JP2004138474A - Method of guidance using portable terminal and guidance program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of guidance enabling a user to smoothly reach a destination without getting lost in accordance with downloaded course information by downloading animation/sound data describing realistic scenes conforming to the reality from an information providing server whose database is stored with the data to a portable terminal of a mover. <P>SOLUTION: The information providing server 1 receives animation/sound data on guidance describing scenes along a course from a place of departure up to the destination transmitted from an information provider's terminal 4, stores provided and taken-in information in the database 2 on a destination-by-destination basis, and transmits prescribed provided information registered in an information registration step in response to a transmission request from a portable terminal 3 of a user. Meanwhile, with respect to the terminal 3, the user accesses the server 1 by using the terminal 3 to download the animation/sound data on guidance describing scenes along the course from the place of departure up to the destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Regarding route information from a certain point to a destination and guidance information such as advertisements, download from a server connected to a network using a portable terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) / mobile phone / PHS (Personal Handy Phone). The present invention relates to a technique for providing route guidance in accordance with the downloaded information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method of guiding the position from a railway station to a target point, a method is generally used in which a pamphlet indicating the current location is indicated on an overall map near the station, or a guidance signboard indicating the direction or distance along the route is used. ing. However, many of these map guides based on pamphlets and the like are simplified illustration styles.If there are many routes to the target point, it may be difficult to select a route, or if the route is long, the current location being moved Often it is easy to get lost.
[0003]
To solve these problems, a guidance system using a tool such as a mobile terminal is used.
In a conventional guidance system using a mobile terminal, images of the landscape in the traveling direction are stored in a database, route guidance information is created by combining data such as landmarks and backgrounds, etc. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
There is also a guidance system that transmits location information of a current location and a destination to a server, obtains navigation information including a landscape map, and changes and displays the navigation information in accordance with the position where a pedestrian moves (for example, see Patent Document 2). ).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-289663 A (page 3, FIG. 12)
[0006]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-058057 (pages 2 to 5)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the guide using an animated image in Patent Document 1 is different from a real-world scene, and it is easy to find a point that is particularly conspicuous, but is difficult to find in a ubiquitous scenery. Further, since route guidance providing data is generated every time route guidance is performed, when a complicated route is followed, it takes a long time to generate data, and the efficiency is extremely low. Further, the navigation system disclosed in Patent Document 2 can acquire real-time information according to the current position of a mobile user, but cannot generate navigation information when it is extremely difficult to transmit the current position information. In addition, the inefficiency in following a complicated route is the same as in the above example.
[0008]
In order to solve these problems, according to the present invention, information relating to a real scene that is projected along a route to a destination, that is, images and background sounds of buildings, intersections, stores, etc., which change with movement, etc. Is registered in the information providing server, the user downloads the information to the portable terminal, and provides guidance to the destination while reproducing the downloaded scene. Provided guidance method and guidance program.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention is a route guidance method using a portable terminal for performing route guidance to a destination according to route information obtained via a network, wherein the information provision server transmits the route guidance method from an information provider terminal. An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from a departure point to a destination; and information storing information provided in the information receiving step in a database as guidance information for each destination. The present invention relates to a road guidance method including a registration step and an information transmission step of transmitting predetermined information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a mobile terminal of a user.
[0010]
That is, according to the first invention, the information providing server firstly, in the information receiving step, relates to a local feature such as a road or a building along a route from the information provider terminal connected via the network to the destination. Video, narration to guide the route, such as background sound such as human voice and car noise, receive video and audio data taken by a digital video camera, in the information registration step, the video and audio data by destination The information is registered in a database, and in the information transmission step, a guide information of a route to a desired destination is transmitted in response to a request from the user's portable terminal. In this way, by providing the user with a realistic image to the destination, a service for reliably guiding the user to the destination can be provided.
[0011]
A second invention is a route guidance method using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination in accordance with route information obtained via a network, wherein a user uses the mobile terminal to connect the mobile terminal. Accessing the information providing server by using the database to download video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination from the database; and downloading in the information acquisition step. A playback control step of controlling a playback / stop function for the selected moving image / audio data.
[0012]
That is, according to the second invention, the user repeats the reproduction / stop of the moving image / audio data relating to the route guidance which depicts the scene of the route to the destination downloaded from the information providing server to the mobile terminal, thereby realizing Guidance can be provided while looking at a suitable image, and it is possible to reliably reach the destination.
The third invention is characterized in that in the reproduction control step of the moving image / audio data relating to the scene description to the destination, a plurality of reproduction speed selection patterns are provided in accordance with a moving speed of the user. The present invention relates to a method for guiding a vehicle according to the first or second invention.
[0013]
That is, according to the third invention, by allowing the user to select one of several playback speeds, it is possible to fill the gap due to the difference from the walking speed, and it is possible to move in accordance with the actual situation, It is possible to accurately reach the destination while reproducing data.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a basic system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present system includes an information providing server 1, an information provider terminal 4, and a user portable terminal 3 connected via a network 5 such as the Internet.
[0015]
The information providing server 1 is a computer, and each of the information receiving unit 11, the information registering unit 12, the dividing unit 13, and the information transmitting unit 14 in the information management unit 10 executes a program built in advance on the computer. It is realized by doing. The program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy disk, a compact disk, and a ROM. Also, although not shown in the figure, the program is set and installed in a built-in or externally connected medium reading device. May be set to be executable.
[0016]
On the other hand, each means of the information acquisition means 31 and the reproduction control means 32 in the user portable terminal 3 is realized by executing a program stored in advance in a ROM or the like on a built-in CPU.
The information providing server 1 converts the image of the route from the information provider terminal 4 to the destination created by the information provider with a digital video camera or the like as moving image / audio data in a file format (for example, AVI format) as information receiving means. The information is received by the information register 11 and registered in the database 2 for each destination as the guide information 21 and the additional information 22 by the information registration means 12. Here, the additional information is various kinds of guidance information useful for the user at a certain point on the route, such as an event and an advertisement.
[0017]
Thereafter, the information providing server 1 receives the request from the user portable terminal 3 and transmits the guide information 21 and the additional information 22 of the desired destination to the user portable terminal 3 by the information transmitting means 14. If the memory capacity of the transmission destination device is small, the dividing unit 13 divides the moving image / audio data and transmits it.
On the other hand, in the user portable terminal 3, the information acquisition means 31 accesses the information providing server 1 and downloads the guide information 21 and the additional information 22 of the desired destination stored in the database 2. By the reproduction control means 32, the user repeats reproduction / stop of the downloaded moving image / audio data according to his / her own moving state, and moves to the destination while checking the real video. In the reproduction control means 32, for example, several reproduction modes such as "fast", "standard", and "slow" are prepared, and when the user selects one of them in consideration of his / her walking speed, automatic reproduction is performed. It can be set to be performed.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a guide information database according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, route guidance based on scene description from a transportation station such as a railway or a bus to a destination is assumed. The guidance information database includes a plurality of records having items of “destination”, “route”, “video / audio data” and “distance”, which are components of the guidance information, and “additional information”.
[0019]
The "destination" is a target point from the station, and there are several "routes" to reach there. "Video / audio data" as guidance information is a video taken along the route to the destination taken by an information provider using a digital video camera or the like, and edited with narration including background sound And stored in a file format such as AVI (Audio-Video Interleave). The “distance” indicates the approximate distance to the destination when following each course of the “route”. The “additional information” is recommended information that provides a user with convenience at each point of the “route”, and special information about an event, shopping, a special product, and the like is expressed in a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group), a Text format, or the like. , And "video / audio data" are reproduced, for example, in the form of superimpose.
[0020]
Although not shown in the present embodiment, the approximate distance from a plurality of points on the information route to the destination and the estimated required time are registered as data corresponding to the “distance” from the provider terminal 4. In reproducing the moving image / audio data, if the characters such as “xx remaining” and “XX km” are superimposed to make subtitles or inform them by voice, a more effective route guidance service can be obtained. Since this is a real image, it can be associated on site and it is easy to obtain an approximate distance and an estimated required time from an information provider.
[0021]
The above is a standard registration example of the guidance information database, but another example considering the moving speed of the user is also conceivable. Regarding the scene description of the route, the moving speed of the user is various with respect to the moving image and audio data, so prepare moving image patterns with different playback speeds such as “fast”, “standard”, and “slow” in advance. Making the user make a selection in addition to the selection menu is also an effective method in accordance with the actual situation.
[0022]
Hereinafter, the operation of the system of the present invention will be described using a flowchart.
FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a process for registering guidance information from an information provider according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the information providing server 1, first, in step S1, the information receiving means 11 receives the guide information transmitted from the information provider terminal 4 via the network 5 such as the Internet, and in step S2, the information registration means 12 The route information to the destination is registered in the database 2 for each destination and for each route in the format as shown in FIG. Next, in step S3, the approximate distance from the departure point to the destination is similarly acquired from the information provider terminal 4 and registered in the database 2. This gives the user an indication of selection when there are several routes. Further, in step S4, if the guidance information of the information provider includes additional information on a recommended spot or the like in the middle of a route that provides convenience to the user, the information is added to the database as additional information 22 for each purpose and each route. Register in 2.
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of guide information download in the user portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S11, the information providing server 1 is accessed from the user mobile terminal 3, and in step S12, the type of device and the user ID are notified to the information providing server 1 as information on the mobile terminal side used by the information acquisition unit 31. I do. Next, in step S13, a destination and a route are selected from a selection menu displayed on the screen of the user portable terminal 3 and transmitted to the information providing server 1. Thereafter, in step S14, the desired guidance information transmitted from the information providing server 1 is received and downloaded.
[0024]
FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of guidance information transmission in the information providing server according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S21, the device type and the user ID are input from the user portable terminal 3 by the information receiving unit 11, and in step S22, the dividing unit 13 determines whether the memory capacity of the device of the user portable terminal 3 is sufficient. It is determined whether or not the moving image / audio data is divided. If the memory capacity is still insufficient, in step S23, the moving image is changed to a skipped image in which frames are skipped. In step S24, the information transmitting unit 14 transmits the moving image / audio data and the additional information as guide information desired by the user. Is transmitted to the user portable terminal 3.
[0025]
Further, in step S22, if the memory of the user portable terminal 3 is sufficient and there is no need for division, and if there is no need to make a skipped video in step S23, moving image / audio data and additional information without division or skip are added. Send.
FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the reproduction of the guidance information in the user portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S31, the user portable terminal 3 reproduces the guide information downloaded from the information providing server 1 by the reproduction control means 32, and determines in step S32 whether the reproduction speed is automatically controlled. If the playback speed is to be automated, in step S34, automatic playback is performed according to one of the "fast", "standard", and "slow" playback modes selected by the user in accordance with several walking speed patterns. . If there is no control of the reproduction speed, in step S33, reproduction / stop / rewind / fast-forward of the video as it is downloaded is repeated by manual operation according to its own progress, while checking the scene of the route. Guide to the destination.
[0026]
FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation mode of the reproduction screen in the portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. A mobile terminal such as a PDA is assumed, but on the display screen, fast forward / play / stop / pause / rewind screen buttons, such as operation buttons of a video tape recorder, are prepared, and scenes of an actual route are provided. And moving image data on the screen, and selecting one of the buttons allows the user to reach the destination while making corrections. Further, as for the additional information, it is possible to superimpose guidance information based on characters and images at corners of the display screen near a predetermined point in the middle of the route. Further, when the button of "automating the reproduction speed" is pressed, a selection menu screen for selecting one of "fast", "standard" and "slow" is provided, although not particularly shown.
[0027]
FIG. 8 shows an operation mode example of a reproduction screen in the case of a mobile phone. Since the display screen is small and the memory capacity is small, functions such as fast forward / play / stop / pause / rewind are assigned to numeric keys.
(Supplementary Note 1) A route guidance method using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
In the information providing server,
An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
An information registration step of storing the provided information captured in the information receiving step as guidance information for each destination in a database,
An information transmission step of transmitting predetermined provision information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a user's mobile terminal;
A route guidance method, comprising:
[0028]
(Supplementary Note 2) A route guidance method using a portable terminal that provides route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
On user mobile terminals,
An information acquisition step in which a user accesses the information providing server using the mobile terminal, and downloads, from the database, video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination; ,
A reproduction control step of controlling a reproduction / stop function of the moving image / audio data downloaded in the information acquisition step;
A route guidance method, comprising:
[0029]
(Supplementary Note 3) In the reproduction control step of the moving image / sound data related to the description of a scene to a destination, a plurality of selection patterns are provided according to a moving speed of a user. How to get directions.
(Supplementary Note 4) A route guidance program using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination in accordance with route information acquired via a network,
In the information providing server,
An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
An information registration step of storing the provided information captured in the information receiving step in a database for each destination,
An information transmission step of transmitting predetermined provision information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a user's mobile terminal;
Guide program that causes a computer to execute.
[0030]
(Supplementary Note 5) A route guidance program using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
On user mobile terminals,
An information acquisition step in which a user accesses the information providing server using the mobile terminal, and downloads video / audio data related to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination,
A reproduction control step of controlling a reproduction / stop function for the moving image / audio data downloaded in the information acquisition step;
Guide program that causes a computer to execute.
[0031]
(Supplementary Note 6) An information providing server in a route guidance system that provides route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
An information receiving means for receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
Information registration means for storing the provided information captured by the information receiving means as guidance information for each destination in a database,
Information transmission means for transmitting predetermined provision information registered by the information registration means in response to a transmission request from a user portable terminal;
An information providing server comprising:
[0032]
(Supplementary Note 7) A portable terminal in a route guidance system that provides route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
An information acquisition means for accessing a data providing server by a user using the portable terminal and downloading, from the database, video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination; ,
Reproduction control means for controlling a reproduction / stop function of the moving image / audio data downloaded by the information acquisition means;
A mobile terminal comprising:
[0033]
(Supplementary Note 8) A computer-readable recording medium that records a route guidance program using a portable terminal that performs route guidance to a destination according to route information acquired via a network,
In the information providing server,
An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
An information registration step of storing the provided information captured in the information receiving step as guidance information for each destination in a database,
An information transmission step of transmitting predetermined provision information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a user mobile terminal;
Recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the program.
[0034]
(Supplementary Note 9) A computer-readable recording medium recording a route guidance program using a portable terminal that provides route guidance to a destination in accordance with route information acquired via a network,
On user mobile terminals,
An information acquisition step in which a user accesses the information providing server using the mobile terminal, and downloads, from the database, video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination; ,
A reproduction control step of controlling a reproduction / stop function of the moving image / audio data downloaded in the information acquisition step;
Recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the program.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the route guidance information is an image of a scene that matches the actual situation, such as a building, an intersection, a park, etc., which can be seen on the route to the destination, and the noise of the crowds around it, etc. Is recorded, and is very real, so that reliable guidance to the destination is realized. Then, the guide information once downloaded can be used repeatedly, and the time required to create the guide data can be saved. Also, there is no need to communicate the current position of the mobile terminal, and thus there is no need to provide a position measurement function.
[0036]
Furthermore, since the downloaded moving image / audio data can be played / stopped / fast-forwarded / rewinded like a video device, the guide information can be adapted to the moving condition of the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a guide information database according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a process of registering guide information from an information provider according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of guide information download in a portable terminal of a user according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of guide information transmission in the information providing server according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of guide information reproduction in the user portable terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode example (a case of a portable terminal) of a reproduction screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation mode example (a case of a mobile phone) of a reproduction screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 information providing server 2 database 3 user portable terminal 4 information provider terminal 5 network 10 information management unit 11 information receiving means 12 information registration means 13 division means 14 information transmission means 21 guide information 22 additional information 31 information acquisition means 32 playback control means

Claims (5)

A route guidance method using a mobile terminal that provides route guidance to a destination according to route information obtained via a network,
In the information providing server,
An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
An information registration step of storing the provided information captured in the information receiving step as guidance information for each destination in a database,
An information transmission step of transmitting predetermined provision information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a user's mobile terminal;
A route guidance method, comprising: A route guidance method using a mobile terminal that provides route guidance to a destination according to route information obtained via a network,
On user mobile terminals,
An information acquisition step in which a user accesses the information providing server using the mobile terminal, and downloads, from the database, video / audio data relating to route guidance depicting a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination; ,
A reproduction control step of controlling a reproduction / stop function of the moving image / audio data downloaded in the information acquisition step;
A route guidance method, comprising: 3. The route guidance according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of selection patterns are provided in accordance with a moving speed of the user in the reproduction control step of the moving image / audio data relating to the description of a scene to a destination. Method. A route guidance program using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination according to route information obtained via a network,
In the information providing server,
An information receiving step of receiving video / audio data relating to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from the departure place to the destination transmitted from the information provider terminal;
An information registration step of storing the provided information captured in the information receiving step in a database for each destination,
An information transmission step of transmitting predetermined provision information registered in the information registration step in response to a transmission request from a user's mobile terminal;
Guide program that causes a computer to execute. A route guidance program using a mobile terminal that performs route guidance to a destination according to route information obtained via a network,
On user mobile terminals,
An information acquisition step in which a user accesses the information providing server using the mobile terminal, and downloads video / audio data related to route guidance that depicts a scene of a route from a departure place to a destination,
A reproduction control step of controlling a reproduction / stop function for the moving image / audio data downloaded in the information acquisition step;
Guide program that causes a computer to execute.

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