JPH1152846A - Method and device for generating image, image display device and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate the need of copying data except the map at every scroll at the time of map scrolling while basically adopting a method copying the map data and data except the map and constituting a display picture. SOLUTION: In the case of scroll start, the mask data are formed based on data except the map (b). Concretely, the mask data are the binary data where the part where data except the map exist is made '1', and the part where data except the map don't exist is made '0'. Then referring to the mask data, only the map data correspondent to the part of '0' in the mask data are copied in a display image generating storage area (c). Although the copying is performed by superscribing the data, since the map data correspondent to the part of '1' in the mask data aren't copied, the matter that the map data are copied on the part where data except the map exist is eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for preparing, for example, map data and data other than a map separately and generating an image for a display screen in which the data is substantially synthesized, and a method thereof. The present invention relates to an image display device used and a navigation system including the image display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, a G
There is known a car navigation system that automatically displays a map around a current position detected by a PS (Global Positioning System) or the like and guides a route to a set destination. As described above, in such a navigation system, it is necessary to display a route around the current location or the route to the destination as a map, and various map display devices for that purpose have been considered.

The outline of the process of displaying a map in this map display device is as follows. For example, if the vicinity of the current location is to be displayed, a wide range of map data including the current location detected by a GPS receiver or the like is displayed on a CD-R.
The map is read out from a map data storage means such as an OM, and a display map is created in a drawing RAM using the map data. Then, the display controller extracts a range that can be displayed on the screen of the display device from the display map created in the drawing RAM and outputs the range to the display device. In addition, as is well known, in many cases, a mark indicating an azimuth, a mark indicating a position of the vehicle, and the like are displayed on the display device in addition to the map. Such display processing is realized by combining image data of a map created in the drawing RAM with image data other than the map. In other words, the drawing RAM includes an area where a map is created and an area where an azimuth mark and a scale other than the map are created, and these are combined by the display controller.
A display image is created.

In such a map display device, the map shown on the display device is often scrollable. That is, in such a device, the displayed map is usually scrolled in the direction opposite to the traveling direction as the automobile travels. In many cases, scrolling can be performed in a desired direction by a user's instruction input via operation switches. Note that scrolling can be said to be a kind of screen switching processing in which at least a part of the map displayed on the screen is left in the screen, and a new map continuous to this part is displayed. And the larger the part left and the faster the switching, the smoother the map looks.

Further, since the azimuth mark and the scale are displayed at almost fixed positions on the screen of the display device, scroll processing is unnecessary.

[0006]

The above-described map display device has a problem in creating image data to be displayed on the display device.
A technique of synthesizing the image data of the map and the image data other than the map is adopted, and the synthesis is performed by hardware. For this reason, the configuration of the surface to be combined is determined by hardware, and the combineable surface in the display controller is fixed, for example, the combination of the above-described two screen data of the map data and the screen data other than the map. I will.

However, this is disadvantageous in terms of expandability, and it is not possible to arbitrarily set a separately prepared surface according to the screen content to be displayed. That is, it is necessary to update the data in response to a change in the data content.
If you want to change only the map-related data such as azimuth and scale, or if you want to change only the data indicating the function explanation in the navigation system, if only one of them is updated, However, the data must be updated in units of “data other than the map”. The same applies to the case of adding new data belonging to the genre of data other than the map. As described above, in consideration of improving the efficiency of various processes, it can be said that a map display device capable of arbitrarily setting the above-described surface configuration is preferable.

As a map display device capable of arbitrarily setting such a surface configuration, image data to be displayed on the display device is not created by the above-described synthesis, but is created by copying. Conceivable. In the case of copying, for example, based on map screen data,
Since the necessary screen data may be sequentially copied onto the map screen data, the surface configuration can be arbitrarily set.

However, in the case of such a method in which display data is created by copying a plurality of screen data, the following problem occurs when the map is scrolled as described above. That is, in the case of map scrolling, it is necessary to switch the map screen data in accordance with the scroll, but it is not possible to switch only the map screen data. This is because, in the case of copying, the copied surface is overwritten, and if only the map screen data is switched, all the screen data other than the map is not displayed. Therefore, when the map screen data is switched, it is necessary to sequentially copy the screen data other than the map. Therefore, the copy creation method has the advantage that the surface configuration can be set arbitrarily,
Copy processing for the number of screens is required for each scroll,
Since the processing time is increased, scrolling may not be performed smoothly and rattling may occur.

The cause of the rattling of the scroll will be described. For example, when trying to realize scrolling every 1/60 second, it is necessary to create a display screen after scrolling within 1/60 second = about 16.7 ms.
Here, assuming that one process of screen copy requires about 11 ms, when two screens are sequentially copied, about 22 ms is required.
That is, the scroll interval of 16.7 ms
It takes longer than the display time, so it is not in time for the display timing. Then, at the timing at which the display screen that is being copied is to be displayed, the same display screen as before is displayed, and at the timing at which the display screen after the next scroll should be displayed is created by the previous copy processing. Since the display screen is not displayed at an appropriate timing, such as when the display screen is displayed, the scrolling may be a rattling scroll.

In the above-described specific example, one of the screen copy is performed.
If the number of times of processing is 8 ms, for example, 1
This is 6 ms, and scrolling every 1/60 second can be realized. However, if it becomes necessary to copy three sides, a similar problem occurs. In other words, it is an essential problem that copying for the number of screens is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and basically employs a technique of forming a display screen by copying a plurality of screens, and at least one of the screens is scrolled or the like. Image generation method and apparatus that eliminates the need to copy the number of screens for each update, and allows all copy processing to be completed within the display screen update interval, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display device using the same and a navigation system including the image display device.

[0013]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image generating method, comprising: a first image data that needs to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals; In a state where the second image data that does not need to be updated and displayed every time is copied to the display screen generation storage area, if it becomes necessary to update and display the first image data, By copying only the image data corresponding to the portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen among the first image data for update display into the display screen generation storage area, 1st and 2nd
The image data for the display screen in which the image data is substantially synthesized is generated.

As a result, according to the method of the present invention, even when it is necessary to update and display the first image data, only the first image data needs to be copied for the update and display. is there. That is, the second image data is not copied every time the update display is performed, but is used as it is because the update display at the predetermined time is unnecessary. Then, in the display screen generation storage area, the first image data is copied on the second image data every time the update display is performed, but the portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen is displayed. Since only the first image data corresponding to (1) is copied, the second image data is not overwritten by the first image data. As a result, an image for a display screen in which the first and second image data are substantially synthesized can be generated.

As described above, only the first image data needs to be copied, and the processing time is shortened as compared with the method of copying the second image data. Therefore, for example, when scrolling is considered as an example of the update display, the above-described “scrawling rattling”
Such a problem is solved. That is, in the above example, 1
To realize scrolling every / 60 seconds, it is necessary to create a display screen after scrolling within about 16.7 ms.
s is required, it takes about 22 ms when two pages are sequentially copied, and the scroll interval of 1
Since it took longer than 6.7 ms, the display timing could not be met. On the other hand, if the method of the present invention is applied, it is sufficient to copy only the first image data, so that it takes 11 ms to copy and the remaining about 5 ms is required.
If the first image data for update display is created within ms, an appropriate display screen for update display will be displayed at an appropriate display timing, and smooth scrolling can be realized.

In the above specific example, the description has been made on the premise that there is one first image data. However, the same applies to the case where there are two or more first image data. In other words, if the processing of one copy becomes 8 ms, for example, 16
ms, and scrolling every 1/60 second can be realized. However, there are two first image data and the second image data
If there is one or more image data, it is necessary to copy it three or more times, and the same problem occurs. In other words, it is an essential problem that copying for the number of screens is required. From this point of view, the method of the present invention eliminates the need to copy the second image data, thereby eliminating the need to copy the number of screens for each update display. This is very effective in that the copy processing can be completed. And since the method of composing a display screen by copying a plurality of screens is basically adopted, compared with the case of a so-called screen compositing function in which the surface configuration to be composed is determined by hardware, This is advantageous in terms of expandability. That is, since the surface configuration can be set arbitrarily, for example, when data is updated on a per-plane basis, there is no effect on the data constituting other planes.

On the other hand, the invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
The present invention relates to an image generating apparatus for realizing the method according to the present invention. In this image generation apparatus, the first image data that needs to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals and the second image data that does not need to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals are substantially synthesized. A screen image is generated in a display screen generation storage area, and a drawing data storage area for storing first image data drawn for update display is provided. Then, the image generation control means,
In a state where the first image data and the second image data are copied to the display screen generation storage area, if it becomes necessary to update and display the first image data,
Of the first image data for update display stored in the drawing data storage area, only image data corresponding to a portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen is copied to the display screen generation storage area. By doing so, an image for the display screen is generated.

As a result, according to the apparatus of the present invention, even when it is necessary to update and display the first image data, only the first image data needs to be copied for the update and display. In addition, the second image data is not overwritten by the first image data even if it is not copied each time at the time of update display, and the invention method according to claim 1 is realized, and the same as the above is realized. The effect can be obtained.

Further, in the image generation apparatus according to the third aspect, when the image generation control means needs to update and display the first image data, the image generation control means may display the second image data on the display screen.
Then, the mask data for covering the image data is created, and thereafter, every time the updated display is performed, a portion of the first image data other than the mask data is copied to the display screen generation storage area. In other words, one of the first image data for update display is to copy only the image data corresponding to the portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen to the display screen generation storage area. As a method, mask data is created and copied with reference to the mask data. This mask data covers the second image data on the display screen and is, for example, binary data in which a portion where the second image data exists is “1” and a portion where the second image data does not exist is “0”. It is possible. By doing so, “0” is set in the mask data.
By copying only the first image data corresponding to the portion indicated by, a display screen in which the first image data and the second image data are substantially combined can be generated.

The method of referring to the mask data is a method in which the first image data itself is not processed and the portion where the mask data is "1" is not output. As another realization method, for example, in the storage area for drawing data, processing may be performed on the first image data itself for update display. That is, a portion to be masked in the first image data may be deleted, and the first image data in a state where the mask portion has been deleted may be copied.

The first image data described so far is data that needs to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals, and the second image data is data that does not need to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals. However, as a specific example, as described in claim 4, the first image data is map data, and the second image data is data other than a map and is data to be displayed on a map. It is possible. Further, the map data as the first image data in this case may be data that needs to be updated and displayed according to a predetermined map scroll instruction.

In the case of map data, an area to be displayed at a time is limited. For example, a usage method of scrolling and sequentially displaying different areas is assumed. In this case, it is necessary to update and display the map data at predetermined time intervals in order to respond to the scrolling. For example, other than the map data, for example, the direction and scale of the map may be fixed at a predetermined position on the display screen. Absent. Therefore, it is not necessary to update and display every predetermined time. The scrolling of the map data may be executed particularly in response to a map scrolling instruction from the user. Of course, it is conceivable that the apparatus itself may automatically perform the instruction instead of the instruction from the user. However, considering the above-described effect of preventing the backlash of the scroll and smoothly scrolling, the user has issued the scroll instruction. In such a case, it is very effective to realize such a smooth scroll.

On the other hand, the invention according to claim 6 is the first invention.
Image data storing means for storing image data and second image data, and a display screen for substantially synthesizing the first image data and second image data read from the image data storing means. The image generation device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the image generation device generates the image in the display screen generation storage area, and image display means for displaying an image generated by the image generation device. It is an image display device characterized by the following.

This utilizes the image generation device described above,
This is a device that displays the generated image, and has the same effects as described above. That is, according to this image display device, for example, when scrolling the first image data, smooth scrolling without rattling can be realized.

In this image display device, the first image data is map data, and the second image data is data other than a map and is displayed on a map. Data to make
An instruction input unit for inputting an instruction to scroll the map data as the first image data, wherein the image generation control unit is configured to, when a scroll instruction is input by the instruction input unit, perform the first It is also conceivable to configure so as to determine that the necessity of updating and displaying the image data has occurred.

In this case, when a scroll instruction is input by the instruction input means, the process shifts to a process of scrolling the map data as the first image data. As described above, the scrolling of the map data may be executed particularly in response to a map scrolling instruction from the user.
It is very effective that smooth scrolling is realized when the user gives a scroll instruction.

When the image display device according to claim 7 is used for a navigation system, it is conceivable to configure as shown in claim 8. That is, an image display device according to claim 7 and a navigation device, wherein the image display device stores at least predetermined navigation process-related data that needs to be displayed when the navigation device performs the navigation process. It is configured to be used for displaying as an image.

As the data related to the navigation processing in this case, the setting of the route to the current location or the destination of the vehicle or the like can be considered. For example, in the navigation system according to the ninth aspect, in the navigation system according to the eighth aspect, the navigation device is mounted on a vehicle, and further includes a current location detection unit that detects a current location of the vehicle. The detected current position of the vehicle is used as the navigation processing-related data, and control is performed to display the current position of the detected vehicle at a predetermined position on the display screen.The image display device is configured to execute the map data in accordance with the travel of the vehicle. Is scrolled to display the current location of the vehicle at a predetermined position in the display screen.

According to this navigation system, the detected current position of the vehicle is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen, for example, at a central portion, thereby notifying the user of the current running position and the surrounding conditions. Can be. In this case, since the “current position of the vehicle” moves as the vehicle travels, it is necessary to scroll the map data accordingly. Therefore, achieving smooth scrolling in such a case is very effective.

Further, what is stated in claim 10 is claim 9
In the navigation system described in the above, the navigation device further comprises a route calculation means for calculating a route from the current location to the specified destination, the route to the calculated destination as the navigation processing related data, The image display device is configured to execute a control to be displayed on the display screen, and, when receiving a route test run instruction from the navigation device, sequentially follow a route from a current position to the destination. Wherein the map data is scrolled.

According to this navigation system, the route to the destination can be calculated and the route can be displayed. However, if the distance to the destination is long, it is difficult to display all at once. Of course, it is possible to increase the scale and display them all at once, but in that case, it is not practical because the user cannot grasp the detailed route. Therefore, if the map data is scrolled so as to sequentially follow the route to the destination while displaying the map at a scale that the user can grasp, the convenience is improved.
Therefore, achieving smooth scrolling in such a case is very effective.

In the two examples described above, the display is performed automatically as the vehicle travels, or the calculated route is displayed while automatically following the route. Also in the navigation system, map data may be scrolled in response to a map scroll instruction from a user.

Although the navigation system has been described as an example of using the image display apparatus, other systems may be used. Also, map data has been described as the first image data. However, even if the data is not map data, for example, there is data that cannot be displayed all at once, and it is effective to display the data while scrolling it. If so, it is equally applicable.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention applied to a car navigation system will be described below.
FIG. 1 shows an in-vehicle navigation system 2 according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a navigation system 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a navigation system 2). The navigation system 2 includes a position detector 4, a map data input device 6, an operation switch group 8, a navigation control unit 10 connected thereto, a display control unit 11 connected to the navigation control unit 10, and an external memory 1.
2 and a remote control sensor 15. The navigation control unit 10 is configured as a normal computer, and includes a well-known CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, and a bus line connecting these components.

The position detector 4 includes a well-known geomagnetic sensor 16, a gyroscope 18, and a distance sensor 2.
0, and GP for Global Positioning System (GPS) that detects the position of the vehicle based on radio waves from satellites
It has an S receiver 22. These sensors, etc.
Each of 8, 20, and 22 has an error having a different property, and is configured to be used while being interpolated by a plurality of sensors. It should be noted that depending on the accuracy, a part of the above-described components may be used, and a rotation sensor for the steering wheel, a wheel sensor for each rolling wheel, or the like may be used.

The map data input device 6 is a device for inputting various data including so-called map matching data, map data and landmark data for improving the accuracy of position detection. As a storage medium, CD
-A ROM is generally used, but another medium such as a DVD or a memory card may be used.

A CRT display 14 is connected to the display controller 11. The CRT display 14 includes a vehicle current position mark input from the position detector 4, map data input from the map data input device 6, a guide route to be displayed on the map, and a mark of a set point described later. Etc. can be displayed in a superimposed manner. Note that CR
The T display 14 is a CRT, a so-called cathode ray tube, but other than this, for example, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display may be used.

The display controller 11 has a drawing processor 111 and a drawing RAM 112 as main components. The drawing RAM 112 stores the display screen generation storage area 11.
2a, drawing data storage area 112b, and work area 1
12c. Then, the drawing processor 111
A predetermined storage area of the drawing RAM 112 is used to create image data such as a map,
Control is performed to read out the image data created in M112 and output it to the CRT display 14 side to display the image. Since what is output to the CRT display 14 is an analog display signal, a so-called D / A converter or the like is also provided, but is not shown. Also, the drawing processor 11
Although the details of the processing executed in step 1 will be described later,
In general, the functions are described as follows: a “drawing function” for drawing map data in a drawing data storage area 112b of a drawing RAM 112;
"Mask data creation function" to create mask data in c
With reference to the mask data and the drawing data storage area 11
A "copy function" for copying the map data drawn on the display screen generation area 2b to the display screen generation storage area 112a, and reading out the display screen image data generated in the display screen generation storage area 112a to the CRT display 14 side It has a "display function" to output and display.

The navigation system 2 is a remote control terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a remote controller).
When the position of the destination is input from the remote control sensor 15 via the operation switch group 8 via the remote control sensor 15a, an optimum route from the current position to the destination is automatically selected, and a guidance route is formed and displayed. It also has a route guidance function. As a technique for automatically setting the optimum route, a technique such as the Dijkstra method is known. As the operation switch group 8, for example, a touch switch or a mechanical switch integrated with the CRT display 14 is used, and is used for various inputs.

Next, the operation of the navigation system 2 of the first embodiment will be described. In addition, since there is a feature in the operation of scroll display instead of the normal image display processing, a general operation as a navigation system will be briefly described, and then the operation of the display control unit 11 relating to the scroll display will be described. Will be described in detail.

After the power of the navigation system 2 is turned on, the driver can change the guidance route from the menu displayed on the CRT display 14 by using the remote controller 15a (the same operation can be performed with the operation switches 8; the same applies to the following description). When the route information display process is selected to be displayed on the CRT display 14, the following process is performed.

That is, the driver operates the CRT display 14
When the destination is input by operating the remote controller 15a or the like based on the above map, the current position of the vehicle is obtained based on the satellite data obtained from the GPS receiver 22, and the vehicle is located between the destination and the current position by the Dijkstra method. The cost is calculated, and the shortest route from the current location to the destination is determined as a guidance route. Then, the guidance route is displayed on the road map on the CRT display 14 so as to guide the driver to an appropriate route. The calculation process and the guidance process for obtaining such a guide route are generally well-known processes, and a description thereof will be omitted.

This is the operation as a general navigation system, and the CRT display 14 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the map data and the data other than the map are substantially combined in the display screen generation storage area 11.
2a is created as display data, and an image based on the display data is displayed on the CRT display 14 on the screen.

Next, a process for scrolling the map displayed on the CRT display 14 will be described. The map scrolling may be performed automatically or in accordance with a user's instruction. For example, as the automobile equipped with the navigation system 2 travels, the displayed map is scrolled in a direction opposite to the traveling direction. In this case, the map is automatically displayed instead of being instructed by the user. Will be On the other hand, the case of following a user's instruction is, for example, a case where the user actually searches for a destination or the like while looking at a map with his / her own eyes. Scroll in the desired direction. Note that scrolling is performed so that at least a part of the map displayed on the screen remains in the screen,
It can be said that this is a kind of screen switching processing of displaying a new map that is continuous with a part of the screen. That is, the updated map is displayed each time the user scrolls.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process related to image generation and display at the time of scrolling executed by the display control unit 11. In the first step S110 of FIG. 2, a scroll instruction is determined, and the subsequent S120 is performed.
It is determined whether or not to start scrolling. this is,
For example, when a user inputs a scroll start instruction via the operation switch group 8, an affirmative determination is made in S120. Also, when a process of automatically scrolling is executed as described above, it may be determined that scrolling has started.

Then, in the case of scroll start (S1
20: YES), and in step S130, mask data is created. This mask data is created based on the data other than the map, and as shown in FIG. 3B, is data for covering the data other than the map on the display screen. Specifically, for example, it is binary data in which a portion where data other than a map exists is “1”, and a portion where no data exists is “0”.

When the mask data is created in S130, the data other than the map is first stored in the display screen generation storage area 11 (S130).
2a. In S140, as shown in FIG. 3C, the map data is copied to the display screen generation storage area 112a with reference to the mask data. In this case, the meaning of “with reference to the mask data” means that only the map data corresponding to the portion “0” in the mask data is copied. Copying overwrites the data, but in this case, the map data corresponding to the portion “1” in the mask data is not copied. It will not be copied. Therefore, display data in which the map data and the non-map data are substantially combined is generated in the display screen generation storage area 112a. The map data to be copied is data that has moved in the scrolling direction. In this embodiment,
In order to scroll every 1/60 second, the map data moved in the amount corresponding to the scroll interval is copied.

Then, in S150, the display data generated in the display screen generation storage area 112a is read, and a display signal is output to the CRT display 14. In addition,
As described above, since the output to the CRT display 14 is an analog display signal, the display data generated in the display screen generation storage area 112a is subjected to D / A conversion and analog display of a predetermined format. It is output after being converted into a signal.

At S160, map data of a newly added portion is created. This is determined in S140 described above.
The display data was generated by copying the map data moved in the direction of scrolling.
In order to display, it is necessary to newly draw map data in the scroll direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the drawing data storage area 112b of the drawing RAM 112
The map data of an area slightly larger than the display size is drawn, and the map data of a predetermined area adjacent in the scroll direction to the map data is newly added.

Then, in S170, it is determined whether or not the scroll is completed. If the scroll is not completed (S17)
0: NO), and returns to S140 to repeat S140 to S160.
Is repeated, and if scrolling is completed (S
170: YES), and terminates the scroll-related processing.
For example, when scrolling is performed according to a user's instruction input through the operation switch group 8, it is determined whether or not the scroll end has been similarly instructed through the operation switch group 8. When the displayed map scrolls in the direction opposite to the traveling direction as the vehicle travels, the scrolling ends when the vehicle stops.

As described above, the present navigation system 2
In the case of, when performing map scrolling, it is necessary to copy only the map data while updating it at each scroll interval, and it is not necessary to copy the data other than the map every time. ing. However, if the map data is directly copied to the non-map data, the non-map data is overwritten by the map data. First, the display control unit 11 creates mask data for the non-map data, In this case, the map data of the portion "0" is copied. Thus, display data in which both data are substantially combined can be generated without overwriting data other than the map with the map data.

As described above, only the map data needs to be copied, and the processing time is reduced as compared with the method of copying data other than the map. For this reason, the above-described “scrolling rattling” as a problem in the related art is solved. In other words, for example, in order to realize scrolling every 1/60 second, it is necessary to create a display screen after scrolling within about 16.7 ms.
Assuming that 1 ms is required, it takes about 22 ms when two pages are sequentially copied, and it takes longer than the scroll interval of 16.7 ms, so that the display timing cannot be met. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, it is sufficient to copy only the map data.
It takes 11 ms for the copy shown in S140 of
If the processing of S150 to S170 is performed within the remaining about 5 ms, an appropriately scrolled map is displayed at an appropriate display timing, and smooth scrolling can be realized. In this embodiment, the map data is 1
Although the description has been made on the premise that there are two, the same applies to, for example, two or more. In other words, if the processing for one copy is, for example, 8 ms, the time for two copies is 16 ms, and scrolling every 1/60 second can be realized. However, if there are two pieces of map data and one or more pieces of data other than the map, it is necessary to copy three or more times, and the same problem occurs. In other words, it is an essential problem that copying for the number of screens is required. From that point of view, it is not necessary to copy data other than the map, so there is no need to copy the number of screens for each scroll, so that all copy processing can be completed within the scroll interval. It is valid.

Since a method of composing a display screen by copying a plurality of screens is basically adopted, a so-called screen compositing function in which a surface configuration to be composed is determined by hardware is used. In comparison, it is advantageous in terms of expandability. That is, since the surface configuration can be set arbitrarily, for example, when data is updated on a per-plane basis, there is no effect on the data constituting other planes.

As described above, the present invention is not at all limited to such an embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, mask data of data other than the map is created, and the map data is copied with reference to the mask data. The method of referring to the mask data is a method in which the map data itself is not processed and the portion where the mask data is “1” is not output. As another realization method, for example, in the drawing data storage area 112b in the drawing RAM 112, processing may be performed on the map data itself to be displayed after scrolling. That is, a portion to be masked in the map data may be deleted, and the map data with the mask portion deleted may be copied.

In the above-described embodiment, the scroll start or end instruction is issued when the user inputs a scroll start or end instruction through the operation switch group 8 or when the automobile runs. The example in which the displayed map scrolls in the direction opposite to the traveling direction has been described. Other than this, for example, the navigation system 2
Unique usage is also conceivable. That is, as described above, the present navigation system 2 has a route calculation function of calculating a route from the current location to the specified destination, and can display the calculated route to the destination in a superimposed manner on the map. Have been able to. Therefore, for example, a route test run instruction can be input from the operation switch group 8, and when the route test run instruction is input, the map data is scrolled so as to sequentially follow the route from the current position to the destination. is there. This is because it is difficult to display a route at a time if the distance to the destination is long. Of course, it is possible to increase the scale and display them all at once, but in that case, it is not practical because the user cannot grasp the detailed route. Therefore, if the map data is scrolled so as to sequentially follow the route to the destination while displaying the map at a scale that the user can grasp, the convenience is improved. Therefore, achieving smooth scrolling in such a case is very effective.

In the above embodiment, only the map data is updated during the scrolling process.
It is assumed that data other than the map at the start of scrolling will be used as is. However, for example, the process of updating data other than the map is executed by another routine,
When the data other than the map is updated, a copy process of the updated data other than the map may be exceptionally performed. Then, in that case, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the mask data after the processing in S140 to S170 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above. If the mask data has been changed, the processing for creating the changed mask data is performed. Will be added. In this case as well, exceptionally, a copy of map data and a copy of non-map data are exceptionally required.
For example, if the update of data other than the map is performed at intervals of 1 second or more, the time interval becomes very large for 1/60 second of scrolling.
As a whole, the rattling of the scroll is prevented, and the various effects described above are not hindered.

Although the navigation system has been described as an example of using the apparatus for generating and displaying an image, another system may be used. In addition, map data is mentioned as data to be scrolled, but even if it is not map data,
For example, if there is data that cannot be displayed all at once, and it is effective to display the data while scrolling it, the same can be applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating scroll related processing executed by a display control unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of mask data creation and map data copying at the time of scrolling.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of creating map data of a newly added portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 2 navigation system 4 position detector 6 map data input device 8 operation switch group 10 navigation control unit 11 display control unit 12 external memory 14 CRT display 15 remote control sensor 15 a remote control 16 geomagnetic sensor 18 Gyroscope 20 Distance sensor 22 GPS receiver 111 Drawing processor 112 Drawing RA
M 112a: display screen generation storage area 112b: drawing data storage area 112c: work area

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ identification code FI G09G 5/36 510 G09G 5/36 510B 520 520N 530 530M

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first method which needs to be updated every predetermined time.
An image generation method for generating an image for a display screen in which a substantially combined image data of the image data and the second image data that does not need to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals is stored in a display screen generation storage area. In a state where the first image data and the second image data are copied in the display screen generation storage area, if it becomes necessary to update and display the first image data, Then, only the image data corresponding to a portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen among the first image data for the update display is copied to the display screen generation storage area. Thereby generating an image for the display screen. 2. A first method which needs to be updated every predetermined time.
An image generating apparatus for generating, in a display screen generation storage area, an image for a display screen in which the image data of the image data and the second image data that does not need to be updated and displayed at predetermined time intervals are substantially combined. A drawing data storage area for storing first image data drawn for the update display, wherein the first image data and the second image data are stored in the display screen generation storage area. When it is necessary to update and display the first image data in a state in which the first image data is copied, the first image for update display stored in the drawing data storage area is updated every time the update is displayed. An image for generating an image for the display screen by copying only image data corresponding to a portion where the second image data does not exist on the display screen among the data to the storage area for generating the display screen. Generate Image generating apparatus characterized by comprising a control means. 3. The image generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image generation control unit is configured to update the second image on the display screen when the first image data needs to be updated and displayed. Mask data for masking image data is created, and thereafter, for each update display, a portion of the first image data other than the mask data is copied to the display screen generation storage area. An image generating apparatus, characterized in that: 4. The image generation device according to claim 2, wherein the first image data is map data, and the second image data is data other than a map, and is displayed on a map. An image generating apparatus, characterized in that the data is data of an image. 5. The image generation device according to claim 4, wherein the map data as the first image data is data that needs to be updated and displayed in accordance with a predetermined map scroll instruction. Generator. 6. An image data storage unit in which the first image data and the second image data are stored, and wherein the first image data and the second image data read from the image data storage unit substantially correspond to each other. The image generation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an image for a display screen, which is automatically combined, is generated in a display screen generation storage area, and an image that displays an image generated by the image generation apparatus. An image display device comprising: a display unit. 7. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein the first image data is map data, and the second image data is data other than a map and is data to be displayed on a map. And an instruction input means for inputting an instruction to scroll the map data which is the first image data, wherein the image generation control means is provided when a scroll instruction is input by the instruction input means. An image display device configured to judge that it is necessary to update and display the first image data. 8. A navigation device comprising: the image display device according to claim 7; and a navigation device, wherein the image display device performs a predetermined navigation process that needs to be displayed at least when the navigation device performs the navigation process. A navigation system, wherein the navigation system is configured to be used for displaying related data as an image. 9. The navigation system according to claim 8, wherein the navigation device is mounted on a vehicle, and further includes a current position detection unit that detects a current position of the vehicle, and a current position of the vehicle detected by the current position detection unit. The navigation processing-related data, and configured to execute control to display at a predetermined position in the display screen, the image display device scrolls the map data in accordance with the traveling of the vehicle, A navigation system configured to display a current position of a vehicle at a predetermined position on a display screen. 10. The navigation system according to claim 9, wherein the navigation device further includes a route calculation unit that calculates a route from a current location to a designated destination.
The calculated route to the destination is set as the navigation process-related data, and control is performed to display the route on the display screen. The image display device receives a route test run instruction from the navigation device. In this case, the navigation system is configured to scroll the map data so as to sequentially follow a route from a current position to the destination.