JP2009031071A - Navigation system, route searching server, terminal device, and route guiding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform guide display of a map, a route, a traveling direction, and the like only at a periphery of a guidance point accompanied by change of the traveling direction, and to perform another display usually. <P>SOLUTION: A guidance edition means 32 defines a branch point where the change of the traveling direction is required in a guide route as a guide point, and edits guidance at the point and a guidance execution point, and a guide route data edition means 33 edits the guide route and guidance related data edited by the guidance edition means 32 into the guide route. A guidance execution point discrimination means 25 discriminates arrival to the guidance execution point, and a guidance point passage discrimination means 26 discriminates whether a prescribed condition is satisfied or not after passing the guidance point. A display control means 28 switches to guide screen display mode when arrival to the guidance point is discriminated, and switches to a non-display mode when the guidance point passage discrimination means 26 discriminates that the prescribed condition is satisfied. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation system, a route search server, a terminal device, and a route guidance method for searching and guiding a route from a desired departure point to a destination, and in particular, a guidance point for guiding a change in a traveling direction. The present invention relates to a navigation system, a route search server, a terminal device, and a route guidance method that display a guidance screen such as a map, a route, and a traveling direction only in the vicinity, and can usually display other screens.

  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.

  In a communication-type navigation system that uses a mobile device such as a mobile phone as a terminal device, map data obtained from a route search server by a user in a passenger seat of an automobile operating the terminal device to access the route search server And a guidance route can be displayed on the display screen, and the route to the destination can be guided to the driver. When the terminal device is used in the passenger seat, observation is not hindered even if a map image or a guide route image is displayed as in a normal navigation device.

  The size of the display screen of the portable device is limited, and the display of the map image and the guide route image is necessarily reduced. For this reason, when such a terminal device is fixed to the vehicle and used by the driver, it is preferable to display the map display and the guidance route display in a manner that allows easy intuitive recognition. For example, the following Patent Document 2 (International Publication No. WO2006 / 072997) discloses a navigation system having a mobile terminal device having different display image modes.

  This portable terminal device has a display operation mode of the drive mode, and when operating in the drive mode, based on the current position detected by the current position detection means and the guidance route data sent from the navigation server, The distance calculation means calculates the distance from the current position to the next guidance point, the image creation means creates a background image and a guidance image (arrow image) to be displayed on the display means, and according to the distance calculated by the distance calculation means Thus, an image having different display colors for the background image is created and displayed.

  Also, the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-5681) has a display mode for different guide images, which is set in advance when one of the display modes is initially set and switched to another display mode during use. A navigation device is disclosed that automatically returns to one of the initially set display modes when a set state is reached.

JP 2001-165681 A International Publication No. WO2006 / 072997 JP 2002-5681 A

  In a navigation system having a plurality of guide image display modes, if the technique of the navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 3 is applied, a state set in advance is set after switching the initially set display mode to another display mode. It is convenient to automatically return to the default display mode.

  By the way, when using a portable device as a terminal device and receiving route guidance of the navigation system at the passenger seat as described above, guidance is displayed by displaying a map image or a guidance route image only when the direction of travel needs to be changed due to a right turn or a left turn. It ’s enough to receive. In a state where there is no need to change the traveling direction, a display image by another application can be displayed on the display screen to operate functions other than the navigation function.

  For example, when a mobile device that is a terminal device has a television broadcast receiving function, the terminal device operator in the passenger seat receives the television broadcast in a state where there is no need to change the traveling direction. Can enjoy. However, the terminal devices disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 have a problem in that other applications cannot be operated during navigation service reception and image display using the applications cannot be performed.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, in the navigation system that searches and guides the route from the desired starting point to the destination, the guidance point that guides the change of the traveling direction. The present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above-mentioned problems can be solved if guidance information such as a map, a route, and a traveling direction is displayed only in the vicinity, and other displays can be normally performed. Is.

  That is, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and displays a map, a route, a direction of travel, etc. only in the vicinity of a guidance point accompanied by a change in the direction of travel, and usually can perform other displays. An object of the present invention is to provide such a navigation system.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
Based on a route search request including a departure place and a destination, route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to route search network data, and display means for displaying the guide route searched by the route search means. In the navigation system provided,
The navigation system has a guide image display mode in which a guide image is displayed on the display means and a non-display mode in which no guide image is displayed, and sets a branch point that requires a change in the traveling direction in the guide route as a guidance point. And a guidance editing means for editing the guidance and guidance execution point at the guidance point, a guidance route searched by the route searching means and the guidance related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data. Data editing means, guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at the guidance execution point, guidance point passage determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing the guidance point, and display control means ,
The display control unit switches to the guide image display mode when the guidance execution point determination unit determines arrival at the guidance point based on the guide route data, displays a guide image on the display unit, and passes the guidance point. When the determining means determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied, the mode is switched to the non-display mode.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the navigation system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the guidance execution points are set, and the guidance image is set as the first display mode at the guidance execution points far from the guidance points, and the guidance At a guidance execution point close to a point, the guide image is set in a second display mode different from the first display mode.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the navigation system according to the second aspect, the display mode of the first guide image is a display mode in which the traveling direction to be changed is displayed on the background image as an arrow. Features.

  The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is characterized in that, in the navigation system according to claim 2, the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode in which at least a guide route is displayed on the map image.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is
Connected via a network to a terminal device having display means for displaying a guidance route received from a route search server, and refers to route search network data based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination. In a route search server having route search means for searching for a route,
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. A terminal device that switches to the guide image display mode, displays a guide image on the display means, and switches to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server characterized by:

  The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the guidance execution points are set, and the guidance image is set as a first display mode at a guidance execution point far from the guidance point, At the guidance execution point close to the guidance point, the guide image is set in a second display mode different from the first display mode.

  The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 6, wherein the display mode of the first guidance image is a display mode in which the traveling direction to be changed is displayed on the background image as an arrow. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the route search server according to claim 6, wherein the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode for displaying at least the guide route on the map image. .

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is
Based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination, the route search server is connected to a route search server having route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to the route search network data, and the route search server In a terminal device having display means for displaying a received guidance route,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server that
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. Switching to the guide image display mode, displaying a guide image on the display means, and switching to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determining means satisfies a predetermined condition.

  The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the terminal device according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of the guidance execution points are set, and the guidance image is set as a first display mode at the guidance execution points far from the guidance points, and the guidance At a guidance execution point close to a point, the guide image is set in a second display mode different from the first display mode.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the terminal device according to the tenth aspect, the display mode of the first guide image is a display mode in which the traveling direction to be changed is displayed on the background image as an arrow. Features.

  The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is characterized in that, in the terminal device according to claim 10, the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode in which at least a guide route is displayed on the map image.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is
Based on a route search request including a departure place and a destination, route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to route search network data, and display means for displaying the guide route searched by the route search means. In the route guidance method in the provided navigation system,
The navigation system has a guide image display mode in which a guide image is displayed on the display means and a non-display mode in which no guide image is displayed, and sets a branch point that requires a change in the traveling direction in the guide route as a guidance point. And a guidance editing means for editing the guidance and guidance execution point at the guidance point, a guidance route searched by the route searching means and the guidance related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data. Data editing means, guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at the guidance execution point, guidance point passage determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing the guidance point, and display control means ,
The display control means switching to the guide image display mode when the guidance execution point determining means determines arrival at a guidance point based on the guide route data, and displaying a guide image on the display means; And a step of switching to the non-display mode when the point passage determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

The invention according to claim 14 is:
Connected via a network to a terminal device having display means for displaying a guidance route received from a route search server, and refers to route search network data based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination. In a route guidance method in a route search server provided with route search means for searching for a route,
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. A terminal device that switches to the guide image display mode, displays a guide image on the display means, and switches to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device It has the step to perform.

The invention according to claim 15 is:
Based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination, the route search server is connected to a route search server having route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to the route search network data, and the route search server In the route guidance method in the terminal device having display means for displaying the received guidance route,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server that
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. Switching to a guide image display mode, displaying a guide image on the display means, and switching to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition. And

  In the invention according to claim 1, the navigation system has a guide image display mode for displaying the guide image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying the guide image, and the guidance editing means changes the traveling direction in the guide route. The guidance point and the guidance execution point are edited as a guidance point, and the guidance route data editing unit edits the guidance route searched by the route searching unit and the guidance edited by the guidance editing unit. Edit related data to guide route data. The guidance execution point determination means determines the arrival at the guidance execution point, and determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after the guidance point passage determination means passes the guidance point. The display control means switches to the guidance image display mode when the guidance execution point determination means determines arrival at the guidance point based on the guidance route data, displays the guidance image on the display means, and the guidance point passage determination means When it is determined that the above condition is satisfied, the mode is switched to the non-display mode.

  According to such a configuration, the user of the terminal device proceeds on the guidance route according to the guidance screen display only after passing the guidance point from the guidance execution point that requires a change in the traveling direction until the predetermined condition is satisfied. At other times, the display means can be used for other purposes. For example, when the terminal device has a television broadcast reception function, the television broadcasting screen can be displayed on the display means and enjoyed. It is suitable for receiving guidance and guiding the driver.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the navigation system according to the first aspect, a plurality of guidance execution points are set, and the guidance image is set as a first display mode at a guidance execution point far from the guidance point. At the near guidance execution point, the guide image is set to a second display mode different from the first display mode.

  In the invention according to claim 3, in the navigation system according to claim 2, the display mode of the first guidance image is a display mode in which the traveling direction to be changed is displayed on the background image as an arrow.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the navigation system according to claim 2, the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode for displaying at least the guide route on the map image.

  According to such a configuration, the guidance execution point is set in several stages according to the distance to the guidance point, and the guidance image display mode by the arrow is used while the distance to the intersection as the guidance point is long. When the distance to the intersection is short, it is possible to use the display mode of the guidance image based on the map image or the display mode of the guidance image based on the enlarged display image of the intersection that is the guidance point. This makes it easy to understand the direction of travel at the intersection.

  In the inventions according to claims 5 to 8, the route search server constituting the navigation system according to claims 1 to 4 can be provided, respectively, and the inventions according to claims 9 to 12 are provided. Can provide a terminal device constituting the navigation system according to claims 1 to 4, respectively.

  The inventions according to claims 13 to 15 can provide the navigation system according to claim 1, the route search server according to claim 5, and the route guidance method in the terminal device according to claim 9, respectively. It becomes like this.

  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 a configuration of a navigation system 10 according to an 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.

  As a method for setting these points, for example, a route search condition input screen is displayed, and a name, address (location), and telephone number are input. A method of selecting a point by setting 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.

  Further, in this navigation system 10, in addition to the method of displaying a route search condition input screen and inputting a point, the POI is located by designating a desired area or selecting a POI of interest by performing a POI search. A map of the area to be displayed can be displayed, a desired point can be designated on the displayed map, and a starting point, a destination, and a waypoint can be designated.

  When the terminal device 20 receives map data or guidance route data from the route search server 30, the terminal device 20 displays a map image on the display means, and displays the guidance route image and the current position of the terminal device 20 superimposed on the map image. To do. In addition to the general display mode for displaying a map image and a guide route image as a guide image, a guide image such as an arrow for guiding in the traveling direction as disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 There is a mode of displaying.

  In route guidance, nodes such as intersections and branching points are set as guidance points, and guidance in the direction of travel at the nodes (voice guidance for guiding right turn, left turn, straight travel, etc.) is set. The guidance is output, for example, at an execution point 200 m before the intersection. This output point is called a guidance execution point, and this point is also set in the route guidance data together with the guidance point and guidance.

  The terminal device 20 in a general navigation system displays the above-described guidance image while receiving a navigation service from the route search server 30 and outputs guidance when reaching a set guidance execution point. When the display mode of the guide image includes the display mode of the map image and the display mode of the guide image by an arrow or the like, the display mode is set to any one.

  The terminal device 20 according to the present invention has a guide image display mode in which a guide image is displayed on the display means and a non-display mode in which no guide image is displayed, and routes are set by setting route search conditions such as a departure place and a destination. When a route search request is transmitted to the search server 30 and a route search result (map data, guide route data) is received from the route search server 30, the guidance execution point operates in the non-display mode and requires a change of the traveling direction in the guide route. When it reaches, the guidance image display mode is automatically switched, and after passing the guidance point, it is configured to automatically return to the non-display mode when a predetermined condition is met.

  With this configuration, the user of the terminal device 20 proceeds on the guidance route according to the guidance screen display only after passing the guidance point from the guidance execution point that requires a change in the traveling direction until the predetermined condition is satisfied. Other times, the display means can be used for other purposes. For example, when the terminal device 20 has a television broadcast receiving function, it can be enjoyed by displaying a television broadcast screen on the display means, which is suitable when the terminal device 20 is operated in a passenger seat.

  Hereinafter, the navigation system 10 according to the 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 control means 201, communication means 21, GPS reception means 22, search request means 23, received data storage means 24, guidance execution point determination means 25, and guidance point passing. A determination unit 26, a display unit 27, a display control unit 28, and an operation input unit 29 are provided.

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

  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 29 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 route search conditions such as a departure place and a destination. The display means 27 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 unit 27 also functions as an input unit for operating the terminal device 20 by displaying a menu screen and selecting a desired item from the menu screen by the operation input unit 29.

  When a route search condition including a departure point, a destination, and a transit point as necessary is set using the menu screen displayed on the display unit 27 or the operation input unit 29, the search request unit 23 issues a route search request. It transmits to the route search server 30.

  Guidance route data including guidance-related data and guidance route data transmitted from the route search server 30 to the terminal device 20 is stored in the reception data storage unit 24 together with the map data, and the guidance route stored in the reception data storage unit 24. Such guidance data and map data are read out as necessary and displayed on the display means 27.

  As described above, the guidance-related data included in the guidance route data is guidance point data, guidance data at the guidance point, and guidance execution point data that outputs the guidance, and the guidance point changes the direction of travel. It shows the node of the required intersection. In the present invention, an intersection that guides straight ahead set as a guidance point in a normal navigation system is not set as a guidance point. The guidance route data is generated in the route search server 30 as described later.

  The guidance execution point determination unit 25 determines whether or not the current position of the terminal device 20 has reached the guidance execution point based on the guidance route data stored in the reception data storage unit 24. When the guidance execution point determination unit 25 determines that the terminal device 20 has reached the guidance execution point, the display control unit 28 displays a guidance image on the display unit 27. The guide image displayed here may be a display mode in which a map image or a guide route image is displayed or a display mode in which an arrow image is displayed. When voice guidance is included in the guidance, guidance for turning right or turning left is output by voice.

  Since the guidance execution point is set in a predetermined distance range before the intersection (guidance point) whose traveling direction needs to be changed, when the terminal device 20 reaches a predetermined distance to the intersection, the guidance execution point is automatically set. A guidance image is displayed on the display means 27. For example, a voice guidance “Turn left at the intersection 200m ..” and a guidance image indicating the traveling direction are displayed on the display means 27.

  The guidance point passage determination unit 26 determines whether or not the terminal device 20 passes through an intersection that is a guidance point and satisfies a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is a case where the vehicle passes through an intersection and travels a certain distance, or a case where there is no next guidance execution point within a predetermined distance range. In this case, the display control means 28 automatically stops displaying the guidance image and returns to the non-display mode. If in the non-display mode, the display means 27 of the terminal device 20 can be used for other image display. The terminal device 20 can execute another application and display the display image on the display unit 27. For example, if the terminal device 20 has a television broadcast reception function, a television broadcast reception image can be displayed.

  When receiving the route search request from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 temporarily stores it in the search request storage unit 38. The route search means 39 refers to the route search network database 35 according to the route search request (route search condition) stored in the search request storage means 38, or the optimum route from the departure point to the destination or the designated number of candidates. Search for a route. The optimum route is the route that takes the shortest distance or time (cumulative link cost) from the departure point to the destination, and the candidate route is the specified number of routes with different cumulative link costs from the departure point to the destination. This route is provided by sorting the routes in order of the cumulative link cost.

  When the route search is completed and the guide route (the route selected by the terminal device 20 among the optimum route or the candidate route) is determined, the route search server 30 edits the guide route data, the guidance points, and the guidance. That is, the guidance editing unit 32 sets a node that requires a change in the direction of travel (right turn, left turn, branch) among the nodes on the guide route as guidance points, and provides guidance (right turn, left turn, branch guidance). And a guidance for guidance (right turn, left turn, branch direction, etc.) are set.

  The content of the guidance can be directly edited in the guidance route data, transmitted to the terminal device 20, and executed. However, the guidance is patterned and stored in the terminal device 20 in advance, and the code of the pattern is used as the guidance route data. It can also be executed by including. The guide route data editing unit 33 edits the guide route data and the guidance related data edited by the guidance editing unit 32 and transmits the data to the terminal device 20.

  FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing a mode of a guide image displayed on the display means 27 of the terminal device 20 at the guidance execution point. FIG. 3 shows an “arrow” that guides the traveling direction to be changed without using a map image. A mode of a guide image that displays the image and the distance to the intersection on the background image, FIG. 4 is a mode of the guide image that uses the map image and displays the distance to the intersection along with the guide route and the current position on the map image Is shown.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a route search condition input screen for inputting route search conditions in the terminal device 20. 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 29. As shown in FIG. 5, the route search condition input screen 300 includes a departure point input field 302, a destination input field 303, a moving means input field 304, presence / absence setting input fields 305 and 306, that is, a waypoint setting field. Check boxes 305 and 306 for checking presence / absence and 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. 5 shows a case where a 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. The waypoint input screen is provided with a waypoint entry field similar to the departure place entry field 302 and the like, and a waypoint can be set. When the setting of the route search conditions is completed, the search request unit 23 transmits a route search request to the route search server 30.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a mobile phone as the terminal device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the terminal device 20 is a mobile phone, the terminal device 20 includes a display means 27 and an operation input means 29 as shown in FIG. Each key of the operation input means 29 is provided with a scroll key SK (launcher key), and a clear key and a display mode switching key are assigned to specific numeric keys and the like.

  The display means 27 shows a first map display screen 261 and a second map display screen 262. On the first map display screen 261, the cursor C is a straight line between the starting point of the scroll operation and the current position of the cursor. It is displayed so that the cursor movement state can be visually recognized by being connected by L. On the second map display screen 262, a display frame 263 indicating the display range of the map displayed on the first map display screen 261 is displayed.

  When the scroll key SK is operated, the mode automatically switches to the scroll mode and the cursor C is displayed on the display screen. In this case, the scroll mode is continued until the scroll key SK is not operated for a predetermined time or until the clear key is operated. The initial display position of the cursor C is the center of the screen.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing map data stored in the map database. In the communication-type navigation system, the distribution method of guidance routes, guidance points, and guidance data (voice data, etc.) can take various forms. For example, the route search server 30 follows the route search conditions transmitted from the terminal device 20. The guide route is searched, the guide route data in which the guidance points and the like are set as described above is created, the guide route from the departure point to the destination is collectively transmitted to the terminal device 20, and the map data is received from the terminal device 20. Is transmitted to the terminal device 20 based on the map request.

  That is, when route data and map data are separately distributed from the route search server 30 to the terminal device 20, the terminal device 20 includes a unit map including the route from the route data when there is a shortage in map data necessary for map display. Can be requested to the route search server 30. In general, the map data is distributed to the terminal device 20 as map data of nine mesh units adjacent to each other in the up, down, left, and right and diagonal directions centering on the mesh unit map data including the current position.

  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. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, 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 designates a specific point or POI position and makes a distribution request for map data. 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 guidance image on the display means 27 according to the above-described conditions.

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 route search for cars and pedestrians and traffic network data for route search for transportation facilities.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of road network data. The road network data includes roads (routes) as their nodes and inflection points as nodes, routes connecting each node as links, node data, link data, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links. ) And is made into a database.

  For example, when the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 8, 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. 8, 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. 8, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When a route search is performed using such road network data as route search data, the link that is linked from the departure node to the destination node is traced and the link cost is accumulated, so that the accumulated link cost is minimized. Search for and guide. That is, in FIG. 8, 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 to 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. 8, 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.

  On the other hand, the traffic network data for route search of transportation facilities is configured as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the case of traffic routes A, B, and C, each station (each airport on an aircraft route) provided on each traffic route A, B, and C is a node, and the nodes are connected. A section is represented by a directional link, and node data (latitude / longitude) and link data (link number) are network data. In FIG. 9, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, Nm (◎ mark) indicates a transit point (such as a transfer station) of a traffic route, and a directional link connecting each node. It is indicated by an arrow line (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the traffic route, but in FIG. 9, only the links in the direction of the arrows are illustrated in order to simplify the illustration.

  However, the traffic network basically has a different link cost compared to the road network. That is, in the road network, the link cost is fixed and static. However, in the traffic network, as shown in FIG. 9, each route such as a train or an aircraft (hereinafter referred to as an individual train or an aircraft) that operates a traffic route is used. A plurality of means of transportation). The time of departure from one node and the time of arrival at the next node are determined for each means of transportation (specified by timetable data and operation data), and individual routes do not necessarily link to adjacent nodes. There is a case. This is the case, for example, with express trains and trains that stop at each station. In such a case, a plurality of different links exist on the same traffic route, and the required time between nodes may differ depending on the transportation means.

  In the transportation network illustrated in FIG. 9, a plurality of transportation means (routes) Aa to Ac... Exist on the same link of the transportation route A, and a plurality of transportation means (routes) Ca to Cc. Will do. Therefore, unlike a simple road network, the transportation network of a transportation facility has a data amount proportional to the total number of transportation means (routes such as individual airplanes and trains). For this reason, the data of the traffic network becomes a huge amount of data compared to the data amount of the road network. Accordingly, much time is required for route search accordingly.

  In order to search for a route from a certain departure point to a certain destination using such traffic network data, all the means of transportation that can be used (ride) when arriving from the departure point to the destination are searched. It is necessary to specify the means of transportation that matches the search conditions.

  For example, in FIG. 9, when a specific departure time is designated with the departure point as the node AX of the traffic route A and a route search is made with the node CY of the traffic route C as the destination, the route operates on the traffic route A. Of the transportation means Aa to Ac..., All transportation means after the departure time are sequentially selected as the departure route. And, based on the arrival time at the transit node on the transit route C, among all the transit means Ca-Cc... Operating on the transit route C, all combinations of transit means after the time that can be boarded at the transit node. The total time required for each route, the number of transfers, and the like are guided.

  When there is a route search request from the terminal device 20, the route search server 30 performs a route search by combining road network data and traffic network data in a route search using walking and transportation. At this time, when the arrival time at the destination is designated, an optimum route or a plurality of candidate routes that arrive at the destination by that time is searched.

  Next, an operation procedure in the navigation system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention described in detail above will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of route guidance in the navigation system 10.

  When the route search condition is input in the terminal device 20 as described above, a route search request is transmitted from the search request means 23 (see FIG. 2, terminal device 20) to the route search server 30 in the process of step S101. . When the route search server 30 receives the route search request from the terminal device 20, the route search means 39 (see the route search server 30 in FIG. 2) in the process of step S102 refers to the route search network database 35 from the departure place. The optimum route to the destination or a plurality of designated candidate routes are searched. Here, the description will be made assuming that the search for the optimum route is designated.

  When the route searching unit 39 searches for the optimum route, the guidance editing unit 32 sets a node that requires a change in the traveling direction as a guidance point based on the route data as described above, and the guidance at the guidance point (the traveling direction) Guidance) and guidance execution points. Then, the guide route data editing means 33 edits the guide route data (optimum route data) and the guidance related data edited by the guidance edit means 32 as guide route data, and transmits them to the terminal device 20 in the process of step S103. .

  When the terminal device 20 receives the guidance route data from the route search server 30 and the route guidance is started in the process of step S104, the display control means 28 sets the display mode to the non-display mode in the process of step S105. In the non-display mode, when the terminal device 20 is operating a function other than navigation, for example, a television broadcast reception function, the display control means 28 displays the received image of the television broadcast on the display means 27. Control to display.

  Then, the process proceeds to the processing of step S106, and the guidance execution point discriminating means 25 is based on the current position measured by the GPS receiving means 22 and the terminal device 20 is based on the guidance route data and the guidance execution point set in the guidance route. It is determined whether or not. If the guidance execution point has not been reached, the process of step S106 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S106 that the terminal device 20 has reached the guidance execution point, the display control means 28 automatically switches the display mode to the guidance image display mode in step S107. At this time, if another image is displayed on the display means 27, the display control means 28 stops the display of the other image, and the guidance image shown in FIG. If guidance is set, the voice guidance is output.

  When the guidance image display mode is displayed, the guidance point passage determination unit 26 determines whether or not the terminal device 20 has passed the guidance point in the process of step S108. If the guidance point has not been passed, the process returns to step S107. If it is determined that the guidance point is passed, the process proceeds to step S109 to determine whether or not the distance to the next guidance point is within a predetermined range.

  If the distance to the next guidance point is within a predetermined range, it means that the guidance points that require a change in the direction of travel are continuous, and the next guidance execution point can be reached after a certain distance. Since it is clear, it is reasonable to maintain the guide image display mode (YES in step S109). That is, when the guidance point passage determination means 26 satisfies a certain condition after passing the guidance point (here, the condition that the next guidance point does not exist within a predetermined distance range: NO in step S109), the display control means 28 displays the guidance image display. Display control for automatically returning from the mode to the non-display mode is performed (step S110).

  In the process of step S111, it is determined whether or not the terminal device 20 has reached the destination. If it is determined that the destination has been reached, the route guidance is completed and all the processes are completed. If it has not arrived at the destination, the process returns to the determination process of step S106, and the process of determining the arrival at the next guidance execution point on the guidance route is repeated.

  In the above embodiment, the guide image display mode in the guide image display mode has been described as an example using one of the display modes of FIGS. 3 and 4. However, the guidance execution point is determined according to the distance to the guidance point. It is set in stages, for example, the guidance execution point is set at two points 500 m before and 200 m before the guidance point, for example, the guidance execution point 500 m to 200 m before FIG. 4 is used, and from 200m before to the guidance point, the guidance image display mode using the map image of FIG. 4 is used, or the guidance image display mode using the enlarged display image of the intersection that is the guidance point is used. You can also.

  Further, the non-display mode in the present invention means that the guide image for route guidance in the navigation service is not mainly displayed. For example, the non-display mode is displayed on the display means in the non-display mode while the guide route is straight ahead. It is also possible to configure such that only an arrow image indicating straight travel for route guidance is displayed as a sub-image at the corner of the received image of the television broadcast.

  As described above in detail, according to the navigation system 10 according to the present invention, in the navigation system that searches and guides the route from the desired departure place to the destination, the vicinity of the guidance point that guides the change of the traveling direction. Only the map can display guidance such as a map, a route, a traveling direction, etc., and usually other displays can be performed, so that convenience for the user can be increased.

  By applying the present invention, a terminal device having various functions such as a television broadcast receiving function in addition to the navigation function can be effectively used.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the navigation system concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode of the guidance image displayed at a guidance execution point. It is a figure which shows another example of the display mode of the guidance image displayed at a guidance execution point. It is a figure which shows an example of the route search condition input screen for inputting a route search condition in the terminal device concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the mobile telephone as a terminal device concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the map data accumulate | stored in a map database. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of road network data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of traffic network data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the route guidance in the navigation system concerning the Example 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 ··· Received data storage means 25 ··· Guidance execution point discrimination means 26 ··· Guidance point passage discrimination means 27 ··· Display means 28 ··· Display control means 29 ··· Operation input Means 30 ... Route search server 301 ... Control means 31 ... Communication means 32 ... Guidance editing means 33 ... Guidance route data editing means 34 ... Map database 35 ... ..Route search network database 36... POI information database 37... Map data distribution means 38... Search request storage means 39. Stage

Claims (15)

Based on a route search request including a departure place and a destination, route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to route search network data, and display means for displaying the guide route searched by the route search means. In the navigation system provided,
The navigation system has a guide image display mode in which a guide image is displayed on the display means and a non-display mode in which no guide image is displayed, and sets a branch point that requires a change in the traveling direction in the guide route as a guidance point. And a guidance editing means for editing the guidance and guidance execution point at the guidance point, a guidance route searched by the route searching means, and the guidance related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data. Data editing means, guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at the guidance execution point, guidance point passage determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing the guidance point, and display control means ,
The display control unit switches to the guide image display mode when the guidance execution point determination unit determines arrival at the guidance point based on the guide route data, displays a guide image on the display unit, and passes the guidance point. A navigation system characterized by switching to the non-display mode when the determination means determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied.   A plurality of the guidance execution points are set, the guidance image is set as the first display mode at the guidance execution point far from the guidance point, and the guidance image is displayed as the first display mode at the guidance execution point close to the guidance point. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the second display mode is different from the second display mode.   The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the display mode of the first guide image is a display mode in which a traveling direction to be changed is displayed as an arrow on a background image.   The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode in which at least a guide route is displayed on a map image. Connected via a network to a terminal device having display means for displaying a guidance route received from a route search server, and refers to route search network data based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination. In a route search server having route search means for searching for a route,
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. A terminal device that switches to the guide image display mode, displays a guide image on the display means, and switches to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server characterized by:   A plurality of the guidance execution points are set, the guidance image is set as the first display mode at the guidance execution point far from the guidance point, and the guidance image is displayed as the first display mode at the guidance execution point close to the guidance point. The route search server according to claim 5, wherein the second display mode is different from the second display mode.   The route search server according to claim 6, wherein the display mode of the first guidance image is a display mode in which a traveling direction to be changed is displayed as an arrow on a background image.   The route search server according to claim 6, wherein the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode in which at least a guide route is displayed on a map image. Based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination, the route search server is connected to a route search server having route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to the route search network data, and the route search server In a terminal device having display means for displaying a received guidance route,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server that
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. A terminal device that switches to a guide image display mode, displays a guide image on the display means, and switches to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition.   A plurality of the guidance execution points are set, the guidance image is set as the first display mode at the guidance execution point far from the guidance point, and the guidance image is displayed as the first display mode at the guidance execution point close to the guidance point. The terminal device according to claim 9, wherein the second display mode is different from that of the terminal device.   The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the display mode of the first guide image is a display mode in which a traveling direction to be changed is displayed on a background image as an arrow.   The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the display mode of the second guide image is a display mode in which at least a guide route is displayed on a map image. Based on a route search request including a departure place and a destination, route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to route search network data, and display means for displaying the guide route searched by the route search means. In the route guidance method in the provided navigation system,
The navigation system has a guide image display mode in which a guide image is displayed on the display means and a non-display mode in which no guide image is displayed, and sets a branch point that requires a change in the traveling direction in the guide route as a guidance point. And a guidance editing means for editing the guidance and guidance execution point at the guidance point, a guidance route searched by the route searching means and the guidance related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data. Data editing means, guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at the guidance execution point, guidance point passage determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing the guidance point, and display control means ,
The display control means switching to the guide image display mode when the guidance execution point determining means determines arrival at a guidance point based on the guide route data, and displaying a guide image on the display means; And a step of switching to the non-display mode when it is determined that the point passage determining means satisfies a predetermined condition. Connected via a network to a terminal device having display means for displaying a guidance route received from a route search server, and refers to route search network data based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination. In a route guidance method in a route search server provided with route search means for searching for a route,
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. A terminal device that switches to the guide image display mode, displays a guide image on the display means, and switches to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route guidance method comprising the step of: Based on a route search request including a departure point and a destination, the route search server is connected to a route search server having route search means for searching for a guide route with reference to the route search network data, and the route search server In the route guidance method in the terminal device having display means for displaying the received guidance route,
The route search server sets, as a guidance point, a branch point that requires a change in the direction of travel in the guidance route, guidance editing means for editing guidance and guidance execution points at the guidance point, and the route search means searched for Guidance route data editing means for editing the guidance route and the guidance-related data edited by the guidance editing means into guidance route data, and transmitting the guide route data edited by the guidance route data editing means to the terminal device A route search server that
The terminal device has a guidance image display mode for displaying a guidance image on the display means and a non-display mode for not displaying a guidance image, and a guidance execution point determination means for determining arrival at a guidance execution point; a guidance point; Guidance point passage determining means and display control means for determining whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied after passing through, and the display control means determines that the guidance execution point determination means has reached the guidance point when the guidance execution point determination means reaches the guidance point. Switching to a guide image display mode, displaying a guide image on the display means, and switching to the non-display mode when it is determined that the guidance point passage determination means satisfies a predetermined condition. Route guidance method.

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