JPWO2008041338A1 - Map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

Based on the current location of the moving object detected by the position detection unit (103) and the height of the current location of the moving object detected by the height detection unit (104), the determination unit (105) A map image including an existing road is determined. Next, information about roads is acquired by the acquisition unit (106), and the association unit (107) associates the information with a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. Then, the display controller (108) highlights and displays the map image associated with the information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium that display a combination of a plurality of map images divided according to road types. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a map display device that includes a control unit that searches a specified map specified by a user from a map information and a combined plane map using a degree of separation. In this map display device, the control unit is set to create and display a composite map by combining the searched designated map and the combined plane map. Thus, the user can easily determine where and how much the map (area) can be regarded as the same height as the map specified by referring to such a composite map. (For example, see Patent Document 1 below.)

JP 2004-317658 A

  However, in general, for information that overlaps in the height direction, information on the higher road is preferentially displayed, so there is an example of a problem that information on the lower road such as a traffic light under an overpass cannot be seen. As mentioned.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned patent document 1, although the relevance of the height position of maps can be clarified, for example, a plurality of maps at different height positions are superimposed and displayed in a two-dimensional plan view. In this case, an example is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether oneself is on any of the roads that overlap in the height direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a map display device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a map display device that displays a combination of a plurality of map images divided according to the type of road. A position detecting means for detecting a point; a determining means for determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images based on a current point detected by the position detecting means; Display control means for emphasizing and displaying the map image determined by the determination means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map display method for displaying a combination of a plurality of map images classified by road type, a position detection step for detecting a current location of a moving body, and the position Based on the current location detected by the detection step, a determination step of determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images, and the map image determined by the determination step are emphasized. And a display control step for displaying.

  A map display program according to an invention of claim 8 causes a computer to execute the map display method according to claim 7.

  A recording medium according to a ninth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the map display program according to the eighth aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the map display device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a map display processing procedure of the map display device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the navigation device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layer for each type of road. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Map display apparatus 101 Display part 102 Storage part 103 Position detection part 104 Height detection part 105 Judgment part 106 Acquisition part 107 Linking part 108 Display control part

  Exemplary embodiments of a map display device, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of map display device)
First, the functional configuration of the map display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the map display device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a map display device 100 includes a display unit 101, a storage unit 102, a position detection unit 103, a height detection unit 104, a determination unit 105, an acquisition unit 106, a linking unit 107, and display control. Part 108.

  The display unit 101 includes a display screen that displays the map information stored in the storage unit 102. The map information is composed of a plurality of map images (layers) divided by road type. The types of roads are specifically toll roads, general roads, underground roads, and the like. Further, specifically, the type of road may be distinguished by the height of the road from the ground regardless of the type of road, for example. Furthermore, the type of road may be distinguished for each type of moving object such as a pedestrian or a vehicle.

  Each map image includes road network data composed of nodes and links, and image data drawn using features relating to facilities, roads, and other terrain (mountains, rivers, land). The map image may include character information, information such as facility names and addresses, road and facility images, and the like. When common information is included in a plurality of map images, only information included in any one of the displayed map images is displayed. Specifically, the common information is, for example, names of roads and intersections overlapping in the height direction.

  The display unit 101 also displays a mark representing the current location of the moving object on the map image. The mark representing the current position of the moving body may be represented by an arrow, for example, and the direction of the mark may represent the direction of the moving body on the map image.

  The position detection unit 103 detects the current location of the moving body. Specifically, for example, the current location of the moving body is detected from the output values of a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and various sensors. The current location of the mobile object is represented by, for example, latitude and longitude.

  The height detection unit 104 detects the height of the current location of the moving object. Specifically, for example, the height of the current location of the moving body is detected from the output values of a GPS receiver and various sensors. By detecting the height of the current location of the moving object, the current location of the moving object can be detected as position information including altitude and latitude / longitude. Therefore, the current location of the mobile object is specified as one point in the map information.

  Based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103, the determination unit 105 determines a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether the road on which the moving body exists is a toll road or a general road. For example, when two or more roads overlap in the height direction such as a three-dimensional intersection, the determination unit 105 determines the current point detected by the position detection unit 103 and the height detected by the height detection unit 104. Based on the above, a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images may be determined. Further, the determination unit 105 may determine a map image including a route along which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images, based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. Specifically, the route along which the moving body is moving may include, for example, a road on which the moving body has moved before arriving at the current location, or a road that is scheduled to move in the future.

  The acquisition unit 106 acquires information regarding roads. Specifically, the road information is road traffic information such as traffic jam information and traffic regulation information. The acquisition unit 106 may acquire road traffic information for each type of road, or may acquire only information related to roads on a map image that is determined by the determination unit 105 to include a road where a moving object exists. May be.

  The associating unit 107 associates the information acquired by the acquiring unit 106 with a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. Specifically, for example, when the moving body is on a toll road, the road traffic information of the toll road is linked to the map image of the toll road. In addition, the associating unit 107 may associate the information acquired by the acquiring unit 106 with a plurality of map images.

  The display control unit 108 emphasizes and displays the map image determined by the determination unit 105. Specifically, for example, only the map image determined by the determination unit 105 may be displayed. When a plurality of map images are displayed in a superimposed manner, for example, other than the map image determined by the determination unit 105 The map image may be displayed transparently.

  The display control unit 108 also displays the information associated with the association unit 107 on the map image to be displayed with emphasis. Specifically, for example, traffic jam information or the like is displayed with arrows or displayed in a color different from normal.

  The display control unit 108 shifts the coordinate axes of the plurality of map images by a predetermined amount and displays them in a superimposed manner. Specifically, for example, when a plurality of map images are superimposed and displayed, the roads that overlap in the vertical direction are displayed with a predetermined shift by shifting the coordinate axes by a predetermined amount.

  Further, the display control unit 108 may change the shape and size of the mark representing the current location of the mobile object based on the height of the current location of the mobile object. Specifically, for example, if the current location of the moving object is on the ground, and the current location of the moving object is on the toll road on the elevated road, the shape is larger than the standard shape, such as a tunnel. If the current location of the moving object is underground, the shape is smaller than the standard shape.

(Map display processing procedure of the map display device)
Next, a map display processing procedure of the map display device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a map display processing procedure of the map display device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the position detection unit 103 detects the current location of the moving object (step S201). Next, the height detection unit 104 detects the height of the current location of the moving object detected in step S201 (step S202).

  Then, based on the current location detected in step S201 and the height detected in step S202, the determination unit 105 determines a map image including a road on which a moving body is present (step S203).

  Next, the information regarding a road is acquired by the acquisition part 106 (step S204). In step S204, only information related to roads included in the map image determined to have a moving body in step S203 may be acquired, or information related to roads included in the plurality of map images may be acquired.

  Then, the information regarding the road acquired in step S204 is linked to the map image including the road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images by the linking unit 107 (step S205), and the information is displayed by the display control unit 108. The associated map image is highlighted and displayed (step S206), and the series of processing is terminated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, in step S205, the map image is associated with a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, a configuration may be used in which information relating to roads included in other map information is linked.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the map image associated with the information in step S206 is emphasized and displayed. Specifically, for example, other map images other than the map image to be highlighted are displayed. Information regarding roads associated with other map images may be displayed in a transparent manner.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the map image to which information is associated is displayed with emphasis in step S <b> 206, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the coordinate axes of the map image may be displayed by being shifted by a predetermined amount, or only the map image associated with the information may be displayed. Further, whether or not to display only the map image associated with the information may be determined by accepting selection by the user.

  As described above, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103, the determination unit 105 includes a road where a moving body exists among a plurality of map images. The map image including the road in which the moving body is present can be highlighted by the display control unit 108 and displayed.

  Therefore, even in map information including a plurality of toll roads and general roads, it is possible to highlight and display information on roads where a moving body exists. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  Moreover, according to the map display apparatus 100 of this Embodiment, based on the present location detected by the position detection part 103, and the height detected by the height detection part 104, it moves among several map images. A map image including a road where a body is present can be determined. Therefore, it can be determined on which road the moving body existing on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction exists. Thus, since the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user exists, the user can accurately read the information on the road even if the user exists on any of the roads that overlap each other.

  Moreover, according to the map display apparatus 100 of this Embodiment, the display control part 108 can display the information regarding the road linked | related by the stringing part 107 together with the map image displayed emphasized. Therefore, it is possible to highlight and display information relating to the road associated with the map image to be highlighted. Thus, the user can preferentially display the information of the road where the user exists even in the map information where the toll road and the general road exist, and thus can accurately read the traffic information.

  In addition, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 105 includes a route along which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. Map image can be determined. Accordingly, the user can preferentially check the information of the road that he / she has moved to and the road that is scheduled to move from now on, so that necessary information can be obtained with certainty.

  Further, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, the display control unit 108 can superimpose and display the coordinate axes of a plurality of map images shifted by a predetermined amount. Therefore, when there are roads that overlap in the vertical direction at the same coordinates in different layers, the respective roads can be displayed. Thus, even when the user is on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction, the user can display the road on which the user is present in a visible state.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, an example in which the map display device of the present invention is implemented by a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) will be described.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, an audio I / F (interface) 308, and a microphone 309. A speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F 312, a display 313, a communication I / F 314, a GPS unit 315, various sensors 316, and a camera 317. Each component 301 to 317 is connected by a bus 320.

  First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 records programs such as a boot program and a data update program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 controls the entire navigation device 300 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area.

  The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to the control of the CPU 301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disc 307, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 307, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  Examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 305 and the optical disk 307 include map information and function information. The map information is composed of a plurality of map images (layers) divided by road type. Specifically, for example, it is configured by a toll road layer, a general road layer, a tunnel / subway layer, and the like. Each map image contains background data representing features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the surface of the earth, and road shape data representing the shape of the road, and a plurality of data files divided by district. It is constituted by.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. Traffic condition data includes, for example, the presence or absence of traffic lights or pedestrian crossings, the presence or absence of highway entrances and junctions, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway) , Toll roads, general roads, etc.).

  The function information is three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map information. The map image and the function information are recorded in a state of being divided into blocks according to road types, districts, or functions. Further, for example, the function information is recorded in a state where each function can be divided into a plurality of blocks so as to realize one function.

  The function information is data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, etc. in addition to the above-described three-dimensional data and character data. Each of the map information and the function information is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each road type, each district, or each function.

  The audio I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for audio input and a speaker 310 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. For example, the microphone 309 may be installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. From the speaker 310, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 308 is output. Note that the sound input from the microphone 309 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data.

  Examples of the input device 311 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 311 may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313. Specifically, the video I / F 312 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 313 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 313, the map is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally by superimposing the above-described map images according to the coordinate axes. On the map image displayed on the display 313, a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted can be displayed in an overlapping manner. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301 and displayed on the layer including the road where the vehicle exists.

  As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 313 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 313 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 314 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 314 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks, mobile phone networks, and the like. Specifically, the communication I / F 314 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 315 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 315 is used when the CPU 301 calculates the current position of the vehicle together with output values of various sensors 316 described later. The information indicating the current position is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 316 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 316 are used for the calculation of the current position of the vehicle by the CPU 301 and the amount of change in speed and direction.

  The camera 317 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, the behavior of the passenger inside the vehicle is photographed by the camera 317, and the photographed image is output to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. To do. The camera 317 captures a situation outside the vehicle, and outputs the captured video to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. Further, the camera 317 has an infrared camera function, and the surface temperature distributions of objects existing inside the vehicle can be relatively compared based on video information captured using the infrared camera function. The video output to the recording medium is overwritten and stored.

  The display unit 101, the storage unit 102, the position detection unit 103, the height detection unit 104, the determination unit 105, the acquisition unit 106, the association unit 107, and the display control unit 108 included in the map display device 100 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 301 executes a predetermined program using the programs and data recorded in the ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk 305, optical disk 307, etc. in the navigation device 300 shown in FIG. Is realized.

  That is, the navigation device 300 according to the present embodiment executes the map display program recorded in the ROM 302 as a recording medium in the navigation device 300, so that the functions provided in the map display device 100 shown in FIG. It can be executed by the map display processing procedure shown in FIG.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 300)
Next, the processing contents of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the vehicle waits until the vehicle starts to travel (step S401: No loop). When the vehicle starts traveling (step S401: Yes), the current position of the vehicle is detected (step S402). Here, the current point of the vehicle detects one point on the map information by detecting the latitude, longitude, and altitude.

  Next, based on the current location of the vehicle detected in step S402, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403). In FIG. 4, it is assumed that map information includes a toll road layer and a general road layer.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403: Yes), the toll road layer is highlighted and displayed (step S404). On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S403 that the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403: No), the general road layer is highlighted and displayed (step S405).

  Then, road traffic information is acquired (step S406) and linked to the layer highlighted in step S404 or step S405 (step S407). Next, it is determined whether or not to display a layer other than the layer associated with the road traffic information in step S407 (step S408). In step S408, whether or not to display another layer may be determined by accepting selection by the user.

  If another layer is displayed in step S408 (step S408: Yes), the other layer is displayed by shifting the coordinate axis by a predetermined amount to the layer associated with the road traffic information in step S407 and transmitting it (step S409). . On the other hand, when other layers are not displayed (step S408: No), only the layer associated with the road traffic information is displayed in step S407, and the process proceeds to step S410.

  And it is judged whether driving | running | working of the vehicle was complete | finished (step S410), and a driving | running | working is complete | finished (step S410: Yes), a series of processes are complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if the travel does not end in step S410 (step S410: No), the process returns to step S402 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the map information is composed of a toll road layer and a general road layer, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, a configuration including a tunnel / subway layer, a sidewalk layer, or the like may be used.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the coordinate axes are shifted by a predetermined amount in step S409 and transmitted, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the coordinate axes may be overlapped or not transmitted without being shifted by a predetermined amount.

(Example of layers for each type of road)
Next, a layer for each type of road will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layer for each type of road. FIG. 5 shows a toll road layer 501, a general road layer 502, a tunnel / subway layer 503, and a current location mark 504.

  The toll road layer 501 displays road information related to toll roads such as highways. In FIG. 5, since the vehicle is traveling on a toll road, a current position mark 504 of the vehicle is displayed on the toll road layer 501 and road traffic information is associated. Here, the road traffic information is, for example, traffic jam information, and is represented by an arrow or the like. Further, the road traffic information may be associated with a layer where the vehicle is not traveling. In this case, when the map images are superimposed and displayed, they may be displayed in a transparent manner.

  The general road layer 502 displays information on roads other than toll roads and trains operating on the ground. The tunnel / subway layer 503 displays information on roads and subways in the tunnel. The ground station in the general road layer 502 may be expressed as a convex, and the underground station in the tunnel / subway layer 503 may be expressed as a concave. In addition, animation may be displayed in each layer in conjunction with the operation of trains, buses, airplanes, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 305 and the optical disk 307 by dividing the layer for each type of road. Further, for example, the map information may be divided into layers based only on the height of the road regardless of the type of road. Specifically, for example, it may be divided into an aerial layer, a ground layer, an underground layer, and the like. Furthermore, map information may divide a vehicle travel layer and a pedestrian layer, for example.

(An example of a display screen that displays map images superimposed)
Next, an example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner. FIG. 6 shows map information 601 in which a toll road layer 501, a general road layer 502, and a tunnel / subway layer 503 are superimposed. The map information 601 may be displayed by overlapping the coordinate axes of the respective layers by a predetermined amount, or may be displayed without being shifted by a predetermined amount.

  In FIG. 6, the coordinate axes of the respective layers are shifted by a predetermined amount and displayed in an overlapping manner. As a result, the user can also display a portion where the toll road and the general road are actually overlapped on the map information 601 in a state where they can be seen from each other.

  In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 6, the coordinate axes of the respective layers are shifted by a predetermined amount and displayed superimposed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the toll road layer 501 in which the vehicle is traveling may be displayed among the layers shown in FIG. 5 automatically or by receiving selection by the user.

(Another example of a display screen that displays map images superimposed)
Next, another example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner. In FIG. 7, the map information is displayed with coordinate axes aligned without passing through each layer.

  In FIG. 7, the height of the current location of the vehicle is expressed by changing the size of the current location mark. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle is traveling on a toll road, that is, when traveling on a position higher than the ground, the current position of the vehicle is represented by a mark 701 having a shape larger than the standard shape. Yes.

  Further, when the vehicle is traveling on a general road, that is, when traveling on the ground, the current position of the vehicle is represented by a mark 702 having a standard shape. Further, when the vehicle is traveling in a tunnel, that is, when traveling at a position lower than the ground, the current point of the vehicle is represented by a mark 703 having a shape smaller than the standard shape. This allows the user to identify the road on which the vehicle is traveling by checking the size of the vehicle's current location mark, for example, even when traveling on one of the roads that overlap each other. can do.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, a map including a road on which a moving body is present among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. The image can be determined, and a map image including a road where the moving body is present can be highlighted by the display control unit 108 and displayed.

  Therefore, even in map information including a plurality of toll roads and general roads, it is possible to highlight and display information on roads where a moving body exists. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the moving body among the plurality of map images is based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103 and the height detected by the height detection unit 104. A map image including an existing road can be determined. Therefore, it can be determined on which road the moving body existing on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction exists. Thus, since the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user exists, the user can accurately read the information on the road even if the user exists on any of the roads that overlap each other.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of a present Example, the display control part 108 can display the information regarding the road linked | related by the link | linking part 107 on the map image displayed emphasized. Therefore, it is possible to highlight and display information relating to the road associated with the map image to be highlighted. Thus, the user can preferentially display the information of the road where the user exists even in the map information where the toll road and the general road exist, and thus can accurately read the traffic information.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 105 includes a map including a route on which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. The image can be judged. Accordingly, the user can preferentially check the information of the road that he / she has moved to and the road that is scheduled to move from now on, so that necessary information can be obtained with certainty.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the display control unit 108 can display the images by overlapping the coordinate axes of a plurality of map images by a predetermined amount. Therefore, when there are roads that overlap in the vertical direction at the same coordinates in different layers, the respective roads in the upper and lower directions can be displayed. Thus, even when the user is on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction, the user can display the road on which the user is present in a visible state.

  As described above, according to the map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium of the present invention, the navigation device 300 is based on the current location of the vehicle detected by the GPS unit 315 and the various sensors 316. Thus, the layer including the road where the vehicle exists is determined from the layers for each type of road constituting the map information. The layer including the road where the vehicle exists can be highlighted and displayed by the video I / F 312. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  The map display method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The present invention relates to a map display device, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium that display a combination of a plurality of map images divided according to road types. However, the use of the present invention is not limited to the above-described map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a map display device that includes a control unit that searches a specified map specified by a user from a map information and a combined plane map using a degree of separation. In this map display device, the control unit is set to create and display a composite map by combining the searched designated map and the combined plane map. Thus, the user can easily determine where and how much the map (area) can be regarded as the same height as the map specified by referring to such a composite map. (For example, see Patent Document 1 below.)

JP 2004-317658 A

  However, in general, for information that overlaps in the height direction, information on the higher road is preferentially displayed, so there is an example of a problem that information on the lower road such as a traffic light under an overpass cannot be seen. As mentioned.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned patent document 1, although the relevance of the height position of maps can be clarified, for example, a plurality of maps at different height positions are superimposed and displayed in a two-dimensional plan view. In this case, an example is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether oneself is on any of the roads that overlap in the height direction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the map display device according to the invention of claim 1 is a map display device that displays a plurality of map images divided according to road types in a superimposed manner. Position detection means for detecting the current location of the vehicle, and determination means for determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection means; Display control means for emphasizing and displaying the map image determined by the determination means, wherein the display control means displays the coordinate axes of each of the plurality of map images with a predetermined shift from each other. To do.

  The map display method according to the invention of claim 6 is a map display method for displaying a plurality of map images divided according to the type of road so as to overlap each other. Based on the current location detected in the position detection step, a determination step of determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images, and a map determined in the determination step A display control step for highlighting and displaying the image, wherein the display control step displays the plurality of map images with the coordinate axes shifted from each other by a predetermined amount.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a map display program causes a computer to execute the map display method according to the sixth aspect.

  A recording medium according to an eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the map display program according to the seventh aspect is recorded in a computer-readable state.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the map display apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the map display processing procedure of a map display apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the navigation apparatus concerning a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process of a navigation apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the layer for every kind of road. It is explanatory drawing shown about an example of the display screen which overlaps and displays a map image. It is explanatory drawing shown about the other example of the display screen which overlaps and displays a map image.

  Exemplary embodiments of a map display device, a map display method, a map display program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
(Functional configuration of map display device)
First, the functional configuration of the map display device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the map display device according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, a map display device 100 includes a display unit 101, a storage unit 102, a position detection unit 103, a height detection unit 104, a determination unit 105, an acquisition unit 106, a linking unit 107, and display control. Part 108.

  The display unit 101 includes a display screen that displays the map information stored in the storage unit 102. The map information is composed of a plurality of map images (layers) divided by road type. The types of roads are specifically toll roads, general roads, underground roads, and the like. Further, specifically, the type of road may be distinguished by the height of the road from the ground regardless of the type of road, for example. Furthermore, the type of road may be distinguished for each type of moving object such as a pedestrian or a vehicle.

  Each map image includes road network data composed of nodes and links, and image data drawn using features relating to facilities, roads, and other terrain (mountains, rivers, land). The map image may include character information, information such as facility names and addresses, road and facility images, and the like. When common information is included in a plurality of map images, only information included in any one of the displayed map images is displayed. Specifically, the common information is, for example, names of roads and intersections overlapping in the height direction.

  The display unit 101 also displays a mark representing the current location of the moving object on the map image. The mark representing the current position of the moving body may be represented by an arrow, for example, and the direction of the mark may represent the direction of the moving body on the map image.

  The position detection unit 103 detects the current location of the moving body. Specifically, for example, the current location of the moving body is detected from the output values of a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and various sensors. The current location of the mobile object is represented by, for example, latitude and longitude.

  The height detection unit 104 detects the height of the current location of the moving object. Specifically, for example, the height of the current location of the moving body is detected from the output values of a GPS receiver and various sensors. By detecting the height of the current location of the mobile object, the current location of the mobile object can be detected as position information including altitude and latitude / longitude. Therefore, the current location of the mobile object is specified as one point in the map information.

  Based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103, the determination unit 105 determines a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether the road on which the moving body exists is a toll road or a general road. For example, when two or more roads overlap in the height direction such as a three-dimensional intersection, the determination unit 105 determines the current point detected by the position detection unit 103 and the height detected by the height detection unit 104. Based on the above, a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images may be determined. Further, the determination unit 105 may determine a map image including a route along which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images, based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. Specifically, the route along which the moving body is moving may include, for example, a road on which the moving body has moved before arriving at the current location, or a road that is scheduled to move in the future.

  The acquisition unit 106 acquires information regarding roads. Specifically, the road information is road traffic information such as traffic jam information and traffic regulation information. The acquisition unit 106 may acquire road traffic information for each type of road, or may acquire only information related to roads on a map image that is determined by the determination unit 105 to include a road where a moving object exists. May be.

  The associating unit 107 associates the information acquired by the acquiring unit 106 with a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. Specifically, for example, when the moving body is on a toll road, the road traffic information of the toll road is linked to the map image of the toll road. In addition, the associating unit 107 may associate the information acquired by the acquiring unit 106 with a plurality of map images.

  The display control unit 108 emphasizes and displays the map image determined by the determination unit 105. Specifically, for example, only the map image determined by the determination unit 105 may be displayed. When a plurality of map images are displayed in a superimposed manner, for example, other than the map image determined by the determination unit 105 The map image may be displayed transparently.

  The display control unit 108 also displays the information associated with the association unit 107 on the map image to be displayed with emphasis. Specifically, for example, traffic jam information or the like is displayed with arrows or displayed in a color different from normal.

  The display control unit 108 shifts the coordinate axes of the plurality of map images by a predetermined amount and displays them in a superimposed manner. Specifically, for example, when a plurality of map images are superimposed and displayed, the roads that overlap in the vertical direction are displayed with a predetermined shift by shifting the coordinate axes by a predetermined amount.

  Further, the display control unit 108 may change the shape and size of the mark representing the current location of the mobile object based on the height of the current location of the mobile object. Specifically, for example, if the current location of the moving object is on the ground, and the current location of the moving object is on a toll road on the elevated road, the shape is larger than the standard shape, such as a tunnel. If the current location of the moving object is underground, the shape is smaller than the standard shape.

(Map display processing procedure of the map display device)
Next, a map display processing procedure of the map display device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a map display processing procedure of the map display device. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, first, the position detection unit 103 detects the current location of the moving object (step S201). Next, the height detection unit 104 detects the height of the current location of the moving object detected in step S201 (step S202).

  Then, based on the current location detected in step S201 and the height detected in step S202, the determination unit 105 determines a map image including a road on which a moving body is present (step S203).

  Next, the information regarding a road is acquired by the acquisition part 106 (step S204). In step S204, only information related to roads included in the map image determined to have a moving body in step S203 may be acquired, or information related to roads included in the plurality of map images may be acquired.

  Then, the information regarding the road acquired in step S204 is linked to the map image including the road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images by the linking unit 107 (step S205), and the information is displayed by the display control unit 108. The associated map image is highlighted and displayed (step S206), and the series of processing is terminated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, in step S205, the map image is associated with a map image including a road where a moving body is present among a plurality of map images. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, a configuration may be used in which information relating to roads included in other map information is linked.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the map image associated with information in step S206 is highlighted and displayed. Specifically, for example, other map images other than the map image to be highlighted are displayed. In addition, information regarding roads linked to other map images may be transmitted and displayed.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the map image to which information is associated is displayed with emphasis in step S <b> 206, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the coordinate axes of the map image may be displayed by being shifted by a predetermined amount, or only the map image associated with the information may be displayed. Further, whether or not to display only the map image associated with the information may be determined by accepting selection by the user.

  As described above, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103, the determination unit 105 includes a road where a moving body exists among a plurality of map images. The map image including the road in which the moving body is present can be highlighted by the display control unit 108 and displayed.

  Therefore, even in map information including a plurality of toll roads and general roads, it is possible to highlight and display information on roads where a moving body exists. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  Moreover, according to the map display apparatus 100 of this Embodiment, based on the present location detected by the position detection part 103, and the height detected by the height detection part 104, it moves among several map images. A map image including a road where a body is present can be determined. Therefore, it is possible to determine on which road the moving body existing on any of the roads overlapping in the vertical direction exists. Thus, since the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user exists, the user can accurately read the information on the road even if the user exists on any one of the roads that overlap each other.

  Moreover, according to the map display apparatus 100 of this Embodiment, the display control part 108 can display the information regarding the road linked | related by the stringing part 107 together with the map image displayed emphasized. Therefore, it is possible to highlight and display information relating to the road associated with the map image to be highlighted. Thus, the user can preferentially display the information of the road where the user exists even in the map information where the toll road and the general road exist, and thus can accurately read the traffic information.

  In addition, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 105 includes a route along which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. Map image can be determined. Accordingly, the user can preferentially check the information of the road that he / she has moved to and the road that is scheduled to move from now on, so that necessary information can be obtained with certainty.

  Further, according to the map display device 100 of the present embodiment, the display control unit 108 can superimpose and display the coordinate axes of a plurality of map images shifted by a predetermined amount. Therefore, when there are roads that overlap in the vertical direction at the same coordinates in different layers, the respective roads in the upper and lower directions can be displayed. Thus, even when the user is on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction, the user can display the road on which the user is present in a visible state.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. In this embodiment, an example in which the map display device of the present invention is implemented by a navigation device mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle (including a four-wheeled vehicle and a two-wheeled vehicle) will be described.

(Hardware configuration of navigation device)
Next, a hardware configuration of the navigation device 300 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the navigation device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a magnetic disk drive 304, a magnetic disk 305, an optical disk drive 306, an optical disk 307, an audio I / F (interface) 308, and a microphone 309. A speaker 310, an input device 311, a video I / F 312, a display 313, a communication I / F 314, a GPS unit 315, various sensors 316, and a camera 317. Each component 301 to 317 is connected by a bus 320.

  First, the CPU 301 governs overall control of the navigation device 300. The ROM 302 records programs such as a boot program and a data update program. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. That is, the CPU 301 controls the entire navigation device 300 by executing various programs recorded in the ROM 302 while using the RAM 303 as a work area.

  The magnetic disk drive 304 controls the reading / writing of the data with respect to the magnetic disk 305 according to control of CPU301. The magnetic disk 305 records data written under the control of the magnetic disk drive 304. As the magnetic disk 305, for example, an HD (hard disk) or an FD (flexible disk) can be used.

  The optical disk drive 306 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the optical disk 307 according to the control of the CPU 301. The optical disk 307 is a detachable recording medium from which data is read according to the control of the optical disk drive 306. As the optical disc 307, a writable recording medium can be used. As a removable recording medium, in addition to the optical disk 307, an MO, a memory card, or the like may be used.

  Examples of information recorded on the magnetic disk 305 and the optical disk 307 include map information and function information. The map information is composed of a plurality of map images (layers) divided by road type. Specifically, for example, it is configured by a toll road layer, a general road layer, a tunnel / subway layer, and the like. Each map image contains background data representing features (features) such as buildings, rivers, and the surface of the earth, and road shape data representing the shape of the road, and a plurality of data files divided by district. It is constituted by.

  The road shape data further includes traffic condition data. Traffic condition data includes, for example, the presence or absence of traffic lights or pedestrian crossings, the presence or absence of highway entrances and junctions, the length (distance) of each link, road width, direction of travel, road type (highway) , Toll roads, general roads, etc.).

  The function information is three-dimensional data representing the shape of the facility on the map, character data representing the description of the facility, and other various data other than the map information. The map image and the function information are recorded in a state of being divided into blocks according to road types, districts, or functions. Further, for example, the function information is recorded in a state where each function can be divided into a plurality of blocks so as to realize one function.

  The function information is data for realizing functions such as program data for realizing route search, calculation of required time, route guidance, etc. in addition to the above-described three-dimensional data and character data. Each of the map information and the function information is composed of a plurality of data files divided for each road type, each district, or each function.

  The audio I / F 308 is connected to a microphone 309 for audio input and a speaker 310 for audio output. The sound received by the microphone 309 is A / D converted in the sound I / F 308. For example, the microphone 309 may be installed near the sun visor of the vehicle, and the number thereof may be one or more. From the speaker 310, a sound obtained by D / A converting a predetermined sound signal in the sound I / F 308 is output. Note that the sound input from the microphone 309 can be recorded on the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 as sound data.

  Examples of the input device 311 include a remote controller having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The input device 311 may be realized by any one form of a remote control, a keyboard, and a touch panel, but may be realized by a plurality of forms.

  The video I / F 312 is connected to the display 313. Specifically, the video I / F 312 is output from, for example, a graphic controller that controls the entire display 313, a buffer memory such as a VRAM (Video RAM) that temporarily records image information that can be displayed immediately, and a graphic controller. And a control IC for controlling the display 313 based on the image data to be processed.

  The display 313 displays icons, cursors, menus, windows, or various data such as characters and images. On the display 313, the map is drawn two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally by superimposing the above-described map images according to the coordinate axes. On the map image displayed on the display 313, a mark representing the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 300 is mounted can be displayed in an overlapping manner. The current position of the vehicle is calculated by the CPU 301 and displayed on the layer including the road where the vehicle exists.

  As the display 313, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be used. The display 313 is installed near the dashboard of the vehicle, for example. A plurality of displays 313 may be installed in the vehicle, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard of the vehicle or in the vicinity of the rear seat of the vehicle.

  The communication I / F 314 is connected to a network via wireless and functions as an interface between the navigation device 300 and the CPU 301. The communication I / F 314 is further connected to a communication network such as the Internet via wireless, and also functions as an interface between the communication network and the CPU 301.

  Communication networks include LANs, WANs, public line networks, mobile phone networks, and the like. Specifically, the communication I / F 314 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) / beacon receiver, a radio navigation device, and other navigation devices. Get road traffic information such as regulations. VICS is a registered trademark.

  The GPS unit 315 receives radio waves from GPS satellites and outputs information indicating the current position of the vehicle. The output information of the GPS unit 315 is used when the CPU 301 calculates the current position of the vehicle together with output values of various sensors 316 described later. The information indicating the current position is information for specifying one point on the map information such as latitude / longitude and altitude.

  The various sensors 316 output information for determining the position and behavior of the vehicle, such as a vehicle speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. The output values of the various sensors 316 are used for the calculation of the current position of the vehicle by the CPU 301 and the amount of change in speed and direction.

  The camera 317 captures images inside or outside the vehicle. The image may be either a still image or a moving image. For example, the behavior of the passenger inside the vehicle is photographed by the camera 317, and the photographed image is output to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. To do. The camera 317 captures a situation outside the vehicle, and outputs the captured video to a recording medium such as the magnetic disk 305 or the optical disk 307 via the video I / F 312. Further, the camera 317 has an infrared camera function, and the surface temperature distributions of objects existing inside the vehicle can be relatively compared based on video information captured using the infrared camera function. The video output to the recording medium is overwritten and stored.

  The display unit 101, the storage unit 102, the position detection unit 103, the height detection unit 104, the determination unit 105, the acquisition unit 106, the association unit 107, and the display control unit 108 included in the map display device 100 illustrated in FIG. The CPU 301 executes a predetermined program using the programs and data recorded in the ROM 302, RAM 303, magnetic disk 305, optical disk 307, etc. in the navigation device 300 shown in FIG. Is realized.

  That is, the navigation device 300 according to the present embodiment executes the map display program recorded in the ROM 302 as a recording medium in the navigation device 300, so that the functions provided in the map display device 100 shown in FIG. It can be executed by the map display processing procedure shown in FIG.

(Contents of processing of navigation device 300)
Next, the processing contents of the navigation device 300 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of processing of the navigation device. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, the vehicle waits until the vehicle starts to travel (step S401: No loop). When the vehicle starts traveling (step S401: Yes), the current position of the vehicle is detected (step S402). Here, the current point of the vehicle detects one point on the map information by detecting the latitude, longitude, and altitude.

  Next, based on the current location of the vehicle detected in step S402, it is determined whether the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403). In FIG. 4, it is assumed that map information includes a toll road layer and a general road layer.

  If it is determined in step S403 that the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403: Yes), the toll road layer is highlighted and displayed (step S404). On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S403 that the vehicle is traveling on a toll road (step S403: No), the general road layer is highlighted and displayed (step S405).

  Then, road traffic information is acquired (step S406) and linked to the layer highlighted in step S404 or step S405 (step S407). Next, it is determined whether or not to display a layer other than the layer associated with the road traffic information in step S407 (step S408). In step S408, whether or not to display another layer may be determined by accepting selection by the user.

  If another layer is displayed in step S408 (step S408: Yes), the other layer is displayed by shifting the coordinate axis by a predetermined amount to the layer associated with the road traffic information in step S407 and transmitting it (step S409). . On the other hand, when other layers are not displayed (step S408: No), only the layer associated with the road traffic information is displayed in step S407, and the process proceeds to step S410.

  And it is judged whether driving | running | working of the vehicle was complete | finished (step S410), and a driving | running | working is complete | finished (step S410: Yes), a series of processes are complete | finished.

  On the other hand, if the travel does not end in step S410 (step S410: No), the process returns to step S402 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the map information is composed of a toll road layer and a general road layer, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, a configuration including a tunnel / subway layer, a sidewalk layer, or the like may be used.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the coordinate axes are shifted by a predetermined amount in step S409 and transmitted, but the present invention is not limited to this. Specifically, for example, the coordinate axes may be overlapped or not transmitted without being shifted by a predetermined amount.

(Example of layers for each type of road)
Next, a layer for each type of road will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a layer for each type of road. FIG. 5 shows a toll road layer 501, a general road layer 502, a tunnel / subway layer 503, and a current location mark 504.

  The toll road layer 501 displays road information related to toll roads such as highways. In FIG. 5, since the vehicle is traveling on a toll road, a current position mark 504 of the vehicle is displayed on the toll road layer 501 and road traffic information is associated. Here, the road traffic information is, for example, traffic jam information, and is represented by an arrow or the like. Further, the road traffic information may be associated with a layer where the vehicle is not traveling. In this case, when the map images are superimposed and displayed, they may be displayed in a transparent manner.

  The general road layer 502 displays information on roads other than toll roads and trains operating on the ground. The tunnel / subway layer 503 displays information on roads and subways in the tunnel. The ground station in the general road layer 502 may be expressed as a convex, and the underground station in the tunnel / subway layer 503 may be expressed as a concave. In addition, animation may be displayed in each layer in conjunction with the operation of trains, buses, airplanes, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the map information is recorded on the magnetic disk 305 and the optical disk 307 by dividing the layer for each type of road. Further, for example, the map information may be divided into layers based only on the height of the road regardless of the type of road. Specifically, for example, it may be divided into an aerial layer, a ground layer, an underground layer, and the like. Furthermore, map information may divide a vehicle travel layer and a pedestrian layer, for example.

(An example of a display screen that displays map images superimposed)
Next, an example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner. FIG. 6 shows map information 601 in which a toll road layer 501, a general road layer 502, and a tunnel / subway layer 503 are superimposed. The map information 601 may be displayed by overlapping the coordinate axes of the respective layers by a predetermined amount, or may be displayed without being shifted by a predetermined amount.

  In FIG. 6, the coordinate axes of the respective layers are shifted by a predetermined amount and displayed in an overlapping manner. As a result, the user can also display a portion where the toll road and the general road are actually overlapped on the map information 601 in a state where they can be seen from each other.

  In the explanatory diagram of FIG. 6, the coordinate axes of the respective layers are shifted by a predetermined amount and displayed superimposed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the toll road layer 501 in which the vehicle is traveling may be displayed among the layers shown in FIG. 5 automatically or by receiving selection by the user.

(Another example of a display screen that displays map images superimposed)
Next, another example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a display screen that displays map images in a superimposed manner. In FIG. 7, the map information is displayed with coordinate axes aligned without passing through each layer.

  In FIG. 7, the height of the current location of the vehicle is expressed by changing the size of the current location mark. Specifically, for example, when the vehicle is traveling on a toll road, that is, when traveling on a position higher than the ground, the current position of the vehicle is represented by a mark 701 having a shape larger than the standard shape. Yes.

  Further, when the vehicle is traveling on a general road, that is, when traveling on the ground, the current position of the vehicle is represented by a mark 702 having a standard shape. Further, when the vehicle is traveling in a tunnel, that is, when traveling at a position lower than the ground, the current point of the vehicle is represented by a mark 703 having a shape smaller than the standard shape. This allows the user to identify the road on which the vehicle is traveling by checking the size of the vehicle's current location mark, for example, even when traveling on one of the roads that overlap each other. can do.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, a map including a road on which a moving body is present among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. The image can be determined, and a map image including a road where the moving body is present can be highlighted by the display control unit 108 and displayed.

  Therefore, even in map information including a plurality of toll roads and general roads, it is possible to highlight and display information on roads where a moving body exists. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the moving body among the plurality of map images is based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103 and the height detected by the height detection unit 104. A map image including an existing road can be determined. Therefore, it can be determined on which road the moving body existing on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction exists. Thus, since the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user exists, the user can accurately read the information on the road even if the user exists on any of the roads that overlap each other.

  Moreover, according to the navigation apparatus 300 of a present Example, the display control part 108 can display the information regarding the road linked | related by the link | linking part 107 on the map image displayed emphasized. Therefore, it is possible to highlight and display information relating to the road associated with the map image to be highlighted. Thus, the user can preferentially display the information of the road where the user exists even in the map information where the toll road and the general road exist, and thus can accurately read the traffic information.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 105 includes a map including a route on which the moving body is moving among a plurality of map images based on the current location detected by the position detection unit 103. The image can be judged. Accordingly, the user can preferentially check the information of the road that he / she has moved to and the road that is scheduled to move from now on, so that necessary information can be obtained with certainty.

  In addition, according to the navigation device 300 of the present embodiment, the display control unit 108 can display the images by overlapping the coordinate axes of a plurality of map images by a predetermined amount. Therefore, when there are roads that overlap in the vertical direction at the same coordinates in different layers, the respective roads in the upper and lower directions can be displayed. Thus, even when the user is on any of the roads that overlap in the vertical direction, the user can display the road on which the user is present in a visible state.

  As described above, according to the map display device, map display method, map display program, and recording medium of the present invention, the navigation device 300 is based on the current location of the vehicle detected by the GPS unit 315 and the various sensors 316. Thus, the layer including the road where the vehicle exists is determined from the layers for each type of road constituting the map information. The layer including the road where the vehicle exists can be highlighted and displayed by the video I / F 312. As a result, the user can preferentially check the information on the road on which the user is present, and thus can accurately read the information on the road.

  The map display method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Map display apparatus 101 Display part 102 Storage part 103 Position detection part 104 Height detection part 105 Judgment part 106 Acquisition part 107 Linking part 108 Display control part

Claims (9)

In a map display device that displays a combination of a plurality of map images divided according to the type of road,
Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the moving body;
Determination means for determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images, based on the current location detected by the position detection means;
Display control means for highlighting and displaying the map image determined by the determination means;
A map display device comprising: Comprising a height detection means for detecting the height of the current location of the mobile body;
The determination means includes a road on which the moving body is present among a plurality of the map images based on the current point detected by the position detection means and the height detected by the height detection means. The map display device according to claim 1, wherein a map image is determined. Obtaining means for obtaining information on the road;
Linking means for linking the information acquired by the acquisition means to a map image including a road where the moving body is present among the plurality of map images,
The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the information associated with the association unit together with the map image to be displayed with emphasis.   The said judging means judges the map image containing the path | route which the said mobile body is moving among several said map images based on the present location detected by the said position detection means. The map display device according to 1.   The map display device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit shifts the coordinate axes of the plurality of map images by a predetermined amount and superimposes them.   6. The map according to claim 1, wherein one map image of the plurality of map information represents a toll road, and the other one map image represents a general road. 6. Display device. In a map display method for displaying a combination of a plurality of map images divided by road type,
A position detection step for detecting the current location of the moving object;
A determination step of determining a map image including a road where the moving body is present among a plurality of the map images, based on the current point detected by the position detection step;
A display control step of highlighting and displaying the map image determined by the determination step;
The map display method characterized by including.   A map display program for causing a computer to execute the map display method according to claim 7.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the map display program according to claim 8 is recorded.

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