JP3437055B2 - Geographic information provision system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a geospatial data, related to geographical information providing system for providing the information terminal device via a communications network, in particular, the geospatial data, so as to provide efficient through a communications network It was done.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system that uses the Internet is known as a system for providing map information through a communication network (the system for research purposes is "Outline of Geographic Information System and Spatial Data Infrastructure" (Author: Kazuhiko Akeno, Kumaki) Yota, Information Processing, vol.38, no.2, 1997), the commercial system is "Fujitsu wildbird" (Nippon Kogyo Shimbun, 1
6th page of December 20, 996)).

Map information distributed on the Internet is HTML that describes a document having a hyperlink structure.
("Introduction to HTML", Laura Limey, translated by Hiroyuki Musa, Prentice Hall Publishing Co., 1996) and VRML describing "three-dimensional graphics"("three-dimensional world of VRML shaping the next-generation Internet"), Author: Yukio Ando, Information Processing, vol.37, no.10, 1996) etc., for example, from the displayed world map,
It is possible to select a country and a city in order to display a map of a destination, or to specify a hotel or museum in the area and display the information.

[0004]

However, in the conventional map information providing system using the Internet, since map information is transmitted as image data, a large amount of data is transmitted, resulting in poor transmission efficiency. There is. Therefore, unless a personal computer or the like having high-speed transmission performance is used as the information terminal and the information providing side is connected by a wired line, the map information cannot be provided.

Further, in the conventional map information providing system using the Internet, only the map shape prepared in advance by the provider is selectively displayed on the terminal screen, and the map display area is limited to the area desired by the user. There is a problem that it is not possible to perform flexible map search and display, such as placing only facility information required by the user on the map or changing the design of the map shape according to the user's preference.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can efficiently transmit the geospatial data to the information terminal via the communication network, and the map information can be adapted to the user's request. It is intended to provide a geographical information providing system that can be presented.

[0007]

Therefore, in the geographic information providing system of the present invention, when the geospatial data is transmitted from the information providing device to the information terminal device, a component in the geospatial space, that is, natural or artificial on the earth, is transmitted. Features, boundaries, etc.
It is transmitted after being converted into a data format in a description method that is declaratively described by a character string of an identifier representing a spatial characteristic and its value.

Therefore, HTML, which is a conventional description language, is used.
It becomes possible to describe the characteristics peculiar to a map that could not be described in or VRML, and it becomes possible to flexibly search and display the map on the terminal side. Further, it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency as compared with the case where the map is transmitted as image data.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an information terminal device having a communication function, and an information providing device for providing geographical information through a communication network in response to a search request from the information terminal device. In the geographic information providing system, the information providing device includes geospatial data storage means for storing geospatial data relating to components of geospatial space, and at least part of the geospatial data stored in the geospatial data storage means. Spatial components of space
Describe declaratively as a character string of the identifier that represents the characteristic and its value
The geospatial data conversion means for converting to the data format described by the geospatial description method and the communication means for transmitting the geospatial data described by this description method to the information terminal device are provided. Data storage means for storing the geospatial data received from the providing device, and a user interface means for analyzing the description of the geospatial data and displaying the constituent elements of the geospatial space based on the analysis result are provided. By transmitting the geospatial data described by the description method from the information providing device, flexible map search / display on the terminal side becomes possible. Also a map image
Improves transmission efficiency compared to transmitting as data
It In this description, HTML and V which are conventional description languages are used.
It is possible to describe the characteristics peculiar to the map that cannot be described in RML
As a result, flexible map search / display on the terminal side is possible.
Become Noh. Also, when transmitting a map as image data
The transmission efficiency is better than that of.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as the identifier, an identifier indicating the position, shape and attribute of the constituent element in the geographic space is used, and in the geographic space that cannot be described in HTML or VRML. It becomes possible to describe the position, shape and attribute of the component.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the identifier, an identifier indicating the phase relationship between the constituent elements in the geographic space is used, and HTML or VRML is used.
It becomes possible to describe the phase relationship between the constituent elements that could not be described in.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, as the identifier, an identifier indicating the function or dependency of the constituent element in the geographic space is used, and the function of the constituent element that cannot be described in HTML or VRML. And subordinate relationships can be described. The invention according to claim 5 is
As this identifier, an identifier representing the temporal characteristic of a constituent element in geographic space is used.
It becomes possible to describe the temporal characteristics of the constituent elements that could not be described in ML or VRML.

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020]

[0021]

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) In the first embodiment,
A method for describing geospatial data and a geographic information providing system for providing the geospatial data described by the method via a communication network will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, this geographical information providing system comprises an information terminal device 301 used by a user as a means for searching geographical information and an information providing device 302 for providing geographical information through a communication network 306. Terminal 3
Reference numeral 01 denotes a user interface unit 303 that receives an information search request from a user and displays a search result, and a communication unit 304 for exchanging the search request and the search result from the user interface unit 303 with the information providing apparatus 302. When,
Data storage means 305 for storing the sent search results
The information providing device 302 includes a communication means 304 for receiving a search request from the information terminal device 301, transmitting a search result, and geospatial data based on the search request, and the result is geospatial. It comprises a geospatial data conversion means 307 for converting into a data format described by the data description method and a geospatial data storage means 308 for holding geospatial data.

Further, the geospatial data conversion means 307, as shown in FIG. 2, is a search control means 311 for controlling the search processing.
A search processing means 312 for reading the geospatial data from the geospatial data storage means 308 and executing the search processing; and a geospatial data conversion processing means for converting the searched geospatial data into a data format according to the description method at the time of transmission. And 310.

The geospatial data refers to data relating to the constituent elements of the geospatial space such as natural and artificial features (buildings, roads, railroads, fields, etc.) on the earth and boundaries. The geospatial space represented by this geospatial data is generally represented as a two-dimensional map, as illustrated in FIG.

The geospatial data storage means 308, as shown in FIG. 4, is a hierarchical figure table in which the figures of the constituent elements on the map are described by being classified into types such as roads, buildings, and water systems. , And a facility information table in which various facility information managed in association with the map is described.

The graphic table is composed of a node sub-table in which node positions of graphics such as roads, facilities, and waterways are described, and an arc sub-table in which arcs between these nodes are described. The sub-table includes a node number field, a latitude field and a longitude field, and the arc sub-table describing line information includes an arc number field, a starting point field describing a starting node, and an end field describing an end node. And a length field that describes the length of the arc.

The facility information table describes a facility name field that describes the name of the facility, a facility type field that describes the type of facility, a representative point field that describes the latitude / longitude of the substitute position of the facility, and an address of the facility. It is provided with an address field, a zip code field for describing a zip code, a telephone field for describing a telephone number, a management local government field for describing a facility management entity, a temporal remarks field for describing time-related data, and the like.

In this system, the communication means 304 of the information providing device 302 opens a communication path with the information terminal device 301 in response to a communication request from the information terminal device 301. If the user inputs "B fire station" as the name of the point to be searched through the user interface means 303, the communication means 3 of the information providing apparatus 302 that has received the name.
04 passes this search request to the geospatial data conversion means 307.

The search control means 311 of the geospatial data conversion means 307 analyzes this search request, generates a search command sequence, and instructs the search processing means 312 to execute the search. The search processing means 312 reads the search instruction sequence, analyzes the search instruction, confirms the table from which data is read, the search condition, the pointer (search result variable) to the area for storing the search result, and the like, and then executes the search instruction. Search for data that meets the search condition from the corresponding table according to. Thus, for example, when the geospatial data of 1 km square around the "B fire department" is obtained, the search control means 311 passes the obtained data to the geospatial data conversion processing means 310, and the geospatial data conversion processing means 310 This is converted into the geospatial data description format for transmission. The search control means 311 passes the data whose data format has been converted to the communication means 304, and the communication means 304
Transmits this to the information terminal device 301.

This operation in the geospatial data converting means 307 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG.

In the activated geospatial data conversion means 307, step 6001: the search control means 311 analyzes the search request to generate a search instruction sequence, and the search processing means 312 stores the geospatial data storage means 308 in accordance with the search instruction. Search for. When a search request specifying "B fire station" as the search location name is issued, the search processing means 312 searches the facility information table of the geospatial data storage means 308 for the facility name "B fire station" and 1k around the position of the representative point
Set m squares as the search range. Step 6002: Select an unprocessed hierarchy from the figure table, and step 6003: Sequentially refer to the node sub-table and arc sub-table to collect all the data within the search range. Then, the arcs that form the closed region are grouped into polygons, continuous arcs that do not have a closed region are grouped into polylines, and isolated nodes are grouped into points.

Step 6004: For the polygon, the facility information table is referred to search for a facility in which the representative point is included in the closed region, and if found, the field (facility name) of the facility information is searched. , Facility type, representative points,
The values of fields such as address, zip code, telephone number, etc. are used to indicate the attributes of the polygon, and the values of the fields of administrative municipalities are used to indicate subordination.
The value of the field of the temporal remark is related as an indicator of the temporal characteristic.

Step 6005: Examine whether all arcs and nodes in the hierarchy have been processed. If all arcs and nodes have been processed, proceed to step 6006. If all arcs and nodes in the hierarchy have been processed. If not, step 60
Repeat the process from 03.

Step 6006: Check if there is any unprocessed layer, and if all layers have been processed, proceed to step 6007, and if there is an unprocessed layer,
The processing from step 6002 is repeated.

Step 6007: The geospatial data conversion processing means 310 uses these data retrieved by the retrieval processing means 312 to find the topological relationship between the constituents, that is, the constituents are included in other constituents. Alternatively, when the constituent elements intersect with each other, all the relationships between them are calculated, and step 6008: each constituent element is given a uniquely determined ID number, and then the spatial characteristics are determined as shown in FIG. The character string of the identifier and its value is described declaratively, that is, the item represented by the value is assigned to the spatial characteristic. In FIG. 6, "obj1" and "ob"
j8 ”is an ID number given to each component.“ Shape ”
The "positional information", "attribute", "function", "topological relationship", "dependent relationship", and "temporal characteristic" are identifiers representing spatial characteristics. In addition, "height""figuretype""facilitytype""facilityname""phonenumber""address""zipcode""waterquantity",
This is an identifier representing the item of "attribute", and the "inclusion relation" or "intersection relation", "management source", and "data update date" are the identifiers representing the items of "topological relation", "dependent relation" and "temporal characteristic", respectively. Is. The value of "position information" is a value quoted from the graphic table, and the value of "shape" is a value obtained by collecting the values of this graphic table. Also, "attribute"
The value of each item of "function", "dependency" and "temporal characteristic" is the value quoted from the facility information table.
The value of “phase relationship” is the value obtained in step 6007.

The search control means 311 outputs the data whose data format has been converted by the geospatial data conversion processing means 310 to the communication means 304.

The converted data described by this geospatial description method is sent to the information terminal device 301 via the communication means 304, stored in the data storage means 305, and then displayable by the user interface means 303. It becomes a state.

On the other hand, the operation procedure in the user interface means 303 of the information terminal device 301 is as shown in FIG.

The activated user interface means 303
Step 6101: When the user's search display request is accepted, Step 6102: Check whether or not there is corresponding data in the data storage means 305, and if not, Step 6103: Information terminal device via the communication means 304. 302
To the geospatial data storage means 308.

Step 6104: The geospatial data conversion means 307 of the information terminal device 302 retrieves the data by the above procedure,
When converted into data described by the geospatial description method, step 6105: In the information terminal device 301, this data is received via the communication means 304 and stored in the data storage means 305, and step 6106: user interface means 303 , Interprets the spatial characteristics of each component, performs processing corresponding to the user's search display request, and displays the result.

In step 6102, if the corresponding data is stored in the data storage means 305,
The user interface means 303 proceeds to step 6106 and performs a process corresponding to the search display request.

From this information providing device 302 to the information terminal device 301
Since the geospatial data sent to the server is described by the geospatial description method illustrated in FIG. 6, the data transmission amount is smaller than that of the image data transmission. In addition, the information terminal device 301 that receives this geospatial data can interpret the description of “shape”, “positional information”, or “topological relationship” to faithfully reproduce and display the geospatial figure. Also, facility information can be displayed together from the description of “attribute”.

Further, in this geospatial description method, since the characteristics of the constituent elements in the geospatial space are described from various viewpoints by using the identifier, the information terminal device 301 side uses the identifier as a tool from various viewpoints. It becomes possible to search, edit and display geospatial data. Therefore, it is possible to meet various display requests from the user.

FIG. 8 shows the user interface means 303.
In this example, in response to a display request from the user, only the roads that intersect with the Tokyo River are searched and displayed using the topological relationship of the geospatial data.

FIG. 9 shows a user interface means.
303 uses the "temporal characteristics" of the geospatial data to update the data in 1997 in response to the user's display request.
This is an example of searching and displaying only the building which is March of the year.

As described above, in the geographic information providing system of this embodiment, the constituent elements of the geospatial space such as natural and artificial features and boundaries on the earth are represented by the character strings of the identifiers representing the spatial characteristics and their values. The geospatial data described declaratively and described by this geospatial description method is transmitted between the information providing device and the information terminal device. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the map as image data, and the transmission efficiency is significantly improved. As a result, it becomes possible not only to use a wired line as a communication network but also to transmit geospatial data through a wireless line.

Since the characteristic peculiar to the map can be described by this description method, the information terminal device receiving the geospatial data can flexibly search, edit and display the map.

The geospatial data storage means 308 stores
In addition to the illustrated graphic table and facility information table, various tables such as a traffic table can be held, and these tables can be provided with various fields in addition to the illustrated fields.

In this embodiment, the case where the information terminal device side specifies the search spot name and issues the search request has been described. However, the search request can be specified in various ways. The details will be described in the second embodiment.

(Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment,
In order to improve the transmission efficiency of geospatial data, a geographic information providing system that deforms a map and transmits it will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, this geographical information providing system comprises an information terminal device 301 used by a user as a means for searching geographical information and an information providing device 302 for providing geographical information through a communication network 306. The providing device 302 receives the search request from the information terminal device 301,
A communication means 304 for transmitting the search result, a deformed map generation means 309 for searching the geospatial data based on the search request to generate a deformed map, and a geospatial data storage means 308 for holding the geospatial data. Is equipped with. The configuration of the information terminal device 301 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).

Further, the deformed map generation means 309, as shown in FIG. 11, is a search control means 32 for controlling the search processing.
1, a search processing means 322 for executing the search processing by reading the geospatial data from the geospatial data storage means 308, and a deformation creating means 320 for generating a deformation map using the searched geospatial data, As shown in FIG. 12, the deformation generating means 320 further includes an input means 401 for receiving a deformation instruction and geospatial data,
Deformation processing control means 402 for causing the corresponding processing means to perform the designated deformation processing, target object linking means 404 for associating the road information with the target object, and the route search result input from the input means 401 to obtain the target. The target object is associated with the route extraction unit 405 that extracts only the map along the route from the map that associates the target object with the road created by the object linking unit 406 and the map created by the target object linking unit 404. Target peripheral shaping means 406 that extends the existing road, shaping means 407 other than the peripheral area of the target that thins out the data of roads that are not associated with the target, and an angle that specifies the angle at which the line segments included in the vector map intersect. Angle correction means 408 for performing deformation processing in accordance with the above, intersection point moving means 409 for moving the position of the line segment included in the vector map to the nearest intersection point of the meshes superimposed on the map, and vector ground Linear approximation means 41 for linear approximation between the intersection of the line segment and the mesh contained in
0, a map area setting means 411 that dynamically determines a map cutout area when creating a deformed map according to the number of target objects, a road omitting means 412 that omits road closed areas of a certain size or less, and a vector A straight line approximating means 413 using a crossing angle approximated by a straight line when the crossing angle of the line segment of the map data is smaller than a predetermined value, a road shortening means 414 for shortening a straight road having a long distance, and an arbitrary scale. The target object thinning-out means 415 for thinning out the target objects so that the display of the target objects on the map does not overlap, and the output means 403 for outputting the deformed map data.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the geospatial data storage means 308 stores a road table in which data on roads on a map is described, a target table in which data of target objects are described, and data of a transportation network. Holds each of the traffic tables described in a hierarchical manner. The road table is a node sub-table in which node positions such as intersections of roads are described, an arc sub-table in which arcs between nodes are described, and a region name sub-table in which a relation between a region name and nodes and arcs is described. And a node sub-table that describes point information includes a node number field, a longitude field, and a latitude field. The arc sub-table for describing line information includes an arc number field, a starting field for describing a starting node, an end field for describing an end node, and a length field for describing an arc length. The area name sub-table is described in such a manner that road point and line information on the map is associated with mesh-like data called area name, and includes an area name field, a node number sequence field, and an arc number sequence field.

The target table describes a name field that describes the name of the target on the map, an index field that describes classification such as occupation and industry, a position information field that describes latitude / longitude, and an address. Address fields,
It is provided with a telephone number field for describing a telephone number, a nearest station field for describing a nearest station from the target object, and a main facility flag field for describing a flag indicating whether or not the target object is treated as a landmark.

The traffic table includes a departure station field that describes the departure station name of the train, an arrival station field that describes the arrival station name of the train, a route name field that describes the route name, and a space between the departure place and the arrival place. It has a transit station field that describes a station to transit through, a required time field that describes a required time from a departure place to an arrival place, and a fare field that describes a fare from the departure place to the arrival place.

In this system, in response to a communication request from the information terminal device 301, the communication means 304 of the information providing device 302 opens a communication path with the information terminal device 301 and is sent from the information terminal device 301. The incoming search request is passed to the search control means 321 of the deformed map generation means 309.

The search control means 321 analyzes this search request, generates a search command string for the search processing means 322, and activates the search processing means 322 to perform a search.

The activated retrieval processing means 322 retrieves information from the geospatial data storage means 308 according to the procedure shown in FIG.

Step 1201: Read the search instruction string, Step 1202: Analyze the search instruction, and confirm the data table from which data is read, the search condition, and the search result variable (pointer to the area for storing the search result). After that, Step 1203: Select the corresponding data table, Step 1204: Search the data corresponding to the search condition, and if the route search is instructed, search the route data.

Step 1205: Set the search result in a variable,
The process ends.

The search control means 321 receives this search result, passes road data, target object data, and route data among them to the deformation creating means 320, and commands the simplification of the map information.

When the deforming means 320 creates a simplified map in accordance with the command, the search control means 321 receives it and sends the deformed map graphic data and related information such as facility data via the communication means 304. It is transmitted to the information terminal device 301.

Regarding this information providing device, Japanese Patent Application No.
A patent application has been filed as 8-291203, and this system uses the device.

On the other hand, in the information terminal device 301, the received graphic data of the deformed map and the related information are stored in the data storage means 305, and the user interface means 303 displays this. At this time, the user interface means 303
Displays the graphic of the deformed map with editing in response to the user's request.

Next, the operation of each section will be described in detail.

First, the operation of the deforming means 320 will be described.

The input means 401 of the deforming means 320 is
Deformation processing control means 402 receives the input designated information and the road data, target object data, route data, etc. of the search result.
Then, the deformation processing control means 402 causes the corresponding processing means to perform the deformation processing in the procedure described later.

The target object linking means 404 is shown in FIG. 1 so that the relationship between the road and the target object does not shift when the deformation processing is performed.
As shown in 5, the road is associated with the target object. At this time, the target object linking unit 404 calculates the distance from the target object to each of the roads around the target object, and associates the distance with a road having a predetermined value or less. Information on which side the target is located with respect to the road is also added. If the target is a building, etc., consider the association with the road facing the entrance. Depending on the position of the target, it is associated with multiple roads. The position of the target object with respect to the line segment is set by the ratio of the distance from both end points of the line segment to the target object. By doing this,
Even if the length of the line segment changes, the target object can be moved to a proper position.

Based on the inputted route designation information, the route extraction means 405, as shown in FIG. 16, has a range corresponding to a radius of 100 meters from the start point and the end point of the designated route and both sides of the route, for example, 25 meters. Generate a map along the specified route that includes the range corresponding to.

As shown in FIG. 17, the target object peripheral shaping means 406 performs a deformation for extending the length of the line segment of the road linked with the target object. By doing so, it is possible to emphasize the vicinity of the target object and prevent the symbols and characters indicating the target object from overlapping. In this case, along with the deformation of the road linked to the target object, it is necessary to deform the road not associated with the target object.

As shown in FIG. 18, the shaping means 407 other than the area around the target object decimates and simply displays the data constituting the roads not associated with the target object.

As shown in FIG. 19, the angle correction means 408 transforms the intersecting angles of the line segments included in the map according to the designated angle.

As shown in FIG. 20, the intersection moving means 409 generates a mesh on the map based on the size and position information of the specified mesh, and the end point (white circle) of the line segment is the closest mesh. Perform processing to move to the intersection of.

As shown in FIG. 21, the linear approximation means 410 creates a mesh on the map based on the information on the size and position of the designated mesh, and draws a straight line between the intersections of the line segment and the mesh. The map shape is approximated by connecting them.

As shown in FIG. 22, the map area setting means 411 dynamically determines the map cutout area according to the number of target objects around the arbitrary point. In the case of FIG. 22A, since the target objects are dense at the designated arbitrary point, the cutout area is set small. In the case of FIG. 22B, since the target does not exist much at the designated arbitrary point, the cutout area is set large.

As shown in FIG. 23, the road omitting means 412 omits road areas of a certain size or less from the road area group constituted as closed areas.

As shown in FIG. 24, the straight line approximating means 413 using the intersecting angle approximates the straight line when the intersecting angle of the line segment of the vector map data is smaller than a predetermined value.

As shown in FIG. 25, the road shortening means 414 shortens a road segment having high linearity and longer than a predetermined value.

As shown in FIG. 26, the target object thinning-out means 214 thins out the target objects so that the display of the target objects does not overlap when the map is displayed at the designated scale. FIG. 26
(A) shows a case where a small map area is reduced to a designated scale, and the target is not thinned out. FIG. 26B shows a case where a large map area is significantly reduced to a designated scale, and the target is thinned out.

The deformation processing control means 402 causes each of these means to perform the deformation processing in the procedure shown in FIG.

Step 5301: The activated deforming process control means 402 determines the type of the deformed map to be created from the designated information. If the map to be created is a deformed map along the route, step 5304: The route extracting means 405 is activated to extract the route.

In step 5302, if the type of map to be created is a deformed map around an arbitrary point, step 5303: The map area setting means 411 is activated to set the map area.

When the processing of step 5303 or step 5304 is finished, step 5305: The target object linking means 404 links the target object and the road, and indicates which side of the road the target object is, the road. Information such as where the line segment is located between the start point and the end point is registered in the road data.

Step 5306: Next, road omitting means 412
Start and omit small road areas.

After the processing of the road omitting means 412 is completed, step 5307: It is judged whether or not there is a target object peripheral shaping and a shape other than the target object peripheral shaping in the instructions given to the deformation processing, and there is no instruction. In the case of step 5309, if there is an instruction, in step 5308, the process of shaping the periphery of the target and the shaping other than the periphery of the target are performed by the target periphery shaping means 406 and the shaping means other than the periphery of the target 407. The order of these processes has no order relation and can be combined.

Step 5309: Next, it is judged whether or not there is an instruction for angle correction, intersection movement, straight line approximation, or straight line approximation using the crossing angle. If there is no instruction, the procedure proceeds to step 5111. If there is an instruction, step 5310: angle correction means 408, intersection moving means 409, straight line approximation means 410, straight line approximation means 413 using the intersection angle, angle correction, intersection movement , Linear approximation, and linear approximation processing using the intersection angle. These processes cannot be executed in combination.

Step 5311: Next, the route extracting means 405
If it is not started, the process proceeds to step 5311, and the route extracting means 405 has already been started. If the route is being sought, step 5312: the road shortening means 414 is started and high linearity and long road Shorten the line segment.

Step 5313: Next, target thinning means
415 is started, and enlargement or reduction is performed according to the scale of the designated map, and when the targets overlap, the targets with lower priority are thinned out.

Step 5314: After performing these procedures, the deforming process is terminated.

The map data transformed by such processing is output from the output means 403.

Next, the search control means 321 which has received the search request from the information terminal device 301 responds to the search request by
A procedure for controlling the search processing means 322 and the deformation creating means 320 will be described.

When the spot name to be searched is designated from the information terminal device 301 as shown in FIG. 28, the search control means 321 which has received this search request, the search processing means 3
22. Control of the deforming means 320 is performed in the procedure shown in FIG.

The activated search control means 321 analyzes the search request designated by the step 1501: information terminal device 301, and generates a search instruction sequence consisting of the following three instructions: step 1502. <Search 1> The target table is searched for the position information of the name = “Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line”. <Search 2> The road table is searched for 1 km square road data centered on the position information searched for in Search 1. <Search 3> The target object data of the main facility within the range of the road data searched in the search 2 is searched from the target object table.

Step 1503: The search instruction sequence is passed to the search processing means 322 to execute the search.

Step 1504: The road data and the target object data among the search results received from the search processing means 322 are passed to the deforming means 320, and the simplified map is received.

Step 1505: The simplified map and related information are transmitted to the information terminal device 301 via the communication means 304, and the process is ended. The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

When the area name (Oimachi) to be searched is designated from the information terminal device 301 as shown in FIG. 31, the search control means 321 which has received this search request.
Generates the next search instruction sequence. <Search 1> The road table is searched for road data of the area name = “Oimachi”. <Search 2> The target object data of the main facility within the range of the road data searched in Search 1 is searched from the target object table.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deformation creating means 320 receives the road data and the target object data as the search results and creates a simplified map.
The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

Further, when the information terminal device 301 specifies "Roppongi station on the Hibiya line" as the point to be searched and "sports club" as the index name to be searched, as shown in FIG. 33, the search control means 321 Generates the next search instruction sequence. <Search 1> The target table is searched for the position information of the name = “Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line”. <Search 2> The road table is searched for 1 km square road data centered on the position information searched for in Search 1. <Search 3> The target data of the index name = “sports club” within the range of the road data searched in the search 2 is searched from the target table.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deformation creating means 320 receives the road data and the target object data as the search results and creates a simplified map.
The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

Further, when the telephone number of the target to be searched by using the address book function is designated as shown in FIG. 35 from the information terminal device 301 having the address book function of managing the address book. In this case, the search control means 321 generates the next search instruction sequence. <Search 1> The target table is searched for location information corresponding to the telephone number. <Search 2> The road table is searched for 1 km square road data centered on the position information searched for in Search 1. <Search 3> The target object data of the main building within the range of the road data searched in Search 2 is searched from the target object table.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deformation creating means 320 receives the road data and the target object data as the search results and creates a simplified map.
The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

In this case, a search request can be made by inputting the address, corporate name, personal name, facility name, etc. from the address book stored in the information terminal device 301.

Further, as shown in FIG. 37, from the information terminal device 301 having the function of grasping the current position by using GPS or the like, the longitude and latitude of the current position and the index name "dental"
When is sent, the search control means 321 generates the next search command sequence. <Search 1> The road table is searched for 1 km square road data centered on the designated longitude and latitude. <Search 2> The target object data of index name = dental within the range of the road data searched in Search 1 is searched from the target object table.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deformation creating means 320 receives the road data and the target object data as the search results and creates a simplified map.
The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

When the departure place name (Roppongi station on the Hibiya line) and the arrival place name (AK building) are designated from the information terminal device 301 as shown in FIG. 39, the search control means 3
21 generates the next search instruction sequence. <Search 1> From the target table, go to “Roppongi Station on the Hibiya Line”
Search for location information. <Search 2> Position information of "AK building" is searched from the target table. <Search 3> The road table is searched for road data in a rectangular area including the position information searched in Search 1 and the position information searched in Search 2. <Search 4> The target object data of the main facility within the range of the road data searched in Search 3 is searched from the target object table. <Search 5> The road table is searched for route data from the position information searched in Search 1 to the position information searched in Search 2.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deforming means 320 receives the road data, the target object data and the route data as the search results and creates a simplified map. The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

When the departure place name, the arrival place name, and the transportation means are designated from the information terminal device 301 as shown in FIG. 41, the retrieval control means 321 generates the next retrieval command sequence. . <Search 1> Position information of the departure place is searched from the target object table. <Search 2> Position information of the destination is searched from the target table. <Search 3> Search the nearest station of the departure place from the target table. <Search 4> Search the nearest station of the destination from the target table. <Search 5> The road table is searched for road data in a rectangular area including the position information searched in Search 1 and the nearest station searched in Search 3. <Search 6> The road table is searched for road data in a rectangular area including the position information searched in Search 2 and the nearest station searched in Search 4. <Search 7> The target object data of the main facility within the range of the road data searched in Search 5 is searched from the target object table. <Search 8> The target object data of the main facility within the range of the road data searched in Search 6 is searched from the target object table. <Search 9> Train route data from the position information searched in Search 1 to the position information searched in Search 2 is searched from the traffic table. <Search 10> From the road table, the walking route data from the position information searched in Search 1 to the nearest station searched in Search 3 is searched. <Search 11> From the road table, the walking route data from the position information searched in Search 2 to the nearest station searched in Search 4 is searched.

The search processing means 322 executes this search, and the deformation creating means 320 receives the road data, the target object data, and the route data as the search results, and creates a simplified map. The information terminal device 301 displays the search result as shown in FIG.

Next, the editing of the deformed map performed by the user interface means 303 of the information terminal device 301 will be described.

For example, when the information terminal device 301 has a printing function, the user may print the map obtained from the information providing device 302 with a memo. In this way, when the user requests to attach a short sentence such as a memo to the deformed map (for example, the deformed map of FIG. 40), the user interface means 303 performs the processing in the procedure shown in FIG.

The activated user interface means 303
Step 6301: When accepting a short sentence to be pasted on the deformed map, Step 6302: As shown in FIG. 44 (b), the difference between the display areas of the deformed map is obtained from the area for displaying the map, and Step 6303: FIG. As shown in c), the region obtained by the difference is divided into four equal parts, and the region having the largest area is selected. Step 6304: As shown in FIG. 44 (d), a short sentence is automatically inserted into the selected region. .

In addition, the user can change the deformation map (see FIG. 45).
When requesting a change in the facility data displayed in (a)), the user interface means 303 performs the processing according to the procedure shown in FIG.

The activated user interface means 303
Step 6401: The facility data list of the area for which the deformed map is created is displayed in a menu format, and the facility data displayed on the map is shown in different colors.

Step 6402: If the change is necessary, the user selects the data to be displayed and the other data from the facility data list.

Step 6403: Based on the selection result of step 6402, the display is updated as shown in FIG. 45 (b).

Further, when the user requests to rotate the deformed map (FIG. 47 (a)) in accordance with the traveling direction, the user interface means 303 performs the processing in the procedure shown in FIG.

The activated user interface means 303
Step 6501: The deformed map is searched and displayed. Step 6502: When the user selects a road to walk from, Step 6503: The end of the road selected in Step 6502 is rotated so as to overlap the center line of the screen, Step 6504: The character string is rotated so that it is written horizontally.

The user can also specify the design of the deformed map from the information terminal device 301. At this time, on the display screen of the user interface means 303,
FIG. 49 is displayed, and the user selects a parameter from the screen.

The deformed map generating means 309 of the information providing apparatus 302 performs the processing based on the selected parameter in the procedure shown in FIG.

The deformed map generation means 309 which has been activated
Step 6601: When receiving the deformation map generation parameter specified by the user, Step 6602: Checks whether omission of the road is specified, and if omission other than along the route is specified, Perform processing.

If omission is not specified,
The process of step 6604 is performed.

If the omission other than along the route and the omission of the long straight line portion are designated, the process of step 6605 is performed.

Step 6606: It is checked whether or not the road end point processing is designated. If the straight line closing processing is designated, the processing of step 6607 is carried out.

If the process for not closing is specified, the process of step 6608 is performed.

If the curve closing process is designated, the process of step 6609 is performed.

Step 6610: It is checked whether or not the processing of the intersection is designated. If the processing for orthogonalization is designated, the processing of step 6611 is performed.

If nothing is specified, the process of step 6612 is performed.

Step 6613: It is checked whether the road processing is designated. If the processing for straightening is designated, the processing of step 6614 is carried out.

If nothing is specified, the process of step 6615 is performed.

Step 6616: It is checked whether or not the road width process is designated. If the simplification process is designated, the process of step 6617 is carried out.

If nothing is designated, step 6618 is processed.

Step 6619: It is checked whether the process for displaying the route information is designated. If the process for displaying is designated, the process of step 6620 is performed.

If nothing is designated, step 6621 is processed.

Step 6622: It is checked whether or not the transportation means is designated. If the walking processing is designated, the processing of step 6623 is performed.

If the car process is designated, the process of step 6624 is performed.

Step 6625: Generate a deformed map using the above parameters.

The deformed map of FIG. 51 (b) is shown in FIG.
The one generated by the parameter designation of (a) is shown.

The deformed map of FIG. 52B is shown in FIG.
The one generated by the parameter designation of (a) is shown. Also, in this case, the deformed map generation means 309
Calculates the travel distance to the destination and the required time, and the calculation result is also displayed.

The deformation map of FIG. 53 (b) is shown in FIG.
The one generated by the parameter designation of (a) is shown.

As described above, the geographic information providing system according to the second embodiment can generate and edit the deformed map that suits the taste of the user.

Since the amount of geospatial data transmitted is reduced due to the deformation, the communication network is
It is possible to use not only a wired line network but also a wireless line, and it becomes possible to receive geographical information provided by a portable information terminal.

[0151]

As is apparent from the above description, the geographic information providing system of the present invention can efficiently transmit geospatial data. Therefore, it is possible to provide geographical information not only through a wired line but also through a wireless line network.

Further, the user can flexibly select the map to be displayed, and the map suitable for the user's taste and need can be displayed.

Further, the geographic information description method of the present invention reduces the transmission amount of geospatial data and facilitates the search and editing of geospatial data on the receiving side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a geographical information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of geospatial data conversion means of the geographic information providing system,

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of geospatial data handled by the geographic information providing system,

FIG. 4 is a storage content example of geospatial data storage means of the geographic information providing system;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure by a geospatial data conversion unit of the geographic information providing system,

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of geospatial data exchanged between the information terminal device and the information providing device of the geographic information providing system;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by a user interface unit of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 8 is an output example of outputting and displaying a search result using the topological relationship of geospatial data from the user interface means of the geographic information providing system;

FIG. 9 is an output example in which the result of a search using the temporal characteristics of geospatial data is output and displayed from the user interface means of the geographic information providing system;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a geographical information providing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a deformed map generating means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a deformation creating unit of the deformation map generating unit;

FIG. 13 is an example of contents stored in a geospatial data storage unit of the map information providing system;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of search processing means of the map information providing system;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a target object linking unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of processing by a route extracting unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a target object peripheral shaping unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a shaping unit other than the target object periphery of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by an angle correction processing unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by an intersection moving means of the deformation creating means,

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a linear approximation means of the deformation creating means,

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a map area setting unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a road omitting means of the deformation creating means,

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a straight line approximating means using the intersection angle of the deformation creating means,

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a road shortening unit of the deformation creating unit;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example by a target object thinning means of the deformation creating means,

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the deformation processing control means of the deformation creating means;

FIG. 28 is an input example of inputting an information search request specifying a spot name from the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a search control means for an information search request designating a spot name of the map information providing system;

FIG. 30 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to an information search request designating a spot name of the map information providing system,

FIG. 31 is an input example of inputting an information search request specifying an area name from the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 32 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to an information search request designating an area name of the map information providing system;

FIG. 33 is an input example of inputting an information search request specifying a point or area name and an index name from the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 34 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to an information search request specifying a point or area name and an index name of the map information providing system,

FIG. 35 is an input example of inputting an information search request using the address book function of the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 36 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to an information search request using the address book function of the map information providing system,

FIG. 37 is an input example of inputting an information search request using the position detection function of the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 38 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to an information search request using the position detection function of the map information providing system,

FIG. 39 is an input example of inputting a route search request from the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 40 is an output example to an information terminal device in response to a route search request of the map information providing system,

FIG. 41 is an input example of inputting a route search request combining a plurality of transportation means and walking from the information terminal device of the map information providing system;

FIG. 42 is an output example to the information terminal device in response to a route search request combining a plurality of transportation means and walking of the map information providing system;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for automatically arranging short sentences by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 44 is an output example of a deformed map in which short sentences are automatically arranged by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 45 is an output example of a deformed map in which facility data is selected by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system,

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for selecting facility data by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 47 is an output example of a deformed map obtained by rotating the map display by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for rotating the display of a map by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system;

FIG. 49 is an example of a design designation screen of a deformed map displayed by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system,

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for selecting a deformed map design by the deformed map generating means of the geographic information providing system;

FIG. 51 is a deformed map design by the user interface means of the geographical information providing system, “apart from along the route is omitted, road end points are connected by straight lines, intersections and roads are not processed, road width is simplified, Output example of a deformed map that displays "distance and time, move on foot"

[FIG. 52] Deformation map design by the user interface means of the geographic information providing system is as follows: “Long straight line portions other than along the route are omitted, road end points are connected by curves, intersections are orthogonalized, roads are straightened, and road widths are set. Don't simplify, don't show distance / time, move by car "
Output example of a deformed map with selected

FIG. 53 is a deformation map design by the user interface means of the geographic information providing system, “roads are not omitted, road end points are not connected, intersections and roads are not processed, road width is not simplified, and movement is performed. This is an example of the output of a deformed map in which "walking on foot without displaying distance / time" is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

301 Information terminal device 302 Information provision device 303 User interface means 304 Communication means 305 Data storage means 306 communication network 307 Geospatial data conversion method 308 Geospatial data storage means 309 Deformation map generation means 310 Geospatial data conversion processing means 311 Search control means 312 Search processing method 320 Deformation method 321 Search control means 322 Search Processing Means 401 Input means 402 Deformation processing control means 403 Output means 404 Target object linkage means 405 Route extraction means 406 Target peripheral shaping means 407 Shaping means other than around the target 408 Angle correction means 409 Crossing means 410 Linear approximation means 411 Map area setting means 412 Road abbreviation 413 Linear approximation method using intersection angle 414 Road shortening means 415 Target thinning means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Go Nakano 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-9-90869 (JP, A) JP-A-9- 231263 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 1/00 G06T 11/60-17/50 G06F 13/00 G06F 17/30 G09B 23/00-29/14

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A geographical information providing system comprising: an information terminal device having a communication function; and an information providing device that provides geographical information through a communication network in response to a search request from the information terminal device. Geospatial data storage means for storing geospatial data relating to the geospatial components, and at least a part of the geospatial data stored in the geospatial data storage means as a spatial feature.
Declaratively described by a character string of an identifier indicating the sex and its value <br /> A geospatial data conversion means for converting into a data format described by a geospatial description method, and a geospatial space described by the description method A communication means for transmitting data to the information terminal device, wherein the information terminal device stores data of the geospatial data received from the information providing device, and analyzes the description of the geospatial data, A geographic information providing system, comprising: a user interface unit for displaying a component of geographic space based on an analysis result. 2. The geographical information providing system according to claim 1 , wherein an identifier representing a position, a shape, and an attribute of a component in geographic space is used as the identifier. Wherein as the identifier, geographical information providing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by using an identifier representing the phase relationships between components in the geographic space. Wherein as the identifier, geographical information providing system according to any of claims 1 to 3, which comprises using an identifier representing a function or dependency of the components in the geographic space. As claimed in claim 5, wherein said identifier, geographical information providing system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized by using an identifier representing time characteristics of the components in the geographic space.