JP2005084291A - Electronic apparatus equipped with map name search function, and map name search method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus equipped with a map name search function and a map name search method by which search of the map name on a map is easily performed. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic apparatus 100 is equipped with : a map data storage means 110 for storing map data; a map display means 130 for displaying the map on a display 120 based on the map data which is read from the map data storage means 110; an input means 140 for selecting and inputting a map name from the map displayed on the display; a keyword group storage means 150 for storing a plurality of keyword groups related to the map name; a keyword group display means 160 for displaying a selected keyword group after selecting the keyword group related to the map name entered from the keyword group storage means when the map name is entered; and a map name search means 170 for searching information related to the entered map name using the entered map name and the keyword selected from the keyword group. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device having a map name search function and a method for searching a map name on a map, and in particular, in an in-vehicle navigation device, searches the Internet for information related to a map name on a map displayed on a display. About that.

  The vehicle-mounted navigation device detects the current position of the vehicle, reads out map data around the vehicle position from a map storage medium such as a DVD or HDD, draws the map data on the display, and draws the vehicle mark on the map. Overlapping and drawing. When the current position changes due to the movement of the vehicle, the map is scrolled or the vehicle mark on the map is moved accordingly, and the map information around the vehicle position is presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

  When trying to obtain information on map names such as facilities and areas on the map displayed on the display, it is possible to obtain various information by Internet search using the communication function of the navigation device.

  For example, the browser apparatus for the Internet of patent document 1 acquires the place name data displayed in a surrounding map, converts this into a character string, and transmits it to the search means of a site via the internet, The place name Data is used as a search key.

JP-A-11-272687

  As shown in Patent Document 1, it is convenient to perform an Internet search using facility names and place names on the map displayed on the display as search keywords, but there are many webs or sites with the same name on the Internet. In this case, the search result becomes enormous, and it is necessary to perform a refined search again. When performing a refined search, you must manually enter the keywords for refinement, but in general, the input means of the navigation device is a remote control or pointing device, so it takes a lot of effort to enter characters. , It was not always convenient for users.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described conventional problems and provide an electronic apparatus and a map name search method that can easily search for a map name on a map displayed on a display.

  An electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a map data storage unit that stores map data, a map display unit that displays a map on a display based on map data read from the map data storage unit, and a map displayed on the display An input means for selecting and inputting a map name from above, a keyword group storage means for storing a keyword group related to the map name in advance, and a map name input from the keyword group storage means when a map name is input Search for information related to the input map name using the keyword group display means for selecting the related keyword group and displaying it on the display, the input map name and the keyword selected from the keyword group Map name search means for enabling

  Preferably, the electronic device includes data communication means, and the search means enables searching related information from a server connected to the Internet via the data communication means. More preferably, the electronic device is an in-vehicle navigation device having a navigation function.

  According to the present invention, a method for searching for information related to a map name included in a map displayed on a display includes a step of inputting a map name on the map displayed on the display, and a keyword group related to the input map name. , A step of selecting at least one keyword from the keyword group, and a step of searching for information on the input map name using the input map name and the selected keyword.

  The electronic device according to the present invention displays a keyword group related to a map name when searching for a map name on a map displayed on a display, and allows a user to select a desired keyword from the group of keywords. This saves the trouble of inputting characters and improves operability. Furthermore, an efficient refinement search can be performed using a keyword requested by a user, and in particular, in the case of a search by the Internet, an enormous amount of information can be refined efficiently.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an electronic device according to the present invention. The electronic device 100 is displayed on the display 120, a map data storage unit 110 that stores map data, a map display unit 130 that displays a map on the display 120 based on the map data read from the map data storage unit 110, and the display 120. An input unit 140 for selecting and inputting a map name from a map, a keyword group storage unit 150 for storing a plurality of keyword groups related to the map name in advance, and an input from the keyword group storage unit 150 when a map name is input An input map name using a keyword group display means 160 for selecting a keyword group related to the input map name and displaying it on the display 120, and an input map name and a keyword selected from the keyword group. Map name searching means 170 that enables searching for information related to It has a data communication unit 180 to allow the door connection, and a search result display unit 190 for displaying the map results name on the display 120. Map display means 130, keyword group display means 160, map name search means 170, and search result display means 190 are included in control means 200 that controls each part of electronic device 100.

  The electronic device 100 according to the present invention can display a map on the display 120 and search for a map name on the map. For example, a personal computer, a navigation device, a navigation function, an audio function, or the like can be combined. It is realized by an electronic device or an electronic system provided in the above. Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is implemented by a vehicle-mounted navigation device will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation device according to the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 includes a GPS receiver 10, a self-contained navigation sensor 11, a VICS / FM multiplex receiver 12, an operation panel 20, a voice input unit 21, a remote control operation unit 22, an input interface 23, a storage device 30 that stores map data and the like. , An audio output unit 40, a speaker 41, a display control unit 50, a display 51, a program memory 60, a data memory 70, and a control unit 80 for controlling each unit.

  The GPS receiver 10 receives radio waves from an artificial satellite (GPS satellite) and measures the current position and current direction of the vehicle. The measured position information includes data about the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the vehicle. The self-contained navigation sensor 11 includes a vehicle speed sensor that detects a moving distance of the vehicle and an angle that detects a rotation angle of the vehicle. Output signals from the GPS receiver 10 and the self-contained navigation sensor 11 are supplied to the control unit 80, and the control unit 80 calculates the current position and direction of the vehicle based on these output signals.

  The VICS / FM multiple receiver 12 sequentially receives the current road traffic information outside the vehicle via the antenna 13. VICS (Vehicle Information & Communication System) provides road traffic information in real time, and transmits information by FM multiplexing (text broadcasting), radio wave beacon, and optical beacon.

  The operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22 constitute an input of the navigation device 1. The user gives various instructions and settings such as a search to the destination, a search for a route to the destination, and a display screen setting change to the navigation apparatus 1 through these inputs.

  The operation panel 20 can use, for example, a plurality of operation keys 52 provided at the lower part of the display 51. The voice input unit 21 transmits a user's voice input from a voice input microphone (not shown) to the input interface 23, and converts the voice analog signal into a digital signal. The remote control operation unit 22 includes a pointing device for selecting a plurality of input keys, menu items on the display 51, and the like, and when the user operates the input keys and the pointing device, the input operation is transmitted to the input interface 23 through wireless communication. . The input interface 23 is connected to the operation panel 20, the voice input unit 21, and the remote control operation unit 22, and transmits input information input by the user to the control unit 80.

  The storage device 30 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), DVD, or CD-ROM, and includes a database of map data, addresses, telephones, facilities, etc. required for the navigation device. A program for executing various functions can be stored.

  Furthermore, the storage device 30 according to the present invention stores a keyword group related to the map name, which is used when the user searches for information related to the map name from the map displayed on the display 51. The keyword group includes, for example, keywords related to facility names on the map (amusement parks, ski resorts, museums, etc.) and keywords related to region names (region names of municipalities, etc.).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the stored contents of the keyword group. The map name on the map includes, for example, a facility name and a region name. A keyword group is prepared in advance according to these map names. FIG. 3A is a table showing the storage contents of the keyword group for the facility name. Facility names are classified into a plurality of categories from the genre. For example, an amusement park, a ski resort, a hot spring resort, and a museum. A common keyword group for each category and a unique keyword group for well-known facilities are given. For example, in the case of an amusement park, the common keyword group is stored in the address A, and the unique keyword is stored in the address AA. Other ski resorts, hot spring resorts, museums, etc. are also stored in the illustrated addresses.

  FIG. 3B is a table showing the storage contents of the keyword group for the area name. The regional name is given a unique keyword group for each hierarchical level of the administrative district. For example, a unique keyword group at the prefecture level is stored in the address FF. The unique keyword group of the city in the lower hierarchy is stored in the address GG, the unique keyword group of the town and village is stored in the address HH, and the street (street) and the area at a finer level are stored in the address II.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a common keyword group and a unique keyword group for the facility name “amusement park”. As described above, a common keyword group of “amusement park” is stored in the address A, and there are prepared parking lots, business hours, entrance fees, vehicles, and the like as keywords related to the amusement park. In addition, since it is difficult to assign unique keywords to all of the amusement parks, unique keyword groups are included in particularly well-known amusement parks (XX amusement park, △△ amusement park, □□ park, XX land). Is set.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a unique keyword group for the region name “prefecture”. The unique keyword group related to the prefecture (XX prefecture) is stored in the address FF. For example, an industry, a special product, a sightseeing spot, etc. that are characteristic of the prefecture are registered as keywords. Similarly, a keyword indicating the characteristics of the region is assigned to a municipality at a lower level.

  The data communication control unit 31 transmits and receives data wirelessly. The data communication control unit 31 may include a communication device that transmits and receives data in the navigation device, or may externally attach a mobile phone or an electronic device having a communication function to the navigation device. . The data communication control unit 31 can communicate with an external server or the like via a network and be connected to the Internet.

  The audio output unit 40 includes a speaker 41, and outputs sound from the speaker 41 under the control of the control unit 80. For example, as the information to reach the destination, output a voice prompting attention in the direction of the course before the intersection, or when the user inputs interactively to the navigation device, the operation input to the user Voice instructions are output. Furthermore, the audio output unit 40 outputs music or audio from TV reception when the navigation device performs an audio function or a TV reception function.

  The display control unit 50 is connected to the display 51 and displays a map on the display 51 or on the map based on data read from the storage device 30 or the data memory 70 under the control of the control unit 80. A vehicle mark indicating the current position of the vehicle, a route to the destination, a guidance display at a branch point such as an intersection, and a landmark of the facility are combined. The display control unit 50 preferably includes a VRAM such as a FIFO, stores data related to maps, roads, and guidance displays read from the storage device 30 and the data memory 70 in the VRAM, and stores the map data read from the VRAM. Combine various data. The display 51 can use, for example, a horizontally wide screen using liquid crystal or plasma, and the display control unit 50 can also divide this into two screens for display.

  The program memory 60 stores various programs executed in the navigation device, and these programs are executed by the control unit 80. The program memory 60 is configured by using, for example, a rewritable RAM, and the program stored in the storage device 30 may be read out, or a ROM in which a program is stored in advance may be used.

  The contents of the program include, for example, a program 61 for searching for a route to the destination, a program 62 for connecting to the Internet, a search program 63 for searching for a map name, and the like.

  The data memory 70 stores processing results of various calculations processed by the control unit 80, map data 71 read from the storage device 30, and the like. The data memory 70 relates to the searched route data 72 when the route to the destination is searched, the keyword group 73 displayed when searching for the map name, and the map name obtained via the Internet. Search result information 74 is stored. As the data memory 70, DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or the like can be used. You may make it transfer the content of the data memory 70 to the memory | storage device 30 after use of a navigation apparatus. Further, the external memory 76 that can be attached to the navigation device 1 may be used in combination with the data memory 70.

  Next, the map name search operation in this embodiment will be described. When a map name to be searched for is input by the user from a state where a map is displayed on the display 51 (step S101) (step S102), a menu item for Internet search is automatically displayed on the display 51 (step S102). Step S103). When an Internet search instruction is issued by the user, the Internet connection program 62 connects to the Internet via the data communication control unit 31. At the same time, the search program 63 is activated, and the control unit 80 selects a category corresponding to the input map name, and reads a common keyword group from the category (step S104). Further, the control unit 80 checks whether or not a unique keyword group is set for the map name (step S105), and when the unique keyword group is set, reads the unique keyword group ( Step S106).

  Next, the control unit 80 displays the read common keyword group and unique keyword group (only when a unique keyword is set) on the display 51 (step S107). The user can input a keyword simply by selecting a desired keyword using an operation panel or a pointing device. Thereby, in addition to the map name, the search keyword is set by the keyword selected from the keyword group (step S108). The control unit 80 searches for information on the map name from the Internet based on the map name and the selected keyword (step S109). The search result is received via the data communication control unit and displayed on the display 51 (step S110). Thus, the user obtains desired information regarding the map name from the search results.

  The search operation for the map name described above may be performed from the map screen when the route is guided by the navigation device, or may be performed when a map around the vehicle position other than at the time of route guidance is displayed. Further, it may be performed when the user displays a desired map area on the display 51.

  Next, an example of searching for information of “Tokyo Disneyland” as a facility name is shown. As shown in FIG. 6A, the user selects a Tokyo Disneyland landmark TDL from the map of the display 51. Based on the facility name of Tokyo Disneyland, the control unit 80 determines that this corresponds to the amusement park category, and reads a common keyword group from the memory address A as shown in FIG. Save temporarily. Further, the control unit 80 refers to the memory address AA and checks whether or not a keyword group unique to Tokyo Disneyland is set from the information shown in FIG. 4A. Read the keyword group.

  The read keyword group is displayed on the display 51 as shown in FIG. The upper column 51a shows a unique keyword group, and the lower column 51b shows a common keyword group. The user can select a desired keyword from these keyword groups, and the selected keyword is displayed in the search box 51c. When the search button 51d is input after the keyword selection is completed, information hitting the keyword is searched from a server connected to the Internet. In general, a search by the Internet is performed by a desired browser or a search engine, and the search result is displayed on the display 51. If there is no keyword to be narrowed down, it is possible to search only the map name as a search keyword.

  Next, when searching for “Iwaki City” as the area name, the control unit 80 refers to the address GG of the corresponding city ward from the Iwaki City of the area name as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not a unique keyword group is set to “”, and if it is set, the unique keyword group is read out. Then, the read keyword group is displayed on the display 51, and the user selects a desired keyword.

  On the other hand, since it is not realistic to set unique keyword groups for all region names in the country, keyword groups are not stored for fine level region names, and unique keywords for region names at higher levels in the hierarchy are not stored. Is used. For example, when searching for “Kashima 3 chome”, if there is no keyword group specific to Kashima 3 chome, it is checked whether there is a specific keyword group of “Iwaki city”, which is the city level above it. . When there is no unique keyword group, or when the number of unique keyword groups is small, it is further checked whether there is a unique keyword group of “Fukushima Prefecture” at a higher level.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a keyword group when a place name “Kitayama (Kitayama, Nagano Prefecture)” is searched. Since there is no keyword group in Kitayama, the keyword group of Hadano City at the upper level is displayed in the upper column 51e, and the keyword group of Nagano Prefecture at the upper level is further displayed in the lower column 51f. As in the case of the facility name search, a desired keyword is selected and a search for “Kitayama” is performed.

  The search result of the map name is displayed on the browser screen. Preferably, the information of the location to which the searched map name belongs is displayed preferentially. For example, when the above-described information search for “Iwaki City” is performed, information on the Fukushima prefecture to which “Iwaki City” belongs (such as a home page or its site information) is displayed with priority. If the search is for “Kitayama”, the information of “Chino City” and “Nagano Prefecture”, to which “Kitayama” belongs, is displayed preferentially.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows the season information added to each keyword in the keyword group. The season information is stored in the storage device 30 corresponding to the keyword. For keywords related to the season, for example, cherry blossoms, sea bathing, autumn leaves, skiing, etc., season, spring, summer, autumn and winter are added. This changes the priority of keyword presentation according to the date and time (season) when searching for map names. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, in the case of a search in summer, winter keywords “ski” and “smelt” drop the priority of presentation. When searched in winter, the priority of the summer keyword “camp” is dropped. Thereby, the keyword according to a season can be shown preferentially and it becomes easier for the user to select a keyword.

  According to the present embodiment, when searching for a map name such as a facility name or a region name, a keyword group related to the map name prepared in advance is presented, and a search keyword can be selected from these groups. Therefore, keywords can be input more efficiently and easily, and operability can be improved.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Deformation / change is possible.

  In the said Example, although the facility name and the area name were illustrated as a map name, it is possible to search the name displayed on a map besides this. In the above embodiment, the season information is given to the keyword. However, time information other than the season, for example, month information such as January and February may be set.

  The present invention can be used in a personal computer capable of displaying a map, a navigation device, an in-vehicle navigation device, or an electronic system having a map display function and a navigation function.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the electronic device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a navigation apparatus. It is a figure explaining the memory content of a keyword group. It is a figure explaining the keyword group of a facility name and an area name. It is a follow chart which shows the search operation | movement of the map name which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows the example of a search of a facility name. It is a figure which shows the example of a search of an area name. It is a figure which shows the memory example of the keyword which concerns on another Example.

Explanation of symbols

1: navigation device, 10: GPS receiver, 11: autonomous navigation sensor,
12: VICS receiver, 20: operation panel, 21: voice input unit,
22: remote control, 23: input IF, 30: storage unit, 40: audio output unit,
41: speaker, 50: display control unit, 51: display,
60: Program memory, 70: Data memory, 80: Control unit,
100: Electronic device 110: Map data storage means 130: Map display means
140: input means, 150: keyword storage means,
160: Keyword group display means, 170: Search means

Claims (9)

Map data storage means for storing map data;
Map display means for displaying a map on a display based on map data read from the map data storage means;
An input means for selecting and inputting a map name from the map displayed on the display;
A keyword group storage means for storing a keyword group related to the map name in advance;
When there is an input of the map name, a keyword group display means for selecting a keyword group related to the input map name from the keyword group storage means and displaying it on the display;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a map name search unit that enables a search for information related to the input map name using the input map name and a keyword selected from the keyword group. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes data communication means, and the search means enables search of related information from a server connected to the Internet via the data communication means. The keyword group storage unit includes a plurality of common keyword groups for each of a plurality of categories, and the keyword group display unit displays a common keyword group of a category corresponding to the input map name. An electronic device according to 1. The keyword group storage means includes a keyword group unique to a map name, and the keyword group display means determines whether or not the input map name has a unique keyword, and determines that it has The electronic device according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a unique keyword group corresponding to the time is displayed. The keyword group storage means includes identification information for identifying the time of each keyword, and the keyword group display means determines a priority order of presentation of keywords included in the keyword group based on the identification information. Item 5. The electronic device according to Item 1, 2, 3 or 4. The electronic device includes search result display means for displaying a search result related to the map name searched by the search means on a display, and the search result display means includes information on a location to which the input map name belongs. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the result is preferentially displayed. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an in-vehicle navigation device having a navigation function. A method for searching for information related to a map name included in a map displayed on a display,
Inputting a map name on the map displayed on the display;
Displaying a group of keywords related to the input map name;
Selecting at least one keyword from the keyword group;
A method for searching for a map name, comprising: searching information related to the input map name using the input map name and a selected keyword. The map name searching method according to claim 8, wherein the searching step searches for information from a server connected to the Internet.

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