JP2006184235A - Area guide system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an area guide system with which a user can take a walk in the surrounding area, while going from the present position to the destination. <P>SOLUTION: The area guide system comprises a Web server 10 for transmitting and receiving information from a portable information terminal 40 for reading guideposts retaining the present position information by way of the Internet 30, an electronic map database 22 for administrating electronic maps (22a to 22d), a map engine 23 forming a surrounding map information in the area containing the present point and the destination point, based on the present point information and the destination point information and the electronic maps (22a to 22d), and a dedicated application 11 for obtaining azimuth information from the present point to the destination point, based on the present point information and the destination point information and making it indicated on the portable information terminal 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  This invention allows a user to read a signpost such as an optical code or an IC tag holding current location information indicating a current location in a certain area such as a shopping street or an event venue by a portable information terminal, It relates to a regional guidance system that leads to a desired destination.

  Conventionally, a user reads a signpost composed of optical data displayed on an advertising medium by a portable information terminal, and the portable information terminal decodes the optical data to obtain information on the current position and destination position on which the advertising medium is posted. The data is converted into character data, the portable information terminal transfers the character data to the navigation server via the communication network, and the navigation server transfers the guidance route from the code acquisition position to the destination position to the portable information terminal via the communication network. A route guidance system for transmission has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). According to this route guidance system, the user can reach the destination without hesitation by looking at the route displayed by the portable information terminal.

JP 2002-48586 A

  However, for example, when a tourist association management association or event organizer uses a route guidance system such as Patent Document 1 to provide tourist guidance or event venue guidance, the user simply has to indicate the current location and purpose on the route. Move between two points on the ground. However, from the viewpoint of management associations, it is difficult for users who move between facilities in the area to stroll around the surrounding area, and thus there is a complaint that the local atmosphere cannot be fully known.

  Further, in the route guidance system as in Patent Document 1, for example, in an event venue, a route that the organizer asks the user to visit each event corner is set in advance, and the current location and initial purpose are set on the signpost installed at the entrance. The user can go around each event corner by holding the location information of the event corner that is the ground and installing a signpost that holds the location information of the current location and the next event corner at each event corner. However, from the organizer's point of view, if the user does not take a walk around the event venue just by following the normal route, and the user decides the order of visiting each event corner by his / her own intention, I was dissatisfied with the fact that I couldn't get route guidance anymore because I deviated from the established route, and I couldn't walk freely around the event venue.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a regional guidance system that allows a user to stroll around a surrounding area while heading from the current location to the destination.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the area guidance system according to the present invention reads a signpost holding current location information indicating the location of the current location, and obtains destination information indicating the location of the destination. A communication means for transmitting and receiving information via a communication network, a map management means for managing an electronic map, and peripheral map information of an area including the current location and the destination based on the current location information and the destination information. Map creation means for creating based on the electronic map; and orientation display means for obtaining orientation information from the current location to the destination based on the current location information and the destination information, and displaying on the portable information terminal; The surrounding map information and the direction information are transmitted to the portable information terminal for display.

  According to the above configuration, the user of the portable information terminal communicates information with the regional guidance system via the communication network by reading means that reads the signpost, information display means, information storage means, and the communication network. By using a portable information terminal having a means, it is possible to arbitrarily execute reading of a signpost and input of destination information, confirm the current location with surrounding map information, and further determine the traveling direction from the current location to the destination based on direction information. Check. The user heads to the destination while selecting a course at an intersection or the like by rough judgment based on the direction information. In other words, unlike when moving on a single route, the user deviates from the original route or returns to the opposite direction each time an intersection is turned. You will approach the destination while hanging around. In addition, even if the user greatly deviates from the original route, the user obtains new azimuth information by reading another guidepost, and thus proceeds again from the current location toward the destination. The user repeats this and is guided from the current location to the arbitrarily set destination. Of course, the user can appropriately set the destination during the movement in the area of the surrounding map information, and updates the surrounding map information even when a new destination outside the area of the surrounding map information is set. By doing this, you can stroll around the area while aiming for a new destination.

  Here, the user can immediately grasp the current location by reading the signpost, but the direction of travel indicated by the direction information is actually compared with the displayed surrounding map information and the surrounding scenery. Judgment must be made. Therefore, if the user makes a large mistake in the initial direction of travel from the current location, the user will be lost until another signpost is read. In order to prevent this, in this area guidance system, an electronic compass or the like can be provided in the portable information terminal so that the actual traveling direction is displayed on the information display means together with the direction information. However, with this configuration, a portable information terminal prepared by the user becomes expensive.

  Therefore, in this area guidance system, when the portable information terminal reads installation direction information indicating the installation direction of the signpost on the electronic map, a configuration is adopted in which the read installation direction information is displayed together with the direction information. It is preferable. According to this configuration, the user intuitively understands which direction he / she is standing with reference to the displayed installation direction information. For this reason, it becomes easy for the user to grasp the relative relationship between the azimuth information and his / her direction, and it is difficult to misidentify the traveling direction indicated by the azimuth information. Further, if the installation direction information is held in the signpost in the same manner as the current location information, it can be read by the same reading means.

  Of course, the user who visits the area for the first time feels uneasy about taking a walk by relying only on direction information and surrounding map information because there is no sense of land, so there is a possibility that the guidance service by this area guidance system will not be used. .

  Therefore, the area guidance system includes route search means for searching for route information from the current location to the destination based on the current location information, the destination information, and the electronic map, and is received from the portable information terminal. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which route information searched based on current location information and destination information is transmitted to the portable information terminal and the transmitted route information is displayed. According to this configuration, the user can obtain route information from the current location to the destination at any time by reading the signpost, so that the user can walk around the surrounding area with confidence by knowing the shortest route and the optimum route. Become.

  By the way, this area guidance system installs a signpost that holds the location of the facility as current location information on an advertising medium, a tourist information board, etc., and the user sets destination information as appropriate using a portable information terminal. Used. In such a case, it is easy for a user who visits a use area for the first time to set only a well-known facility as a destination.

  Therefore, in this area guidance system, the guide information of the guidance destination is managed based on the current location information received from the peripheral information management means that manages the identification information held in the guidepost in association with the current location information, and the current location information received from the mobile terminal. It is preferable to employ a configuration including peripheral information search means for searching for guide information associated with the current location information, and transmitting the searched guide information to the portable information terminal for display. According to this configuration, if the signpost setting information of the signpost set up by the regional management association and the guide information such as stores and facilities in the vicinity are registered in advance in the peripheral information management means, the user can As a result of reading the signposts, they will know each facility in the surrounding area in detail and will actively visit them.

  Here, the user can aim for the destination as described above as long as at least the surrounding map information and the direction information can be confirmed at any time.

  Therefore, in this area guidance system, it is preferable to adopt a configuration in which at least the surrounding map information and the direction information among the information displayed on the portable information terminal are stored in the portable information terminal. According to this configuration, the user can display the peripheral map information and the direction information at any time by the portable information terminal, so that a system like a route guidance system using a conventionally known GPS (Global Positioning System) is used. There is no need to communicate frequently with the other side. Therefore, since the user only has to bear the communication cost until the surrounding map information and the direction information are first displayed, the use of the service by this area guidance system is promoted.

  However, if the user deviates from the area of the surrounding map information, the user cannot receive guidance based on direction information or route information until new surrounding map information is acquired.

  Therefore, in this area guidance system, the current location indicated by the current location information read from the signpost is displayed on the display screen of the peripheral map information, and the display screen of the peripheral map information is used for a direction input operation on the portable information terminal. It is preferable to adopt a configuration provided with a current position correction unit that scrolls in response to the marker and moves the marker relative to the display screen of the surrounding map information. According to this configuration, the user corrects the current location on the display screen of the peripheral map information according to the progress state by performing a direction input operation on the portable information terminal while comparing the surrounding scenery and the peripheral map information. be able to. For this reason, it grasps one's position on the peripheral map information and immediately understands that it has arrived at the region boundary of the peripheral map information. Therefore, the user is prevented from departing from the area of the surrounding map information.

  Also, if the user cannot grasp the installation status of the signpost in the area of the surrounding map information, he / she will look around for the signpost when he / she gets lost, so he / she cannot take a walk in peace.

  Therefore, the area guidance system includes signpost management means for managing signpost setting information including the identification information and current location information, and the signpost setting information including current location information located in the area of the surrounding map information is stored in the portable information system. If a configuration is adopted in which the signpost installation position is displayed on the surrounding map information based on the transmitted signpost installation information transmitted to the information terminal, the user can grasp all the signpost installation positions in the surrounding area. You can walk around the area with confidence. In addition, the user comes to consider the distribution of installed signposts when determining the direction of travel. For this reason, a regional management association or the like that installs a signpost can guide a user to an area that he / she wants to walk or move away from an area he / she does not want to approach.

  Here, when there is a replacement of a store or the like, the regional management association or the like gets lost in the user unless the installed signpost and guide information are updated quickly.

  Therefore, in this area guidance system, the electronic map is displayed on an information terminal connected via the communication network, and the signpost setting information is displayed based on the position information specified on the display screen of the electronic map. It is preferable to adopt a configuration including signpost creation means that registers in the management means and causes the information terminal to create a signpost that holds the registered signpost installation information. According to this configuration, the regional management association, etc. can quickly create a new signpost by using the information terminal and install it in the surrounding area, and register the signpost setting information of the signpost in the signpost management means. In addition, the time difference between the registration of the signpost setting information to the signpost management means and the setting of a new signpost can be greatly reduced.

  Further, in this area guidance system, the electronic map is displayed on the information terminal connected via the communication network, the signpost setting information registered in the signpost management means is displayed on the display screen of the electronic map, It is preferable to employ a configuration including guide information registration means for associating the signpost setting information specified on the display screen with the guide information input to the information terminal and registering it in the peripheral information management means. According to this configuration, the regional management association and the like can quickly update the guide information registered in the peripheral information management means by using an information terminal. The time difference from the registration of the signpost setting information to the management means can be almost eliminated.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a regional guidance system that allows a user to stroll around the surrounding area while heading from the current location to the destination.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 conceptually shows the overall configuration of the area guidance system and its connection status according to the embodiment. This area guidance system guides the user from the current location to the desired destination based on the current location information held in the signposts installed in the city area, underground mall, in the facility and the destination information set in advance. It consists of a Web server 10 and a database server 20. The Web server 10 functions as a communication unit that transmits and receives information between the portable information terminal 40 and the information terminal 50 via the Internet 30 as a communication network, and the database server 20 transmits information to and from the Web server 10. Send and receive.

  The signpost is composed of a QR code display, and is composed of, for example, a ceramic label on which the QR code is printed, an advertising medium, or a monitor that displays the QR code.

  As conceptually shown in FIG. 2, the signpost includes name information (in front of the station A), latitude information (N124...) Indicating the position of the current location to be installed, current location information including longitude information (E487...) Identification information (wgs84) uniquely given for each guidepost, installation direction information (west) indicating the installation direction, and a URL address (http: // WWW...) On the Internet 30 of the Web server 10 Hold. The current location information includes geodetic system information (geo) indicating which geodetic system is used because the geodetic system differs depending on the manufacturer of the electronic map. The signpost installation direction is the direction that the user faces when facing the signpost.

  The identification information is used as an index or the like for identifying a signpost at the time of information search in the case of internal processing of the regional guidance system, information communication with a portable information terminal, or in conjunction with other regional systems.

  The information held by the signpost is converted into a QR code after the original data is encoded or encrypted by a known method in order to prevent unauthorized connection to the regional guidance system.

  The portable information terminal 40 includes a mobile phone terminal, and includes a software storage area 41a and a data storage area 41b in addition to a communication function for transmitting / receiving information to / from the Web server 10 via the Internet 30. A storage unit 41 is included. Browsers are stored in advance in the software storage area 41a. The portable information terminal 40 stores software received via the Internet 30 in the software storage area 41a, and an information processing function is added or expanded by the software.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the portable information terminal 40 includes a CCD camera 42 capable of reading a guidepost, an information display means 43 comprising a main monitor, a key group 44 comprising information input means and operation means. If a QR code decoding function and a decoding function for decoding the decoded code are added, it becomes a reading means for reading a signpost.

  The destination information indicates the position of the destination, and includes latitude information, longitude information, and geodetic system information, as with the current location information, and is set based on the operation of the portable information terminal 40 by the user.

  The information terminal 50 has a function of connecting to the Internet 30, a browser, information display means, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the information terminal 50 is connected to a printer 60, and controls the printer 60.

  The Web server 10 stores dedicated software 11, downloads the dedicated software 11 in response to a request from the portable information terminal 40, and expands the function of the portable information terminal 40.

  The dedicated software 11 causes the information display means 43 to display the code decoding function for decoding and decoding the QR code and the information transmitted from the system side and the information read from the guidepost on the downloaded portable information terminal 40. Function expansion including a display function, a direction display function as a direction display means, and a current position correction function as a current position correction means is executed, and information processing on the system side and information processing on the portable information terminal 40 side are linked.

  The Web server 10 stores code generation software 12 as signpost creation means and information registration support software 13 as guide information registration means, and requests the functions of both software from the portable information terminal 40 and the information terminal 50. It comes to be used according to.

  The database server 20 includes a user database 21, an electronic map database 22 as map management means, a map engine 23 as map creation means, a route search engine 24 as route search means, and signpost management as signpost management means. It has a database 25, a peripheral information database 26 as peripheral information management means, and an information search engine 27 as peripheral information search means.

  The user database 21 manages user identification information, login information, information transmitted / received between the terminal and the system, usage history, and the like for each portable information terminal 40 and information terminal 50, from the portable information terminal 40 and the information terminal 50. The received current location information and destination information are registered in the current location table and the destination table, respectively. The current location information and destination information registered in both tables are used as in-system processing as well as CRM (Customer Relationship Management) customer information.

  The electronic map database 22 manages an electronic map composed of ground map information 22a, underground map information 22b, facility premises information 22c, and three-dimensional map information 22d, and optimum route information 22e. The ground map information 22a is an electronic map of the ground, the underground map information 22b is an electronic map of the underground shopping mall, the facility premises information 22c is an electronic map of the facility cross-sectional structure display, and the three-dimensional map information is an electronic map of the facility three-dimensional structure display. . The optimum route information 22d is obtained by patterning the shortest route between two points set in advance on each electronic map.

  Between each electronic map, in order to realize the display including the route via the ground-underground, the ground-facility, and the facility-underground, the pedestrian bridge, underpass, elevator, etc. Positions in structures such as doorways are associated by latitude information, longitude information, and geodetic system information. Each electronic map has a map code that uniquely identifies the segmented area and coordinate axis information that identifies position coordinates in each area.

  Based on the current location information and the destination information, the map engine 23 creates peripheral map information of an area including the current location and the destination based on the electronic map. Specifically, the map engine 23 has a function of converting each piece of map information in the electronic map database 22 into a vector map format and a raster map format. It is designed to create according to. Also, the map engine 23 stores a plurality of types of map information such as map information for displaying an area of a certain radius around the current location based on the current location information, map information combined with moving image information and photo information, and the like in the electronic map database 22. It is created using the stored map information or using information acquired from the outside via the Internet 50.

  The route search engine 24 searches for route information from the current location to the destination based on the current location information, the destination information, and the electronic map. Specifically, the route search engine 24 searches the optimum route information 22d for route information between two points that matches the latitude information, longitude information, and geodetic system information of the current location information and the destination information, In this case, the shortest route information between the current location and the destination is created from each map information by a conventionally known process.

  The signpost management database 25 manages signpost installation information including an identification code held in the signpost and current location information.

  The peripheral information database 26 manages guide destination guide information in association with the guidepost installation information. The guide information includes store registration information 26a, facility information 26b, and area information 26c, and is managed based on attribute classification information indicating the attribute of the guide destination. Here, the attributes of the guidance destination include the type of business, the type of facility, and the like. The guide information includes text indicating the name of the guidance destination, location information indicating the location of the guidance destination on the electronic map, image information showing the guidance destination, URL information of the Internet site established by the guidance destination, and issuing the guidance destination. Includes electronic coupons, information on banner advertisements for guidance, etc.

  The information search engine 27 searches the peripheral information database 26 for guide information associated with the current location information based on the current location information received from the mobile terminal 40.

  In the following, the operation of this regional guidance system will be described in accordance with each stage of implementing the regional guidance service using the signposts distributed in the region. First, the operation at the stage where the user of the information terminal 50 registers the guide information in the peripheral information database 26 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows, as an example, a flow in the case where the information terminal user who uses this service for the first time registers the store registration information 26a at the stage of registering the guide information. In addition, the signpost setting information of the signposts already installed in the area is registered in the signpost management database 25.

  First, the information terminal 50 is connected to the Web server 10 (S1). When the information registration support software 13 is activated by the browser of the information terminal 50, the Web server 10 transmits a display screen of the information registration support software 13 to the information terminal 50 (S2). When receiving the personal information and the member information from the information terminal 50, the Web server 10 performs user registration in the user database 25 based on the received information (S3), and assigns a login ID and a password (S4).

  Next, the information registration support software 13 transmits an electronic map and displays it on the information terminal 50. The user designates the location of the store or the like on the display screen of the electronic map using the information terminal 50. The information registration support software 13 transmits the map code and coordinate axis information of the position on the designated electronic map to the information terminal 50, and uses the received position information as location information (S5).

  The information registration support software 13 searches the guidepost management database 25 for the guidepost installation information including the current location information closest to the location information, and associates the corresponding guidepost installation information with the location information (S6).

  Next, the information registration support software 13 displays the attribute classification information on the information terminal 50, transmits the selected attribute classification information to the information terminal 50, and generates the received guide information including the attribute classification information and the location information in the vicinity. The information is registered in the information database 26, and the association information in (S6) is registered in the guidepost management database 25 (S7).

  Next, when the information registration support software 13 causes the information terminal 50 to transmit text information indicating the name of the input guidance destination or the like (S8), and causes the information terminal 50 to transmit additional information such as the input electronic coupon or the like. (S9) A sequence number as unique identification information is assigned as the store registration information 26a (S10), and these are registered in the peripheral information database 26 (S11). Even when the portable information terminal 40 is used, the store registration information 26a is registered in the same manner as heretofore.

  The information registration support software 13 creates a QR code from the guide information in (S7) and transmits it to the information terminal 50. The user prints the QR code transmitted to the information terminal 50 on an advertising medium or the like by the printer 60 (S12), and publishes / distributes it (S13). Note that a new QR code obtained by removing the installation direction information from the QR code of the signpost associated in (S6) can be created and transmitted to the information terminal 50.

  Next, the operation of the stage where the user of the information terminal 50 creates a signpost and registers it in the signpost management database 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the information terminal 50 is connected to the Web server 10 (S21). When the code generation software 12 is activated by the browser of the information terminal 50, the Web server 10 transmits a display screen of the code generation software 12 to the information terminal 50. The code generation software 12 displays the display screen 70 on the information terminal 50 (S22). As shown in FIG. 6, the display screen 70 includes an orientation input unit 71, a generated code display unit 72, and an electronic map display unit 73.

  Next, the code generation software 12 registers the name information of the signpost input to the information terminal 50 in the signpost management database 25 as signpost setting information (S23). Next, when any direction is designated from the direction input unit 71 of the display screen 70, the code generation software 12 transmits the designated direction to the information terminal 50, and uses the received position information as installation direction information. Register in the management database 25 (S24). Here, the installation direction information is indicated by 8 directions. Usually, the display direction of the electronic map on the ground is a direction in which north is upward. In this case, when the user faces the south side when the QR code printing surface and the user face each other, the signpost installation direction is displayed downward.

  The code generation software 12 causes the information terminal 50 to transmit the map code of the position specified on the electronic map display unit 73 and the coordinate axis information, and register the received position information in the signpost management database 25 as current location information (S25).

  The code generation software 12 commands the code generation of the signpost setting information registered so far (S26). Then, the signpost setting information is encoded / encrypted (S27), the sequence number and URL information as identification information unique to the signpost setting information is automatically given (S28), and the signpost setting information code is provided. Is generated, and the generated code is transmitted to the information terminal 50 and displayed on the generated code display unit 72 (S29).

  The user prints the generated generated code on a label or the like by the printer 60 to create a signpost and installs it in an urban area or the like (S30).

  Next, the operation at the stage where the user of the portable information terminal 40 uses the regional guidance service will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the user sees the URL address of the Web server 10 published in a tourism guide magazine or the like as a connection destination to the regional guidance system, and connects the portable information terminal 40 to the Web server 10 (S100). The Web server 10 downloads the dedicated application 11 to the portable information terminal 40 and expands the function of the portable information terminal 40. Thereby, the portable information terminal 40 has a QR code decoding function and a decoding function for decoding the decoded code, and can read information held by the signpost taken by the CCD camera 42 (S101).

  Now, assume that the user is at the current location 81 shown in FIG. The user launches the dedicated application 11 incorporated in the portable information terminal 40, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the signpost installed on the power pole of the current location 81 is imaged with the CCD camera 42, the QR code is decoded, When the decrypted code is decrypted (S102), the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side automatically connects the portable information terminal 40 to the Web server 10 using the URL address held by the signpost, and transmits the read current location information. The Web server 10 registers the received current location information in the current location table of the user database 21. Here, when the Web server 10 receives a request from the portable information terminal 40, the Web server 10 causes the map engine 23 to create map information of an area having a constant radius centered on the current location, and transmits the map information to the portable information terminal 40. 8A is displayed on the display unit 43 together with a marker (not shown) indicating the current location 81 (S103).

  Further, when the Web server 10 receives a peripheral information search request from the portable information terminal 40, the Web server 10 causes the information search engine 27 to search the peripheral information database 26. The information search engine 27 acquires the current location information registered in the current location table of the user database 21 and searches for relevant guide information based on the input conditions from the portable information terminal 40. At this time, the information search engine 27 acquires guide information associated with the guidepost from the peripheral information database 26. The Web server 10 transmits the guide information received from the information search engine 27 to the portable information terminal 40, and the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays the received guide information 82 as the display means 43 as shown in FIG. (S104).

  When the user operates the portable information terminal 40 to select one of the guidance destinations, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side transmits the guide information to the Web server 10 as destination information, and the Web server 10 receives the received purpose. The location information is registered in the destination table of the user database 21 (S105). When the user reads the QR code printed on the advertising medium or the like posted / distributed in (S13) with the portable information terminal 40, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side uses the location information included in the QR code as the purpose. It transmits to the Web server 10 as location information. Note that the processing of (S103) and (S104) and the processing of (S105) may be out of order.

  Then, the map engine 23 acquires current location information and destination information from both tables of the user database 21, and creates surrounding map information. In this example, the map engine 23 uses the map information to create raster-type peripheral map information of an area having a margin of at least 1 to 2 blocks around both points on the ground.

  Here, one block is a region surrounded by a walking path in a direction orthogonal to the direction parallel to the display direction of the electronic map. For example, by using a map code of an electronic map or the like, in planar map information (ground map information 22a and underground map information 22b), one block can be determined based on a line and a vertical system. In the map information (facility premises information 22c and 3D map information 22d), one block can be determined based on the floor and the hierarchy.

  The Web server 10 transmits the surrounding map information created by the map engine 23 to the portable information terminal 40, and acquires signpost setting information including current location information located in the area of the surrounding map information from the signpost management database 25. The dedicated application 11 on the terminal side transmits the information to the portable information terminal 40 and causes the display means 43 to display the received surrounding map information with the display direction (north) of the electronic map facing upward.

  In the case of peripheral map information based on the ground map information 22a, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays the current location marker 90 and the destination marker 91 in an overlapping manner on the display screen of the peripheral map information as illustrated in FIG. In this case, display is performed in accordance with the screen size of the display means 43 so that both points are included.

  Here, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side causes the key group 44 to function as eight-direction direction input means using the current position correction function, scrolls the display screen of the peripheral map information in accordance with this direction input operation, and displays the display means. By displaying the current location marker 90 at a fixed point at the 43 screen coordinates, the current location marker 90 is moved relative to the display screen of the surrounding map information. When the area boundary of the peripheral map information is displayed on the display means 43 by the above scrolling, the outside of the area is displayed in black. Further, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side determines whether or not the current location marker 90 is outside the region of the peripheral map information from the initial coordinate information of the current location marker 90 and the scroll movement information of the peripheral map information, and goes out of the region. If it is determined that the portable information terminal 40 has been activated, the vibration function and the sound effect function of the portable information terminal 40 are activated, and a message prompting the re-acquisition of the surrounding map information is displayed on the display means 43 (S106).

  Next, when receiving a route search request from the portable information terminal 40, the Web server 10 causes the route search engine 24 to search. The route search engine 24 acquires current location information and destination information from the current location table and destination table of the user database 21, searches the electronic map database 22, acquires or creates route information, and passes it to the Web server 10. The Web server 10 transmits the received route information to the portable information terminal 40, and the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays the received route information 92 superimposed on the display screen of the peripheral diagram information as shown in FIG. It is displayed on the means 43. (S107).

  Further, the dedicated application 11 on the Web server 10 side obtains direction information from the current location to the destination based on the read current location information and the set destination information, and transmits this orientation information to the portable information terminal 40 for display. It is displayed on the means 43.

  Here, the azimuth information is obtained through the stage shown in FIG. 10 by the azimuth display function of the dedicated application 11. First, the dedicated application 11 acquires current location information and destination information from the current location table and the destination table of the user database 21 (S31). Next, the display direction of the peripheral map information is acquired and set as the reference direction of the direction (S32). Next, a vector from the current location to the destination is obtained. This vector is calculated by a known algorithm from the coordinates (latitude / longitude) of the current location information and the coordinates (latitude / longitude) of the destination information. In the same manner as described in the step (S24), the obtained vector is displayed on the display means 43 based on the reference direction of the azimuth (S34).

  An example of this orientation display is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the display of the surrounding map information is omitted. As shown in FIG. 11, the azimuth display is an installation direction display composed of an installation direction arrow based on the display direction of the surrounding map information based on the current location marker 100 and the installation direction information of the signpost read by the portable information terminal 40. 101, a destination marker 102, a direction display 103 indicating a direction from the installation direction display 101 to the destination marker 102, a route information display 104, and a radial distance display 105. The dedicated application 11 on the terminal side appropriately deletes the peripheral map information and each of the displays 100 to 105 by a predetermined operation of the key group 44 of the portable information terminal 40 or displays them in combination. Note that the distance information indicated by the radial distance display 105 displays a straight line distance between the two points which is inevitably obtained in the step (S33).

  As another example, FIG. 12 shows a direction display when the user sets a destination in a building facility, reads a guidepost installed at the facility entrance, and acquires surrounding map information. The peripheral map information is map information in a vector format created by the facility map information 22c, and schematically shows a cross-sectional display cut from the front entrance side to the back side of the facility. The azimuth information is obtained as a vector / distance between the front entrance and the destination point in the sectional view. As shown in FIG. 12, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays a schematic structure display 110 of a building, an installation direction display 111, a destination marker 112, and a direction display 113 superimposed on a cross-sectional display.

  As another example, when the user sets a destination in a building facility, reads a guidepost installed at the facility entrance, and acquires surrounding map information, the surrounding map in the vector format created by the three-dimensional map information 22d FIG. 13 shows an azimuth display that is superimposed on the information. The three-dimensional map information 22d is map information to which three-dimensional coordinates are given, and schematically shows a stereoscopic view in which the floor schematic display 115 is drawn with the front entrance display 114 parallel to the installation direction display 111 as the front. In the azimuth information, a vector / distance between the front entrance and the destination point is obtained in three dimensions using three-dimensional coordinates. As shown in FIG. 13, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays the direction arrow 113 from the front entrance display 114 to the destination marker 112 so as to overlap the stereoscopic display (S108).

  When the user obtains the peripheral map information and the direction information, the user disconnects the connection between the portable information terminal 40 and the Web server 10. The terminal-side dedicated application 11 includes information transmitted from the Web server 10 so far, that is, guide information 82 transmitted in (S104), peripheral map information and signpost setting information transmitted in (S106), (S107 ) And the direction information transmitted in (S108) are stored in the data storage area 41b of the portable information terminal 40 and redisplayed on the display means 43 by a predetermined operation of the key group 44 (S109).

  Thereafter, the user uses the function of the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side and aims at the destination while arbitrarily reading the signpost by the portable information terminal 40 in a state independent of the system side. In the middle of this, when the signpost is newly read, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side stores new current location information in the data storage area 41b. Here, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side continues to store past current location information, and updates or cumulatively displays the current location marker on the display means 43 in accordance with a predetermined operation of the key group 44. In addition, when the user performs a predetermined operation with the key group 44, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side displays a signpost on the display screen of the surrounding map information based on the signpost setting information stored in the data storage area 41b in (S109). The installation position of is displayed. Even if it is difficult to find the next signpost, the user can grasp all the signpost installation positions in the surrounding area by looking at this display screen (S110).

  Further, when the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side acquires new current location information, the direction display function is used to update the direction display (S111).

  In addition, when new destination information is set in the area of the stored peripheral map information, the dedicated application 11 on the terminal side updates the direction information in the same manner as in the above steps (S110) and (S111). When new destination information is set outside the area of the peripheral map information, the user is prompted to update the peripheral map information (S112).

  In this embodiment, the above-described configuration can be adopted, but the portable information terminal 40 is incorporated in a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a notebook computer capable of mobile communication, clothes, or a device. It can also be configured from a ubiquitous computing system. Further, the information terminal 50 can be configured from the portable information terminal 40. Each software can be stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and read from there. The sign decoding software for signposts may be standard installed on a mobile phone terminal or the like.

  The portable information terminal 40 includes an electronic map database 22, a map engine 23, a route search engine 24, a guidepost management database 25, a peripheral information database 26, an information search engine 27, and the dedicated application 11. Can be used.

  In the steps (S32) to (S34), the dedicated application 11 causes the current location and the destination to be plotted on the display of the surrounding map information designated by the predetermined operation of the key group 44, and a straight line is drawn between the two points. Can be drawn, this straight line can be displayed as an orientation, and the distance between the two points can be obtained by converting the length of the straight line by the scale of the electronic map.

  In this invention, the signpost may be formed of an independent information body that holds information so as to be readable in a certain manner. For example, an optical code display body such as a barcode or an IC tag can be used for the signpost.

The functional block diagram which shows the area guidance system which concerns on embodiment. The conceptual diagram of the holding information of the signpost used with the area guidance system of FIG. The front view of the portable information terminal connected to the area guidance system of FIG. The partial flow figure which shows the step which registers store information in the area guidance system of FIG. The partial flowchart which shows the step which produces a signpost using the area guidance system of FIG. 1, and registers signpost installation information in a signpost management database. The screen block diagram of the code generation software displayed on an information terminal in FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a regional guidance service using the regional guidance system of FIG. 1. 7A is a screen configuration diagram displayed on the portable information terminal in FIG. 7 (S103), FIG. 7B is a screen configuration diagram when the mobile information terminal reads a signpost in FIG. 102, and FIG. The screen block diagram displayed on an information terminal. The screen block diagram displayed on a portable information terminal in (S106) of FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial flow diagram showing a stage of orientation display in (S108) of FIG. The screen block diagram which shows an example of the azimuth | direction display screen displayed on a portable information terminal in (S108) of FIG. The screen block diagram which shows another example of the direction display screen displayed on a portable information terminal in (S108) of FIG. The screen block diagram which shows the azimuth | direction display screen in case surrounding map information consists of solid map information in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 Web server 11 Dedicated software 12 Code generation software 13 Information registration support software 20 Database server 22 Electronic map database 23 Map engine 24 Route search engine 25 Guidepost management database 26 Peripheral information database 27 Information search engine 30 Internet 40 Mobile information terminal 50 Information terminal

Claims (9)

A communication means that reads a signpost holding current location information indicating the location of the current location, and transmits / receives information via a communication network to / from a portable information terminal that acquires destination information indicating the location of the destination;
Map management means for managing electronic maps;
Map creating means for creating, based on the electronic map, surrounding map information of an area including the current location and the destination based on the current location information and the destination information;
Azimuth display means for obtaining azimuth information from the current location to the destination based on the current location information and the destination information, and displaying on the portable information terminal
A regional guidance system for transmitting and displaying the surrounding map information and the direction information to the portable information terminal.   The regional guidance system according to claim 1, wherein when the portable information terminal reads installation direction information indicating an installation direction of the signpost, the read installation direction information is displayed together with the direction information. Route search means for searching for route information from the current location to the destination based on the current location information, the destination information and the electronic map;
The area guidance system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein route information searched based on current location information and destination information received from the portable information terminal is transmitted to the portable information terminal for display. Peripheral information management means for managing the guide information of the guide destination in association with the identification information and current location information held in the signpost,
Peripheral information search means for searching for guide information associated with the current location information based on the current location information received from the mobile terminal,
4. The regional guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the retrieved guide information is transmitted to the portable information terminal and displayed.   5. The regional guidance system according to claim 1, wherein among the information displayed on the portable information terminal, at least the surrounding map information and the direction information are stored in the portable information terminal.   The current location indicated by the current location information read from the signpost is displayed on the display screen of the surrounding map information with a marker, the display screen of the surrounding map information is scrolled according to a direction input operation on the portable information terminal, and the marker is displayed. The area guidance system according to claim 1, further comprising a current location correction unit that moves relative to the display screen of the surrounding map information. Comprising signpost management means for managing signpost setting information including the identification information and current location information;
The signpost setting information including current location information located in the area of the surrounding map information is transmitted to the portable information terminal, and the signpost setting position is displayed on the surrounding map information based on the transmitted signpost setting information. The regional guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The electronic map is displayed on the information terminal connected via the communication network, and the signpost setting information is registered in the signpost management means based on the position information specified on the display screen of the electronic map, and registered. 8. The area guidance system according to claim 7, further comprising signpost creation means for causing the information terminal to create a signpost that holds signpost installation information.   The electronic map is displayed on the information terminal connected via the communication network, and the signpost setting information registered in the signpost management means is displayed on the display screen of the electronic map, and is designated on the display screen. The regional guidance system according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising guide information registration means for associating signpost installation information and guide information input to the information terminal and registering the information in the peripheral information management means.

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