data, line segment data, or surface data,
Alternatively, an information file that records the coordinate values of the first coordinate system of the surface data as name data, a second storage unit that stores the information file, and an extraction instruction input from the input unit that allows a desired information file to be selected from the information file. Name data extraction means for extracting name data of a type; selection information display means for editing the extracted name data and displaying it as selection information on the display section; and from the information file by inputting a selection instruction from the input section. A desired name is selected, the coordinate value of the first coordinate system corresponding to the selected name is obtained, the value of the display range of the file reference file is compared with the coordinate value of the first coordinate system, and the value is displayed for each display level. Display range extraction means for detecting a value of a display range including the coordinate values of the first coordinate system within the range, and a predetermined file in a data file for each display level obtained based on the value of the display range. From the respective data files, obtain point data, line segment data, surface data, and pointers to those data and their name data, respectively, based on the respective point data, line segment data, and surface data, Edit the display information by obtaining points, line segments, and faces, respectively, and edit the character string or symbol of the name data corresponding to the position of the point, line segment, or face obtained based on the pointer with the name data. A map search and display system for a map database, comprising: data extraction / editing means; and display means for displaying the edited display information and character strings and / or symbols on the display unit. 7. The map search and display method for a map database according to claim 6, further comprising display level setting means for setting a display level by inputting a display level from an input section. Display method. 8. The map search and display method for a map database according to claim 6, wherein the name data extracting means further selects a kind of name data to be extracted from the information file by inputting an extraction instruction from the input section. Means for extracting the name data based on the type of the selected name data, the selection information display means for selecting the desired name data from the information file, and the name data for each type And a selection information display unit that is edited on the display screen and displayed as selection information on the display screen. 9. A first storage unit that stores the map database according to claim 2, an input unit, a processing unit, and a display unit. Based on the extraction instruction input and the selection instruction input, display information of a predetermined display level and a character string and / or a symbol are displayed on the screen of the display unit in association with points, line segments, and planes represented by the display information. In the map search display method, a screen position designating unit for designating a desired position or a displayed symbol of the display information displayed on the screen of the display unit by a position instruction input from the input unit, and the screen position Screen coordinate extraction means for obtaining a coordinate value in a second coordinate system having an origin at a specific point on the screen of the position or symbol designated by the designating means, and the coordinate value in the second coordinate system for the first coordinate value. Coordinate conversion to convert to coordinate values in the coordinate system Means for comparing the coordinate value of the display range of the file reference file with the coordinate value based on the coordinate value of the first coordinate system obtained by the coordinate conversion means, and the coordinate value is included in the range for each display level. Display range search means for detecting the value of the display range, and from the data file of a predetermined level among the data files for each display level obtained based on the value of the display range, point data, line segment data, surface data, respectively , And pointers to those data and their name data, and based on the respective point data, line segment data, and surface data, obtain points, line segments, and surfaces, respectively, and edit the display information. Data extraction / editing means for editing a character string or a symbol of name data corresponding to a position of a point, a line segment, or a surface obtained based on a pointer with the name data, and the edited display information and Map display method of the map database, characterized in that it comprises display means for displaying the string and / or symbol on the display unit. 10. The map search and display method for a map database according to claim 9, further comprising display level setting means for setting a display level by inputting a display level from an input unit. 11. The map search and display method for a map database according to claim 9, further comprising a letter or symbol representing point data, line segment data, or area data, and corresponding point data, line segment data, or Corresponding to an information file for recording the coordinate values of the first coordinate system of the surface data as name data, a second storage section for storing the information file, and a position designated by the screen position designation means from the input means. A character string or symbol data to be input and the first character string or symbol data converted from the input character string or symbol data.
Name data registering / updating means for registering or updating the coordinate value of the coordinate system and the coordinate value in the information file as name data,
And a coordinate conversion means for converting the coordinate value of the second coordinate system of the position or the symbol designated by the screen position designating means as the coordinate value of the first coordinate system. Map search display method. 12. The map search display method for a map database according to claim 6, wherein the coordinate values of the first coordinate system are latitude and longitude. Display method. 13. A map search display method for a map database according to claim 6, wherein
A map search and display method for a map database, wherein the display device constitutes a navigation device and the display information is a map.