JP2008309624A - Navigation system, route search server, terminal device, and route search condition setting method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily determine the classification of roads to be used and to set a start point and via-points on the determined roads when specifying desired points on a map to set the start point, via-points and a destination to thereby set route search conditions. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation system 10 comprises a road retrieval means 32 retrieving roads existing within a retrieval distance range by changing the retrieval distance range in sequence around a specified point on a map image displayed on a display means 26, and a retrieval road listing means 33 listing the roads retrieved by the road retrieval means 32 together with road attributes in the order of closest distance from the specified point. The roads listed by the retrieval road listing means 33 are sequentially displayed on the display means 26 in the order of closest distance from the specified point, giving precedence to the road with the predetermined road attribute, and the via-points etc. are set on the road by selecting the roads displayed as the start point or destination or the via-point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a navigation system that sets route search conditions such as a desired departure point, waypoint, and destination, and searches for and guides an optimum route from the departure point to the destination via the waypoint. In particular, specify a desired point on the map, set the starting point, waypoint, and destination, and use it as a route search condition to include a predetermined range of roads that include the point specified on the map. Navigation system and route that can be searched sequentially according to the distance from the point, listed together with attribute information indicating road types such as expressways and ordinary roads, and presented to the user according to a predetermined priority The present invention relates to a search server, a terminal device, and a route search condition setting method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device and a navigation system that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure place to a destination using map data and road data are known. As such a navigation device and navigation system, a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides a route to a driver, a mobile phone is used as a navigation terminal, a route search request is sent to a route search server, and the result is received Communication-type navigation systems that receive route guidance are put into practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  In such a navigation system, at least a starting point and a destination are set as route search conditions. If there is a waypoint to stop by on the way, that point is set as a waypoint, and an optimum route or a plurality of candidate routes from the departure point to the destination via the waypoint is searched. In order to set these points, the route search condition input screen is usually displayed, a method for inputting the name, address (location), and telephone number of the point, and a map on the display screen. A method of selecting a desired point by selecting the cursor is used.

  The starting point, waypoint, and destination are generally set as the location of a specific facility or location of interest (POI), but the link or node on the road closest to the facility or POI. The position may be used as the facility or POI location on the route search. In addition, when moving on a guide route searched by the navigation system using a car as a moving means, whether to use a highway, a toll road, or a general road varies depending on the purpose of travel and the user.

  Therefore, an operation for setting the type of road to be used may be required as one of the route search conditions. There has also been proposed a navigation system that allows a user to set a road type to be used when a departure place and a waypoint are designated on a map and the departure place and a waypoint are set on a road.

  For example, in the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent No. 3861693), a point setting unit for setting a point on a map, a control unit for searching for a road with respect to a point set by the point setting unit, and a searched road Route guidance means for performing route guidance for the vehicle, and when the road searched by the control means is an expressway or a toll road, the control means sets a passing point on the expressway or toll road. An invention of a vehicular navigation device is disclosed in which a selection key and a selection key for not setting are displayed to allow the user to select.

  In this vehicle navigation device, when a desired point is designated on a map displayed on the display screen, a plurality of cursor marks are displayed on a concentric circle, the desired cursor mark is moved, the map is scrolled, and designated. Set a point by placing the cursor on the road at the desired position and selecting it. When the cursor extends over a plurality of roads, the roads may be expressways or toll roads. In this case, whether or not the user sets the expressway or toll road as a desired point is determined. Is configured to query.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-22469), whether or not a special route other than a general road represented by a non-self-propelled route such as a toll road or a ferry is included in the guide route, An invention of a route setting device is disclosed in which the intended guide route can be set by a simple operation. This route setting device calculates a guidance route including a special route, and if the calculated route includes a special route, the route setting device notifies that fact and notifies the special route. It is configured to inquire the user whether it may be included in the route. Also, in this route setting device, the user input to the inquiry is judged and stored, and if there is a route that is not accepted, the cost of the corresponding route is relatively increased and the guidance route is automatically recalculated. It is configured.

JP 2001-165681 A Japanese Patent No. 3861693 (FIG. 7, paragraphs [0023] and [0024]) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-22469 (FIG. 2)

  However, in the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a point is set by moving a desired cursor mark and scrolling the map, placing the cursor on a road at a position to be designated and performing a selection operation. If the cursor crosses a plurality of roads and the roads are expressways or toll roads, the user is inquired whether to set the expressway or toll road as a desired point. Has a problem that only points on the road within a certain range can be selected as a starting point or waypoint.

  In the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3, although not related to point setting, first, a route search including a special route other than a general road represented by a non-self-propelled route such as a toll road or a ferry. If a special route is included in the guidance route obtained as a result of the search, the user is inquired whether to use the special route. If the user does not approve this guidance route, the route cost is adjusted. Since the route is searched again, there is a case where the route search becomes useless and the processing load of the route search increases.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application sequentially searches a predetermined range of roads including a designated point on the map according to the distance from the point, and expressways and general The present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above problems can be solved by listing them together with attribute information indicating road types such as roads and presenting them to users according to a predetermined priority order. Is.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is used when a desired point on a map is specified to set a departure point, a transit point, and a destination, and set as a route search condition. It is an object of the present invention to provide a navigation system that can easily determine a road type and set a starting point and a waypoint on the determined road.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
Route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on route search conditions including at least the departure point and the destination; In a navigation system comprising condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of the above and a display means for displaying a map image,
The navigation system includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point specified on a map image displayed on the display unit and searches for a road existing within the distance range, and a road search unit. Search road listing means for listing the searched roads together with road attributes in the order of distance from the point,
The roads listed by the search road listing unit are displayed on the display unit in order of priority from roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point, and are displayed in the display unit. The road displayed as is selected.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when the road search means searches for the road, the point designated on the map image displayed on the display means is the center. In addition, roads in concentric circles drawn with different radii at predetermined intervals are sequentially searched, and the road search is repeated up to a radius set as an upper limit.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein when the road search unit searches for the road, the point specified on the map image displayed on the display unit is centered. Further, a spiral line is drawn while continuously changing the distance from the center position, roads intersecting with the line are sequentially searched, and the road is searched to a radius set as an upper limit.

  Further, the invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the display means has a road attribute according to a preset road type, in order of increasing distance from the designated point, The display means sequentially displays a road that is a toll road or a road whose road attribute is a general road.

  The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the navigation system includes search condition editing means, and the search condition editing means is included in the display means. When the displayed road is selected, the link or node closest to the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road is designated as either the starting point, destination or waypoint The route search condition is edited as a point.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is
Connected via a network to a terminal device comprising a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including at least one of a departure place, a destination and a waypoint, and a display means for displaying a map image, In a route search server comprising route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on a route search condition including the destination,
The route search server includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point designated on a map image displayed on the display unit, and searches for a road existing within the distance range; a road search unit Search road listing means for listing the roads searched by the road attributes in order of increasing distance from the point,
The road data listed by the search road listing unit is transmitted to the terminal device.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the invention according to claim 6, wherein when the road search means searches for the road, the point specified on the map image displayed on the display means is the center. In addition, roads in concentric circles drawn with different radii at predetermined intervals are sequentially searched, and the road search is repeated up to a radius set as an upper limit.

  The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the invention according to claim 6, wherein when the road search means searches for the road, the point specified on the map image displayed on the display means is the center. Further, a spiral line is drawn while continuously changing the distance from the center position, roads intersecting with the line are sequentially searched, and the road is searched to a radius set as an upper limit.

  The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the route search server includes search condition editing means, and the search condition editing means includes the display means. When the road displayed in is selected, the link or node closest to the specified point among the links or nodes of the selected road is designated as either the starting point, destination or waypoint. The route search condition is edited as a specific point.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is
A route search server provided with route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on a route search condition including at least the departure point and the destination via the network. A terminal device comprising: a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of a departure point, a destination, and a waypoint; and a display means for displaying a map image.
The route search server includes road search means for sequentially searching for roads existing in the distance range by changing the search distance range around a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means,
The terminal device includes a search road listing unit that lists roads searched by the road search unit together with road attributes in order of distance from the point,
The roads listed by the search road listing unit are displayed on the display unit in order of priority from roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point, and are displayed in the display unit. The road displayed as is selected.

  Further, the invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the display means has a highway or road attribute according to a preset road type in descending order of distance from the designated point. The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the display device sequentially displays the road that is a toll road or the road whose road attribute is a general road on the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the invention according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the terminal device includes search condition editing means, and the search condition editing means is displayed on the display means. When a road is selected, among the links or nodes of the selected road, the link or node closest to the specified point is routed as a specified point of either the starting point, the destination, or the waypoint The search condition is edited.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is
Route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to a route search network database based on a route search condition including at least the departure point and the destination; In a route search condition setting method using a navigation system comprising: a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of the above; and a display means for displaying a map image.
The navigation system includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point specified on a map image displayed on the display unit and searches for a road existing within the distance range, and a road search unit. Search road listing means for listing the searched roads together with road attributes in the order of distance from the point,
A road search step in which the road search means searches for a road existing within the distance range by sequentially changing a search distance range around a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means;
A road listing step in which the search road listing means lists roads searched by the road search means together with road attributes in order of distance from the point;
A display step of displaying the roads listed by the search road listing means on the display means with priority given to roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point; Or a selection step of selecting a road displayed as a waypoint.

  The invention according to claim 14 of the present application is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the road search step is centered on a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road. Further, it includes a process of sequentially searching for roads in concentric circles drawn with different radii at predetermined intervals and repeating the search for the roads up to a radius set as an upper limit.

  The invention according to claim 15 of the present application is the invention according to claim 13, wherein the road search step is centered on a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road. A process of drawing a spiral line while continuously changing the distance from the center position, sequentially searching for roads that intersect the line, and searching for the roads up to a radius set as an upper limit. And

  The invention according to claim 16 of the present application is the invention according to claim 13, wherein, in the display step, according to a preset road type, road attributes are arranged in order of distance from the designated point in order of distance from the expressway. It includes a process of sequentially displaying on the display means a road which is a toll road or a road whose road attribute is a general road.

  The invention according to claim 17 of the present application is the invention according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the navigation system includes search condition editing means, and the search condition editing means is included in the display means. When the displayed road is selected, the link or node closest to the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road is designated as either the starting point, destination or waypoint A route search condition setting step for editing a route search condition as a point is provided.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the navigation system sequentially changes the search distance range around a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means and searches for a road existing within the distance range. Search road listing means for listing roads searched by the road search means together with road attributes in the order of the distance from the point, and the roads listed by the search road listing means A road having a predetermined road attribute is preferentially displayed on the display means in order of increasing distance from the designated point, and a road displayed as a starting point, a destination or a waypoint is selected.

  According to such a configuration, a predetermined range of roads including a designated point on the map are sequentially searched according to the distance from the point, and listed together with attribute information indicating a road type such as an expressway or a general road, Therefore, it is possible to easily set a desired point on the desired road as a destination or waypoint.

  Further, in the invention according to claims 2 and 3, in the invention according to claim 1, the road search means is designated on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road. Search for roads in concentric circles drawn with varying radii at predetermined intervals around the point, or continuously from the center position around the point specified on the map image displayed on the display means A spiral line is drawn while changing the distance, and roads intersecting with the line are sequentially searched, and the road is searched to a radius set as an upper limit.

  According to this configuration, a predetermined range of roads including a point designated on the map can be sequentially searched according to the distance from the point.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the display means has a highway or a toll according to a preset road type in the order of distance from the designated point. The display means sequentially displays roads that are roads or roads whose road attributes are general roads.

  According to such a configuration, each road searched in the order closest to the point specified on the map is presented to the user according to a predetermined priority together with the attribute information indicating the road type such as an expressway or a general road, and selected. Therefore, the desired point can be easily set on the desired road as the destination or waypoint.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 5, in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the navigation system includes search condition editing means, and the search condition editing means is displayed on the display means. When the selected road is selected, the link or node closest to the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road is designated as the designated point of the starting point, destination or waypoint. Edit the route search conditions.

  According to such a configuration, each road searched in the order closest to the point specified on the map is presented to the user according to a predetermined priority together with attribute information indicating a road type such as an expressway or a general road, and selected. Since the starting point, destination or waypoint is set on the selected road, a desired point can be easily set on the desired road as the destination or waypoint.

  The inventions according to claims 6 to 9 can provide route search servers constituting the navigation systems according to claims 1 to 3 and 5, respectively, and claims 10 to 10. In the invention according to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to provide a terminal device constituting the navigation system according to the first, fourth, and fifth aspects, respectively. In the inventions according to claims 13 to 17, it is possible to provide a route search condition setting method using the navigation system according to claims 1 to 5, respectively.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiments shown below illustrate a navigation system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and are not intended to specify the present invention for this navigation system. The present invention can be equally applied to navigation systems of other embodiments included in the scope.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a navigation system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation system 10 includes a terminal device 20 and a route search server 30 that are connected via a network 12. The navigation system 10 includes a POI information distribution server 50 that provides detailed information such as the location of POIs (Points of Interest) that belong to various categories, service contents, advertisements, map data, traffic route data, and operation timetables. It includes various information distribution servers 51 that provide data, contents such as music and various images, and other information.

  The route search server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information distribution server 50 or other information distribution server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information distribution server 50 or another information distribution server 51 to obtain a desired search result.

  The navigation system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the route search server 30 may have the function of a map distribution server that distributes the map of the POI location together with the navigation service function. The terminal device 20 can also use a mobile phone, and may be a portable device such as a PDA, a music player, a portable game machine, or a personal computer (PC).

  The route search server 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map database 34 and a route search network database 35. When a route search request is received from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 searches for a route with reference to the route search network database 35. And it has the general navigation function which transmits the guidance route (recommended route) obtained from the result of route search to the terminal device 20. The route search server 30 also includes a POI information database 36 that stores POI information such as the POI location, telephone number, address, and business hours.

  When there is a request for obtaining map data by designating a desired point or POI from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 reads out the corresponding map data by referring to the map database 34 and distributes it to the terminal device 20. When the terminal device 20 requests a route search from the route search server 30 and receives a route guidance service, the terminal device 20 sets a desired departure point and destination in the terminal device 20 as described above, and sends a route to the route search server 30. Send a search request. If there is a stopover point between the departure point and the destination point, the stopover point is also set.

  To set these points, display the route search condition input screen as described above, enter the name, address (location) and phone number of the point, display the map on the display screen, A method of selecting a desired point by selecting the cursor is used. The starting point, waypoint, and destination are generally set as the location of a specific facility or location of interest (POI), but the link or node on the road closest to the facility or POI. The position may be used as the facility or POI location on the route search.

  In the navigation system 10 according to the present embodiment, in addition to a method for displaying a route search condition input screen and inputting a point, an area where the POI is located by specifying a desired area or selecting a POI of interest by performing a POI search. The starting point, the destination, and the waypoint can be designated by designating a desired point on the displayed map.

  When a desired point is specified by operating the cursor on the map displayed on the display unit 26 in the terminal device 20, position information (latitude, longitude) of the specified point is transmitted to the route search server 30. Based on the position information of the designated point, the route search server 30 searches for roads located in the vicinity while expanding the range concentrically or spirally around the position. Then, a road list including the road type of the road is created in order from the specified point.

  When all the roads within a predetermined range centered on the designated point are searched, the route search server 30 transmits the searched road list data to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 is based on the road list received from the route search server 30 in order from the designated point, and for each predetermined road type (highway, toll road, national road, prefectural road, municipal road, etc.). Are weighted and sequentially displayed on the display means.

  The user of the terminal device 20 selects a desired road from the roads that are sequentially displayed. Information on the selected road is transmitted to the route search server 30, and on the road, the link or node closest to the previously specified point is set as the starting point, destination or waypoint, and set on the road. .

  According to such a configuration, the user of the terminal device 20 designates a desired point on the map, and the surrounding roads searched by the route search server 30 are arranged in order from the closest point and the desired road type. Since the roads are displayed in this order, it is possible to easily set the departure point and the waypoint on the road of the desired road type.

  Hereinafter, the navigation system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on specific examples, but before that, the detailed configuration of the navigation system 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the navigation system 10 of FIG. The terminal device 20 is a terminal capable of receiving a navigation service, and includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 21, a GPS reception unit 22, a search request unit 23, a condition setting unit 24, a received data storage unit 25, a display unit 26, and an operation. An input means 27 is provided.

  On the other hand, the route search server 30 includes a control means 301, a communication means 31, a road search means 32, a search road listing means 33, a map database 34, a route search network database 35, a POI information database 36, a search condition editing means 37, A search request storage unit 38 and a route search unit 39 are provided.

  The road search means 32 refers to one or both of the map database 34 and the route search network database 35 based on the position information of the point designated on the map in the terminal device 20, and centered on the position of the point. Then, the roads located in the vicinity are searched while gradually expanding the range concentrically or spirally. This road search can be performed by drawing concentric circles at a predetermined interval from the center position (specified point) and extracting roads contained in the circle, or by changing the distance continuously from the center position. However, a spiral (spiral) line is drawn, and roads intersecting this line are extracted sequentially.

  The search road listing means 33 lists the roads searched by the road search means 32 for each road attribute (road type such as highway, toll road, national road, prefectural road) in the order from the center position. When a road within a predetermined distance range is searched and road listing is completed, road list data is transmitted to the terminal device 20.

  When the terminal device 20 receives road list data from the route search server 30, the terminal device 20 stores the road list in the received data storage unit 25. Based on this road list, weights are assigned in order from the designated point in order closer to the designated point, and for each predetermined road type (highway, toll road, national road, prefectural road, municipal road, etc.) To display.

  The user of the terminal device 20 selects a desired road from the roads that are sequentially displayed. Information on the selected road is transmitted to the route search server 30, and the search condition editing means 37 sets the link or node closest to the previously designated point on the road as the starting point, destination or waypoint. And edit the search condition. The route search means 39 searches for a route by referring to the route search network database 35 in accordance with the route search conditions edited by the search condition editing means 37.

  At this time, the starting point or waypoint of the route search condition is set to a node or link on the road selected by the user in the above-described procedure based on the point designated on the departure map in the terminal device 20. The route searched by the route search means 39 is a route using the road of the road type selected by the user. For example, if a user selects a toll road, a route including a toll road is searched, and if a general road is selected, a route by a general road not including a toll road is searched.

  In the terminal device 20, the control means 201 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 21 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving communication data with the route search server 30 and the like via the network 12.

  The GPS receiving means 22 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and calculates the current position by latitude and longitude. The operation input means 27 is composed of keys, dials and the like, performs input for operating the terminal device 20, and is also used as an input function for a departure place, a destination, and the like. The display means 26 comprises a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and is used for displaying a guidance route, a recommended route, or a map distributed (transmitted) from the route search server 30. The display means 26 also functions as an input means for displaying the menu screen and operating the terminal device 20.

  Guide data such as a guide route and a recommended route transmitted from the route search server 30 to the terminal device 20 is stored in the received data storage unit 25 together with the map data, and the guide data such as the guide route stored in the received data storage unit 25 The map data is read as necessary and displayed on the display means 26.

  3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating an example of a route search condition input screen. The search request unit 23 transmits a route search request to the route search server 30 based on the conditions and operations input by the operation input unit 27. When making a route search request to the route search server 30, as with the general terminal device 20, a desired menu is displayed from the menu displayed on the display unit 26 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 or from the operation input unit. The departure point and destination are set and transmitted to the route search server 30.

  The route search condition input screen 300 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 includes a departure point input field 302, a destination input field 303, a moving means input field 304, and route setting presence / absence input fields 305 and 306, that is, a waypoint setting. Check boxes 305 and 306 for checking whether or not there is a search start button 308 are provided.

  The starting point and destination are set by inputting an address, a telephone number, a station name, a station name such as a building name, a latitude / longitude, or the like in the starting point input field 302 and the destination input field 303. That is, although this input field can be input in free words in principle, it can be set by address, telephone number, POI name, and the like. For these inputs, the results of POI search can be saved and used.

  It is also possible to display the pull-down menu by operating the pull-down buttons in the departure point input field 302 and the destination input field 303 to call and set the route search history and registered points registered in the terminal device 20 so far. With this operation, a map display can be selected to display a map, and a desired point on the map can be designated with a cursor to set a starting point and a destination.

  When setting a waypoint in the route search condition in addition to the departure point and destination, check the check box 305 for the waypoint setting “Yes”. If no waypoint is set, check the “none” check box 306. FIG. 3 shows a case where a waypoint is set, and FIG. 4 shows a case where no waypoint is set.

  If the check box 305 for the setting of the waypoint “Yes” is checked, a transition to the waypoint input screen is made. In the waypoint input screen, selection items to be entered from the map are displayed in addition to the waypoint entry field similar to the departure place entry field 302 and the like. When a map display is selected on this input screen, a map image is displayed on the display means 26, and a desired point can be designated by operating a cursor on the map image.

  When inputting the waypoints and destinations, if the input method to be input from the map is specified, a predetermined range of roads including the specified point on the map are sequentially searched according to the distance from the point, A point setting process according to the present invention is performed, which is listed together with attribute information indicating a road type such as a general road and presented to the user according to a predetermined priority order for selection. Hereinafter, the procedure of this point setting process will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of road search in the road search means 32. In FIG. 5, a map image including roads R1 to R5 is displayed on the display means 26. When a point X is designated by operating the cursor on this map image, the road search means 32 sets a search area like a concentric circle C by sequentially changing the radius r within a predetermined range with the position of the point X as the center. Then, a road in the search area is searched.

  Note that the road search method of the road search means 32 is not limited to the method of searching by setting a concentric area shown in FIG. For example, the point X can be set as the center position, the distance can be continuously changed from the center position, a spiral (spiral) line can be drawn, and roads intersecting the line can be sequentially extracted.

  When the road is searched in this way, the road R3 closest to the point X is searched first, then the road R1 is searched, and then the road R5 is searched. The road search is repeated until the radius reaches a predetermined distance. The searched road data is sent to the search road listing means 33, and is listed together with road attributes in the order of the distance from the point X.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of the road list listed by the search road list forming unit 33 based on the road search result shown in FIG. Each searched road is recorded with a road number, a distance from the point X, a link number, a node number, and a road attribute. The distance from the point X is the distance range (radius rn) from the point X when the road is searched, the link number, and the node number are the link and node of the road included in the distance range from the local point X. Show. The road attribute is an attribute of a searched road (a type of a general road such as a highway, a toll road, and a national road or a prefectural road).

  The search road listing unit 33 transmits this data to the terminal device 20 after the search road list shown in FIG. When receiving the road list data from the route search server 30, the terminal device 20 primarily stores it in the received data storage means 25. Next, the terminal device 20 sequentially displays road data on the display means 26 in order of increasing distance from the point X and in order of priority road attributes based on the road list data temporarily stored in the received data storage means 25. .

  For example, when the road list data is as shown in FIG. 6, when priority is given to an expressway or a toll road, the display means is in the order of the roads R3, R1, and R5 in order of increasing distance from the point X. The roads are displayed in order 26. At this time, the attribute information of the road is also displayed. When priority is not given to a highway or a toll road, roads R1, R5, and R3 are displayed in this order. When the user of the terminal device 20 selects the road displayed on the display means 26 by an operation such as cursor selection, the starting point, destination and waypoint corresponding to the point X are on the link or node of the selected road. Set.

  That is, the information on the road selected on the display screen is transmitted from the terminal device 20 to the route search server 30. When the route search server 30 receives this road information from the terminal device 20, the search condition editing means 37 Is set on the link or node of the road selected in the terminal device 20.

  The link or node set as the starting point, the destination, or the waypoint can be determined by various methods. The node in this case can be set as a virtual node in the middle of the link. For example, a link including a position where a concentric circle or a spiral line drawn by the road search means 32 at the time of road search intersects the searched road, or a position where a perpendicular is dropped on the searched road is set as a virtual node. It is possible to adopt a method, a link including a position where a perpendicular is drawn from the point X on the searched road, or a method of setting a position where a perpendicular is dropped on the searched road as a virtual node.

  The road data displayed on the display means 26 may be displayed as text, or may be highlighted so as to be different from other roads such as the color and thickness of the road on the corresponding map. The priority road attribute may be specified on the search condition input screen shown in FIG. 3, or it is set so that a highway and a toll road are given priority by default, and the user particularly wants to change the default value. In this case, a setting screen may be displayed so that the setting can be arbitrarily changed.

  In the route search server 30, when route search conditions such as the departure point, destination, and waypoint are set as described above, the route search means 39 refers to the route search network database 35 and determines from the departure point to the destination. Search the route to. The guidance route data obtained as a result of the route search is sent to the terminal device 20 together with guidance data for turning left and right and guidance point data. Based on these data, the terminal device 20 displays the guidance route data on a map, outputs a left / right turn guidance at a predetermined guidance point, and provides route guidance to the user.

  Next, the concept of route search in the route search server 30 will be described. The route search network database 35 stores road network data for searching for a travel route by foot or car and traffic network data for searching for a travel route using public transportation. The route search means 39 refers to the route search network database 35 and searches for a route by walking or a car or a route using both walking and transportation.

  The road network data is structured as follows. For example, when the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 7, the end points, intersections, and bending points of the roads A, B, and C are used as nodes, and the roads connecting the nodes are directed links. Link cost data with node data (node latitude / longitude), link data (link number) and link cost of each link (link distance or time required to travel the link) as data Composed.

  That is, in FIG. 7, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, and Nm (◎ mark) indicates a road intersection. Directional links connecting the nodes are indicated by arrow lines (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the road, but in FIG. 7, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When route search is performed using such road network data as a route search database, links linked from the starting node to the destination node are traced to accumulate the link cost, thereby minimizing the accumulated link cost. Search and guide the route. That is, in FIG. 7, when a route search is performed with the departure point as the node AX and the destination as the node CY, the road travels from the node AX along the road A, turns right at the second intersection, enters the road C, and reaches the node CY. The link cost is accumulated sequentially, and a route that minimizes the accumulated link cost is searched for and guided.

  Although other routes from the node AX to the node CY are not shown in FIG. 7, there are actually other such routes, so that a plurality of routes that can be reached from the node AX to the node CY are displayed. A search is performed in the same manner, and a route with the lowest link cost is determined as the optimum route. This method is performed by, for example, a known method called the Dijkstra method.

  The map data stored in the map database 34 is composed of unit map data divided by a predetermined latitude / longitude range as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the map data is divided into map areas in units of predetermined latitude and longitude, and is configured as mesh unit map data M11 to M33. When distributed to the terminal device 20, the unit map data M21, M23, M12, and M32 adjacent to the unit map data M22 including the current position PP of the terminal device 20 in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction are centered. , M11, M13, M31, and M33, a total of nine unit maps are distributed.

  When the terminal device 20 moves and the map data is insufficient, the moving direction of the terminal device 20 is determined, and the route search server 30 distributes the insufficient unit map data. The same applies when the terminal device 20 makes a distribution request for map data by designating a specific point or POI (Point of Interest) position. The guide route data is distributed to the terminal device 20 together with the vector map data. The terminal device 20 thus receives the map data and the guidance route data from the route search server 30 and displays the map image and the guidance route image on the display means 26.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a point setting procedure in the navigation system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In step S101, the terminal device 20 inputs a starting point and a destination using the search condition input screen shown in FIG. At this time, a transit point is also input if necessary. As described above, when inputting a point, a point registered in the terminal device 20 or a POI search result can be used. It is also possible to designate a desired area, display a map, and designate a point on the map.

  When map display is requested for point input, a map image of the desired area is displayed on the display means 26 in the process of step S102. When a desired point is specified in the process of step S103 using the map image displayed on the display means 26, the position information of the specified point is transmitted to the route search server 30.

  When the route search server 30 receives the position information of the point designated on the map from the terminal device 20, for example, the position information of the point X in FIG. 5, the road search means 32 has a predetermined range within the procedure described in FIG. 5. A road is searched (step S104). When the road search by the road search means 32 is completed, the searched road data is sent to the search road listing means 33, and the road data is listed in the order described in FIG. 6 (step S105). The road list data is transmitted from the route search server 30 to the terminal device 20.

  When receiving the road list data from the route search server 30, the terminal device 20 primarily stores this data in the received data storage means 25. Then, it is determined whether or not the highway priority is set in the process of step S106. If it is determined that the expressway priority is set in this determination process, the terminal device 20 proceeds to the process of step S107, and in order from the closest to the point X (see FIG. 5), the road attribute is the expressway or toll. The road data is displayed on the display means 26 in order from the road that is the road.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that the highway priority is not set, the terminal device 20 proceeds to the process of step S108, and the road attributes are in order from the point X (see FIG. 5). The road data is displayed on the display means 26 in order from the road that is a general road.

  Next, the terminal device 20 proceeds to the process of step S109, and determines whether or not a selection operation (selection operation with a cursor) has been performed on the road displayed on the display means 26. If it is determined in this determination process that the road selection operation has not been performed, the terminal device 20 returns to the process of step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination process of step S109 that a road selection operation has been performed, the terminal device 20 transmits information on the selected road to the route search server 30.

  When the route search server 30 receives the information of the selected road from the terminal device 20, in the process of step S110, the search condition editing unit 37 sets the point X (see FIG. 5) on the selected road. Set as destination or waypoint.

  As described above in detail, according to the navigation system 10 according to the present invention, a predetermined range of roads including a point designated on a map are sequentially searched according to the distance from the point, and an expressway or general road is searched. It is easy to set a desired point as a destination or waypoint on a desired road because it is listed with attribute information indicating the road type, etc., and presented to the user according to a predetermined priority order. Will be able to.

  In the above embodiment, the communication type navigation system 10 including the route search server 30 and the terminal device 20 has been described. However, the search road listing unit 33 and the search condition editing unit provided in the route search server 30 are described. 37 may be configured to be provided in the terminal device 20, and the route search server 30 may be configured to sequentially transmit road data obtained by searching the road by the road search means 32 to the terminal device 20. In addition, the navigation system of the present embodiment may be a stand-alone navigation device that has the functions of the route search server 30 integrated with the terminal device 20.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a communication type navigation system but also to an in-vehicle navigation system that operates stand-alone. In addition to navigation systems that guide the route traveled by automobile, network data and timetable data for public transportation are accumulated, and applied to a navigation system that comprehensively guides the route traveled by automobile or on foot and by transportation. You can also

1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a navigation system according to Example 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the navigation system concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen for inputting a route search condition in a terminal device, and is a figure which shows the example of the input screen in the case of setting a waypoint. It is a figure which shows an example of the input screen for inputting a route search condition in a terminal device, and is a figure which shows the example of an input screen when not setting a waypoint. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the road search in a road search means. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the road list which a search road list making means produces based on the result of a road search. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the data of a road network. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of map data. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the point setting in the navigation system concerning Example 1 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Navigation system 12 ... Network 20 ... Terminal device 201 ... Control means 21 ... Communication means 22 ... GPS reception means 23 ... Search request means 24 ··· Condition setting means 25 ··· Received data storage means 26 ··· Display means 27 ··· Operation input means 30 ··· Route search server 301 ··· Control means 31 ··· Communication means 32... Road search means 33... Search road listing means 34... Map database 35... Route search network database 36. Search condition editing means 38... Search request storage means 39.

Claims (17)

Route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on route search conditions including at least the departure point and the destination; In a navigation system comprising condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of the above and a display means for displaying a map image,
The navigation system includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point specified on a map image displayed on the display unit and searches for a road existing within the distance range, and a road search unit. Search road listing means for listing the searched roads together with road attributes in the order of distance from the point,
The roads listed by the search road listing unit are displayed on the display unit in order of priority from roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point, and are displayed in the display unit. A navigation system characterized by selecting a road displayed as.   When searching for the road, the road search means sequentially searches for roads in concentric circles drawn with a radius changed at a predetermined interval around a designated point on the map image displayed on the display means. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the road search is repeated up to a radius set as an upper limit.   The road search means draws a spiral line while continuously changing the distance from the center position around the designated point on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road, The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein roads intersecting with the line are sequentially searched, and the roads are searched up to a radius set as an upper limit.   In accordance with a preset road type, the display means sequentially displays the roads whose road attributes are highways or toll roads, or roads whose road attributes are general roads, in order of increasing distance from the designated point. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the navigation system displays the information on a means.   The navigation system includes search condition editing means, and when the road displayed on the display means is selected, the search condition editing means is the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road. 5. The route search condition is edited with a link or node having a closest distance from a specified point as a starting point, a destination, or a waypoint, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Navigation system. Connected via a network to a terminal device comprising a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including at least one of a departure place, a destination and a waypoint, and a display means for displaying a map image, In a route search server comprising route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on a route search condition including the destination,
The route search server includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point designated on a map image displayed on the display unit, and searches for a road existing within the distance range; a road search unit Search road listing means for listing the roads searched by the road attributes in order of increasing distance from the point,
A route search server, wherein the road data listed by the search road listing means is transmitted to the terminal device.   When searching for the road, the road search means sequentially searches for roads in concentric circles drawn with a radius changed at a predetermined interval around a designated point on the map image displayed on the display means. The route search server according to claim 6, wherein the search for the road is repeated up to a radius set as an upper limit.   The road search means draws a spiral line while continuously changing the distance from the center position around the designated point on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road, The route search server according to claim 6, wherein roads intersecting with the line are sequentially searched, and the roads are searched up to a radius set as an upper limit.   The route search server includes search condition editing means, and when the road displayed on the display means is selected, the search condition editing means is selected from the link or node of the selected road. 9. The route search condition is edited by using a link or node closest to the point as a designated point of either a starting point, a destination, or a waypoint, according to any one of claims 6 to 8. The described route search server. A route search server provided with route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to route search network data based on a route search condition including at least the departure point and the destination via the network. A terminal device comprising: a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of a departure point, a destination, and a waypoint; and a display means for displaying a map image.
The route search server includes road search means for sequentially searching for roads existing in the distance range by changing the search distance range around a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means,
The terminal device includes a search road listing unit that lists roads searched by the road search unit together with road attributes in order of distance from the point,
The roads listed by the search road listing unit are displayed on the display unit in order of priority from roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point, and are displayed in the display unit. A terminal device characterized by selecting a road displayed as.   In accordance with a preset road type, the display means sequentially displays the roads whose road attributes are highways or toll roads, or roads whose road attributes are general roads, in order of increasing distance from the designated point. The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the terminal device is displayed on the means.   The terminal device includes search condition editing means, and when the road displayed on the display means is selected, the search condition editing means is the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road. The terminal device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a route search condition is edited with a link or node having a closest distance from a specified point as a starting point, a destination, or a waypoint. Route search means for searching for a guide route from the departure point to the destination by referring to a route search network database based on a route search condition including at least the departure point and the destination; In a route search condition setting method using a navigation system comprising: a condition setting means for setting a route search condition including any of the above; and a display means for displaying a map image.
The navigation system includes a road search unit that sequentially changes a search distance range around a point specified on a map image displayed on the display unit and searches for a road existing within the distance range, and a road search unit. Search road listing means for listing the searched roads together with road attributes in the order of distance from the point,
A road search step in which the road search means searches for a road existing within the distance range by sequentially changing a search distance range around a point designated on the map image displayed on the display means;
A road listing step in which the search road listing means lists roads searched by the road search means together with road attributes in order of distance from the point;
A display step of displaying the roads listed by the search road listing means on the display means with priority given to roads having a predetermined road attribute in order of increasing distance from the designated point; Or a selection step of selecting a road displayed as a waypoint, and a route search condition setting method comprising:   The road search step sequentially searches for roads in concentric circles drawn at different intervals with a specified radius centered on a specified point on the map image displayed on the display means when searching for the road. The route search condition setting method according to claim 13, further comprising a process of repeatedly searching for the road up to a radius set as an upper limit.   In the road search step, when searching for the road, a spiral line is drawn while changing the distance continuously from the center position around the point specified on the map image displayed on the display means, The route search condition setting method according to claim 13, further comprising a process of sequentially searching for roads intersecting with the line and searching for the roads up to a radius set as an upper limit.   In the display step, in accordance with a preset road type, the display is sequentially performed from a road whose road attribute is an expressway or a toll road, or a road whose road attribute is a general road, in order of increasing distance from the designated point. 14. The route search condition setting method according to claim 13, further comprising a process of displaying on the means.   The navigation system includes search condition editing means, and when the search condition editing means selects a road displayed on the display means, the designated point among the links or nodes of the selected road. 14. A route search condition setting step of editing a route search condition with a link or node having the shortest distance from a specified point as one of a starting point, a destination, and a transit point. The route search condition setting method according to any one of 16.

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