JP2001124582A - Destination-guiding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a destination-guiding device for efficiently guiding a road by effectively utilizing a display screen by using a map and a guide sentence together in a portable terminal with a small display screen. SOLUTION: After a map for guiding an inputted destination and the details of a guide sentence are generated tentatively, they are exchanged with each other, information contained in each is considered, the map and the details of the guide sentence are re-generated, and then the map the guide sentence are displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a destination guidance method and apparatus for guiding a user to a destination location, and more particularly, to an object in which when a destination is input by a user, guidance to the destination can be optimally performed. The present invention relates to a land guidance method and device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to guide a user to a destination location, a map of the surrounding area is displayed on a display device,
A method of displaying a route from a current position to a destination is known, and is used in an in-vehicle navigation device, an Internet map information service, and the like. In this case, it is difficult to display an ordinary map on a portable terminal, such as a mobile phone, which is used to carry the information when the user moves, since the display screen is small. In addition, since data must be transmitted by wireless communication, if map data having a large data amount is transmitted, it takes time to display. In general, a map has a large amount of data, so it is desirable to simplify the map as much as possible. Therefore, by using an appropriately generated natural language guide text in addition to the map, a small portable display screen can be created even with a simplified map with a small amount of information and a few lines of simple guide text. It is possible to create a guide expression that can be used effectively.

There has been proposed a method for guiding a user to a destination using a road guidance sentence generated based on map data. For example, in the invention described in "Destination Guide Method and Apparatus (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-284212)" as a prior art, a guide information voice message is generated to guide a user to a destination using voice. The guidance message is created by automatically extracting information to be guided based on a relative distance from a target such as a nearest public institution or a famous building. The guide message given as an example is "Destination XX is located 50 meters southeast of the department store. The department store exits exit A3 of Hibiya station on the Chiyoda line and walks straight down the street. The second intersection is just across the left. "This is a characteristic feature that explains the positional relationship by distance and direction and the directions using fixed phrases.

As another conventional technique, there is disclosed a method and an apparatus for automatically creating a route guidance sentence (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-213448).
In the invention described in “No.), modeling of a map targeting spatial objects is performed, and a guidance sentence is generated using the positional relationship between the spatial objects. Consider a spatial object that is a reference target for a destination to be guided, and consider a relative position expression while moving a network between the spatial objects from the reference target to the destination. For example, considering a reference target B with respect to a destination A, another spatial object C has a relationship across B and a road, and A
If there is a relationship that is next to the building, a guidance expression such as “A is next to the building C across the road as viewed from B” can be generated.

[0005] As another prior art, the invention described in "Route Guidance Device (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-239078)" describes a method of creating a simple guide text regarding an intersection in a route. Based on the priorities set for the surrounding landmarks at each intersection, selecting a valid landmark from a plurality of landmarks or using the abbreviations of landmarks stored in advance allows longer guidance texts. It is easy to understand and can provide simple guidance. For example, the guide text "turn left at the XXXX intersection with XXXX bank and XXXX gas station" is changed to the guide text "turn left at the X crossroad with X silver and XGS" to provide simple guidance.

[0006]

In order to provide a destination guidance service to a user having a portable terminal, it is necessary to display information that is easy to see even on a small display screen, and to reduce the amount of data to reduce communication time. Must be considered. Generally, a map is difficult to see on a small screen and has a large amount of data. Therefore, for a small map display area, it is necessary to simplify the map by simplification and to reduce the amount of communication data.
However, on the other hand, the simplification of the map also reduces the amount of information expressed by the map. Therefore, if a route guidance sentence is used in addition to the map, it is possible to provide easier-to-understand route guidance than displaying only the map. In such a case, it is a problem to create an effective guide expression using a simplified map with a small amount of information and a simple guide text of several lines by appropriately generating both the map and the guide text.

The above three documents all describe a method of creating a simple guide text based on map data. However, all of the above-mentioned documents are based on the viewpoint of generating a guide expression using a map and a guide text together. Not as stated. When providing directions using both maps and guidance texts, it is necessary to maintain consistency between the two contents. It is better to include the landmark facilities referred to in the guidance text on the map and clearly indicate the names and types. Further, when the distance and the required time cannot be determined simply by looking at the map, for example, by simplifying the map, it is necessary to supplement the information with a guide text. As a general method of maintaining consistency between the map and the guide text in this way, for example, a method of generating a guide text of a destination and then creating a map according to the content, or a method of generating a map first and then It is easy to come up with a method of generating a guide text according to the content. However, in such a method, for example, if the content of the guide text is generated first, it is necessary to display a map of a large range so as to include the landmark facility to be referred to in the map, or conversely, If the map is generated first, it may be difficult to generate guidance text because there is no appropriate landmark facility within the map.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain consistency by considering the contents of each other by coordinating the generation of the map and the generation of the guide text. In particular, in the case of a portable terminal with a small display screen, the display range of the map, the number of facilities that can be displayed on the map, and the expression of the shape of the road are very limited, so it is only necessary to maintain the consistency of the map and guidance text. Instead, it is necessary to utilize the screen effectively by optimizing the contents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems. In a portable terminal having a small display screen, a simplified map having a small amount of information and a simple guide text of several lines are used together. The present invention provides a destination guidance device that generates information appropriately by considering information to be expressed by each other, thereby effectively utilizing a small display screen of a portable terminal, and performing efficient route guidance. The purpose is to:

[0010]

To solve the above problems, the present invention firstly stores facility information in a map information storage means, inputs a destination using a point input means, and outputs a map output means. And the guide message output means tentatively generates the contents of the map and the guide message, selects facility candidates to be displayed as landmarks for destination guidance, and generates the map and guide message contents again in consideration of the mutually selected facilities. After the correction, the map and the guide text are output, respectively, and the output map and the guide text are displayed by the destination guide display means. The map output by the map output means outputs a map displaying at least all the facilities referred to by the guide text output by the guide text output means. As a result, the map is not difficult to see by displaying useless facilities and useless areas that are not referred to in the guide text. Effective use of the small display screen of the portable terminal enables efficient route guidance with a small amount of data. It can be carried out.

Secondly, the map output means sets the range of the map to be output according to the size of the display screen, and the guide text output means sets the minimum range including all the facility candidates serving as landmarks for destination guidance. The range is set, the map and the guide text are re-generated in consideration of the set map range, and the map output means outputs a map including all facilities referred to by the guide text output by the guide text output means. This makes it possible to output an easy-to-view map while displaying an appropriate range according to the size of the display screen.

Third, the map output means tentatively generates a simplified map whose distance is not always accurate, and the guide sentence output means tentatively generates a guide sentence which does not necessarily include an expression relating to the distance, and considers the contents of each other. Then, the map and the guide text are re-generated so that the information on the distance required for the destination guidance is represented by at least either the map or the guide text. Thus, the guide information can be efficiently transmitted even if the map is simplified.

Fourth, the map output means tentatively generates a simplified map which does not necessarily display a character string representing the facility name or a symbol representing the facility type, and the guidance output means specifies the facility name or the facility type. Provisionally generate guide texts that do not necessarily include natural language expressions, and consider the contents of each other, and express the facility name or facility type required to guide the destination by at least either a map or a guide text. Regenerate maps and guidance text. As a result, even if the facility type and the facility name are omitted, the guide information can be efficiently transmitted.

Fifth, there is provided route search means for searching for a route from an arbitrary point to a destination, and a plurality of guide points are extracted from the route searched by the map output means and the guide sentence output means. Provisionally generated the map and the contents of the guide text of the point, considered each other's contents, made the plurality of guide points extracted respectively the same, and regenerated the map and the contents of the guide text at each guide point Later, the destination guidance means displays a map and guidance text for each guidance point.
This makes it possible to use an easy-to-view map and reduce the amount of the map and the guide text.

Sixth, the map output means tentatively generates a map around the destination in consideration of a route from an arbitrary point, and the guide text output means tentatively generates a guide text based on the route. After the map and the guide text are regenerated in consideration of the content of the destination, the destination guide is performed only by the map around the destination and the guide text. As a result, the map display range can be reduced, and effective guidance can be provided even on a small display screen.

Seventh, the map output means and the guide text output means tentatively generate the contents of the map and the guide text to be output according to the characteristics of the destination guide display means, and consider the contents of each other. Then, an appropriate map and guidance text for destination guidance are regenerated and output. As a result, efficient route guidance using a map and guidance text according to the characteristics of the display means can be performed.

Eighthly, the destination guidance display means includes area designation means for designating the area of the map display area and the guidance text display area, and the map output means and the guidance text output according to the designated areas. The means tentatively generates the contents of the map and the guide text, and generates and outputs a map and a guide text appropriate for destination guidance in consideration of the contents of each other. As a result, it is possible to guide the vehicle while changing the details of the map and the guide text finely.

Ninth, according to the communication speed between the map output means and the guide text output means and the destination guidance display means, the map output means and the guide text output means temporarily map the contents of the map and the guide text. Generated and re-created the appropriate map and guidance text to guide the destination, taking into account each other's content,
Output. As a result, even when the communication speed is low, the route guidance can be quickly performed.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) As shown in FIG. 1, a destination guidance apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a point input unit 101 for inputting a destination and a map information storage unit 102 for storing map information. Map output means 103 for outputting a map based on the information extracted from the map information storage means, and guidance output means for outputting a guidance sentence to a destination in a natural language based on the information extracted from the map information storage means 104 and a destination guidance display means 105 for displaying a map and guidance text.

The point input means 101 is used by a user of the apparatus to specify a destination. The specification method is, for example,
This is done by saying "S ward office" and the name of the facility. As another example, a position on a map such as longitude and latitude may be input, or a character string representing the name of a facility may be input.

The map information storage means 102 has, as map information, road network information and facility information which is a mark necessary for destination guidance. For example, the name, type, and position of the facility are given as attributes of each facility. of course,
The facility information is not limited to these.

The map output means 103 is based on the information extracted from the map information storage means 102,
1 to generate and output a map for guiding the input destination. The map to be output may be an image file or any map format. Further, the contents of the map may be a map around the destination or a route map from a nearest transportation base.

The guide sentence output means 104 is based on the information extracted from the map information storage means 102, and
A guidance text for guiding the input destination is generated and output using 01. The guide text is, for example, "Restaurant A is P
It is in front of the station, next to the B bookstore. "" The S ward office goes to the left from the P station, passes the Q bank, turns right at the intersection with a convenience store (usually a 24-hour market) R It is in the sentence ".

The destination guidance display means 105 receives the map and the guidance sentence output by the map output means 103 and the guidance sentence output means 104 and displays them on a display screen. As a display method, one screen may be divided into a map display area and a guide text display area, and each may be displayed, or the map display area and the guide text display area may be realized as separate screens. . Further, when the map is larger than the screen or when the amount of the guide text is large, a scroll function of the screen may be added.

In the first embodiment, the map output by the map output means displays at least all facilities which the guide text output by the guide text output means refers to as a landmark for guiding the destination. It is characterized by being. In the first embodiment, a large number of facilities serving as landmarks are adjacent to each other, and when all of them are displayed on a map, characters representing facility names and symbols representing facility types are overlapped. This is effective when it is necessary to display.

The operation procedure of the apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. First, in step 201, the user uses the point input means 101 to input a destination. Next, in steps 202 and 203, the map output means 1
02 and the guide message output means 103 temporarily generate the contents of the map and the guide message. Since step 202 and step 203 are independent, either step may be performed first or they may be performed in parallel. The format of the contents of the map and the guidance sentence generated here is not necessarily the format that is actually output, but may be any internal representation format that is easy to calculate.

The generation of the map in step 202 is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in FIG. First, in step 301, a rectangular map area having a predetermined distance vertically and horizontally around a destination is determined. Next, in step 302, road data and facility data included in the map area are extracted from the map information storage means 102. Then step 30
At 3, the road part of the map is constructed from the extracted road data. At this time, the shape of the road may be simplified or a narrow road may be deleted. Next, in step 304, only important facilities are selected from the extracted facility data and arranged on a road map, thereby constructing a map composed of roads and facilities. For example, an object at the corner of an intersection, an object that can be easily recognized as a mark when viewed from the outside, or the like is selected. Further, when the information is displayed, the facility name character string and the facility type symbol are selected so as not to overlap.
The method of constructing the map is not limited to the method described here. Also, at this stage, the map does not need to be represented as a final map, but may be in an internal representation form.

The generation of the guide text in step 203 is as follows.
For example, the procedure is performed as shown in FIG. First, in step 401, an appropriate facility to be referred to as a landmark in a guidance sentence is selected from around the destination. Nearest station, facility at the corner of the intersection,
There is a way to select something that can easily be a landmark, such as a large building, post office, or convenience store. Next, the positional relationship between the facility selected in step 402 and the destination is extracted.
The positional relationship here is "before", "behind", "in the same street", "in the same block", "in the east"
It refers to a relationship that can be expressed as "in 5 minutes." Finally, in step 403, a guide sentence in a natural language is generated. For example, "Restaurant A is in front of P station,
Next to B bookstore. It is behind a C department store. " How to generate guidance text
It is not limited to the method described here. At this stage, it is not necessary to be expressed as a natural language, and an internal expression form may be used.

Next, in step 204, the map output means and the guide text output means exchange the contents of the map and the guide text temporarily generated. Thereby, the contents of each other can be considered. In step 205, the map output means regenerates the contents of the map in consideration of the contents of the guide text. In step 206, the guidance message output unit regenerates the content of the guidance message in consideration of the contents of the map. Since Step 205 and Step 206 are independent, either of them may be performed first or they may be performed in parallel.

In regenerating the map and the guide text, more information can be expressed and expressed by determining whether information is not consistent with one of the map and the guide text on the other, whether consistency is maintained. Consider whether you can guide your destination well. Here, the facility that is commonly referred to in the provisionally generated map and the guide text is selected, and the map output means regenerates a map that displays at least the selected common facility. Regenerate guidance text that refers only to the selected common facilities.
As a result, the regenerated map displays at least all the facilities that the guidance text refers to as a landmark for guiding the destination.

Finally, in step 207, the contents of the map and the guide text are output to the destination guide display means, and the destination guide display means displays the map and the guide text.

FIG. 5 shows an example of regenerating a map and a guide message.
Shown in In the tentatively generated map on the upper left of the figure,
Bank A, C department store, and convenience store are referenced as landmarks. The contents of the provisionally generated guidance text in the upper right of the figure are
Reference is made to the 2-chome intersection, S station, Bank A, and B securities as landmarks. When regenerating the map and the guide text, a landmark facility commonly referred to is selected from these, and the facility is referred to. As shown in the lower left of the figure, the map stopped displaying the convenience store and the C department store, enlarged the display of the 2-chome intersection, and further displayed the S station and B securities. As shown in the lower right of the figure, in the guidance text, a guidance text that refers only to the 2-chome intersection and Bank A is generated.

When there is no coordination between the two, for example, a map is generated so as to include all the facilities referred to in the guide text, and a wide range is displayed on a small screen, so that the map becomes difficult to see. There is.

In the present embodiment, the provisionally generated map and the guidance text are exchanged only once by the map output means and the guidance text output means. However, the data exchange and the recreation of the map and the guidance text are repeated. It is also conceivable to carry out the method several times. In this case, data exchange and re-generation are repeated until a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the condition that the facility referred to in the guide text is always displayed on the map may be satisfied.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the map generated by the map output means always displays the facility to which the guide text generated by the guide text output means refers as a landmark. By displaying useless facilities and useless areas that are not referred to in the guide text, the map is not difficult to see.

(Embodiment 2) A destination guide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the device of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment, the map output means comprises:
The guide message output means outputs a map of a range including all facilities referred to as a mark for guiding a destination. The second embodiment is effective when the range in which a map can be displayed is limited due to factors such as the size and resolution of a screen.

The operation procedure of the second embodiment is almost the same as the procedure of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment,
When setting a map area in step 301 of FIG. 3, for example, a map range is determined in consideration of the size and resolution of the display screen.

Next, in step 205 of FIG. 2, for example, the center position of the map is shifted to the center of the area including all the facilities referred to by the provisionally generated guidance message so that the provisionally generated map area overlaps as much as possible. Then, a map in which the display area is the common area is regenerated. In step 206, considering the center of the area including all the facilities referred to by the provisionally generated guidance text as the center position of the map, only the facilities included in the area covered by the size of the provisionally generated map area are considered. Regenerate guidance text referring to.

As described above, while maintaining the originally set map displayable area, the map regenerated by the map output means refers to all facilities to which the guide text regenerated by the guide text output means refers as landmarks. Contains.

FIG. 6 shows an example of regenerating the map and the guide text according to the present embodiment. The contents of the temporarily generated map at the upper left of the figure and the contents of the temporarily generated guidance text at the upper right of the figure are the same as those in FIG. As shown in the lower left of the figure, the map is shifted from the center position, the display of the convenience store and the C department store is stopped, and the S station is displayed. The dotted line in the figure is the map area at the time of provisional generation. As shown in the lower right of the figure, the guidance text shows the intersection at 2-chome, A
Bank, B securities can be referred.

In this example, the station S was not included in the range when the center position was shifted, but it can be displayed on the map if the middle part of the road can be omitted when the map is regenerated. When the map output means has an advanced map simplification function, a map in a wider range can be displayed.

In addition, other than this, a common area between the area including all facilities referred to in the provisionally generated guidance text and the provisionally generated map area is extracted, and a map of the common area and a mark included in the common area are extracted. It is also conceivable to regenerate a guidance sentence that refers only to facilities. When this method is adopted, the same map and guide text as in the example of FIG. 5 are generated.

As described in the first embodiment, when data exchange and re-generation are repeated, the area including all facilities referred to in the guide text must be the display range of the map. May be the condition.

As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the map output means outputs a map of an appropriate range according to the size of the display screen, and the guide text output means generates the guide text. Even if an area including all facilities referred to as a mark is set as the display range, the map is not difficult to see.

(Embodiment 3) A destination guiding apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the apparatus according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The third embodiment is characterized in that the distance information necessary for guiding a destination is represented by at least either a map or a guide text. Third
According to the embodiment, the distance information of the map generated by the map output means is lost due to simplification such as omitting a long straight line portion, straightening a road shape, and normalizing a connection angle of a road at an intersection. It is effective when it is done.

The distance information required to guide the destination includes the distance from the landmark facility referred to in the guide text to the destination, the distance between the intersections referred to in the guide text, and the one side of the block where the destination is located. And how far it is from the intersection. The distance from the landmark facility is "XX station square""X
An expression that can grasp the distance as common sense, such as “× bank back”, may be used. In addition, the distance from the intersection in one side of the block where the destination is located may not be a specific numerical value, and the relative position may be determined using expressions such as “middle” and “immediately from the intersection”.

The operation procedure of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step 701, the user inputs a destination using the point input means 101. Then step 7
At 02, the map output means temporarily generates the contents of the map. The temporary map generation procedure is the same as the procedure described with reference to FIG. 3 of the first embodiment. Next, in step 703, the contents of the provisionally generated map are sent to the guidance text output means, and in step 704, the guidance text output means provisionally generates the contents of the guidance text. The procedure for tentatively generating a guidance message may be performed in the same manner as the procedure described in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. In addition to this, if a long straight line portion is omitted from the map, facilities and intersections between them are Consider using no landmarks or using landmarks that are as close to the destination as possible.

Next, in step 705, the contents of the provisionally generated guidance text are sent to the map output means, and in step 706, the map output means regenerates the contents of the map in consideration of the content of the guidance text. Taking into account the contents of the provisionally generated guidance text, the location near the destination and the location of the destination in the city block are represented as accurately as possible, and the distance between the landmark facility and the landmark intersection referred to by the guidance text is known. Generate a simple map.
However, when the distance between the straight portions of the road is extremely long, the middle portion of the straight line may be omitted.

Next, at step 707, the contents of the regenerated map are sent to the guidance sentence output means. At step 708, the guidance sentence output means regenerates the contents of the guidance text while considering the map contents. Considering the contents of the regenerated map, if there is no distance information due to omission of the straight line part of the road, etc., whether to use a guide expression using only landmark facilities or intersections where there is no need for the distance of the place, Or supplement the expression indicating the distance with a guidance sentence. Furthermore, when the position of the destination in the block is difficult to understand, such as when the symbol representing the destination is large, it is represented by a guide text.

Finally, the map and the guidance text regenerated in step 709 are output to the destination guidance display means, and the destination guidance display means displays the map and the guidance text.

In the present embodiment, the map is regenerated first, and then the guidance text is regenerated in consideration of the result. The route guidance that there is no shortage of distance information is performed in the procedure.

FIG. 8 shows an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the present embodiment. The temporarily generated map at the upper left of the figure shows the S station by omitting the middle part of the road.
In this example, the destination is 30 meters (meters) away from the 2-chome intersection. The contents of the tentatively generated guidance text at the upper right of the figure are taken into consideration at the tentatively generated map,
Station, bank A. B Securities was not selected as a landmark because the road was omitted. The regenerated map in the lower left of the figure takes into account the contents of the provisionally generated guidance text,
We stopped displaying the C department store and convenience store, expanded the intersection at 2, and emphasized that the destination was slightly away from the intersection. In the regenerated guidance text at the bottom right of the figure,
We referred to the 2-chome intersection, S station, and Bank A, and also referred to a convenience store in the middle from S station to the intersection as a measure of distance.

As a method other than the method described above, a method of repeatedly exchanging data and regenerating data as described in the first embodiment is adopted, and distance information necessary for guiding a destination is obtained. The stop condition may be at least represented by either a map or a guide text. Also,
The distance information required to guide the destination is not limited to the information described in the present embodiment.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the distance information necessary for guiding the destination while reducing the data amount by simplifying the map is expressed by at least either the map or the guide text. Therefore, the guide information can be efficiently transmitted.

(Embodiment 4) A destination guiding apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The fourth embodiment is characterized in that a facility name or a facility type required for guiding a destination is represented by at least one of a map and a guide text. When referring to a facility serving as a landmark to guide a destination, a facility type or facility name is required. For example, in many cases it is sufficient to express only the type such as “ward office”, “bank”, “convenience store”, but as in places where similar facilities are concentrated, “xx bank”, “restaurant In some cases, both type and name are required. The fourth embodiment is effective when symbols representing the names and types of landmark facilities can hardly be displayed on a map due to factors such as the size and resolution of the display screen.

The operation procedure of the fourth embodiment is almost the same as the procedure of the third embodiment shown in FIG. When the content of the guidance message is provisionally generated in step 704 of FIG. 7, a guidance message that refers to a facility whose facility type and facility name are displayed on a map is generated as much as possible. When the facility type and the facility name are not displayed on the map, the information is supplemented by expressing the type and the name in the guidance text.

In step 706, the map output means regenerates the map in consideration of the contents of the guidance message so as to represent the type and name of the facility referred to in the guidance message on the map as much as possible. In step 708, the contents of the guidance sentence are regenerated while considering the contents of the map. In the facility referred to by the guidance text, the facility whose type or name is displayed on the map in step 704 is replaced with a simple expression without the type or name.

In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the map is regenerated first, and then the guide text is regenerated in consideration of the result. It provides simple guidance on facility types and facility names using the flexibility of expression.

FIG. 9 shows an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the present embodiment. The temporarily generated map in the upper left of the figure is generated based on a policy of displaying as many facilities as possible by omitting symbols and facility types. The provisionally generated guidance message in the upper right of the figure takes into account the contents of the provisionally generated map, first selects stations and intersections where the type is clear, and further refers to Bank A as a landmark near the destination. In the regenerated map at the lower left of the figure, the display of "Silver A" is performed in consideration of the fact that the provisionally generated guidance message refers to Bank A.
In the regenerated guide text at the bottom right of the figure, use the official name of Bank A or the name of the convenience store,
Expresses information on facilities as much as possible.

As a method other than the method described above, a method of repeatedly exchanging and regenerating data as described in the first embodiment is adopted, and a facility name or a facility name required for guiding a destination is used. The stop condition may be that at least the facility type is represented by either a map or a guide text.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, while the data is reduced by omitting the facility type and the facility name, the facility type or the facility name required for guiding the destination is
Since the information is expressed at least by either the map or the guide text, the guide information can be efficiently transmitted.

(Fifth Embodiment) A destination guidance device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Map information storage means 1002, map output means 1003, guidance sentence output means 1004, and destination guidance display means 1005
have. In addition to this configuration, a route search unit 1006 is provided as shown in FIG. Further, the user inputs a departure point for the route search to the destination in addition to the destination to the point input means 1001. The input may be made in the same manner as the destination, or the current position automatically obtained by using a position detection function by GPS or the like may be used as the starting point.

The route search means 1006 is provided with the point input means 1
The departure place and the destination inputted from 001 are received, and a route from the departure place to the destination is searched using the road network obtained from the map information storage means 1002. The search result is sent to the map output means 1003 and the guidance sentence output means 1004. In this case, as a first method, the route search means 1006 searches for the shortest route from the departure place to the destination on a map, and generates and outputs route information. As a result, the user can obtain the shortest route as the destination guidance information and can quickly reach the destination. In addition, as a second method, the route searching means 1006 searches the map for a route from the departure point to the destination where the turn is the least, generates and outputs route information. As a result, the user can obtain a route whose route is most easily understood as the destination guidance information, and can easily reach the destination.

In the fifth embodiment, a route search is first performed according to the above procedure, and then the fourth embodiment is switched to the fourth embodiment.
The guidance of the destination is performed by any of the procedures up to the embodiment. However, when the map output unit and the guide message output unit perform the temporary generation of the map and the guide message and the re-generation in consideration of each other's contents, a plurality of guide points are extracted from the route,
A map and guidance text are generated for each guidance point. The fifth embodiment is effective when the screen of the destination guidance display means is particularly small and a map including the entire route cannot be displayed.

As an operation procedure of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 11 shows a procedure in which a route search is first performed and then the same procedure as in the third and fourth embodiments is performed. First, in step 1101, a departure place and a destination are inputted using the point input means. Next, in step 1102, the route search means searches for a route from the departure place to the destination.

Next, when the map contents are temporarily generated in step 1103, a plurality of guide points are extracted from the route, and a plurality of maps of a small range are generated for each guide point. As a guide point, a point requiring particularly detailed information is selected. For example, there may be a place near the departure point and the destination, a corner, an intersection having a complicated shape, an intersection where similar landmark facilities are concentrated, a place where the road to be taken is likely to be mistaken, a place where there is almost no landmark facility, and the like.

The map tentatively generated in step 1104 is sent to the guidance sentence output means. In step 1105, the guidance sentence output means tentatively generates the contents of the guidance sentence. In the provisional generation of the guide text, a guide text is generated for at least all the guide points selected by the map output means at the time of the provisional generation of the map, and a route guide text from the guide point to the next guide point is also generated. . At the time of generating a guidance sentence for each guidance point, according to the contents described in the first to fourth embodiments, a landmark facility,
Consider the display of map area, distance information, facility name and facility type.

Next, in step 1106, the contents of the provisionally generated guide text are sent to the map output means, and in step 1107, the map contents are regenerated. In step 1108, the generated map content is sent to the guide text output means. , Step 11
At 09, the contents of the guide text are regenerated. In both map generation and guidance text generation, consideration is given to the display of landmark facilities, map areas, distance information, facility names and facility types for each guide point, and the contents are reviewed.

Finally, the map and the guidance text regenerated in step 1110 are sent to the destination guidance display means, and the destination guidance display means displays the map and the guidance text.

FIG. 12 shows an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the present embodiment. The upper left of the figure shows the result of the route search. Actually, at this stage, it is not necessary to represent in the form of a map as shown in FIG. The map output means tentatively generates a map by extracting three guide points near the S station, near the middle from the S station to the 2-chome intersection, and around the destination based on the route result. (1), (2) and (3) in the middle of the figure show maps of the respective guide points. The guide message output means temporarily generates a guide message described below the map in the middle of the figure in consideration of the contents of the temporarily generated map.

Next, the map output means regenerates the map. (
For the vicinity of S station in 1), the temporarily generated map was used as it was. In the vicinity of the middle of (2), in consideration of the fact that the guidance text refers to B securities, the position was shifted and convenience stores were omitted and B securities were placed at the center. Regarding (3) near the destination, taking into account that the guidance message refers to Bank A, the scale is slightly reduced so that Bank A can be displayed on the map. The lower part of the figure shows the regenerated map.

Further, the guide text is regenerated based on the map regenerated by the guide text output means. Regarding (1), the guidance text was not modified. Regarding (2), the convenience store is referred to in the guidance text. Regarding (3), the scale of the scale has become slightly smaller, and the distance from the intersection to the destination has been specified in the guidance text. The regenerated guidance text is shown below the map in the lower part of the figure.

The operation procedure of the present embodiment includes first and second
When the procedure of the embodiment is used, a plurality of guide points are extracted from the route by the map output means and the guide text output means at the time of provisional generation, and a map and a guide text are temporarily generated for each guide point. I do. Next, when exchanging the contents of the map and the guide text and regenerating the guide text, for example, the map and the guide text may be generated again only for the guide points common to the provisionally generated map and the guide text. At that time, consideration is given to the display of the landmark facility, map area, distance information, facility name and facility type for each common guide point, and the contents of the map and the guide text are reviewed.

As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, a route search is performed, a plurality of guide points for which particularly detailed information is considered necessary are extracted from the results, and a plurality of small maps and guides are extracted. Guide your destination using sentences. As a result, an easy-to-view map is used, and the amount of the map and the guide text is reduced, so that efficient route guidance can be performed with a smaller amount of data.

(Embodiment 6) A destination guidance apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention has the same configuration as the apparatus of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.

As in the fifth embodiment, the route searching means 1006 receives the departure place and the destination inputted from the point input means 1001, and uses the road network obtained from the map information storage means 1002 to change the starting place and the destination. Find a route to your destination. The search result is sent to the map output means 1003 and the guidance sentence output means 1004.

The sixth embodiment is performed in the same procedure as the fifth embodiment. However, when generating a map, only a peripheral map of one destination is generated, and guidance from the departure point to the destination is performed using only this map and a guide text.

The procedure of the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Steps 1101 and 1102 are the same as in the fifth embodiment. In step 1103, a peripheral map of the destination having a predetermined size is temporarily generated. At that time, the obtained route should be included as much as possible. Therefore, it is not necessary to place the destination at the center of the map.

Further, particularly large landmark facilities and intersections along the route around the destination are included in the map.
In step 1104, the provisionally generated map is sent to the guidance message output means, and in step 1105, the guidance message is provisionally generated. Here, an appropriate landmark facility or landmark intersection included along the route and included in the provisionally generated map is set as an intermediate guide point, and a guide text from the intermediate guide point to the destination is generated.
Further, a guidance sentence from the departure point of the route to the intermediate guidance point is also generated. The guide text from the intermediate guide point to the destination is
According to the contents described in the first to fourth embodiments,
Consideration is given to the display of landmark facilities, map areas, distance information, facility names and facility types. In step 1106, the guide text temporarily generated is sent to the map output means, and in step 1107, the map contents are regenerated. Further, the map generated in step 1108 is sent to the guide text output means, and step 1109
To regenerate the contents of the guide text. At this time, the first embodiment
Therefore, consideration is given to the display of the landmark facility, the map area, the distance information, the facility name, and the facility type described in the fourth embodiment.
Finally, the map and the guidance text regenerated in step 1110 are sent to the destination guidance display means, and the destination guidance display means displays the map and the guidance text.

FIG. 13 shows an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the present embodiment. The route search result is the same as in FIG. The upper left of the figure is a temporarily generated map. The upper right part of the figure shows the contents of the guidance text temporarily generated based on the temporarily generated map. B
Securities were selected as an intermediate guide point. The lower left of the figure is the regenerated map. Since the guide text selected B securities as an intermediate guide point, the scale was adjusted so that B securities was at the end of the map. C department store and convenience store are omitted. As a result, it was easy to understand that the destination was slightly away from the intersection, and the arrow line indicating the route could be displayed accurately. The lower right of the figure is the regenerated guidance text. The scale of the map became larger and the area near the intersection became easier to understand, so the distance display from the intersection to the destination was omitted.

As described above, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a route search is performed, and the destination is guided by using the destination surrounding map and the guidance text in consideration of the result. As a result, the display range of the map can be reduced, and efficient guidance can be provided with a smaller amount of data.

(Embodiment 7) The destination guiding apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention may have any configuration of the apparatuses according to the first to sixth embodiments. However, the destination guidance display means 105 can send information on the characteristics of the display means to the map output means 103 and the guidance sentence output means 104. The characteristics of the display means are the size, resolution, and number of colors of the display screen (that is, the type of color to be displayed).
And so on. Of course, it is not limited to these.

In this embodiment, first, the destination information display means sends display means characteristic information to the map output means and the guidance sentence output means. The subsequent operation procedure may take any of the procedures from the first embodiment to the sixth embodiment. However, when the map output means and the guide text output means generate the map and the guide text, the map output means and the guide text output means generate the map and the guide text in consideration of the display means characteristic information sent from the destination guide display means. For example, when the screen is small, the degree of simplification of the map is increased, and the facility name is displayed in a small font for the minimum facility. Also, try to make the guide sentence as simple and short as possible. When the resolution is low, large characters that are easy to read are used, and simple facility type symbols are used. For roads, angles are normalized and straight lines are used.
If the number of colors is large, the facility type symbol may be complicated,
You can change the color of the text. Conversely, if the number is small, the facility type symbol is simplified.

As described above, according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a map and a guide text are generated in consideration of each other's contents according to the characteristics of the destination guide display means. Becomes more appropriate expression according to the display means, and efficient guidance can be provided with a small amount of data.

(Eighth Embodiment) In a destination guidance apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the destination guidance display means is capable of designating an area of a map display area and a guidance text display area. And the designated display area information can be sent to the map output means and the guidance sentence output means. Other configurations may take any of the configurations of the first to seventh embodiments. The area can be specified by switching a predetermined area with a switch, dragging the boundary between the map display area and the guide text display area with a pointing device such as a mouse, or pressing the boundary movement switch. A method depending on the situation can be considered.

In the eighth embodiment, first, display area information is transmitted from the destination guidance display means to the map output means and the guidance sentence output means. Subsequent operations may take any of the procedures of the first to sixth embodiments. However, when the map output means and the guide text output means generate the map and the guide text, they are generated in consideration of the display area information sent from the destination guide display means. The generation of the map and the guide text in consideration of the display area may be performed based on the concept described in the seventh embodiment.

As described above, in the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the map and the guide text are generated while considering the display areas of the map and the guide text on the destination guide display means. The destination can be guided while finely changing the details of the map and the guide text in accordance with.

(Embodiment 9) A destination guidance apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention may have any of the configurations of the first to eighth embodiments. Further, the operation procedure of this embodiment may take any of the procedures of the first to eighth embodiments. However, when the map output means and the guidance text output means generate the guidance text, the content is generated according to the communication speed between the destination guidance display means. For example, when the communication speed is low, the data amount of the map becomes a problem. Therefore, the map is simplified and the data amount is reduced as much as possible. The information omitted in the map is supplemented by the guide text by reducing the amount of data. Also, in generating the guidance text, the style and the like are devised so that the data is reduced as much as possible.

As described above, in the ninth embodiment of the present invention, a map and a guide message are generated in accordance with the communication speed between the map output unit, the guide message output unit, and the destination guide display unit. Even when the speed is slow, it is possible to provide quick guidance.

[0093]

As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, the map generated by the map output means always displays the facility to which the guide text generated by the guide text output means refers as a landmark.
In addition, by displaying useless facilities and useless areas that are not referred to in the guide text, there is an advantageous effect that the map is not difficult to see.

[0094] In the second aspect of the present invention, the map generated by the map output means includes, as a display range, an area including all facilities to which the guide text generated by the guide text output means refers as a landmark. By setting an appropriate size range on the map display from the size of the map, an advantageous effect that the map is not difficult to see can be obtained.

In the third aspect of the present invention, the distance information necessary for guiding the destination is expressed by at least either the map or the guide text while the data amount is reduced by simplifying the map. Therefore, the advantageous effect that guidance information can be efficiently transmitted can be obtained.

In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the facility type or facility name necessary for guiding the destination is at least included in the map or the guide text while the data amount is reduced by omitting the facility type or facility name. Since the information is expressed by either one, an advantageous effect that the guide information can be efficiently transmitted can be obtained.

Further, in the fifth aspect of the invention, a plurality of guide points for which particularly detailed information is considered necessary are extracted from the route search result, and the destination is guided using a plurality of small maps and guide texts. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an advantageous effect that an easy-to-view map is used and the amount of the map and the guide text is reduced.

Further, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the destination is guided using the destination surrounding map and the guidance text in consideration of the route search result, the advantageous effect that the display range of the map can be reduced can be obtained. Can be

Further, in the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the map and the guide text are generated in consideration of each other's contents according to the characteristics of the destination guide display means, the map and the guide text are different from each other according to the display means. An advantageous effect of obtaining an appropriate expression can be obtained.

In the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the map and the guide text are generated while considering the display areas of the map and the guide text on the destination guide display means, the detail of the map and the guide text can be finely changed. An advantageous effect of being able to guide the destination while making it possible is obtained.

In the ninth aspect of the present invention, the map and the guide text are generated in accordance with the communication speed between the map output means, the guide text output means and the destination guidance display means. The advantageous effect of being able to provide route guidance is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a destination guidance device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of temporary map generation according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for temporarily generating a guidance sentence according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a destination guidance device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of generating a map and a guide message according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 point input means 102 map information storage means 103 map output means 104 guidance text output means 105 destination guidance display means 1001 point input means 1002 map information storage means 1003 map output means 1004 guidance text output means 1005 destination guidance display means 1006 route Search means

Claims (15)

[Claims] An input unit for inputting a destination; a map information storage unit for storing map information; a map output unit for outputting a map based on information extracted from the map information storage unit; A guidance output unit that outputs a guidance sentence to a destination in a natural language based on information extracted from the storage unit; and a destination guidance display unit that displays a map and a guidance sentence. After the guide text output means tentatively generates a map or a guide text, respectively, considers the contents of the provisionally generated map and the guide text, and re-generates the map and the guide text based on the result. Outputting a map and a guide sentence more suitable for destination guidance, and performing guidance to the destination by displaying the output map and the guide sentence by the destination guide display means. Destination guide device. 2. The map information storage means has facility information, and the map output means extracts facility candidates to be displayed as landmarks for destination guidance from the map information storage means. After extracting facility candidates to be referred to as landmarks from the map information storage means and regenerating a map and a guide text in consideration of the facilities extracted from each other, at least the guide text output by the guide text output means 2. The destination guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the map output unit outputs a map that displays all facilities referred to as destination guidance marks. 3. 3. The map information storage means has facility information, the map output means sets a map range to be output, and the guide sentence output means determines a facility candidate serving as a landmark for destination guidance in the map information. A facility which is extracted from the storage means, sets a minimum range including all of them, generates a map and a guide message in consideration of the mutually set ranges, and then refers to the facility which the guide message output means refers to as a landmark of destination guidance. The destination guide device according to claim 1, wherein the map output means outputs a map of a range including all of the following. 4. The map output means tentatively generates a simplified map content by not necessarily expressing distance information accurately, and the guide text output means tentatively generates a guide text content not necessarily including distance information. As a result of regenerating the map and the guide text in consideration of the distance information included in each other's content,
2. The destination guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the distance information necessary for the destination guidance is represented by at least one of a map and a guidance sentence. 5. The map output means tentatively generates a simplified map content by not necessarily displaying a character string representing a facility name or a symbol representing a facility type, and the guide output means outputs the facility name or the facility type. As a result of temporarily generating guide text contents that do not necessarily include the natural language expression to be specified, and regenerating maps and guide texts in consideration of information on the facility name and facility type included in each other's contents, it is necessary for destination guidance. 2. The destination guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the facility name or the facility type is represented by at least one of a map and a guide text. 6. A route search means for searching for a route from an arbitrary point to a destination, wherein the map output means generates a map based on the route searched by the route search means, The destination guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the destination guidance device generates a guidance sentence. 7. The map output means and the guidance text output means respectively extract a plurality of guidance points from the route obtained by the route search means, and temporarily generate a map of each guidance point and the contents of the guidance text, In consideration of each other's contents, the extracted plurality of guide points are made the same, and after the map and the contents of the guide text at each guide point are regenerated, the destination guidance means sets the map and the map for each guide point. The destination guidance device according to claim 6, wherein a guidance message is displayed. 8. The map output means tentatively generates a map around the destination in consideration of the route determined by the route search means, and the guidance sentence output means guides based on the route determined by the route search means. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: generating a sentence temporarily, regenerating a map and a guide sentence in consideration of each other's contents, and then guiding the destination using only a map around the destination and the guide sentence. A destination guidance device as described. 9. The destination guidance device according to claim 6, wherein the route searching means searches for the shortest route from the departure point to the destination to generate the route information. 10. The object according to claim 6, wherein the route search means searches for a route from the departure point to the destination where the turn is the least, and generates the route information. Ground guidance device. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the map output means generates the contents of the map, and the guide text output means generates the contents of the guide text according to the characteristics of the destination guidance display means. 11. The destination guidance device according to any one of claims 10 to 10. 12. The characteristic of the destination guidance display means includes at least one of a screen size, a resolution, and a type of color to be displayed on the destination guidance display means. A destination guidance device as described. 13. The destination guidance display means includes area designation means for designating an area of a map display area and a guide text display area, and the map output means according to the area designated by the area designation means. The destination guidance apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the destination information generating means generates the content of the map, and the guidance text output means generates the content of the guidance text. 14. The map output means generates the contents of a map according to a communication speed between the map output means and the guide text output means with the destination guide display means, and the guide text output means 14. The destination guidance device according to claim 1, wherein the destination guidance device generates the content of a guidance sentence. 15. A step of receiving input destination information, a step of temporarily generating a map based on information obtained by extracting a destination from the map information, and a step of temporarily generating a map from the map information in parallel with the temporary generation of the map. Temporarily generating a guidance sentence to a destination in a natural language based on the information obtained by extracting the ground; and further considering the provisionally generated map and the guidance text to the temporarily generated destination to each other to further guide the destination. Regenerating and outputting a map and a guide message suitable for each other, and performing guidance to the destination by displaying the output map and the guide message.