Device for displaying map information

[Detailed Description of the Invention]

[Industrial Application] This invention relates to the display of the map information accepted by the navigation system, and the data composition of the map information especially memorized by memory storage, for example, CD -ROM. [Summary of the Invention] In the display of the map information which stores map information in memory storage, reads map information from memory storage in this invention, and was displayed on the display, it is map information, It consists of a plurality of magnifications and two or more maps corresponding, respectively, and each of the map is classified into a plurality of hierarchical levels which embraced the priority of the display, and change of reduction of the data volume which should be prepared, rapid access, and continuous magnification of it is enabled by changing a map and a hierarchical level according to magnification. [Prior art] As one of the navigation systems, the independence cruise method which displays a map and the position of a self-army on the screen of a CRT display is being put in practical use, and the method which uses the position information outside a car together is also considered in the future. Map information is memorized by memory storage, for example, CD-ROM. The database of the map known from the former prepares the gradual map according to a detailed grade. For example, the method which prepares five steps of maps, a national figure, a district figure, an area figure, a basic figure, and a detail view, is proposed. Selection of the stage of these maps is enabled by switch operation etc. [Problem(s) to be Solved by the Invention] The data composition of an above-mentioned map had a problem in which the kind of magnification (scale) of a map receives restrictions. As for the magnification of a map, it is preferred that they are the arbitrary magnifications which a user desires. If the conventional data composition tends to realize arbitrary magnifications, it will be necessary to establish many stages as a level of a map, as a result, the number of times of access will increase the quantity of data not only becomes huge, but, and it will produce the problem which cannot perform high-speed operation. Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide the display of map information into which magnification is changeable at a continuous or fine step, without producing the problem from which the data volume which should be prepared increases or access serves as a low speed. [Means for solving problem] In the display of the map information which stores map information in memory storage, reads map information from memory storage in this invention, and was displayed on the display, it is map information, It consists of a plurality of magnifications and two or more maps corresponding, respectively, each of the map is classified into a plurality of hierarchical levels which embraced the priority of the display, and a map and a hierarchical level are changed according to magnification. (OPERATION) The map information stored in memory storage, for example, CD-ROM, consists of two or more maps, for example, three sheets, according to magnification. These maps are called a zero-order mesh, a primary mesh, and a secondary mesh sequentially from the one where magnification is smaller, i.e., the larger one of the range displayed on a CRT display. The data of each mesh is classified according to the priority of a display by plurality, for example, the hierarchical level of ten pieces of (0~9). If the magnification of a display is changed by switch operation of a zoom key etc., etc., the data of a zero-order mesh will be used in the range with small magnification, the data of a primary mesh will be used in the range of middle [ magnification ], and the data of a secondary mesh will be used in the range with large magnification. Since data is classified with the hierarchical level for every mesh, when magnification changes, according to a hierarchical level, a display / undisplayed control is made within limits for which the data of each mesh is used. In addition to the information that a priority is high, the information that a priority is low is displayed one by one as the magnification of a display can be continuously changed by data processing, the magnification of a display becomes large and the degree of details becomes high. Thus, since the data of each mesh is classified with the hierarchical level, it is small data volume and it becomes possible in high-speed operation to change magnification at a continuous or fine step. [Example] Hereinafter, one example of this invention is described with reference to drawings. Drawing 1 shows an example of the navigation system which can apply this invention. In Drawing 1, 1 shows a data bus and microcomputer 2 is combined with data bus 1. The output signal from vehicles sensor 3 is supplied to microcomputer 2. As vehicles sensor 3, a geomagnetism sensor (a direction is detected absolutely), a vehicle speed sensor (□ detection of mileage is done), a steering sensor (a running direction is detected), a gearbox sensor (order Advance is detected), etc. are used. The CD-ROM driver shown by 4 is formed, and the map data stored in CD-ROM5 is given to microcomputer 2 via CD-ROM driver 4 and data bus l. Operation switch 9 which a driver can operate is formed. The data from microcomputer 2 is supplied to drawing processor 6, image data is formed of drawing processor 6, and drawing data is supplied to color CRT display 8. not illustrating, either -- the D/A converter with which image data is supplied is formed, and the RCB small output image signal of an analog is supplied to color CRT display 8. Color CRT display 8 is attached to the dashboard of a car. Operation switch 9 is considered as the composition shown in Drawing 2. 11 shows a cursor key, a cursor moves in a map screen top, and a screen scrolling is made by cursor key 11, and a selection of function is made by the cursor. 12A shows zoom ink and 12B shows a zoom out key. By pushing zoom ink 12A, expansion of a map screen is made and reduction of a map screen is made by pressing zoom out key 12B. 13 shows a function key, various functions, such as selection of an item to display with function key 13, a setup of the destination, and search of the destination, are displayed in menu form, the part, for example, the right-hand side, of a screen, and a menu is selected by cursor key 11. 14 shows a set key, and when performing the function selected by cursor key 11, set key 14 is pressed. Drawing 3 is a flow chart used for explanation of operation of an above-mentioned navigation system. It is judged whether the cursor moved first (Step 21). While the position of vehicles where it is judged whether the position of vehicles moved while the cursor is not moving (Step 22) is not moving, it is judged whether zoom key 12A or 12B was pushed (Step 23). When a cursor moves, or when vehicles move, it is judged whether adjoining land figure data is required (Step 24). When contiguity data is not required, the drawing operation which displays a map on color CRT display 8 is made (Step 26). When contiguity data is required, read-out of the map data from CD-ROM5 is made (Step 25), and drawing operation (Step 26) is made. It shifts to Step 23 of judgment whether after drawing operation, zoom key 12A or 12B was pushed. When zoom key 12A or 12B is pushed, it is judged from the magnification of zoom whether a map level needs to be changed (Step 27). When change of a map level is unnecessary, the drawing operation (Step 29) which displays a map on color CRT display 8 is made. When a map level needs to be changed, after map data is read from CD-ROM5, it shifts to drawing operation (Step 29). When zoom key 12A or 12B is not pushed, after drawing operation (Step 29), it returns to Step 21 again and the same operation as Above is repeated. Vector data, character data, and font data are recorded on CD-ROM5. Drawing 4 shows the format of these data recorded on CD-ROM5. Vector data is recorded on CD-ROM5 by making into a unit the record shown in Drawing 4 A for every link of a line drawing. As shown in Drawing 4 B, the line drawing is expressed as a link which is a set of a plurality of straight lines. Namely, coordinate data in which the coordinates of the position of each start edge of a plurality of straight lines and a termination are shown (X (1), Y (1)). (X (2) and Y (2)) .... is contained in vector data. LeCode of vector data consists of classification, a link number, sub classification, a route number, a hierarchical level, interpolation mark, and coordinate data. Classification expresses the kind of roads, such as a national highway, a Existence road, and - ship road, sub classification expresses a classification finer than classification, such as a rank of a national highway, and a route number expresses the subclassification for every classification, such as a number given to the road. A link number is a number of a link. A hierarchical level is data of a number corresponding to a priority of a display (O~9). Interpolation mark express the number (for example, the example of Drawing 4 B 6) of the start edge in Rick, and a termination. Drawing 4 C shows the format of character data. Character data consists of classification, sub classification, consecutive numbers, a hierarchical level, normalization coordinates (X, Y), the number of Chinese character words, and a Chinese character character string. Classification is data for distinction of a crossing name, the name of a place, a facility name, and a railroad name of the station, for example. Sub classification is data for the subclassification for every classification. Consecutive numbers are the numbers in the inside of every classification. Normalization coordinates are coordinate data in which a position which displays a character is shown. A hierarchical level is data in which a priority of the same display as Above is shown, and the number of Chinese character words is the number of a Chinese character. A Chinese character character string is the standardized character code. Font data is recorded on CD-ROM5 in the format shown in 4th planning. Classification is data for distinguishing the kind of font. For example, a highway number, a national highway number, a main way number, a parking lot, etc. are distinguished by classification. A font number is a number which specifies a font pattern. Consecutive numbers are the consecutive numbers added, for example in order of creation. Normalization coordinates are data for the position where a font is displayed to be shown. As shown in Drawing 5, three map data of different magnification is stored in CD-ROM5. This three data is called a zero-order mesh, a primary mesh, and a secondary mesh from the one where a length of one side of the map displayed is larger. As for the zero-order mesh, - neighborhood is considering map 30 of the field of the length of a as one file. Read-out of the data from CD-ROM5 is made in the unit of a file. One side into which the primary mesh divided one side a of map 30 is considering map (a slash shows) 31 of the field of the length of b as one file. For example, map 31 has the size which divided the length of map 30, and the horizontal length, respectively (1/16). One side into which the secondary mesh divided one-side To of map 31 is considering map (a slash shows) 32 of the field of the length of C as one file. For example, map 32 has the size which divided the length of map 31, and the horizontal length, respectively (1/16). After one of the maps 30.31.32 of these is read from CD-ROM5 and it receives processing of drawing processor 6, it is displayed on the screen of color CRT display 8. It is good also as composition which quadrisected each file of the map for realization of a scroll function. As for the above-mentioned zoom-in (expansion) and zoom out (reduction), expansion Formation is realized to the vector data of a map by the processing which multiplies by the magnification of reduction, and a corresponding coefficient. This processing is made by drawing processor 6. If map 30 of a zero-order mesh is expanded in zoom-in operation and serves as a size of map 31 of the size of a primary mesh, the level of Anthrax will be changed into a primary mesh from a zero-order mesh. That is, map 31 of a primary mesh is read from CD-ROM5. If map 31 of a primary mesh is expanded in zoom-in operation and serves as a size of map 32 of the size of a secondary mesh, the level of map data will be changed into a secondary mesh from a primary mesh. If zoom-in operation is performed, the display of the map of the size of d will be made for - neighborhood. Zoom out operation is made in a direction contrary to above-mentioned zoom-in operation. The change of a map is carried out on the level of these three-stages, and change of a hierarchical level is made according to magnification in each stage. As shown in Drawing 6, the data in which a hierarchical level is shown is added to this example and each record of the data which ten steps of hierarchical levels of O~9 are then set up, and is stored in CD-ROM5 (refer to the 4th figure). As mentioned above, as for zoom-in operation Formation, the change of zero-order and the primary mesh [ secondary ], i.e., change of a map level, is made by zoom out operation. Change of a hierarchical level is made in each mesh. For example, in a primary mesh, it coordinates with a size being changed in the direction of expansion in which - neighborhood becomes smaller by map 31 of the size of b to zoom-in operation in the length of - neighborhood, and a hierarchical level is changed one by one from O to 9. Change of a hierarchical level is similarly made about other zero-order meshes and secondary meshes. In Drawing 6, the hierarchical level as which the field inside a graph is displayed is meant, and the hierarchical level as which the field of the outside is not displayed is meant. as the ranking of 9 has the highest priority of a display of 0 from O of a hierarchical level and a number increases -- the priority of a display -- low (it corresponds to the priority of a display like.) Change of the hierarchical level within a mesh is explained with reference to Drawing 7. The horizontal axis of Drawing 7 shows magnification as logarithm, and a map is expanded and it is displayed in Drawing 7, so that zero magnification which shall have the change range of 1~50 is large. 33A, 33B, and 33C show a display and an undisplayed threshold, respectively. Threshold 33A is a threshold used when display density is the lowest. Threshold 33B shown with a dashed line is a threshold used when display density is middle, and threshold 33C is a threshold used when display density is the highest. Display density can be arbitrarily set up by cursor key 11 in operation switch 9, and operation of function key 13. The hierarchical level of the range as which it is displayed above these thresholds is expressed, and the hierarchical level of the range as which it is not displayed below these thresholds is expressed. The hierarchical level displayed as magnification becomes large increases. For example, in the range with the smallest magnification, when display density is low, the data of 0 is displayed for a hierarchical level, when display density is middle, the data of hierarchical levels 0 and 1 is displayed, and when display density is high, hierarchical level O, l, and the data of 2 are displayed. The amount of information displayed on the map screen of color CRT display 8 increases, and a detailed grade becomes high as the map which zoom ink 12A is pushed and is displayed continuously is expanded, in order that the hierarchical level displayed may change with magnifications. For example, if zoom-in operation is carried out, a small road will be displayed except a trunk road, or the details of the interchange of a highway will be indicated. What information other than a road is also displayed as as a hierarchical level becomes high increases. The determination of the hierarchical level shown in Drawing 7 is made by taking the integer of the value of a lower type, for example. Hierarchical level ! = Display density +(log+o ()) X5.8859 display density : 0 (when low), l (at the time of middle), or 2 (when high) S: a length of one side of the map displayed on a screen! : -- a length 5.8859 of one side which it has as map data : it is an example of the constant for producing inclination -- this invention is applicable also to the display of map information other than a navigation system. As memory storage, not only CD-ROM but a floppy disk etc. may be used. [Effect of the Invention] unlike preparing magnification and the corresponding map of a plurality of levels like before, if it depends on this invention, it overlaps with the maps of different magnification, and it is not necessary to have data in memory storage -- data volume -- many (things can be prevented.) There is an advantage which the problem to which this invention becomes easy [ changing magnification at a continuous or fine step ], and working speed becomes slow by the increase in the number of times of access does not produce.

[Brief Description of the Drawings]

Drawing 1 is a block diagram of an example of the navigation system which can apply this invention, The front view in which Drawing 2 shows an example of arrangement of an operation switch, the flow chart which uses Drawing 3 for explanation of operation of a navigation system, The route map which uses Drawing 4 for explanation of the composition of the data currently recorded on CD-ROM, the route map which uses Drawing 5 for explanation of the map data currently recorded on CD-ROM, and Drawings 6 and 7 are route maps used for explanation of the hierarchical level of map data. Main explanations of letters or numerals in a drawing 5 F CD-ROM, 9 : Operation Switch, 11: Cursor Key, 12A: Zoom Ink 12B: Zoom Out Key Representative Patent Attorney Drawing 1 of Masatomo Sugiura Drawing 2 of operation Sui Richirei out Drawing 4 Drawing 3 Flow chart Drawing 5 A roof of Engineering figure data, Ambition