WO2007074829A1

WO2007074829A1 - Map data display device and display control method

Info

Publication number: WO2007074829A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/325928
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shunichi Kumagai
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation
Priority date: 2005-12-28
Filing date: 2006-12-26
Publication date: 2007-07-05

Abstract

In a map data display device, a resolution level of map data displayed on the display device is set to be different every displayed data region during a scrolling period of the map data. Preferably, map data corresponding to a region in a direction reverse to a scrolling direction is displayed in a lower resolution level than those corresponding to a region in the scrolling direction.

Description

Specification

Map data display device and display control method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a technique for displaying map data on a display device.

Background art

In general, a car navigation device displays map data in a predetermined range on a display device with the current position of the vehicle as the center. When the map data of the area that has advanced in the predetermined direction from the current position is displayed, the user operates an input device such as a remote control touch panel to scroll the displayed map data. Note that scrolling is generally displayed on the display screen and moves the display content up / down / left / right to display an area.

[0003] During scrolling, the area of the map data displayed on the display device changes continuously. Therefore, if the map data is displayed with the same level of detail as usual, it will take more time than necessary to display the map data being scrolled, and smooth scroll display will not be possible. From this point of view, a technique has been proposed in which smooth display is performed by reducing the amount of map data drawn during scrolling (see Patent Document 1). Specifically, in this document, map data is divided into lower layer data including main roads and other upper layer data including relatively fine roads and names. By drawing only the layer data, the amount of map data drawing during scrolling is reduced.

[0004] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2000-181344

[0005] In the method of Patent Document 1, the amount of drawing is reduced uniformly over the entire area of the displayed map data. However, since it is necessary to display a certain amount of information during scrolling, it is difficult to reduce the drawing amount so much in practice.

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] The above is given as an example of problems to be solved by the present invention. Main departure The purpose of Ming is to smoothly display the map while scrolling while maintaining the required level of detail of the displayed map data.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the map data display device includes: a display control unit that displays map data on the display device; and an input unit that receives an instruction to scroll the map data by a user. During the input of the scroll instruction, the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device is made different for each display area based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction.

[0008] The map data display device described above is configured as a device that displays map data on a display device such as a navigation device. When the user operates the input unit to input a scroll instruction for map data, scroll display is performed in which the displayed area moves in directions such as up, down, left, and right. Here, during scrolling, the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device is varied for each display area of the displayed map data. For example, if the map data displayed on the display device is composed of multiple unit areas, V will display map data at a high level of detail in several unit areas, and in some other unit areas, Map data is displayed at a low level of detail. This allows map data to be displayed while maintaining the required level of detail even during scrolling. At the same time, by displaying several unit areas at a low level of detail, the amount of map data drawn in those display areas can be reduced, and map data can be displayed quickly and rapidly.

[0009] In one aspect of the map data display device, the display control means is configured such that the map data corresponding to the display area in the direction opposite to the scroll direction is lower than the map data corresponding to the display area in the scroll direction. Display at the level of detail. Usually, the display area in the scroll direction by the user is an area where the user is highly interested, and it is necessary to display the map data in some detail. On the other hand, the display area in the direction opposite to the scroll direction is an area that goes out of the display range due to scrolling, and is an area where the user is less interested. Therefore, the display area in the scroll direction displays map data at a high level of detail, and the display area in the direction opposite to the scroll direction displays map data at a low level of detail. As a result, it is possible to simultaneously satisfy the demand for displaying necessary information and the demand for smooth display during scrolling.

[0010] In another aspect of the above map data display device, the display control means displays the map data of all regions at the highest level of detail after the scroll instruction input is stopped. . Thereby, after scroll display is completed, sufficiently detailed map data can be shown to the user.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, a display control method in a display device that displays map data includes an input step of receiving a scroll instruction of map data by a user, and during the input of the scroll instruction, Based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction! And a control step of varying the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device for each display area.

[0012] This method can also display map data while maintaining a required level of detail even during scrolling. At the same time, by displaying some unit areas at a low level of detail, the amount of map data drawn in those display areas can be reduced, and map data can be displayed quickly and rapidly.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a map data display program executed by a computer including a display device and an input device includes display control means for displaying map data on the display device, and a user from the input device. The computer functions as an input unit that receives a scroll instruction for the input map data, and the display control means is based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction during the input of the scroll instruction. The level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device is varied for each region.

[0014] By executing the map data display program on a computer, the above map data display device can be realized. This map data display program may be stored in a storage medium.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation device according to an embodiment.

[Figure 2] Shows an example data structure of map data. [Figure 3] Shows an example of the level of detail level definition table.

[Figure 4] An example of scroll display is shown.

[Fig.5] The movement of the map display area during scroll display is shown schematically.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of scroll display processing according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

[0016] 1 Navigation device

10 Independent positioning device

18 GPS receiver

20 System controller

22 CPU

36 Data storage unit

40 display unit

60 input devices

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle navigation apparatus.

[0018] (Navigation device)

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the navigation device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device 1 includes a self-supporting positioning device 10, a GPS receiver 18, a system controller 20, a disk drive 3 1, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a communication device 38, a display unit 40, An audio output unit 50 and an input device 60 are provided.

The independent positioning device 10 includes an acceleration sensor 11, an angular velocity sensor 12, and a distance sensor 13. The acceleration sensor 11 is made of, for example, a piezoelectric element, detects the acceleration of the vehicle, and outputs acceleration data. The angular velocity sensor 12 also has, for example, a vibration gyro force, detects the angular velocity of the vehicle when the direction of the vehicle is changed, and outputs angular velocity data and relative azimuth data. The distance sensor 13 measures a vehicle speed pulse having a pulse signal force that is generated as the vehicle wheel rotates.

[0020] The GPS receiver 18 receives downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. Receives radio wave 19 to be carried. The positioning data is used to detect the absolute position of the vehicle from latitude and longitude information.

The system controller 20 includes an interface 21, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 23, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 24, and controls the entire navigation device 1.

The interface 21 performs an interface operation with the acceleration sensor 11, the angular velocity sensor 12, the distance sensor 13 and the GPS receiver 18. From these, vehicle speed pulses, acceleration data, relative bearing data, angular velocity data, GPS positioning data, absolute bearing data, and the like are input to the system controller 20. The CPU 22 controls the entire system controller 20. The ROM 23 includes a nonvolatile memory (not shown) in which a control program for controlling the system controller 20 is stored. The RAM 24 stores various data such as route data set in advance by the user via the input device 60 so as to be readable, and provides a working area to the CPU 22.

[0023] The system controller 20, a disk drive 31 such as a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, a data storage unit 36, a communication interface 37, a display unit 40, an audio output unit 50, and an input device 60 are a bus line 30 They are connected to each other via.

The disk drive 31 reads and outputs content data such as music data and video data from a disk 33 such as a CD or DVD under the control of the system controller 20. The disk drive 31 may be either a CD-ROM drive or a DVD-ROM drive, or may be a CD and DVD compatible drive.

[0025] The data storage unit 36 is configured by, for example, an HDD, and stores various data used for navigation processing such as map data and facility data. Details of the map data will be described later.

[0026] The communication device 38 includes, for example, an FM tuner, a beacon receiver, a mobile phone, a dedicated communication card, and the like, and is distributed from a VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) center via the communication interface 37. Traffic exchange such as traffic jams and traffic information Receives communication information and other information.

[0027] The display unit 40 displays various display data on a display device such as a display under the control of the system controller 20. Specifically, the system controller 20 reads map data from the data storage unit 36. The display unit 40 displays the map data read from the data storage unit 36 by the system controller 20 on a display screen such as a display. The display unit 40 includes a graphic controller 41 that controls the entire display unit 40 based on control data sent from the CPU 22 via the bus line 30 and image information that can be displayed immediately, such as a VRAM (Video RAM). A display memory 43 that temporarily stores data, a display controller 43 that controls display of a display 44 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based on image data output from the graphic controller 41, and a display 44 are provided. . The display 44 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device having a diagonal angle of about 5 to 10 inches and is mounted near the front panel in the vehicle.

[0028] The audio output unit 50 is a digital to analog (DZA) of audio digital data sent from the CD-ROM drive 31 or DVD-ROM 32 or RAM 24 via the bus line 30 under the control of the system controller 20. A DZA converter 51 that performs conversion, an amplifier (AMP) 52 that amplifies the audio analog signal output from the Ό / 51 converter 51, and a speaker 53 that converts the amplified audio analog signal into audio and outputs it to the vehicle. It is configured with.

[0029] The input device 60 includes keys, switches, buttons, a remote controller, a voice input device, and the like for inputting various commands and data. The input device 60 is arranged around the front panel and the display 44 of the main body of the in-vehicle electronic system mounted in the vehicle. When the display 44 is a touch panel system, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display 44 also functions as the input device 60.

Note that the CPU 22 and the display control unit 43 in FIG. 1 correspond to display control means in the present invention, and the input device 60 corresponds to an input unit.

[0031] (Map data)

Next, map data will be described. Figure 2 shows an example of the map data structure. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the map data 100 is mainly road data 110, background data. Data 120 and name data 130.

The road data is data indicating geographical roads. In this example, the road data is classified into toll road data 111, national road data 112, prefectural road data 113, general road data 114, and narrow street data 115. Each of these data includes position data of each road and drawing data for displaying the road on the display screen.

[0033] The background data 120 is data indicating the background of the map displayed on the display device. In this example, the data is classified into water system data 121, green space data 122, site data 123, house shape data 124, and green data 125. Has been. Each of these data includes, for example, position data of objects such as water systems such as seas and rivers, green areas such as forests, and drawing data for displaying them on the display screen.

[0034] The name data 130 is data indicating the names of objects such as roads, facilities, and buildings displayed on the map. In this example, the intersection name data 131, the address name data 132, the facility name data 133, and Classified as road name data 134! RU

The CPU 22 reads all or a part of each of the above data from the map data stored in the data storage unit 36 and displays a map image on the display 44 via the display control unit 43.

[0036] When the map data having the above data structure is displayed on the display 44, the level of detail of the displayed map can be changed. For example, regarding the display of the road, if all the data included in the road data 110 is displayed, the displayed map will be the most detailed and the level of detail of the displayed map will be maximum. However, in this case, the map data drawing amount, that is, the drawing processing amount required for the display control unit 43 is maximized, and the map display processing takes time. On the other hand, if only the toll road data 111 and the national road data 112 are displayed in the road data 110, for example, although the level of detail of the displayed map is low, the map data drawing amount, that is, the display control unit 43 is displayed. The amount of drawing processing required is reduced, and quick display is possible.

From such a viewpoint, FIG. 3 shows an example of a detail level definition table showing the correspondence between the detail level of the displayed map and the data drawn based on the detail level. In the example shown in Fig. 3, four levels of detail from level A to level D are set. The data drawn at each level of detail is shown in the corresponding level of detail level column. Level A is the most detailed map displayed with the highest level of detail. On the other hand, the map with the lowest level of detail at level D is the coarsest. In this example, when the level of detail is A, all the data composing the map data shown in Fig. 3 is drawn and displayed. In the detail level B, the narrow street data, green data, and road name data are omitted compared to the detail level A. At the level of detail level C, compared to the level of detail level B, the general road data, house shape data, and facility name data are further omitted. In addition, in the case of level D, the prefectural road data is further omitted compared to the level of detail level C.

[0038] By defining the level of detail in this way, it is possible to display the map data with a high level of detail based on the same map data 100, or to reduce the level of detail and increase the map data as quickly as possible. Can also be displayed.

[0039] (Drawing method while scrolling)

Next, a method for drawing map data during scrolling, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. In a normal display state, the navigation device 1 displays map data near the current position of the vehicle. In this case, map data is generally drawn at the highest level of detail for all geographical areas (hereinafter referred to as “map display areas”) displayed on the display device. On the other hand, in this embodiment, while the user is scrolling the displayed map by operating the input device 60, the level of detail of the map display is varied in the map display area according to the scroll direction. . More specifically, in the map display area, the level of detail is set to be high for the area that exists in the scroll direction, and the level of detail is set to be low for the other areas.

[0040] Normally, when the user scrolls the map display, it is considered that the user's interest and attention to the roads and facilities existing in the scroll direction are high. Therefore, for the area that exists in the scroll direction, the level of detail is set high and map data is drawn. On the other hand, it is considered that the area that exists in directions other than the scroll direction has lower interest and attention of the user than the area that exists in the scroll direction. Therefore, for areas that exist in directions other than the scroll direction, set the detail level low. . As described above, by setting the detail level low, the amount of map data to be drawn is reduced, so that map display can be performed quickly.

[0041] If the level of detail is increased for all map display areas during scrolling, there is a drawback that it takes time to draw map data, and map display during scrolling is not smooth. On the other hand, if the level of detail is lowered for all map display areas during scrolling, the map data can be drawn quickly and the smooth map display is possible. On the other hand, the information displayed during scrolling is insufficient. There are drawbacks. Therefore, in this embodiment, during the scroll operation, the user's interest and attention are high in the scroll direction area! Based on the idea that there is no hesitation, a relatively detailed map is displayed for the area in the scroll direction, and for other areas, the level of detail is lowered to reduce the amount of drawing, and a quick map display is displayed. Make it possible. As a result, the user can quickly perform scroll display while displaying sufficient information in the scroll direction.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a map display example at a certain point during scrolling. In the example of FIG. 4, the map display area displayed in the display screen 80 of the display 44 is composed of three unit display areas 81 in total 3 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Here, assuming that the user inputs a scroll instruction to the upper left direction as indicated by an arrow 82, four diagonal lines in the scroll direction including the current position of the vehicle (that is, the center point of the display screen 80). The unit display areas 8 la, 81b, 8 Id, and 8 le shown by are drawn at a high level of detail, and the other five unit display areas 81c, 81f, 81g to 81i are drawn at a low level of detail. As a result, a detailed map is displayed in the scroll direction area where the user is highly interested, and the display speed as a whole is increased.

[0043] Note that the example of Fig. 4 is an example in which the scroll direction is the upper left direction. Even when the scroll direction is other up, down, left, right, or diagonal directions, the map data can be similarly drawn. . For example, when the scroll direction is the upward direction in FIG. 4, the six unit display areas 81a to 81f positioned at the top in the figure are drawn at a high level of detail, and the remaining three unit display areas are displayed. Low! Draw at the level of detail!ヽ. When the scroll direction is downward, the six unit display areas 81d to 81i located in the lower part of the figure are drawn at a high level of detail, and the remaining three unit display areas are drawn at a low level of detail. Do it! . If the scroll direction is the left direction, the six unit display areas 81a, 81b, 81d, 81e, 8 lg, and 8 lh located on the left side of the figure are drawn at a high level of detail, and the rest Three unit display areas may be drawn at a low level of detail. If the scroll direction is the right direction, the six unit display areas 8 lb, 81c, 81e, 81f, 8 lh and 8 li located on the right side of the figure are drawn at a high level of detail, and the rest Draw three unit display areas at a low level of detail.

In the above example, the unit display area including the current position of the vehicle is drawn at a high level of detail, but the unit display area including the current position of the vehicle is displayed at a low level of detail. It may be drawn. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the unit display area 81e may be drawn at a low level of detail. In addition, when the scroll direction is upward in FIG. 4, only the three unit display areas 81a to 81c may be displayed at a high level of detail. Thus, by reducing the number of unit display areas to be drawn at a high level of detail, it is possible to further increase the speed and smoothness of scroll display.

In the example of FIG. 4, the map display area displayed in the display screen 80 is configured by nine unit display areas, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. Even when the map display area is composed of a smaller number or a larger number of unit display areas, the present invention can be similarly applied by setting the level of detail for each unit display area.

[0046] In the above example, one of the two detail levels is set for each unit display area, but one detail level is selected and set from a larger number of detail levels. It is also possible to do. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the unit display areas 81a and 81e that are closest to the scroll direction 82 are defined as the detail level A, and the unit display areas 8 lb and 8 Id that are lateral to the scroll direction 82 are defined as the detail level B. Other unit display areas 8 lc, 81f, 81 _{8 to} 811 may be used as the level of detail.

FIG. 5 schematically shows how the map display area moves based on the user's scroll instruction! As shown in FIG. 5, the map data is composed of a number of unit map areas (also called “meshes”) 87. In this example, the map data mesh 87 and the unit display area 81 in the state displayed on the display 44 coincide with each other. Let's say. If the user inputs a scroll instruction in the direction of arrow 82 while the display 44 is displaying the map display area 85a, the map display area is moved from 85a to 85b and 85c. Along with this, in the map display areas 85b and 85c after movement, the unit display areas in the scroll direction indicated by the diagonal lines are displayed at a high level of detail.

It should be noted that the unit display area 81 shown in FIG. 4 does not necessarily match the mesh constituting the map data depending on the scale of the displayed map data. If they do not match, one mesh is divided into a plurality of unit display areas 81, and the level of detail is set for each unit display area 81.

[0049] (Scroll display processing)

Next, the scroll display process will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the scroll display process according to this embodiment. The scroll display process shown in the drawing is periodically performed by the CPU 22 executing a program prepared in advance.

[0050] First, the CPU 22 determines whether or not scrolling has started (step S11). The scrolling is performed by the user operating the input device 60. For example, when a remote control is used as the input device 60, the start of scrolling is determined when the user presses a button provided on the remote control in either the up / down / left / right or diagonal directions. When the input device 60 is a touch panel, the start of scrolling is determined when the user presses a predetermined position on the touch panel with a finger.

[0051] Next, the CPU 22 detects the scroll direction indicated by the user! / Based on the signal from the input device 60 (step S12). When the input device 60 is a remote controller, the direction in which the user is pressing the button is detected as the scroll direction. Further, when the input device 60 is a touch panel, a method of turning from the current position of the vehicle (the center of the displayed map) to the position on the touch panel touched by the user is detected as the scroll direction.

[0052] Next, the CPU 22 determines a map display area at a certain timing during scrolling based on the scroll direction and the scroll amount input by the user (see the map display areas 85b and 85c in FIG. 5). 4) As shown in FIG. 4, the level of detail is set for each unit display area included in the map display area (step S13). Then, the CPU 22 controls the display control unit 43, and the detail level definition tape shown in FIG. 3 according to the set detail level. The corresponding map data is drawn for each unit display area 81 (step S14). As a result, at a certain point during scrolling, a map of the area existing in the scroll direction is displayed in detail.

Next, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the scrolling is stopped (step S15). The scrolling is stopped by detecting the stop of user input to the input device 60. If scrolling has not stopped (step S15; No), the process returns to step S12, and steps S12 to S15 are repeated. As a result, while the user inputs a scroll instruction, the map display area moves in the scroll direction while the area in the scroll direction is always displayed in detail.

[0054] On the other hand, when the stop of the scroll is detected (step S15; Yes), the CPU 22 covers the entire map display area when the scroll is stopped! /, At the highest level of detail. The map data is drawn (step S16). As a result, the scroll display ends, and thereafter, the normal display in which the map display area moves as the current position of the vehicle moves is performed.

[0055] As described above, the navigation device according to the present embodiment includes a CPU and a display control unit that display map data on the display device, and an input device that receives a scroll instruction for map data from the user, During the input of the scroll instruction, the CPU and the display control unit vary the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device for each area based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction. More preferably, the CPU and the display control unit display the map data corresponding to the area in the direction opposite to the scroll direction at a lower level of detail than the map data corresponding to the area in the scroll direction. Therefore, it is possible to perform smooth scrolling by increasing the display speed during scrolling while displaying a map with a certain degree of detail in the area in the scroll direction.

Industrial applicability

The present invention can be used for a navigation apparatus for a moving body represented by a vehicle.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Display control means for displaying map data on a display device;

An input unit that receives a map data scroll instruction by a user, and the display control unit displays a map displayed on the display device based on a scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction during the input of the scroll instruction. A map data display device characterized by varying the level of detail of data for each display area.

[2] The display control means displays the map data corresponding to the display area in the direction opposite to the scroll direction at a lower level of detail than the map data corresponding to the display area in the scroll direction. The map data display device according to claim 1.

[3] The map according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays the map data of all display areas at the highest level of detail after stopping the input of the scroll instruction. Data display device.

[4] A display control method for a display device that displays map data,

An input process for receiving an instruction to scroll the map data by the user;

A control step of varying the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device for each display area based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction during the input of the scroll instruction. A display control method characterized by the above.

[5] A map data display program executed by a computer having a display device and an input device,

Display control means for displaying map data on the display device; and

The computer functions as an input unit that receives a scroll instruction for map data input by the user using the input device force,

The display control means may vary the level of detail of the map data displayed on the display device for each display area based on the scroll direction indicated by the scroll instruction during the input of the scroll instruction. Special map data display program

[6] A recording medium in which the map data display program according to claim 5 is recorded.