JPS62151895A - Image output unit - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an image output device for outputting and displaying a predetermined image on a display device using a computer or the like.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides an image output device including a first memory for storing a video equalization code, a controller for drawing a predetermined image of a low gradation color signal in the first memory, and an image drawn in the first memory. a second memory to which at least a portion of the image is transferred; a color conversion circuit that converts the color signal of the image transferred from the first memory to the second memory into the color signal of high gradation; A display device that displays the image stored in the memory is provided, and the drawing operation can be performed independently of the display operation on the display device, and the color of the displayed image can be selected from among many colors with a simple configuration. This allows you to specify any color.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, various images have been formed using computers, etc., and CRT
Image output devices that output and display images on display devices such as the above are becoming popular. In these devices, a predetermined image is drawn using a graphic display controller (GDC) or the like, and the data is stored in a memory such as a VRAM or a frame memory.

The image stored in the memory is then displayed on the display device.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in conventional devices, image data to be displayed on one display device is directly drawn in a memory that stores it, so in order to prevent the image displayed on the display device from flickering, it is necessary to The image has to be rewritten during the retrace period of the vertical synchronization signal, which has the disadvantage that rewriting takes time. Furthermore, if rewriting is performed outside of this period, one image may flicker, and the display screen must be erased until the drawing operation is completed, resulting in poor operability. Furthermore, the number of colors in the displayed image is relatively small, and increasing the number requires a complex and expensive arithmetic device.

[Means for solving problems]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram when the image output device of the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation device.

In the figure, 1 is a recording medium or C as a storage medium.
The D-ROM (including its drive device) records digitized map information. CD-ROM
Data from I is sent to interface 2. address bus 3
．． The data is stored in a memory (RAM) 5 via a data bus 4 or the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes an information processor (CPU) which processes various image data and also controls peripheral devices in response to commands input via the keyboard 12 and its interface 13. Reference numeral 7 indicates a direction sensor that detects the direction of the vehicle from geomagnetism or the like, and reference numeral 8 indicates a speed sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle. 9 is GPS (Global Position
oning system) that detects the current position of the vehicle from latitude, longitude information, etc. 10 is a navigation processor (CPU), which corrects data from the direction sensor 7, speed sensor 8, etc., calculates the amount of movement of the vehicle from these data, and when the GPS device 9 cannot detect latitude and longitude information. etc., the current position is calculated from the input data. Alternatively, the current location that has been set and input is corrected in accordance with information from the GPS device 9. The processor 10 and the processor 6 are capable of mutually transmitting and receiving data. 11 is an RO that stores programs and other necessary information for these processors 6.1o;
M, 14 is a control logic that supplies necessary timing signals to each circuit 1 means, devices, etc.

15 is a graphic display controller (GDC)
), reads necessary data from the memory 5, and draws a predetermined image in the memory (VRAM) 16, 17. 18
selects data from one of memories 16 and 17,
Reference numeral 619, which is a parallel/serial (P/S) conversion circuit that converts a parallel signal to a serial signal, is a color palette register serving as a color conversion circuit, which converts the 3-bit image signal in the video signal supplied from the P/S conversion circuit 18. color signal,
Converts to a prespecified 5-bit color signal. The video signal into which the color signal has been converted is transferred to a memory (VRAM) 20, and further from the memory 20 to a memory (VRAM) 21.
The video signals stored in the memory 21 are red (R) and green (G).
, D/A conversion circuits for each of the three primary colors of blue (B) 26.27.
The digital signal is converted into an analog signal by 28 and displayed on a display device 29 such as a CRT. Although not shown, a touch sensor made of a transparent electrode or the like is provided on the front surface of the screen of the display device 29.

24 is a synchronization signal generation circuit, which generates a mutually synchronized horizontal synchronization signal (HSYNC) and vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC).
, generates a dot clock (DCK) and registers 19.
．． It outputs to address counters 23, 25, etc., which set the addresses of the memory 20, 21, etc. An offset register 22 sets the offset position of the portion of the image stored in the memories 16 and 17 to be transferred to the memory 20. 30 to 37 are buffers inserted at predetermined positions, respectively.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows the structure of the keyboard 12. As shown in the figure, each operation key is arranged on the outer periphery of the display device 29. 51 is a navigation (NAVI) key operated when performing a navigation operation; 52 is a help key operated when outputting an operation explanation image to the display device 29; 53 is a guide (GUIDE)
This key is used to display symbols such as parking lots, hotels, gas stations, etc. on the map. 54 is a destination (DEST) key, which is operated when setting a destination. Reference numeral 55 denotes a SET key, which is operated when registering an item specified by the cursor displayed on the display device 29 or a position on the map. Reference numeral 56 denotes a cancel (CANCEL) key, which, when operated on a limited number of predetermined screens, returns the screen to the previous screen. 57 is a reduction key, and 58 is an enlargement key.

Each is operated to reduce or enlarge the map displayed on the display device 29. 59 is a scroll key, up and down,
When moving the cursor left and right, use keys 59a to 5, respectively.
9d is operated. Reference numeral 60 denotes a text (TEXT) key, which is operated when displaying information related to the running of the vehicle. The program when each of the above keys is operated is managed by the processor 6.

On the other hand, the CD key 61 is operated when operating the compact disc player, the TV key 62-AM is operated when receiving television broadcasting, or the AM and FM keys 63 are operated when receiving FM broadcasting, and equalization of reproduced sound. A sound select (SOUND 5EL) key 64 that is operated to select a characteristic from among predetermined characteristics, and a muting key 65 that instantly mutes the reproduced sound. Volume 66 for adjusting the volume of the playback sound,
An air conditioning (A/C) key 67 is provided to be operated when operating the air conditioner, and a predetermined operation is executed by a CPU (not shown).

[Effect]

The effect will now be explained. First, the basic operation when the navigation key 51 is operated will be explained. The operations in this case are managed according to a flowchart as shown in FIG. 3, for example. As a first step, it is determined whether the current location has been set. When the current location has already been set, a display routine is executed, and when it has not been set, a current location setting routine is executed. These routines will be described later.

Next, the system enters a state in which it waits for the key to be pressed, and if there is no key power, the display routine is further executed, and then it returns to the state in which it waits for the key to be pressed.

If there is key human power, the presence or absence of a mode change will be determined in the first step,
When a mode change occurs, the routine shifts to that mode. Modes include navigation mode, text mode, AV mode, etc. If there is no mode change, the command is determined, and each routine such as destination setting, drive guide, help, scaling, and correction 1 position output is executed in response to the command. Thereafter, the system returns to the state of waiting for the key force, and the display routine is executed until the key force is applied.

The routine for setting the current location is executed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, cancel key 56
The presence or absence of the operation is determined, and when the operation is performed, the current location is reset and a predetermined position is set as the temporary current location. Further, the scale of the map is set to a predetermined value (1/1.6 million in this case). A map centered on the predetermined location is then displayed on the display device 29.

When the cancel key 56 is not operated, it is determined whether or not the current location has been set.

If the current location has been set, a map of a preset scale (17.2 million in this example) centered around the current location is displayed on the display device 29. If the current location is not set, a predetermined location is set as the temporary current location, and a map of a predetermined scale (17.2 million in this example) centered at that location is displayed.

When the map is displayed on the display device 29, the input key is then determined, and processes such as setting the scale, moving the cursor, setting, setting the place name guide, and canceling are performed in response to the input key. When the cancel key 56 is operated, the process returns to the first step. When the set key 55 is operated, it is further determined whether or not the center position is to be set. If the center position is not set, the scale specified by the cursor is set, and a scale set is executed to display a map of that scale. If it is a set of center positions,
Similar to the case where the place name and guide set key 53 is operated, a determination is then made to set the current location. If the current location is set, the current location is set, and if the current location is not set, the destination is set.

The destination setting routine is performed as shown in FIG. First, it is determined whether the destination has been set, and if it has not been set, the routine for setting the current location is called.
During the routine, the destination will be entered, and if completed, a map centered on the destination will be displayed. Next, the distance from your current location to your destination is calculated and displayed. Thereafter, the operation of the cancel key 56 is determined, and when the cancel key 56 is operated, the process returns to the first step, and when the cancel key 56 is not operated, a map centered on the destination is displayed.

Eight types of map scales are available.

If the reduction key 57 is operated when setting the scale,
The image on the display device 29 is rewritten to a map with a scale one step lower, and a cursor indicating the range of the scale before rewriting is displayed (shown as a square in Fig. 23. For convenience, two cursors are shown in the figure). (However, only one cursor is actually displayed.) Further, when the reduction key 57 is operated.

Since the size of the cursor becomes equal to the size of the screen of the furniture display device 29, the cursor disappears from the screen, but when the reduction key 57 is further operated, the cursor is displayed on the screen again.

When the enlargement key 58 is operated, a cursor indicating the range of one scale higher is displayed. When the enlargement key 58 is further operated, the cursor becomes smaller one by one. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, the cursor shown on the outside changes in size to the size shown on the inside, and as the cursor is further operated, it becomes even smaller.

For example, when the scroll key 59 is operated in such a state, the cursor position remains unchanged at the center of the screen, but the map moves vertically and horizontally. When the desired position is found in this way and the set key 55 is operated with the cursor displayed, the range displayed by the cursor is displayed on the screen at that scale, and at this time the cursor changes to a cross mark. (Figure 24). Furthermore, by operating the scroll key 59, the map is moved up and down, left and right, and a desired position is made to correspond to the central cursor, and by operating the set key 55, the current location or destination is set to that point.

The above reduction key 57, enlargement key 58 and set key 55
If the changes in the screen due to each operation are displayed together, the 25th
The result will be as shown in the figure. In the figure, blocks indicated by upward arrows represent enlargement operations, blocks indicated by downward arrows represent reduction operations, and blocks indicated by the letters SET represent set operations. If the screen changes horizontally in the diagram, it means that the scale of the map does not change, with the upper row being 1/1.6 million, and the lower rows being 1/1.6 million.
/800,000, 1/400,000, 1/200,000, 1/10,000, 11
The scales are 50,000, 1/25,000, and 1/12,000.

It is also possible to move the cursor instead of the map when the scroll key 59 is operated. However, if you do this, for example, when moving the cursor while searching for a predetermined destination, if you find that the destination is outside the displayed map, you will need to perform a separate operation to redraw the displayed map. This results in interruptions in operation and poor operability. Therefore, as in the embodiment, it is preferable to fix the cursor at approximately the center of the screen and move the map so that the user can search for the destination simply by continuously operating the scroll key 59.

In this way, two types of cursors are used to perform enlargement, reduction, and scrolling, which not only makes one display easier to see, but also improves operability. Furthermore, when enlarging, after the target scale is set, the drawing operation to the memory (which takes time), which will be described later, starts when the set key 55 is operated, so that the operation can be performed smoothly.

Next, the display routine will be explained. The display routine is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this routine, first the direction sensor 7, the speed sensor 8
The current location of the vehicle is calculated by the processor 10 from such information. Alternatively, when latitude and longitude information is input from the GPS device 9, the current location can be specified from this information. Calculation of the current location is performed at regular intervals, and the data is constantly updated. Next, it is determined whether or not there is a map centered on the current location in the storage memory 5, and if not, the data is loaded onto the memory 5 from the CD-ROM 1.

When a map centered on the current location is stored in memory 5,
Next, it is determined whether the map centered on the current location is within the range of the map drawn in memory 16 or 17, and if it is not within the range, the back side of memory 16 or 17 (memory 20
Drawing (rewriting) is performed by the controller 15 in the memory of the memory (which is not supplying data to).

If a map centered on the current location is written in the memory 16.17, then it is determined whether a map of another scale is loaded in the memory 5 or not.1. When it is not loaded, it is loaded onto the memory 5 from the CD-ROMI.

When a map of another scale is written on the memory 5, it is superimposed on the map on the front side of the memory 16 or 17 (the one whose data is being transferred to the memory 20), and the processor 1o
A military mark is written by the processor 6 in accordance with the current location calculated by the processor 6, and this data is further transferred from the memory on the front side to the memory 20. This own army mark, for example, as shown in the center of FIG. 21, is a mark that allows the direction of movement of the vehicle to be recognized (the figure shows the vehicle moving northward (upwards)). In this way, memory 2
The map and army mark written on o are further stored in memory 21.
The image transferred to and stored in the memory 21 is displayed on the display device 2.
9 will be displayed. Further, after routines such as enlargement and reduction are processed, the process moves to the first step.

By a similar operation, the direction from the current location to the apparent location is displayed as shown by the arrow in the upper right corner of FIG.

The step of loading map data from the CD-ROM1 in the above display routine (indicated by A in the figure) is as follows:
A more detailed representation is as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, first, a predetermined area (indicated by a broken line in the figure) around the current location P is set, and the file number of the map within that area is set.

As shown in Fig. 16, the specified range (8000H x 80
The map data of 00H (H is a hexadecimal unit) is equally divided into four by two straight lines, the horizontal line and the line perpendicular to it.
The lower left area is 0, the lower right area is 1, and the upper left area is 2. The upper right area corresponds to the number 3, respectively. Each of the four areas is then further divided into four smaller areas and numbered in the same way, with the first number being represented by the first digit, the next number being represented by the second digit, and so on. are divided and numbered (file numbers). Therefore, the data in the area centered on point P in Fig. 16 is O(
1/16Q scale map), 03 (1/800,000 (7
) scale map), 030,0. ．． 31.032. '03
3 (map with a scale of 1/400,000), etc. will exist in the map represented by each file number. However, L CD-R
OM 1 Ni is 1/800,000, 1/200,000, 1,150,000, 1
/ 1.25 million scale maps are available, and 1/16
Maps with scales of 00,000, 1/400,000, 1/100,000, and 1/25,000.

It is expressed by thinning out and drawing the data of the map at the above-mentioned scale. The distance between two points on this map is calculated as a rectangular coordinate system using predetermined units of latitude and longitude near the center (4000H, 4000H) as a reference.

In this way, map data including the current location at each scale (four scales) to which the file numbers as described above are assigned is read from the CD-ROM 1 and written into the memory 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a predetermined range on the memory 5 centered on the current location (range indicated by diagonal lines in the figure)
is clipped, and this clipped range is written to the back side of the memory 16 or 17.

Since the current location moves as the vehicle travels, the steps of calculating the current location and displaying the own vehicle marker are interrupted at predetermined time intervals in these flows.

The details of the step of rewriting data in the memories 16 and 17 (indicated by reference numeral B in the figure) shown in FIG. 6 are as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In other words, the memory 16 and 17 are on the back side when drawing is done by the controller 15, and the memory 2 is on the back side when drawing is completed.
The side that is transferring data to o is considered to be the front side, and the controller 15 always draws in the memory on the back side, and when the drawing is completed, the front side and the back side are reversed. For example, the 18th
As shown in the figure, only a part of the image drawn on the front side of the memories 16 and 17 within a predetermined range is transferred to the memory 2o and further to the memory 21 and displayed on the 1 display device 29.

Therefore, in this flow as well, as the vehicle travels, the steps of calculating the current location and displaying the own army mark are interrupted at predetermined intervals, but once the memory 16
．． 17, it is not necessary to rewrite the data very often. 1 display device 2.9 as the vehicle travels
When the range displayed on the screen exceeds the range written in the memory on the front side, the data needs to be rewritten.

However, rewriting the data requires some time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, a predetermined distance D (on the memory When this outer range exceeds the range of the map drawn in the front memory, a map centered on the current location is saved from memory 5. Read and draw to backside memory. Further, this distance is changed depending on the scale of the map. Therefore, the smaller the scale (the more the map is enlarged), the faster the display position of your vehicle's mark on the map will move, but writing to the memory on the back side will be done faster, so the map will not be displayed on one screen. This prevents parts from being displayed with missing parts.

Furthermore, the step (indicated by C in the figure) of transferring the map drawn in the memory 16, 17 to the memory 2o in FIG. 6 is as shown in FIG. 9 in more detail. That is, first, in the front side memory of the memories 16 and 17, the data of the range (16×16 dots) in which the own army mark at the center of the range to be transferred to the memory 20 (FIG. 18) is displayed is temporarily saved to the memory 5. Then, the controller 15 draws the vehicle mark thereon according to a command from the processor 6. At this time, the own army mark is displayed in a direction corresponding to the traveling direction of the vehicle detected by the calculation of the processor 10. The map centered on the own army mark drawn in the memory on the front side in this manner is transferred to the memory 20. The range to be transferred is specified by the offset register 22 (and therefore the address counter 23). That is, under the control of the processor 6, the offset register 22 stores predetermined coordinate values that change in accordance with the current location. This value is the first
As shown in Figure 8, the position (X) of the dot where the controller 15 starts transfer on one horizontal scanning line,
The position of the horizontal scan line in the field where the transfer begins (
Y). Therefore, for example, focusing on one horizontal scanning line, as shown in FIG. 19, dot counting is started at the timing of the horizontal synchronizing signal, and when a predetermined offset value X is counted, a predetermined number of dots are counted from the next dot. The video signal in the represented range is transferred to the memory 2o. Also, focusing on the fields, when a transfer command is output from the processor 6 to the controller 15, as shown in FIG. After counting the offset value Y, data in a range of a predetermined number of scanning lines from the primary scanning line is transferred to the memory 20. Once the data is transferred to the memory 20, the data is further transferred to the memory 21 at the timing of the vertical synchronization signal of the display device 29 that arrives after that, taking the time of one field of the display device 29.

The data written in the memory 21 is read out and displayed on the display g129. The display device 29 is driven by, for example, a synchronizing signal of the NTSC system so that it can display the familiarity of ordinary television broadcasting. Therefore, the memory 21 that outputs data to the display section [29] is also driven by a clock having the same frequency as the synchronizing signal of the NTSC system or the like.

On the other hand, the synchronization signal (for example, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal is 24.83K) of the controller 15 controlled by the processor 6 as a computer is generally NTSC.
The display device 29 (memory 21) cannot be driven by the synchronization signal of the controller 15, unlike the synchronization signal of the NTSC system (for example, the frequency of the horizontal synchronization signal of the NTSC system is 15.75 kHz). So memory 21 and memory 16.1
A memory 20 is arranged as a buffer between the memory 16 and 17, and the writing is performed using the same clock as the memories 16 and 17, and the reading is performed using the same clock as the memory 21.

When the data is transferred to the memory 20, the three primary colors (y) each represented by a 3-bit signal are converted into a 15-bit color signal by the color palette register 19.This 15-bit color signal is The 8 types of low gradation colors represented by 3 bits are specified by the processor 6. Therefore, the 8 types of low gradation colors represented by 3 bits are represented by 32 colors represented by 5 bits each of R2O and B.
It is converted into one of two types of high gradation colors, and by appropriately mixing the three primary colors, it becomes possible to specify any eight types of colors from among 32,768 colors. Address counter 25 outputs predetermined address signals to color palette register 19 and memory 20, 21 in order to specify the position of each dot undergoing color conversion. The digital data of the map and military marks written in the memory 21 are converted into analog signals by the D/A conversion circuits 26, 27, and 28, and displayed on the display device 29. As mentioned above, the maps do not overlap in this area where the own army mark is displayed.

This prevents the vehicle mark from becoming difficult to see on the screen (Fig. 21).6 When the transfer from the front side memory to the memory 20 is completed,
The map data saved in the memory 5 is returned to the front side memory again. In this way, the evacuation and return of the map data in the area where the own army mark is displayed is repeated as the vehicle moves.

The amount of calculations and the capacity of memory used can be reduced. Furthermore, the number of times the CD-ROMI is accessed is reduced, allowing smooth display.

The map data written to the memory 5 has a scale of 1/8o.
j5, 1/200,000 and 1,150,000 are 800 x 800
These are 1/1,600,000 and 1/1,000,000, respectively.
Memory 16.1 scaled to 400,000 and 1/100,000
7, it is 400×400 dots.

Also, map data with a scale of 171°250,000 is 16001X
It is said to be 1600 dots, and when this is scaled to 1/25,000 and drawn in memory 16.17, it is 800 dots.
It is said to be X800 dots. smallest scale (enlarged)
The number of dots on the 1/125,000 scale map is increased compared to other large scale (reduced) maps.

Of course, you can use the same number of dots, but if you look at a smaller scale map, your current location will move that much faster. Therefore, as in the example, if the number of dots is increased in the case of a small scale than in the case of a large scale, the C.
The frequency of access to D-ROMI can be reduced accordingly.

On the other hand, the drawing memory 16.17 is 640 x 400 dots (high resolution or large capacity), the display memory 20.21 is 256 x 256 dots (low resolution or small capacity), and the screen of the display section [29 is, for example, 256 x 216 dots. be done.

The processor 6 can directly write, for example, a photographic image of an intersection, etc., recorded on the CD-ROM 1 into the memory 2o. In this case as well, since the image data being displayed on the display device 29 is output from the memory 21, one displayed image is not affected by the writing operation. images drawn in the memory 16 and 17 by the controller 15,
Alternatively, either the image directly drawn by the processor 6 in the memory 20 can be displayed.

Next, an example of recording map data will be described. As is well known, a map is a flat representation of the state of the earth on a spherical surface. There are various ways to express it, but the maps published by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan use the Transverse Mercator projection for relatively small scale maps of 1/200,000 or less (relatively enlarged geographies). 5. Maps with a relatively large scale (relatively reduced maps) exceeding 1/200,000 scale are mapped using the conic projection. Therefore, for example, as shown in Figure 10, if multiple maps of the sound envelope of a prison are arranged on a plane with the left and right boundaries separated, it is not possible to accurately represent the distance between two points. On the other hand, the north-south direction and the east-west direction are not perpendicular to each other, and if each map is digitized as is, the north-south direction and the east-west direction will be displayed tilted to the vertical or horizontal direction on the screen of the display device 29. This creates a large gap between the user's senses and deteriorates operability. Moreover, if this is done, the calculations for specifying the current location on the map become complicated, increasing the burden on the processor 1°. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Multiple maps drawn for each predetermined area using a projection method such as the Transverse Mercator projection or conic projection are mapped east to west on a predetermined plane, with the reference latitude line of each area located on the same horizontal line. At the same time, the reference meridians on the reference latitudes are located on the same straight line perpendicular to the horizon, so that they are located next to each other in the north-south direction, and the position on the map is specified by the orthogonal coordinates on that plane. I have to. Figure 11 (a) is an example where the lower left point of each map in a predetermined range is set as the reference point B for the reference latitude and longitude line, and Figure 11 (b) is an example where the reference point ○ is approximately the middle point. This is an example of B. However, in any case, when calculating the distance between two points on the map, the length per unit (for example, 10 km) latitude (longitude) at point 0 on the map is used as a reference.

Then, as shown in FIG. 12(b), discontinuous portions that occur in left and right adjacent maps are corrected so that the portions are located on straight lines. As a result, for example, point A1 on the upper right (northeast) of the 1/200,000 scale map, and point A2 on the upper left (northwest) corresponding (same) as point A□ on the map of the area east of it.
is replaced by point A. If you convert the earth coordinates to rectangular coordinates (xt y) in this way, for example, 1/20
The maximum error that occurs in 10,000 maps is ±70m,
As shown in FIG. 12(a), the error is concentrated locally within a predetermined range in the north-south direction (the shaded area in the figure). As a result, the distance error in this area increases, but overall the east-west direction is horizontal.

The north and south directions can be displayed vertically, which matches the user's senses, improving operability and making it easier to calculate the current location.

Data expressed on a map includes line segments,
Symbols and place names are provided. The line data is the first
It is configured as shown in Figure 3.

In other words, line segment data includes major national roads, local roads, other roads,
Classified into eight types of lines (represented by 8-bit data), such as coastlines and railways, and attributes (represented by 7-bits), such as tunnels and streetcars, and compiled into packages. Packages are prepared for each type of line to be displayed, such as a red line, for example, a predetermined number of packages form one set, and end data (d, ddd h) is arranged at the end of one set.

Further, in each package, data on attributes and line types are placed at the beginning of the package, followed by the total number of strokes in the package, and then each stroke data.

One stroke represents one continuous line segment. Each stroke data is expressed by the number of cylinders of a line segment and the starting point and end point of each line segment, with the starting point and end point being in units of 10 m (the same applies hereinafter). The end point of a line segment that is one unit that makes up one stroke is the start point of the next unit line segment, so the coordinate data of the start point of each unit line segment and the end point of the last unit line segment is The data of one stroke is composed of the following.

Two types of line types are available for river or coastline data. In other words, as shown in Figure 22, the river or coastline itself is represented by a solid line, and by placing a broken line at a predetermined distance away from the cicada toward the river or sea, it can be shown that the side of the broken line is the river or sea side. is expressed. Since such display does not take much time, it is performed when it is necessary to increase the drawing speed (for example, when the sighting speed of the vehicle is faster than the scale of the map). On the other hand, if there is no need to significantly increase the drawing speed, the dots are sequentially operated horizontally starting from point Z using a predetermined point 2 on the dashed line as a reference, and each dot is colored until the scanning line intersects with the solid line representing the coastline. . Although it takes some time to color rivers, oceans, etc. in this way, it takes less time than the conventional method of directionalizing solid lines representing rivers and coastlines and coloring one side of them. Can be colored. Also, the calculations for this purpose become easier.

Even the same road is expressed in a different color depending on the scale, and only predetermined roads (roads contained in a predetermined package) are displayed at a predetermined scale.

Symbols representing ski resorts, hotels, mountains, gas stations, parking lots, etc. are available. The symbol data is structured as shown in FIG. That is, symbols are also packaged into predetermined symbols, and end marks (e e e
e h) are arranged. The number of symbol packages is limited to 256 or less. Each package contains a 7-bit serial number of the symbol (for example, a serial number among symbols representing a mountain) and an 8-bit symbol pattern corresponding to each symbol (for example, what number is the mountain symbol? Each symbol corresponds to one number) as the header, followed by the number of symbols (always 1 in this example) and the coordinates where the symbol will be displayed. is located.

In the six maps shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 showing examples in which mountain symbols are displayed, mountains are generally displayed as equal straight lines. However, if the map data is represented as contour lines, the amount of map data not only increases, but also becomes difficult to see, especially since the screen of the display device 29 used as a vehicle navigation device cannot be made very large.

Therefore, it is preferable to display the mountain as a relatively small symbol as in the embodiment.

The place name data is structured as shown in FIG. In other words, as in the case described above, an end mark (f f f
f h) are arranged. A place name level consisting of 8 bits is arranged as a header of each place name package. Eight types of place name levels are prepared, and only place names at a predetermined place name level are displayed on the display device 29 at a predetermined scale. Next to the place name level, the number of place name cylinders contained in the package and each place name data are arranged. The place name data includes the coordinates where the place name should be displayed, the number of characters (up to 6), and the Kanji code.

Although the present invention has been described above using an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation system, the scope of application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

〔effect〕

As described above, the present invention provides an image output device including a first memory that stores a video signal, a controller that draws a predetermined image of a low gradation color signal in the first memory, and a controller that draws a predetermined image of a low gradation color signal in the first memory. a second memory to which at least a part of the image is transferred; a color conversion circuit that converts the color signal of the image transferred from the first memory to the second memory into the color signal of high gradation; Since the second display device for displaying the image stored in the memory is provided, the drawing operation can be performed independently of the display operation on the first display device.

It becomes possible to specify the color of an image to be displayed as any color from among many colors without complicating the i-formation or increasing the cost.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram when the image output device of the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation device, FIG. 2 is a plan view of its display device and keyboard, and FIGS. 3 to 9 are its flowcharts. Figures 10 to 12 are explanatory diagrams explaining the conversion of earth coordinates to orthogonal coordinates, Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of the line segment data, Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the symbol data, and Figure 15. is an explanatory diagram of the place name data, No. 16
The figure is an explanatory diagram explaining how the map is divided, FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the memory, FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram schematically explaining data reading and corruption, and FIG. Its waveform diagram, Figure 20, is its timing chart, Figure 21.
24 are plan views of the display screen, and FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of the enlarged and reduced screens. 1...CD-ROM 2.13...Interface 5.16.17.20.21...Memory 6...Information processor 7...Direction sensor 8.
...Speed sensor 9...GPS device 10...Navigation processor 11...ROM 12...Keyboard 15...
・Graphic display controller 18...Parallel/serial conversion circuit 19...Color palette register 22...Offset register 23.25...Address counter 24...Synchronization signal generation circuit 26.27.28...D /A conversion circuit 29...Display device or higher

Claims (1)

[Claims] a first memory that stores a video signal; a controller that draws a predetermined image of a low gradation color signal in the first memory; and at least a portion of the image drawn in the first memory is transferred. a color conversion circuit that converts the color signal of the image transferred from the first memory to the second memory into the color signal of high gradation; An image output device comprising: a display device that displays the stored image.