JP2777510B2 - Map display method in map information system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying maps having different directions or scales on a screen in a map information system.

[0002] With the recent improvement in computer processing speed, the creation of a database of image information has been promoted in various industrial fields. For example, in a map information system used for firefighting activities or transportation business, a home map centering on a target point, or a road map leading to the target point is displayed on a screen, and is input from an atlas. A database of a large amount of image information is being developed.

In order for such a map information system to function effectively, a map input operation is easy, and
By scrolling or similar simple processing operation,
It is necessary that the map be displayed on the screen continuously or at high speed over a wide range.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in a map information system (or a map search system), an atlas is read page by page by an image scanner, and a read map (unit map) for each page is stored in a storage device as map data. I do.
A map information database is constructed from a large number of map data.

[0005] In displaying the map information, the target map data or a file containing the target map data is searched from the map information database, and the searched map data is loaded into the display memory, and is read from the display memory. Read the data and display it on the screen. Because only a part of the map data can be displayed on the screen at a time,
A map of an area corresponding to one or a plurality of unit maps is continuously displayed.

[0006]

However, conventionally, continuous display by scrolling is possible only between unit maps having the same azimuth and scale.
Unit maps having different orientations or scales could not be displayed continuously by scrolling.

For this reason, it is necessary to newly issue a map search instruction for unit maps having mutually different azimuths or scales, and it takes a considerably long time to display them on the screen. Therefore, there was a problem when urgency was required, such as in firefighting activities.

Therefore, in order to unify different directions depending on pages in an atlas, an inclination angle is input as a parameter when inputting a unit map, and according to the input inclination angle,
A method has been proposed in which each unit map is rotated so that its north is on the screen and stored in a storage device (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 2 (Kokai)).
No. 304678).

However, this method requires a relatively long time for data conversion for rotating the read unit map. Therefore, the speed of the map input operation is impaired as compared with the method of storing the read map data as it is.

On the other hand, for pages of different scales in an atlas, a map of a fixed scale is created by enlarging or reducing the map using a copying machine, and the maps of the same scale are sequentially scanned by an image scanner. Is used to read the data. However, according to this method, the input operation becomes extremely troublesome especially when maps of various scales are mixed.

As described above, conventionally, unit maps having different orientations or scales cannot be displayed continuously.
Therefore, there is a problem in that the input operation of the map is easy.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to enable continuous display of maps having different directions or scales by easy input, thereby facilitating map search in a wide area.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for solving the above-mentioned problems, as shown in FIG.
By searching the map information stored as image data A method for displaying a map MA on the screen HG of the display device, successively directly or indirectly to each other 1
A set of one or more unit maps is combined into one group GP.
And within each group GP, a map
Scroll the map MA based on the information to the screen HG
To be displayed between the groups GP.
Is one group registered in advance as a skip source SS.
When you scroll past the area on the map of the GP ,
The map information including the area on the map of another group GP registered as the skip destination SA corresponding to the skip source SS is searched, and the map MA2 of the skip destination SA searched in place of the map MA1 of the skip source SS is searched. It is displayed on the screen HG.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for collecting one or a plurality of unit maps which have the same orientation and are directly or indirectly continuous with each other in a relationship of a predetermined fixed scale. As one group GP, a map MA based on the map information in each group GP is scrollably displayed on the screen HG, and when scrolling beyond a region on the map registered in advance as a skip source SS. The map information including the area on the map of another group GP registered as the skip destination SA corresponding to the skip source SS is searched, and the map MA2 of the skip destination SA searched in place of the map MA1 of the skip source SS is searched.
Is displayed on the screen HG.

The method according to claim 3, wherein the skip source SS, the skip destination SA , and the skip source S
The map MA of the skip destination SA in place of the map MA1 of S
2 is provided on the screen HG, and an adjacent table TB is provided in which the scroll direction SD, which is a condition for the occurrence of a skip, is registered in association with each other, and the skip is performed with reference to the adjacent table TB.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method as described above, wherein the boundary portion of the group GP is registered in the adjacent table TB as the skip source SS or the skip destination SA, and there is no map data along the scroll direction SD. Next, skip is performed with reference to the adjacent table TB.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method of the present invention, the direction information IDR indicating the direction is used as the attribute information of each group GP.
And the standard scale information ISC indicating the standard scale SC in the group GP is registered, and the map M is displayed.
The azimuth DP and the scale SP are displayed on the screen HG as additional information based on the azimuth information IDR of the group GP to which A belongs and the standard scale information ISC. Claim
6. The method according to claim 6, wherein the map MA of the skip source SS is
When 1 is almost at the center of the screen HG,
Then, the map MA2 of the skip destination SA is displayed on the screen HG.
Is displayed so that it is almost in the center of.

[0018]

The map MA is scrollably displayed on the screen HG. When scrolling beyond the skip source SS, the adjacent table TB is referred to and the scroll direction D
If the skip condition such as R is satisfied, the map MA of the skip destination SA corresponding to the skip source SS is displayed.

As the skip source SS or the skip destination SA, different groups GP or the same group GP
Are registered respectively. By giving an instruction to display the azimuth DP or the scale SP, the azimuth DP and the scale SP before and after the skip are performed.
Is displayed on the screen HG together with the map MA.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a display method according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an adjacent table TB1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a scroll direction and a numerical value. In addition,
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an arrangement relationship between two groups GP1 and GP2, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are diagrams illustrating states of a map MA displayed on a screen HG before and after skipping.

In FIG. 1A, a map information system 1
Stores map data of two groups GP1 and GP2. Hereinafter, the two groups GP1 and GP2 may be simply referred to as “group GP”.

The map data is created based on, for example, a commercially available atlas, and is read and stored for each unit map (for each page) of the atlas. At this time, the operator inputs and registers the position of each page on the map arrangement coordinates AB1 and AB2 given to each group GP1 and GP2 in the atlas for each page.

In the groups GP1 and GP2, the directions of the maps printed on the atlas are the same, the scales of the groups GP1 and GP2 are at a predetermined fixed magnification, and the positions on the map are directly or directly. It is composed of a plurality of unit maps that are indirectly continuous with each other.

The position of each group GP is determined by the origin position coordinates PB1 and PB2 of the map arrangement coordinates AB1 and AB2 of each group GP in the coordinate plane AA for managing the entire map data.

In the example of FIG. 1A, a set of 16 unit maps is registered as a group GP1, and a set of 6 unit maps is registered as a group GP2. The map arrangement coordinates AB1 of the group GP1 are inclined with respect to the coordinate plane AA, and the map arrangement coordinates AB2 of the group GP2 are
The direction coincides with the coordinate plane AA. That is, group G
The azimuth (inclination of the map) differs between P1 and group GP2. Further, the group GP1 and the group GP2 have different scales from each other, and are in an arrangement relationship such that they do not overlap with each other.

Within each group GP, normal continuous scrolling on the screen HG is possible. Also, when trying to scroll between different groups GP1 and GP2, if a skip occurrence condition (skip condition) registered in an adjacent table TB1 described later is satisfied, the currently displayed skip source map MA is displayed on the screen. The map MA of another group GP deleted from the HG and instead registered as a skip destination corresponding to the skip source
Is displayed.

In FIG. 2, the adjacent table TB1 includes:
Skip source SS, skip destination SA , and skip source SS
The scroll direction SD, which is a condition for the occurrence of a skip from the to the skip destination SA , is registered in advance in association with each other.

Normally, the skip source SS or the skip destination SA
Is selected as the end portion (boundary portion) of the group GP.
In the adjacent table TB1 shown in FIG. 2, a map MA1 which is one of the unit maps belonging to the group GP1 has a skip source S.
The map MA2, which is registered as S and is one of the unit maps belonging to the group GP2, is registered as the skip destination SA .

In the adjacent table TB1, the numerical value registered as the direction SD indicates the direction from the position of the numeric keypad "5" to the numerical key as shown in FIG. For example, direction "6" is a rightward direction.

Next, the operation when skip is performed will be described. In FIG. 1B, the screen MA is scrolled rightward while the map MA belonging to the group GP1 is displayed on the screen HG. At this time, the map MA1 located at the right end boundary of the group GP1 is displayed at the center of the screen HG. Is displayed in. The left half of the screen HG is blank because there is no map data.

In this state, it is assumed that the operator has further performed a rightward scroll operation. However, the map MA
Since there is no map data to the right of 1, the actual scrolling on the screen HG is not performed.

At this time, the adjacent table TB1 is referred to and the scrolling map "MA1" and the scroll direction "right" are registered in the adjacent table TB1 of FIG. 2 as skip sources or directions SD, respectively. Yes,
Since the skip condition is satisfied, the display skips to the map MA2, which is the corresponding skip destination SA, and the map MA2 is displayed on the screen HG.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (c), on the screen HG after skipping, a map MA2 located at the left edge of the group GP2 is displayed in the center of the screen HG.
Since the left half of the screen HG has no map data, a blank is displayed.

As described above, according to the display method described above, when the map MA1 is further scrolled rightward, the map MA2 is displayed on the right side of the screen HG instead of the map MA1.
Is displayed. That is, two maps MA1 and MA2 of different groups GP can be pseudo-scrolled by a scroll operation, and these can be continuously displayed on the screen HG.

Therefore, by registering the area to be skipped in the adjacent table TB1, it is possible to skip between any groups GP or between any maps MA and display them continuously on the screen HG. it can.

Further, in inputting the map data, there is no need to perform reduction or enlargement by a copying machine, and each page of the atlas can be input as it is, so that the input operation is easy.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to other embodiments. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the map information system 1 according to the present invention. Map information system 1
Are a processing device 11, an image scanner 12, a display device 13, a magnetic disk device 14, a keyboard 15,
It is composed of a mouse 16 and the like.

The image scanner 12 inputs image information (map data) obtained for each unit map of the atlas to the processing device 11. The reading area size and reading density at that time are the same within the same group. Therefore, the number of vertical and horizontal dots of the map data of each page in the same group is the same.

On the screen HG of the display device 13, a map MA at a designated position is displayed. Map M displayed
A can be scrolled by operating the mouse 16 or the like.

The magnetic disk device 14 stores a plurality of map data files 25 and an adjacent table TB2. The map data file 25 stores map data and its position information as map information.

The memory 22 in the processing device 11 is provided with an image area VM of a bitmap format for loading data in the map data file 25 and developing the image.

Here, the map data and the position information stored in the map data file 25 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement state of each page of the map data.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a division state of one page of map data, and FIG.

The map book that is the basis of the map data is specified by the map book type number and the type-specific volume code. The atlas type number is set by selecting from predetermined numbers. According to the set number, "House map"
Atlas type names such as "forest map" and "road map" are given as necessary.

Further, one standard scale SC and one azimuth are set for each group GP created in the above-mentioned atlas, and the azimuth information IDR and the standard scale information ISC indicating each are set to the attribute of the group GP. Registered as information.

As the standard scale SC, a scale most frequently used in a group is usually adopted. For this standard scale SC, a fixed magnification, for example, “0.5”, “1.0”, “1.
The map data having the magnification ratios of 5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 qualify to be in the same group GP.

The azimuth (the inclination of the map) is obtained by clockwise determining the angle between the reference direction and the north direction on the map with respect to the upward direction (−y direction) of the map arrangement coordinates AB of each group GP. This is a value obtained by measurement.

Therefore, a unit map having a different orientation, a unit map whose scale is not related to a fixed magnification, or a unit map that is not continuous with (not adjacent to) any of the unit maps in the group belongs to a separate group GP. Become. In addition,
Each group GP is assigned a group number.

Now, in FIG. 5, pages 5, 6, 7,...
Are registered in the same group GP3. In the group GP3, each page is arranged on an xy coordinate plane which is the map arrangement coordinate AB3, and the position of each page is indicated by the xy coordinate at the upper left corner of each page, and is managed by a map number based on each xy coordinate. You. For example,
The xy coordinates of page 5 and page 11 are (1,
0) or (9, 2), so each page is
It is managed by the map number “1-0” or “9-2”.
Therefore, the map data of each page is specified by the group number and the map number.

The procedure until the map data of each page is registered as described above is as follows. That is, atlas type number, atlas type name, group number, standard scale S
After setting C, azimuth, etc., a group number, a page, and a scale (magnification with respect to the standard scale SC) are input for each page to be input on a map layout screen (not shown), and the map layout coordinates shown in FIG. A coordinate position on AB is designated by a cursor. Then, a thick-line rectangular frame having a size corresponding to the input scale is displayed at the designated coordinate position. By repeating this, a plurality of unit maps are arranged, for example, as shown in FIG.

When the arrangement for all pages is completed,
When a map book type number, a page, and a reading density are input on a map input screen (not shown), and the corresponding page is set on the image scanner 12 and input (reading) is instructed, the map is read and input.

In FIG. 5, the pages of the standard scale SC (for example, pages 6 and 7) are rectangles having a size of “2” both vertically and horizontally, and the standard scale SC has a magnification of “2.0”. A related page (eg, page 5) is a rectangle having a size of “4” both vertically and horizontally.

In FIG. 6, each page is partitioned in a matrix. Each partitioned area is an index area EID. The index area EID is indicated by an in-page index using A, B, C,... In the horizontal direction, and 1, 2, 3,. For example, the index area EID1 of the Dth column and the second row shown by oblique lines in FIG.
Is indicated by the in-page index “D-2”. Note that the number of sections in the vertical and horizontal directions and the type of code used for the in-page index are usually determined corresponding to the index actually entered in the atlas.

Therefore, a specific position (area) on the map
Are indicated by an atlas type number (type), a separate volume code (volume) within the type, a page, and an index within the page (index).

In the adjacent table TB2 shown in FIG. 7, the skip source SS and the skip destination SA are specified by an atlas type number (type), a separate volume code (volume), a page, and a page index (index). Is done.

Next, the map display processing operation in the map information system 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts. FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of the display and scroll processing.

First, when the operator issues a map search instruction (Yes in step # 11), the map information system 1
After reading the designated map data from the map data file 25 and developing the image in the memory 22, a map MA of a predetermined area is displayed on the screen HG (step # 12), and an auxiliary screen process is performed (step # 13).

When scrolling is performed (step # 14)
It is determined whether or not map data is continuously registered in the scroll direction (step # 15). If map data is registered (yes in step # 15), the map data is The readout is performed to display a normal scroll (step # 16).

If the map data is not registered (No in step # 15), it means that the boundary portion in the group GP is being displayed, and the adjacent table TB2 is referred to (step # 17), and the scroll is executed It is determined whether the skip condition registered in table TB2 is satisfied (step # 18).

If the skip condition is satisfied (step #
18), the map data including the skip destination area is read and displayed on the screen HG (step # 19). If the skip condition is not satisfied (No in step # 18), "no map data" is displayed and scrolling is not performed (step # 20).

Next, the operation of the auxiliary screen processing will be described with reference to a flowchart and an auxiliary menu screen. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the auxiliary screen processing, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which various auxiliary menu screens are displayed. Note that FIG.
FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an auxiliary menu initial screen, and FIG.
FIG. 10 shows a state in which the azimuth panel DRP is displayed.
(C) is a figure which shows the state which displayed the scale panel SCP.

While the map MA is displayed on the screen HG, the operator selects an auxiliary menu with the cursor (Yes in step # 101) and selects the azimuth display (Yes in step # 102) [FIG. a)), the map information system 1 selects the group G to which the displayed map MA belongs.
The direction information IDR of P is read, and the read direction information I is read.
The orientation panel DRP is displayed based on the DR (step # 103) [FIG. 10 (b)].

Further, when the operator selects the scale display in step # 104, the map information system 1 displays the standard scale information I of the group to which the displayed map MA belongs.
The SC is read out and the scale panel SCP is displayed based on the read out standard scale information ISC [FIG.
(C)].

When both the azimuth display and the scale display are selected, the azimuth panel DRP and the scale panel SC
Both P are displayed simultaneously. When a skip to a group GP having a different direction or scale is performed, the direction or scale of the map MA displayed on the screen HG changes, but the operator displays the direction panel DRP and the scale panel SCP on the screen HG. Thus, the direction and scale of the map MA displayed on the screen HG can be easily known at any time.

In the above-described embodiment, when the scroll reaches the boundary portion of the group GP, the adjacent table TB is referred to, and the skip is performed based on the registered contents of the adjacent table TB. May always refer to the adjacent table TB, and may skip if there is a registration in the adjacent table TB. In other words, in this case, skipping is preferentially performed if the skip condition of the adjacent table TB is satisfied, even if the skip condition is not at the boundary of the group GP.

Also, it has been described that the skip is performed between the different groups GP. However, by registering the skip source SS and the skip destination SA irrespective of the difference of the group GP, the skip is performed within the same group GP. Can also be skipped. Various other skip conditions may be provided. Adjacent table TB in memory 2
2 may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the groups GP may be arranged so as to overlap each other. Origin position coordinates PB of each group GP, position coordinates of each page in group GP, index area EID in each page
Can be specified by various expression methods or data, and the correspondence of the position with the coordinate position designated by the cursor or the like on the screen HG by various coordinate conversions. It can be carried out. In addition, the configuration or arrangement position of the memory 22, the image area VM, and the adjacent table TB, the file format, the content or order of the flowchart, the configuration of the map information system 1, and the like are various in addition to those described above in accordance with the gist of the present invention. Can be changed.

[0067]

According to the present invention, it is possible to continuously display maps having different orientations or scales by easy input, thereby facilitating map search in a wide area. In particular, only consecutive unit maps are in the same group
Scroll to display within each group
Make sure that scrolling
If so, skip between groups
Normal unit screen between successive unit maps.
Rolling is performed and pseudo between unit maps that are not continuous
Scrolling is performed and the map is displayed on the screen in any case.
Can be displayed continuously. Therefore, the map
Unit maps are separated from each other when entering data
Map without reduction or enlargement, even if
You can enter each page of the book as it is, so input work
Is easy.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the adjacency table T
By registering the skip source SS and the skip destination SA in B, it is possible to skip between any group GP or any map MA.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if another map MA is skipped and displayed on the screen HG, it is possible to know the azimuth and scale thereof, and to perform the operation based on the difference in the scale or azimuth. It is possible to prevent confusion of the recognition of the user and to perform a smooth map search operation. Claim
According to the sixth aspect, when displaying a map by skipping,
In this case, the map from the skip source map to the skip destination map smoothly
Is displayed as a transition to prevent confusion of operator perception.
Can be

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a display method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an adjacent table.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a correspondence between a scroll direction and a numerical value.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a map information system according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an arrangement state of each page of map data.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a division state of one page of map data.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an adjacent table.

FIG. 8 is a main flowchart of a display and scroll process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of auxiliary screen processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which various auxiliary menu screens are displayed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 map information system MA map GP group SS skip source SA skip destination SD direction (scroll direction) TB adjacent table HG screen SC standard scale ISC standard scale information IDR direction information SCP scale panel DRP direction panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-141780 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06T 1/00 G06F 17/30 G09B 29 / 00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for retrieving map information stored as image data and displaying a map on a screen of a display device, comprising one or more units directly or indirectly connected to each other.
A set of only maps is registered as one group , and a map based on map information is registered in each group.
A scroll destination is displayed on the screen, and when scrolling over a map area of one group registered in advance as a skip source between the groups, a skip destination corresponding to the skip source is displayed. A map in a map information system, wherein map information including a region on a map of another group registered as a map is searched, and a map of a searched skip destination is displayed on the screen instead of the map of the skip source. Display method. 2. A method for retrieving map information stored as image data and displaying a map on a screen of a display device, wherein a relationship of a fixed magnification having the same orientation and a predetermined scale is set. A set of one or more unit maps that are directly or indirectly continuous with each other in one group, and a map based on map information in each group is scrollably displayed on the screen; When scrolling beyond the area on the map previously registered as, the map information including the area on the map of another group registered as the skip destination corresponding to the skip source is searched, and the map of the skip source is searched. A map display method in a map information system, wherein a map of a skip destination searched for is displayed on the screen in place of the above. 3. The map display method according to claim 2, wherein the skip source, the skip destination, and the scroll direction, which is a skip occurrence condition for displaying the skip destination map on the screen instead of the skip source map, are displayed. Is provided with an adjacent table registered in association with each other, and skipping is performed with reference to the adjacent table. 4. The map display method according to claim 3, wherein the boundary portion of the group is registered in the adjacent table as the skip source or the skip destination, and when there is no map data along the scroll direction, A map display method in a map information system, wherein a skip is performed with reference to an adjacent table. 5. The map display method according to claim 2, wherein azimuth information indicating an azimuth and standard scale information indicating a standard scale in the group are registered as attribute information of each group. A map display method in a map information system, wherein a direction and a scale are displayed as additional information on the screen based on the direction information and the standard scale information of a group to which a displayed map belongs. 6. A map display method according to claim 1 or 2.
And when the map of the skip source is almost at the center of the screen
Then, as a continuation, the map of the skip destination is displayed on the screen.
A map characterized by being displayed almost in the center of
Map display method in information systems.