JPH11271068A - Map information display device, map information display method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To display a map (schematic map) that can effectively use significant information on a map based on existing map data. A map information storage unit (12) for storing map data including roads and landmarks indicating significant ones in the map, road network data on road portions included in the map data, and a map data storage unit. A map display unit 14 for displaying a map, an information input unit 10 for inputting a departure place and a destination for the displayed map, and road network data from a map information storage unit 12 based on the departure place and the destination. A road network reading unit 16 for reading, a route detecting unit 18 for detecting a route from a departure point to a destination based on road network data, and a map simplified based on map data based on the detected route. And a schematic map display unit 22 for displaying a route detected by the route detection unit 18 on the generated schematic map.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map information display device suitable for displaying a route on a map.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, map information is displayed on an information device by reading map information registered in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM according to a designated area or scale, and reading the read map information as it is. It is performed using.

[0003] A map displayed by using map information as it is is one in which the actual positions of roads and buildings are represented in an equal ratio, and the information included in the map is specified according to a designated area or scale. Is determined in advance.

For example, a map information display device provided as a car navigation system displays a map of an area including a current position, and displays a predetermined mark indicating the current position on the map. Some car navigation systems are provided with a route search function for searching a route to a destination based on map information.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional map information display apparatus, a map is displayed by using the pre-registered map information as it is, and information displayed in the map, for example, a building is displayed. Information indicating roads, roads, and the like is also predetermined.

Therefore, if the user specifies an area or scale on which desired information is displayed, a lot of unnecessary information may be included, and the necessary information in the map may be difficult to understand. .

In order to confirm a route to a predetermined destination on a map, a route search function of a car navigation system can be used. However, only a route obtained as a search result is displayed on the map. It has nothing to do with the display of information in other maps, and it was not possible to confirm a route using a significant building or the like displayed in the map.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and based on existing map data, map information capable of displaying a map that can effectively use significant information on the map. It is an object to provide a display device, a map information display method, and a recording medium.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides map data for storing map data including roads and landmarks indicating significant points in the map, and road network data relating to road portions included in the map data. Storage means; map display means for displaying a map based on the map data stored in the map data storage means; and inputting at least a departure place and a destination for the map displayed by the map display means. Information input means, road network read means for reading road network data stored by the map data storage means based on the departure point and destination input by the information input means, and read by the road network read means Route detection means for detecting a route from a departure point to a destination input by the information input means based on the obtained road network data; A schematic map generating means for generating a simplified map having a simplified map based on the map data stored in the map data storing means on the basis of the route detected by the step; And a schematic map display means for displaying the route detected by the route detection means on the set schematic map.

Thus, based on the map data, a map of a portion corresponding to the route to the departure point and the destination, that is, a schematic map corresponding to a map of a desired area is displayed. Can be easily confirmed.

The schematic map generating means extracts landmarks from the map data, and, based on the positions of the extracted landmarks, a road associated with the landmarks on the route detected by the route detecting means. A road elimination means for omitting a portion is provided.

[0012] Thus, by omitting the road portion, the size of the schematic map to be displayed is reduced to facilitate the grasp and display of the map, and the road portion related to the landmark which is the target in the map is determined. Omission does not prevent a function as a map, for example, confirmation of a route on a map.

[0013] The schematic map generating means may include hierarchical information generating means for generating another schematic map in association with an arbitrary point in the generated schematic map.
Display hierarchy switching means for displaying a schematic map associated with the designated point, generated by the hierarchical information creating means, in response to an instruction to the point on the schematic map generated by the schematic map generating means. It is characterized by having.

By designating a predetermined point on the displayed schematic map, it is possible to display another schematic map associated with this point, for example, a schematic map showing details of the designated position.

The simplified map display means has a display area of at least two planes, and displays the simplified map generated by the simplified map generation means and another simplified map associated with a point in the simplified map. It is characterized by being divided and displayed.

[0016] This makes it easy to confirm information in the schematic map by referring to the relevant schematic map at the same time. Further, a point to which another schematic map is associated by the hierarchical information creating means is set to a landmark or a road in the map.

Thus, it is possible to easily instruct the display of another relevant schematic map in the schematic map. Further, the information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction for specifying a landmark to be displayed in the schematic map displayed by the schematic map display means, and the schematic map generation means includes: Landmark limiting means for limiting landmarks in a schematic map in response to an instruction to specify a landmark from the mark instruction means is provided.

Thus, since only the necessary landmarks are displayed on the schematic map, it is easy to obtain desired information from the displayed schematic map. Further, the information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction for specifying a landmark to be displayed on the schematic map according to the scale or complexity of the schematic map. Landmark limiting means for changing the form of the landmark in the approximate map in response to an instruction to specify the landmark from the mark instruction means is provided.

In this way, when all the landmarks that can be displayed are displayed, in a situation where the complicated display of the landmarks must be performed, the display form of the landmarks is changed by changing the display form of the landmarks. Can be prevented from becoming complicated.

Further, the information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction for setting a priority of a landmark to be displayed in the schematic map displayed by the schematic map display means. The generation means includes landmark limitation means for limiting a landmark to be displayed according to the display state of the schematic map in accordance with the priority designated by the landmark designation means.

[0021] Thus, the display of the landmark in the schematic map can be limited by designating the priority (importance) of the landmark. Further, the information input means includes a landmark adding means for adding a landmark displayed on the schematic map by the schematic map display means.

[0022] Thereby, since any landmark can be displayed on a schematic map and used, the versatility is improved. Further, the schematic map display means includes a route display means for explicitly displaying information on a road portion corresponding to a route in the schematic map.

Thus, not only the route on the schematic map can be confirmed, but also information that cannot be grasped from the schematic map, such as the actual distance on the road corresponding to the schematic map and the estimated time required for passing through the actual road. It can be displayed and confirmed.

Further, the schematic map display means includes numerical information display means for displaying numerical information on the designated route in response to an instruction for a route in the schematic map.

Thus, in response to an arbitrary instruction for the route, information that cannot be grasped from the schematic map, for example, the actual distance on the road corresponding to the schematic map and the estimated time required for passing through the actual road are displayed. be able to.

[0026] Further, the simplified map display means includes a current location display means for displaying a current location of the apparatus together with the simplified map in association with the simplified map.
As a result, a display indicating the position where the current apparatus is located, for example, the moving distance from the starting point, is displayed together with the schematic map.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the map information display device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the map information display device according to the present embodiment includes an information input unit 10, a map information storage unit 12, a map display unit 14, a road network readout unit 16, a route detection unit 18, a schematic map generation unit 20, And a simplified map display section 22.

The map information display device according to the present embodiment
For example, it can be realized by a computer that reads a program recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, and a magnetic disk, and controls the operation of the program.

Further, the map information display device can be constituted by a server computer and a client computer which can communicate with the server computer. On the server computer, the map information storage unit 1
2. A road network reading unit 16, a route detecting unit 18, and a schematic map generating unit 20 are realized.
Information input unit 10, map display unit 14, and simplified map display unit 2
2 is realized. Alternatively, the rough map generator 20 may be realized on a client computer. The client computer can be constituted by a portable information device with a communication function.

Hereinafter, each function of the map information display device will be described. The information input unit 10 includes a map display unit 14
At least a departure place and a destination for displaying the schematic map are input to the map displayed by the above. The information input unit 10 is provided with a landmark instruction unit 10a and a landmark addition unit 10b for executing a process relating to a landmark displayed on a schematic map.

The landmark instructing unit 10a has a function of inputting an instruction for specifying a landmark to be displayed in the schematic map displayed by the schematic map display unit 22, and a function of displaying a schematic map according to the scale or complexity of the schematic map. The function includes a function of inputting an instruction for specifying a landmark to be displayed and a function of inputting an instruction for setting a priority of a landmark to be displayed in the schematic map displayed by the schematic map display unit 22.

The landmark adding section 10b creates landmarks to be displayed in a schematic map by the schematic map display section 22, adds various types of attribute information, and creates landmarks similar to the landmarks included in the map data 12a in advance. It is a function to be added so that it is handled.

The information input unit 10 measures the direction and distance from the starting point to the position where the current device is located, or a position detecting device (for example, GPS (Glob
alpositioning system).
The current location display section 22d of the simplified map display section 22 can be notified.

The map information storage unit 12 stores map data 12a including roads and landmarks indicating significant ones in the map.
And the road network data 12b relating to the road portion included in the map data.

The map display unit 14 displays a map based on the map data stored in the map information storage unit 12. The road network reading unit 16 reads corresponding data from the road network data 12b stored by the map information storage unit 12 based on the departure point and the destination input by the information input unit 10, and provides the data to the route detection unit 18. I do.

The route detecting unit 18 is based on the road network data read by the road network reading unit 16 and
The route from the departure point to the destination input by 0 is detected.

The simplified map generator 20 generates a simplified map based on the route detected by the route detector 18 based on the map data stored in the map information storage 12. Thus, functions of a road omitting unit 20a, a hierarchy information creating unit 20b, and a landmark limiting unit 20c are provided.

The road omitting unit 20a includes the map information storage unit 12
The landmarks are extracted from the map data 12a to be displayed, which is stored in the map data, and the road portions related to the landmarks on the route detected by the route detection unit 18 are omitted based on the positions of the extracted landmarks. Generate a schematic map.

The hierarchical information creating section 20b creates another schematic map in association with an arbitrary point in the created schematic map. For example, it generates and associates a detailed schematic map at a certain point. Further, the hierarchy information creating unit 20b sets a point in the schematic map to which another schematic map is associated, as a landmark or a road in the map.

The landmark limiting section 20c is adapted to display a landmark included in the map data 12a to be displayed in response to an instruction for specifying the landmark from the landmark instructing section 10a of the information input section 10. , The function of changing the form of a landmark in a schematic map in response to an instruction to specify a landmark from the landmark instruction unit 10a, and the priority specified by the landmark instruction unit 10a. A function is provided for limiting the landmarks to be displayed according to the display state of the schematic map by the schematic map display unit 22.

The schematic map display unit 22 displays the route detected by the route detection unit 18 on the schematic map generated by the schematic map generation unit 20. The display hierarchy switching unit 22
a, a route display unit 22b, a numerical information display unit 22c, and a current location display unit 22d.

The display layer switching unit 22a is a schematic map generation unit 2.
In response to an instruction to a point to which another schematic map is associated with the schematic map generated by “0”, a schematic map associated with the specified point generated by the hierarchical information creating unit 20b is displayed.

The route display section 22b explicitly displays information on a road portion corresponding to a route in the schematic map. The numerical information display unit 22c displays numerical information on the designated route according to the instruction on the route in the schematic map.

The current location display section 22d inputs the current location of the apparatus from the information input section 10, and displays the current location together with the schematic map in association with the schematic map. Next, an outline of the operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when information indicating a position near the destination is input together with an instruction to display a map from the information input unit 10 (step S1), the map display unit 14 responds to the information indicating the vicinity of the destination. The map data 12a stored in the map information storage unit 12 is read, and a map around the destination is displayed on the screen based on the map data 12a (step S2).

Here, the map data 12a to be displayed on the map may be of any data format as long as it can represent a map. For example, image data representing an image of a map may represent elements constituting the map. It can be vector data.

As a method of instructing information indicating the vicinity of the destination for reading the map around the destination, a map is displayed in a scrollable manner based on the map data 12a, and a map including the destination is selected from the displayed map. How to choose,
Enter the address or store name associated with a specific location on the map to specify the map in the vicinity, or if the destination is registered as a landmark,
A method of indicating a landmark can be used. That is, any method may be used to display a map around the destination.

Next, the information input unit 10 is connected to the map display unit 14.
Is input on the map displayed by (1) (step S3). The input indicating the starting point and the destination may be performed using an input device such as a mouse, a cursor, or a pen on the map displayed on the screen, or the landmark included in the map may be entered in the landmark list. You may choose from. Information input unit 10
Notifies the road network reading unit 16 of the designated departure place and destination. At this time, the information input unit 10 inputs an instruction for displaying a landmark at the time of displaying the schematic map by the landmark instruction unit 10a, and outputs the schematic map generation unit 20.
Notify. Details will be described later.

The road network reading unit 16 reads the road network data 12 b stored in the map information storage unit 12 corresponding to the departure place and the destination notified from the information input unit 10, and provides it to the route detection unit 18. I do.

The route detector 18 passes through a road portion connecting the departure point and the destination on the map according to the departure point and the destination input by the information input unit 10 and a preset route search condition. A route is searched (step S4).

Next, the schematic map generation unit 20 includes the route detection unit 1
8, a simplified map is generated based on the map data 12a and the road network data 12b stored in the map information storage unit 12, and information representing the simplified map is displayed on the rough map. Output to the unit 22.

At this time, when an instruction for displaying a landmark is input by the landmark instruction section 10a of the information input section 10, the schematic map generation section 20 displays the landmark on the schematic map according to the instruction. To generate a schematic map. The schematic map generated by the schematic map generation unit 20 includes a road portion corresponding to the detected route, a landmark related to the route, a road directly connected to the route, and the like.

It is to be noted that the schematic map generation unit 20 includes the information input unit 1
In response to an instruction from 0, a schematic map is not generated on the basis of the map data 12a and the road network data 12b each time, but information on the corresponding schematic map is read out from previously created and stored. There may be.

The schematic map display unit 22 receives the information representing the schematic map generated by the schematic map generation unit 20, and displays the schematic map on the screen according to the information (step S).
5). Next, a schematic map display in the schematic map display unit 22 will be described using a specific example.

Here, a case will be described in which a schematic map in which the road portion related to the landmark is omitted according to the designated landmark is generated. First, the information input unit 1
The landmark instruction unit 10a of 0 inputs designation of a landmark to be displayed as a target on a schematic map. At this time, the landmark instructing unit 10a presents a landmark list, for example, as shown in FIG. When a landmark is designated from the landmark list, the landmark instruction unit 10a notifies the approximate map generation unit 20 of the designated landmark.

The simplified map generation unit 20 knows or grasps the designated landmark and departure place, the designated landmark and destination, and the route of the road between the landmarks. Is determined to be easy, and a simplified map is generated by omitting the length of the road portion related to the landmark, the relationship with other roads, and the like. It should be noted that other means may be used for the method of indicating and classifying landmarks.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when a departure point and a destination are specified on a map and a school landmark is designated as a landmark indicating a known target to be displayed, a schematic map is displayed. The road elimination unit 20a of the generation unit 20
As shown in FIG. 5, for example, a simplified map in which a road portion between a departure place and a landmark representing a school is omitted is generated.

As a result, the simplified map is further simplified, and the size of the simplified map is reduced, so that the display can be easily performed even when the display area is limited. Further, since the road portion related to the landmark designated as known is omitted, the role (function) as a map can be sufficiently fulfilled even if the road portion is omitted.

The landmarks used in the schematic map are not limited to those prepared in advance as shown in FIG. 3, but can be arbitrarily added and edited by the landmark adding section 10b of the information input section 10.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the landmark adding section 10.
3B shows an example in which a landmark and attribute information (type, importance, time, etc.) associated with the landmark are changed or added.

A landmark is created using a bitmap editor, CAD, or the like, and the name, type, priority, etc. of the landmark are arbitrarily specified and registered. The priority is
Registered marks can also be changed, and if the scale of the simplified map is small and displaying all landmarks complicates the simplified map, limiting the landmarks such as displaying high priority landmarks first Used to perform

In this case, which importance or higher is to be displayed may be specified by the user from the landmark indicating section 10a, or a reference may be set in advance. Further, by inputting the type of landmark to be displayed along with the schematic map to be created (displayed) from the landmark instruction section 10a, it is possible to limit the landmarks displayed on the schematic map.

FIG. 6 is an example of a list of registered landmarks. The landmark adding unit 10b inputs a part to be changed by an operation such as a click using a mouse, or presses an add button. Pressing this button changes or adds landmarks available on the map information display device.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a landmark editing screen. In addition, the route display can be performed so that landmarks do not overlap according to the priority. However, the information of the landmark is the map data 12a.
In the case of a configuration in which the landmark is added to the server computer, operations such as adding and changing the landmark described above are performed on the server computer.

On the client computer side,
A landmark unique to the user can be created by the landmark adding unit 10b, and can be held on the own device side. In this case, the information input unit 10 on the client side inputs information indicating a position on the map where the unique landmark is to be displayed, and notifies the server side. On the server side, the information input unit 1
A schematic map is created based on the position notified from 0, and information indicating a position where a unique landmark should be displayed on the schematic map is returned together with the schematic map information. The client displays the landmarks held on its own device side in accordance with the information indicating the position where the unique landmark to be displayed is notified from the server.

Thus, it is possible to display the original landmark at an arbitrary position on the schematic map. Next, a case where another schematic map is generated in association with an arbitrary point such as a schematic map will be described. Here, FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate a case where a detailed schematic map (corresponding to a map with a large scale) at that point is generated as another schematic map associated with the point such as a schematic map. This is a display example when hierarchical map information from a land to a landmark near the destination and information about a schematic map near a landmark point near the destination are hierarchically provided. These pieces of information may be created in real time or may be created in advance.

For example, in the map shown in FIG. 8, when a landmark to be passed on the way from the destination to the departure point is input from the information input unit 10, the route detection unit 18
A route corresponding to the position of the landmark is detected and notified to the schematic map generation unit 20.

The hierarchical information generator 20b of the schematic map generator 20
Is based on the route detected by the route detection unit 18,
Create a rough sketch map of the route from the starting point to the landmark near the destination, and link it to the landmark point near the destination to get details about the landmark near the destination, including the destination Generate a simple schematic map. In other words, the hierarchical information creating unit 20b hierarchically generates a schematic map and notifies the schematic map display unit 22 of the generated map.

On the other hand, the schematic map display section 22 displays the schematic map information shown in FIG.
A simplified map is displayed in a normal form as shown in FIG. Here, when the vicinity of a landmark (in FIG. 9A, a landmark representing a school) is designated by an operation of a mouse or the like, the display hierarchy switching unit 22a displays a schematic map detail as shown in FIG. 9B. A display sub-window is provided on the screen, and a detailed schematic map near a landmark near the destination including the destination is displayed.

Thus, even if the size and resolution of the display screen in the schematic map display unit 22 are limited,
A simplified map can be displayed without any inconvenience. It should be noted that the map associated with an arbitrary point in the schematic map is not limited to the schematic map, and may be a detailed map in a normal map. In this case, the approximate map generator 20 generates a map based on the map data 12a and notifies the approximate map display 22.

If a sufficient display area is provided instead of providing a sub-window as shown in FIG. 9, a first screen for displaying a schematic map is displayed in one screen as shown in FIG. It is also possible to provide a second screen for detailed display of the schematic map at the same time, and to display the schematic maps of both layers at the same time. Note that three or more surfaces may be used.

Next, a case where a route is determined by designating a landmark to be displayed on a schematic map will be described. First, the information input unit 2 is, for example, a landmark list (FIG. 6).
), Enter the type of landmark (or specific landmark) required for displaying the simplified map,
Notify the route detection unit 18. The route detection unit 18 determines the type of the landmark notified from the information input unit 10,
The route is detected without damaging the intersection where the landmark corresponding to the landmark type specified from the map information storage unit 12 is lost, and the rough map generation unit 20 is notified.

Based on the route detected by the route detecting unit 18, the rough map generating unit 20 generates a landmark designated to be displayed on the rough map and a road portion related to the route as a rough map. Is notified to the approximate map display unit 22.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when a landmark indicating a convenience store existing at a departure place and a destination is designated, as shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle passes through an intersection where the corresponding landmark exists. A route is detected and a schematic map is generated.

As a result, it is possible to easily display a schematic map representing a route that always passes through a desired target. Next, a case where the landmarks are limited by designating conditions for the landmarks to be displayed on the schematic map will be described. Here, an example in which time is specified as a condition for a landmark will be described.

The landmark indicating section 10 of the information input section 10
“a” designates “night” as a condition for time with respect to a landmark. In addition, in order to make time a condition,
It is assumed that attribute information on time is added and managed for each landmark as well as importance.
That is, attribute information indicating whether the time to be displayed is “night” (for example, from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am) or “day” (for example, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm) is added.

The landmark limitation section 2 of the schematic map generation section 20
0c is set according to the condition for the landmark input by the landmark instruction unit 10a of the information input unit 10.
The landmark is restricted so that only the landmark that satisfies the condition is displayed, and a schematic map is generated.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show examples in which landmarks displayed on a schematic map are limited by designating conditions for the landmarks. When a simplified map is generated for a variety of landmarks included in the map shown in FIG. 13 without specifying the landmark conditions,
As shown in FIG. 14A, a complicated schematic map in which all landmarks are displayed is obtained.

Therefore, by designating “day” as a condition for a landmark, only a landmark significant at “day”, for example, a landmark such as a school, a bank, or a government office, can be displayed on a schematic map.

By designating "night" as a condition for a landmark, only landmarks significant in the "night", for example, only landmarks such as convenience stores and restaurants that are open at night, are displayed on a schematic map. be able to.

In addition, conditions such as public facilities, meals, sightseeing, and shopping can be designated according to the user's preference. For each corresponding landmark, information indicating each condition is added and managed as attribute information. Furthermore, for a specific landmark (for example, a landmark indicating a specific restaurant), it is significant that it is significant to individually represent on a schematic map a day of the week (business day of the week), a time of day (business hours), and the like. Is added as attribute information, it is possible to specify conditions for individual landmarks.

Next, a case in which landmarks to be displayed on a schematic map are limited according to the scale and complexity of the map will be described. For example, when landmarks are displayed as shown in FIG. 15A on a map with a scale of 1/100, replacing the map with a map with a scale of 1/500 as shown in FIG. It becomes a map.

Here, the landmark instruction section 10a of the information input section 10 inputs designation of a landmark to be displayed on a schematic map with respect to the scale of the map (or the complexity of the map), and generates a schematic map. Notify section 20. At this time, the designation of the landmark may be any designation such as each landmark, each type, or a specific landmark.

The schematic map generator 20 (landmark limiter 2)
0c) is an original map (map data 12) for generating a schematic map.
According to the landmark corresponding to the scale of the map specified by the landmark indicating unit 10a according to the scale of a),
A simplified map is generated by limiting landmarks.

FIGS. 16 (a) and 16 (b) show examples in which a bank landmark is designated as a landmark to be displayed on the corresponding simplified map when the scale of the map is changed as shown in FIG. 15 (b). Is shown. In this case, as shown in FIG. 16A, the number of landmarks is limited, and even in a schematic map corresponding to this map, only landmarks representing banks are displayed as shown in FIG. Does not.

As described above, in addition to limiting the landmarks to be displayed on the schematic map depending on the scale, display of landmarks on the schematic map is complicated depending on the scale (or complexity). It is also possible to specify a form that does not result.

That is, landmarks are classified by type,
By replacing it with a simple figure, as shown in FIG.
Even when the scale is changed, it is possible to display the landmarks so as not to overlap with each other.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 16C and 16D, landmarks can be classified and replaced by simple figures for each classification. Further, the replacement of the landmark is not only simplified as shown in FIGS. 16C and 16D, but also by changing the color and displaying the landmark to facilitate the identification of the landmark. good.

Next, the route display of the schematic map by the schematic map display section 22 will be described. The route display unit 22b of the simplified map display unit 22 can display the line type, the line color, and the like even if the road portion is not omitted so as to have the same ratio as the actual distance in the simplified map.
The actual distance can be estimated from the approximate map by expressing the image with a line density, a line volume, a fill pattern, or the like, or by displaying numerical information such as an actual distance and a predicted time. That is, acquisition of information from a schematic map is assisted by explicitly displaying information on a road portion corresponding to a route in the schematic map.

For example, assuming that one minute can walk 80 m, it takes about 12 minutes to walk 1 km. FIG. 17 (b)
This is an example in which the schematic map of FIG. 17A is created, and the actual distance for each road portion (to an intersection) and the estimated time required for traffic (for example, walking) are displayed as information on the road portion of the schematic map. . The information may be displayed only on the distance or only on the time.

Next, the display of information on the route of the schematic map by the schematic map display section 22 will be described. The numerical information display unit 22c of the schematic map display unit 22 is instructed when a route is designated by an operation of a mouse or the like from the information input unit 10 when a road map representing a route is displaying a simplified map in which the road is being displayed. The numerical information such as the actual distance and the measurement time required for the traffic on the road portion is displayed.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which the actual distance ("10 minutes") and the estimated time ("800 m") of the road portion between the intersections are indicated by numerical values when the middle of the route is designated by the mouse pointer. Similarly, by specifying an arbitrary part in the route, numerical information on the specified road part is displayed.

Next, the display of the current position on the schematic map by the schematic map display section 22 will be described. Information input unit 10
Is calculated by measuring the position where the current device is located by measuring the direction and distance actually moved from the starting point (for walking, use a device that detects walking such as a pedometer) Or by inputting from a position detection device (GPS or the like), and the current location display unit 22 of the schematic map display unit 22 is obtained.
Notify d.

The current location display section 22d of the schematic map display section 22
Displays the current estimated position over the approximate map route in response to the notification from the information input unit 10. FIG.
(A) shows an example in which a road portion from a departure place to a place where the current device is located is displayed on a schematic map (indicated by a footprint mark). At this time, the remaining actual distance from the current position to the destination and the estimated time required for traffic may be displayed together as numerical information.

As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the estimated time required for the entire passage from the departure point to the destination and the current position may be displayed together with a schematic map in the form of a graph or numerical data. .

The method described in the above-described embodiment includes, as programs that can be executed by a computer, for example, a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM,
DVD and the like, and can be written to a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory and provided to various devices. Further, it is also possible to transmit the data via a communication medium and provide it to various devices. A computer that implements the present apparatus reads the program recorded on a recording medium or receives the program via a communication medium, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation of the program.

[0097]

As described above, according to the present invention, a simplified map generated from existing map data is displayed in consideration of the user's intention, and a land representing significant buildings and roads on the map is displayed. By displaying the marks preferentially and easily, it is possible to obtain an easy-to-understand schematic map.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a map information display device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of an operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a landmark list display.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a map of an example in which roads to landmarks are omitted.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a schematic map of an example in which a road to a landmark is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of attribute information added to a landmark.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a landmark to be added.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a map of an example in which a map near a landmark is displayed in detail.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sub-window display example of an example in which a map near a landmark is displayed in detail.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another window display example of an example in which a map near a landmark is displayed in detail.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a map of an example in which roads related to a designated landmark are preferentially displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic map display result of an example in which a road related to a designated landmark is preferentially displayed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a map from which a schematic map is created.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example in which landmarks are displayed according to user preferences and situations.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a map of an example in which a display method of a landmark is changed according to a scale.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which the display of landmarks is changed according to a change in the scale of the map.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a map and a schematic map of an example in which actual distance and time can be displayed even when the scale is not set to the same size.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which numerical information is displayed according to an instruction for a route in a schematic map.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information on the current location on the route of the schematic map.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information input part 10a ... Landmark instruction part 10b ... Landmark addition part 12 ... Map information storage part 12a ... Map data 12b ... Road network data 14 ... Map display part 16 ... Road network readout part 18 ... Route detection part 20 ... Outline map generation unit 20a Road omission unit 20b Layer information generation unit 20c Landmark limitation unit 22 Outline map display unit 22a Display layer switching unit 22b Route display unit 22c Numerical information display unit 22d Current location display unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. Map data storage means for storing map data including roads and landmarks indicating significant points in a map, and road network data relating to road portions included in the map data, and the map data storage. Map display means for displaying a map based on the map data stored in the means; information input means for inputting at least a departure place and a destination for the map displayed by the map display means; Road network reading means for reading out the road network data stored by the map data storage means based on the departure point and destination inputted by the means; A route detection means for detecting a route from the departure point to the destination input by the information input means; and Based on the road,
A simplified map generating means for generating a simplified map with a simplified map based on the map data stored in the map data storing means; and detecting the route on the simplified map generated by the simplified map generating means. And a schematic map display means for displaying a route detected by the means. 2. The schematic map generating means extracts a landmark from the map data, and based on the position of the extracted landmark, a road associated with a landmark on the route detected by the route detecting means. 2. The map information display device according to claim 1, further comprising a road omitting unit for omitting a part. 3. The schematic map generating means includes hierarchical information creating means for generating another schematic map in association with an arbitrary point in the generated schematic map, and the schematic map display means includes: Display hierarchy switching means for displaying a schematic map associated with the designated point, generated by the hierarchy information generating means in response to an instruction to the point on the schematic map generated by the generation means; The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The simplified map display means has two or more display areas, and displays a simplified map generated by the simplified map generation means and another simplified map associated with a point in the simplified map. The map information display device according to claim 3, wherein the map information display device is divided and displayed. 5. The map information display device according to claim 3, wherein a point to which another schematic map is associated by the hierarchical information creating means is set to a landmark or a road in the map. 6. The information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction for specifying a landmark to be displayed in a schematic map displayed by the schematic map display means. 2. The map information display device according to claim 1, further comprising landmark limiting means for limiting a landmark in the schematic map in response to a landmark specifying instruction from said landmark specifying means. 7. The information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction to specify a landmark to be displayed on the schematic map according to the scale or complexity of the schematic map. 2. The map information display device according to claim 1, further comprising landmark limiting means for changing a form of the landmark in the schematic map in accordance with an instruction for specifying a landmark from the landmark instruction means. . 8. The information input means includes landmark instruction means for inputting an instruction for setting a priority of a landmark to be displayed in a schematic map displayed by the schematic map display means, The generating means includes landmark limiting means for limiting a landmark to be displayed according to the display state of the schematic map by the schematic map display means according to the priority designated by the landmark designating means. The map information display device according to claim 1. 9. The map information display device according to claim 1, wherein said information input means includes a landmark adding means for adding a landmark displayed in the schematic map by said schematic map display means. . 10. The schematic map display means according to claim 1, further comprising: a route display means for explicitly displaying information on a road portion corresponding to a route in the schematic map. Map information display device. 11. The schematic map display means according to claim 1, further comprising numerical information display means for displaying numerical information on the designated route in response to an instruction for a route in the schematic map. Map information display device. 12. The map according to claim 1, wherein said schematic map display means includes a current location display means for displaying a current location of the apparatus in association with the schematic map together with the schematic map. Information display device. 13. A map data storing step of storing map data including roads and landmarks indicating significant ones in the map, and road network data relating to a road portion included in the map data, and storing the map data. A map display step of displaying a map based on the map data accumulated in the steps; an information input step of inputting at least a departure place and a destination for the map displayed by the map display step; A road network reading step for reading the road network data stored in the map data storing step based on the departure point and the destination input in the step; Detecting a route from the departure point to the destination input in the information input step; A detection step, based on the route detected by the route detection step, based on the map data accumulated by the map data accumulation step, a simplified map generation step of creating a simplified map with a simplified map; And displaying a route detected by the route detecting step on the schematic map generated by the schematic map generating step. 14. A computer, comprising: map data storage means for storing map data including a road and a landmark indicating a significant one in the map; and road network data on a road portion included in the map data. Map display means for displaying a map based on the map data stored in the map data storage means; information input means for inputting at least a departure place and a destination for the map displayed by the map display means; Road network reading means for reading the road network data stored by the map data storage means based on the departure point and destination inputted by the information input means; road network data read by the road network reading means Path detecting means for detecting a path from the departure point to the destination input by the information input means, based on Based on the routes detected by
A rough map generating means for generating a simplified map with a simplified map based on the map data stored in the map data storing means; and detecting the route on the rough map generated by the rough map generating means. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a program to function as a map display means for displaying a route detected by the means is recorded.