JPH10288944A - Method and device for converting map image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert the map data to the data having a smaller data amount by deforming an image in a conversion objective area of the map data into the image consisting of a basic segment and displacing the basic segment of the deformed image with a corresponding text mark. SOLUTION: The image of the conversion objective area of the map data is deformed to the image consisting of the basic segments such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, etc., and the basic segments of the deformed image are displaced by the corresponding text mark, and the map plotted by the text mark is formed. Further, this map image conversion device is incorporated in a base station device transmitting/receiving the data for a portable communication equipment with an image display function, and the map data expressed by the text mark are transmitted. For instance, in a system using a PHS, a navigation center 15 processes the information easy to understand for a user based on the information from a positional information center 14. The positional information center 14 makes a phone call with the PHS 16 or provides the position of the called user as the positional information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conversion method and apparatus for compressing the volume of map data, a base station apparatus having a means for transmitting map data converted into portable communication equipment, and a transmission method. Further, the present invention relates to a navigation method and a base station device suitable for a walking person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Map data is handled as digital data on a computer. The map is treated as a general image such as a dot map system, but is often created in a special format advantageous for data processing such as data capacity, enlargement, and reduction. For example, a general digital map includes a node and a link. A node is defined by (x, y) coordinates, and a link is defined as a line connecting two nodes. Links can be straight,
It may be a curve.

[0003] The concept of nodes and links on a digital map will be described. FIG. 2 is an example of the node 5 and the link 6. A node is defined by x and y coordinates, and a link is defined by two nodes. In other words, the relationship between a node and a link is a line connecting two points. FIG. 2A shows a case where the link is a straight line, and FIG. 2B shows a case where the link is a curved line.

[0004] Positioning techniques used in navigation systems include global positioning systems or GPs.
There is S (Global Positioning System). GPS was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defense for military purposes, and is a system that allows multiple satellites to observe any point on the ground. With GPS, the three-dimensional position, velocity, and time of any object on the ground seen from the satellite can be measured immediately. The application of this to the general practical level is car navigation, so-called car navigation.
GPS position measurement accuracy is three-dimensionally within 10 meters.

Since the GPS system receives radio waves from artificial satellites for positioning, the radio wave receiving device must have a certain size. Therefore, it can be easily mounted on a car or the like, but is not suitable for pedestrians to always carry and use. In modern urban life, pedestrians often operate in underground shopping malls or buildings where radio waves from satellites are difficult to reach. In such areas, pedestrians actually use GPS systems. It is difficult.

A technique for using a portable telephone such as a PHS for positioning is described in JP-A-8-223637. This publication describes a system for monitoring a person holding a PHS device using position information.

[0007] In a system for positioning using a portable telephone, it is necessary that relay stations are arranged in a fine manner. At present, a system that satisfies this condition is a simple portable telephone, that is, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System). PH
S originally originated from a cordless phone (cordless phone). A cordless telephone is a portable telephone that can be used as a slave unit of a conventional fixed telephone within a radius of about 50 meters. The PHS is an extension of the use range of this cordless telephone. The PHS can be used as a cordless telephone and a transceiver in addition to a simple portable telephone.

[0008] PHS differs from ordinary mobile phones in that the output radio waves are weak and many relay stations for relaying radio waves are required. However, it can be easily installed in urban areas where telephone lines such as public telephones, telephone poles, buildings, subways, and buildings are installed vertically and horizontally. As shown in FIG. 1, the range that one relay station 1 can cover is usually about 100 to 400 meters. The PHS terminal 2 is used within this cover area. The signal from the relay station 1 is transmitted via the PHS connection device 3
Connect to a regular telephone line.

[0009] When moving from one relay station to another, temporary switching between the relay stations may occur, causing a temporary non-call. For this reason, it cannot be generally used in a car running at a high speed. However, it can be used on congested urban general roads and stopped vehicles. For this reason, it is considered that the portable use of the PHS is basically based on the speed of stopping or walking.

[0010] The range over which the PHS radio waves can reach is as narrow as 100 to 400 meters compared to the kilometer unit of a normal mobile phone. On the contrary, there is a merit that the position where a call is made or the position of the other party carrying the same PHS can be determined with an accuracy of 100 to 400 meters.

The PHS is characterized in that it is compact and lightweight, has a low communication fee, and is capable of high-speed digital communication at 32 Kbit / sec. There are two types of mobile phones, digital communication type and analog digital communication type. Digital communication has a communication speed of 11.2 Kbit / sec. Therefore, the PHS has about three times the communication speed in digital communication than the mobile phone.

[0012]

Even if the map data is of the dot map system or the node link system, a map image is formed by a set of images in pixel units on the screen. The data amount is generally smaller in the node link system than in the dot map system. When the transmission and reception of map data are considered, a smaller data amount is advantageous.

[0013] In order to emphasize portability, the communication function of the receiving device may be poor. When sending map data to such a receiving device, it is desirable that the data amount be as small as possible. The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for converting map data into data having a smaller data amount.

In the case of a car navigation system which is put into practical use as a navigation system capable of displaying map data, a relatively large display can be used.
Since a storage device for storing map data such as a CD is provided, it is possible to easily display graphic map information.
However, in the case of a device such as a PHS that is carried by a person and carried, adding a device that stores map data such as a car navigation system has a drawback that portability is impaired. Is desirable.

There is also a problem with the method of transmitting map data from a base station. The display screen of a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone is usually small, and when accurate map information using graphics is displayed on the screen, the map becomes small and difficult to see. However, when the map is enlarged, the displayable area is narrowed and the screen scrolling is increased, so that it is difficult to grasp the positional relationship of the entire map, which is difficult to use.

Further, transmitting map data to a portable communication device increases the amount of data, and it is necessary to solve problems such as transfer speed and storage capacity. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to develop a navigation method and a system device capable of transmitting easy-to-understand and understandable map information to a portable communication device using a small display such as a mobile phone.

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides means for transforming an image of an area to be converted of map data into an image consisting of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, and oblique lines, and A map image conversion method and apparatus for creating a map drawn with a text symbol by replacing a basic line segment of a drawn image with a corresponding text symbol.

A method for transmitting map data represented by text symbols by incorporating the above-described map image conversion apparatus into a base station apparatus for transmitting / receiving data to / from a portable communication device having a screen display function, and means for transmitting the map data And a communication base station device having

Further, the above-described map image conversion device is incorporated in a portable telephone system in which a large number of relay stations are arranged at relatively small distance intervals to receive the electric waves from the portable telephone, and the electric waves from the caller's portable telephone are transmitted. Obtain the position information of the received relay station, obtain the position information of the destination from the destination information sent from the mobile phone, based on the position information of the destination and the position information of the relay station, to the destination Method and base for searching for a route of a mobile phone and transmitting map data represented by text symbols and searched route information to a caller of a mobile phone, using a region including a route to a destination as a map data conversion target region Configure the station device.

The portable communication device having the screen display function that has received the map data displays the map data made up of text symbols on the screen. If the print function can be used, it is output on paper or the like. In the digital map, nodes (black dots in the figure) are designated for intersections and roads that curve in a polygonal line as shown in FIG. 3, and new links (straight lines in the figure) are designated. For example, a road 7 that curves in a broken line in the figure is divided into a link 9 and a link 10 at a node 8. Even in such a case,
If the curve is gentle, linear approximation is performed. Whether or not a straight line is approximated is determined from the slope of the curve (in some cases, a straight line is automatically formed when the text is converted to a symbol). In the present invention, a simplified map is created from a precise digital map.

The important map information in the navigation is the road (road) and the target. In the present invention, two types of roads are prepared. One is a mode in which the road width is ignored, and the other is a mode in which the road width is considered. FIG. 4 shows the former example, and FIG. 5 shows the latter example. The former is easier to draw than the latter and can display a wider range. The former method is generally used for subway route maps. On the other hand, the latter is better in terms of legibility and accuracy. In any case, the present invention allows the user to make a selection. The former can be used when the user is far from the destination, and the latter can be used when approaching the destination.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS When a text symbol map is drawn from a digital map composed of nodes and links, a desired map can be drawn basically by connecting two nodes with a straight line. However, in the device of the present invention, a diagonal line cannot be freely drawn because it is represented by a text symbol. Therefore,
A vertical line (usually north-south) is an OR (|) sign, a horizontal line (usually east-west) is a minus (-) sign, an ascending line (usually northeast) is a slash (/) sign, and an ascending line (usually) , Northwest direction), a backslash (＼), a crossroad, a plus (+) sign, and a fork, X (X), etc., determine the sign to be used in the state of link inclination, intersection, or branching. Of course, if text characters can be registered, more appropriate symbols can be introduced.

Slash and backslash are about 45 °
If the inclination is further subdivided, it is possible to register a text symbol according to more inclinations. However, in the case of the present invention, since the purpose is not to draw a precise map, even if a large number of symbols are introduced, the advantage is not so large. Conversely,
An advantage of the present invention is that accurate text maps (not precise maps) can be drawn with simple text symbols.

Rules are set in advance as to how text symbols are used in correspondence with basic line segments, and registered as patterns. For example, a road parallel to the X-axis is-, a road parallel to the Y-axis is |, an intersection of a road crossing east, west, south and north uses +, and a turning point of a road crossing the X axis diagonally uses X, and so on. I do.

An important aspect of the present invention is a matter of scale. An object of the present invention is a small display such as that mounted on a mobile phone. Displaying a map with an accurate scale as it is makes the map itself smaller and harder to see. In addition, since text characters have a fixed character size, there is a limit to drawing an accurate map from the size of the text characters. Therefore, in the present invention, deformation such as reduction of a long straight traveling and straight line approximation of a gentle curve are performed as necessary.

For example, in general, "straight ahead" means a route traveling along a road, and does not necessarily mean a straight line. If there is a node in the middle, it will break the link, so it may not be a long straight line, but when walking along the street it will be a long straight path.

In the example of FIG. 6, the road A is divided into links 11 and 12 because the road A is separated by a node due to a sideway on the way. (A) shows the case where the A ways are straight lines, and (B) shows the case of curves. Both are expressed as straight lines as shown in (C) in a form close to the actual scale. However, from the perspective of going straight,
As shown in (A) of FIG. 6C, even if shortened as in (D) of FIG. 7, the meaning of straight traveling is not lost, and the meaning of navigation is not lost.

In the present invention, a gentle curve is also approximated by a straight line. Also, what text symbol is used is determined by the inclination of the straight line (link) and the way the straight line intersects. If the straight ahead is long, the straight ahead should be shortened, and the description method should emphasize the intersection. Therefore, the reduced map is deformed as a whole.

The way of drawing a road in the present invention will be described with an example. FIG. 8 is a precise digitized road map to be dealt with here. The symbols used are ordinary text symbols, vertical bar (|), minus (-), slash (/), backslash (＼), plus (+), and X (X).

An object of the present invention is to make a map that is easy to understand and that emphasizes practicality by using a coordinate transformation algorithm and patterning. In the following, it is assumed that a text symbol is represented by 10 × 10 dots, and a memory 10 (X axis) ×
10 (Y-axis). Here, rules (patterns) for determining which text symbol is used are determined as follows.

Condition Symbol used ==================== 180n-α≤θ≤180n + α -... (1) 180n + 90-α≤θ ≦ 180n + 90 + α |… (2) 180n + 45-α <θ <180n + 45 + α / …… (3) 180n-45-α <θ <180n-45 + α…… (4)

Here, n is an integer of 0 or more, and α is 22.5 ° (= 4
5/2), θ is the inclination of the link (the unit is degree <°>).
That is, the range in which the above symbols are used is as shown in FIG. In the above conditional expression, θ is expressed as an angle formed with a horizontal line (X axis), but hereinafter, it is treated as an angle formed with a vertical line (Y axis). Therefore, when checking on a program, a 90 ° displacement of the above equation is required, but the meaning of FIG. 9 does not change.

The line connecting the links can be determined based on the above rules. However, since the link is deformed when it is described with a new symbol, the final result may be different depending on the order in which the links are selected. However, if the relation between the nodes and the links is always kept one-to-one, the route will not be out of order. In the following, an example of encoding from the link AB in FIG. 8 will be described.

The angle θ between the link AB and the vertical line (Y axis)
₁ is 10.5 ° (= tan ^-1 {(70-43) / (128-123)}),
Within the range of (2), draw a link AB using a vertical bar. (However, at this point, it is easier to programmatically perform only coordinate changes and finally display specific text symbols collectively.) ). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the original B (123, 43) changes to the position of B ₁ (128, 43).

In order to prevent the relative position of the node before conversion from being changed by moving the node B in the horizontal (X-axis) direction by +5, the entire unprocessed node is moved by +5 horizontally. When this is added as a new node and 1 is added to the subscript, the coordinates become as shown in FIG.

Next, since the angle θ ₂ between the link B ₁ C ₁ and the vertical line (Y axis) is 46.9 ° (= tan ⁻¹ {(128-97) / (43-41)}), ( In the range of 3), a link B ₁ C ₁ is drawn using a slash. That when drawing a slash from the inclination of 45 ° new link, in order to the relative positions of the unprocessed node does not change, 1.9 ° node unprocessed, mainly the Node B ₁ (= 46.9-45.0) It is necessary to rotate the coordinates counterclockwise. Assuming that the nodes C _{1 to} F ₁ have been shifted by rotating C _{2 to} F ₂ , each node is C ₂ (98,13) D ₂ (6,7) E ₂ (155,20) F ₂ (81, -
1)

When the same operation is repeated thereafter, the coordinates become (A _{0 to} F ₀ ) shown in FIG. 12, and finally the road can be drawn with |,-, /. This is shown in text symbols.
FIG. However, the intersection (intersection) uses X and +.

When it is desired to guide the route ABCD from the node A to the node D in the original map (FIG. 8), the distance corresponding to the link DC in FIG. 8 is too long in FIG.
Displaying in a shortened manner is advantageous because the display screen size is reduced. Also, the link CE in FIG. 8 can be shortened because it is sufficient if only the node C is an intersection. Therefore, the image is finally deformed and drawn as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 13, the intersections and curves of roads are indicated by + and X, but curved roads drawn with vertical bars and slashes or backslashes are described with + symbols, and horizontal bars (-) are used. If a pattern such that an intersection of roads drawn with slashes or backslashes is described with an X symbol is determined, determination on a program can be easily performed.

[0040]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As one embodiment of the present invention, a system using a PHS as a portable electronic device as shown in FIG. 15 will be described. In this example, it is divided into a position information center 14 for notifying the position information of the relay station, and a navigation center 15 for searching the route to the destination and notifying the caller. The navigation center 15 is based on information from the location information center 14,
This is an information processing center that processes information that is easy for users to understand. The location information center 14 is a center that provides the location of the user who made the call at the PHS 16 or the PHS owner who made the call as the location information.

In the present invention, a route directly connected to the navigation center without passing through the location information center is also secured.
This means that when the information from the travel center or the tourist center is directly obtained or the information from the navigation service is provided to the PHS user by voice or image, the location information center does not pass.

The information and data processed by the navigation center are used to create voice data for informing the position of the PHS user, ie, the person, search for the path to reach the target from the position of the person and the position of the destination, and reach there. Creation of the most suitable (shortest) map information or voice data, voice and image data for notifying the location of the PHS owner who made the call, It creates voice and image data to notify necessary train, airplane, and lodging reservations. The destination is basically a telephone number input of the destination by PHS terminal key input, but it is also possible to input by voice.

The system of the embodiment has the following configuration. (1) A system that can specify where a user with PHS is located on an address and a map. Basically, create map information centered on the area covered by the relay station,
The corresponding map information is extracted based on the position information from the position information center. PHS terminal user and searched PH
Since the location of the S terminal owner can be known from the location information center, it can be applied to both the party making the call and the party making the call.

(2) A system for sending a map as image data composed of text symbols. (3) A system for finding an address from a telephone number. This is a system that informs the address of a destination by inputting the telephone number of the destination. (4) A system for delivering an address to map data and a reverse system. By transferring the address obtained in (3) to the map data (information), the position of the destination can be specified on the map.

(5) A system for acquiring a PHS telephone number. Information provided by the location information center includes PHS
In order to know the telephone number called, this information is immediately incorporated into this system (for example, a system for creating map information, etc.) to create additional information. Individual registration can also be performed by registering a voiceprint registration or a password in the navigation center. As a result, security management can be performed such that only a specific party can make a call or computer data cannot be searched.

(6) A system for transmitting necessary image data and FAX data to a designated place. Since the liquid crystal screen of the PHS terminal is small, even if map data is received, it may be difficult to see. In such a case, a function for transmitting data to a facsimile or a personal computer connected to the designated telephone.

FIG. 16 shows the flow of information in the navigation service using the location information center. First, location information requests from users are sent directly to the navigation center. Based on this request, the navigation center makes an application for a position search of the target PHS to the position information center. The PHS terminal is polled based on this application, and the position of the target PHS is obtained. The acquired position information is sent to the navigation center. The navigation center creates map information, image data or audio data based on the information, and transfers the data in a form requested by the user.

The location information from the location information center includes the user's telephone number and CSID in addition to the latitude and longitude. The CSID contains the address data of the relay station. If the relay station is in a building or subway platform, the position can be determined with high accuracy. For example, you can see how many lines you are at and what building you are on which side. However, the position can usually be determined with an accuracy of 100 to several hundred meters.

In the example described in the above embodiment, the map information of the cover area centered on the relay station is transmitted.
Using the latitude and longitude position information, the position of a specific range as shown in the figure can be determined from the entire map information prepared in advance, and map data for the user can be created. At this time, if the user can be certain of the position where the user is located, map data of a scale according to the request can be created.

Next, an example of using the system of this embodiment will be described. For example, a salesperson wants to visit a customer, but does not know how to go. In such a case, first call the navigation center by PHS, and then input the telephone number of the other party, and the voice is notified of the transit route from the current location to the nearest transportation and the final destination. At this time, reservations can be made for items that need to be reserved. The route from the last station of transportation to the destination is specifically indicated by an image.

Although a system using a PHS has been described in this embodiment, the present invention is, of course, not limited to a PHS system, and is used for any device that converts, compresses, and transfers map data. be able to.

[0052]

According to the apparatus of the present invention, since a map is drawn only with text characters, not only the transmission speed is high, but also
It uses a small amount of memory and can be sent by e-mail as it is with text information. Furthermore, the base station apparatus using the text symbol map of the present invention can be used in a receiver that cannot display graphics or cannot use graphics for some reason. Further, the text symbol map of the present invention employs a method of drawing using an existing digital map, and thus has an effect that automatic generation is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a PHS base station and a range where radio waves can reach in the related art.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of nodes and links on a digital map according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a specific example of nodes and links in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example of a text symbol map without considering road widths in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of a text symbol map considering a road width in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of converting a road into a text symbol map by patterning a road according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an example in which the road in FIG. 6 is shortened.

FIG. 8 is a digital map before conversion into a text symbol map according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a range of which text symbol is used depending on the inclination angle of a link in the embodiment.

(|) Vertical bar text symbols to the original map link AB in FIG. 10 8 by fitting a diagram for explaining generating a new link AB _1.

[11] All in FIG. 11 B to B ₁ node unprocessed by the horizontal movement when obtained by horizontally moved by the same distance, the new map.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a final result of performing conversion necessary for text symbolization in the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram when the text form is finally converted into a text symbol map based on the coordinate form of FIG. 13 in the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a final map obtained by deforming the map of FIG. 14 according to the purpose in the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an information flow in the system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 relay station 2 PHS terminal 3 PHS connection device 4 local exchange 5 node 6 link 7 road 8 node 9 link 10 link 11 link 12 link 13 link 14 location information center 15 navigation center 16 PHS

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image of a conversion target area of map data is transformed into an image composed of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines and oblique lines, and (2) a text corresponding to the basic lines of the transformed image. A map image conversion method characterized by replacing with a symbol. 2. A base station that transmits and receives data to and from a portable communication device having a screen display function, (1) transforms an image of a map data conversion target area into an image composed of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, and diagonal lines. (2) replace the basic line segment of the transformed image with a corresponding text symbol to form map data represented by the text symbol, and (3) transmit the map data represented by the text symbol. A map image conversion and transmission method, characterized in that: 3. A portable telephone system in which a large number of relay stations are arranged at relatively small distance intervals to receive radio waves from a mobile phone. (1) The position of a relay station that has received radio waves from a mobile phone of a caller Obtaining information, (2) obtaining the location information of the destination from the destination information sent from the mobile phone, (3) based on the location information of the destination and the location information of the relay station, Search for a route to the destination, (4) an area including the route to the destination as a conversion target area of the map data,
Transform the image into an image composed of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, and oblique lines, and (5) replace the basic lines of the transformed image with corresponding text symbols to form map data represented by text symbols. And (6) a map image conversion / transmission method for navigation, wherein the map data represented by the text symbol and the searched route information are transmitted to a caller of the mobile phone. (1) means for transforming the image of the conversion target area of the map data into an image consisting of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines and oblique lines; (2) corresponding to the basic lines of the transformed image A map image conversion device comprising means for replacing with a text symbol. 5. A base station device for transmitting / receiving data to / from a portable communication device having a screen display function, wherein: (1) an image of a conversion target area of map data is converted into an image composed of basic line segments such as horizontal lines, vertical lines, and oblique lines Means for deforming, (2) means for forming map data represented by text symbols by replacing the basic line segments of the deformed image with corresponding text symbols,
(3) A communication base station device comprising means for transmitting the map data represented by the text symbol. 6. A portable telephone system in which a large number of relay stations are arranged at relatively small distance intervals to receive a radio wave from a mobile phone. (1) The position of the relay station that has received a radio wave from a caller's mobile phone Means for obtaining information, (2) means for obtaining location information of the destination from the destination information sent from the mobile phone,
(3) means for searching for a route to the destination based on the location information of the destination and the location information of the relay station, (4)
Means for transforming the image into an image consisting of basic lines such as horizontal lines, vertical lines and oblique lines, with the area including the route to the destination as the map data conversion target area, (5) the basic line segments of the deformed image Means for forming map data represented by text symbols by replacing
(6) A navigation base station apparatus, comprising: means for transmitting the map data represented by the text symbol and the searched route information to a caller of the mobile phone.