JP4806600B2 - Menu display program, recording medium, menu display device, and menu display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a menu display program, a recording medium, a menu display device, and a menu display method that enable execution of an interactive service that provides information in response to an interaction with a user at the best place.

  In recent years, with the spread of information and communication technologies such as the Internet, not only personal computers and mobile phones, but also on-board devices such as PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) and car navigation devices, and mobile game consoles provide information called telematic services. Service is being applied. By using the telematic service, the user can acquire guidance information such as weather information, facility information, and traffic information, and entertainment information such as music purchase and latest movie guidance in real time.

  In this telematic service, a menu displayed on a display is interactively selected by voice input or screen operation by a user to execute a desired task. A task is a service that is finally executed by voice input or operation input by a user.

  While the information provided by the telematic service is diverse, there are limitations on the display area on the display screen of the user's terminal device and the recognizable voice at the time of voice input. This limits the amount of information (maximum number of menu items displayed) that can be presented on the display screen at one time. For this reason, the menu used in the telematic service has a hierarchical tree-like data structure. Hereinafter, a service in which a user performs a desired task by interactively operating a tree-like menu, such as a telematic service, is defined as an interactive service.

  Each task of the interactive service has an area suitable for execution. For example, a task that can acquire information such as a weather map, a movie preview video, music data, and traffic jam information requires downloading of rich content. For this reason, when acquiring such information, it is desirable to execute tasks in a high-speed and low-cost narrow area wireless communication area such as a public wireless LAN spot or DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication).

  Further, in a task capable of acquiring information such as store information, sightseeing information, movie theater information, and parking lot information, it is necessary to search for a desired facility (for example, a facility existing in the vicinity) from the information acquired by the user. is there. Accordingly, when there is a large amount of information that becomes the search range, the search operation by the user becomes complicated, so it is desirable to execute the task in the area where the facility exists.

  In order to execute a task at such an appropriate place, it is necessary for the user to perform an operation related to the task execution while paying attention to the area to which the user currently belongs or a neighboring area. This significantly reduces the convenience for the user, particularly in an in-vehicle device that requires a menu operation while driving the vehicle.

  In the interactive service, since multiple operations such as voice input and screen operation occur, it may take a long time to execute the final task. For this reason, for example, even if the user notices an area suitable for task execution, the vehicle will be removed from the area depending on the time required for the operation (hereinafter referred to as “interaction”), and the vehicle will be in the best place. In some cases, task execution opportunities were missed.

  Conventionally, in-vehicle devices that can acquire map data and traffic jam information from the server, prediction is made to predict information that may be required in the future from the current location of the vehicle and display it without delay when it reaches the corresponding area. An apparatus for downloading information in advance is provided (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

  Also, there is provided a device that predicts a menu selected by the user in each area from the past operation history of the user and displays the predicted menu when the corresponding area is reached (for example, Patent Document 2 below). reference.).

JP 2003-158777 A JP 2000-172394 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, information to be downloaded in advance is not information estimated based on user interaction. That is, in the interactive service, information to be downloaded is determined after a dialog with the user. For this reason, the information downloaded in advance may not be effective information for the user, and there is still a problem that the opportunity for task execution at the best place is missed.

  It is also conceivable to download all information that may be necessary in the future, but the amount of information recorded on the recording medium in the apparatus will increase. For this reason, a large-capacity recording medium for recording the downloaded information is required, and there is a problem that the convenience for the user is lowered.

  Moreover, in the prior art by the above-mentioned patent document 2, since the user uses the past operation history, the past operation history is used in the place where the user passes for the first time or the place where the operation history is not sufficiently accumulated. I can't. For this reason, there are cases where the user has to miss the opportunity to execute tasks in an appropriate place because the user must input the operation several times during the first passage and the period until the usable operation history is accumulated. It was.

  Further, when the user's hobbies and preferences are changed, the past operation history may not be an effective judgment material for estimating the menu. In this case, an appropriate menu display cannot be performed, and as a result, a plurality of operation inputs by the user are required, and the opportunity of task execution at an appropriate place may still be missed.

  In order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, the present invention makes it possible to execute a task having a high execution effect with a small number of operations at a location where the task is located, thereby eliminating the opportunity for task execution at the best location. It is an object of the present invention to provide a menu display program, a recording medium, a menu display device, and a menu display method that prevent this.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a menu display program, a recording medium, a menu display device, and a menu display method according to the present invention include a displayable menu item and a promotion destination from the menu item and / or In a menu display program, a recording medium, a menu display device, and a menu display method for displaying a menu using a data structure hierarchized by menu data associated with a descending menu item, the current location of the menu display device And a task related to the detected current position is identified from among a plurality of tasks that can be specified by a menu item in the lowest-order menu data of the data structure, and is identified from the data structure. Select a task from a menu item that can specify a task (hereinafter referred to as a “specific task”). The first menu data in which the specific task cannot be directly specified among the menu data having the tracked menu items is tracked in the menu items in the first menu data. The second menu data is changed to the second menu data having a lower-order menu item, and the changed second menu data is displayed on the display screen.

  According to this invention, it is possible to change the path related to the current location to a path that can be executed with a small number of operations.

  Moreover, in the said invention, it is good also as specifying the task regarding the area which exists in the predetermined range of the detected present location.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change to a path that allows tasks related to the area near the current point to be executed with a few procedures.

  Further, in the above invention, the identification is made based on the weight information regarding the time required for transition from each menu item constituting the data structure to the menu item to be promoted to and / or descended from the menu item. Calculates the time required to specify a task related to the area, compares the time required to reach the area with the calculation result, and newly displays the changed second menu data based on the comparison result Possible menu items may not be displayed on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, when the execution of a specific task in the area is not in time, it is possible to prevent display regarding the specific task.

  According to the menu display program, the recording medium, the menu display device, and the menu display method according to the present invention, it is possible to execute a task having a high execution effect with a small number of operations in the place where the position is located, so that There is an effect that it is possible to prevent missed opportunities for task execution.

  Exemplary embodiments of a menu display program, a recording medium, a menu display device, and a menu display method according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall configuration of interactive service)
First, the overall configuration of an interactive service including a menu display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of an interactive service including a menu display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interactive service is a service such as a telematic service in which a user performs a desired task by interactively operating a menu displayed on a display.

  In this interactive service, for example, the information provided to the user is different for each of a plurality of areas set on the map. Specifically, for example, information that is effective in each area differs depending on the geographical conditions for each area, the facilities in the vicinity, stores, and available communication means.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle equipped with a menu display device is moving from area A to area B. When the current location of the vehicle exists in area A, a menu relating to a task having a high execution effect in area A is displayed on the display of the menu display device.

  When the vehicle moves from area A to area B, a menu related to a task having a high execution effect in area B is displayed on the display of the menu display device. Thus, in the menu display device, the menu displayed on the display can be changed according to the current location of the vehicle, that is, the current location where the device main body is located.

  For this reason, the user can perform a task having a high execution effect for each area with a small number of operations without being aware of the area.

(Hardware configuration of menu display device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the menu display device will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the menu display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the menu display device is an example of a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, HDD (hard disk drive) 204, HD (hard disk) 205, FDD (flexible disk drive) 206, and a removable recording medium. FD (flexible disk) 207, display 208, I / F (interface) 209, and operation panel 210. Each component is connected by a bus 200.

  Here, the CPU 201 governs overall control of the menu display device. The ROM 202 records programs such as a boot program. The RAM 203 is used as workware for the CPU 201. The HDD 204 controls data read / write with respect to the HD 205 according to the control of the CPU 201. The HD 205 stores data written under the control of the HDD 204.

  The FDD 206 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the FD 207 according to the control of the CPU 201. The FD 207 stores data written under the control of the FDD 206, or causes the menu display device to read data stored in the FD 207.

  In addition to the FD 207, the removable recording medium may be a CD-ROM (CD-R, CD-RW), MO, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), memory card, or the like. The display 208 displays data such as a document, an image, and function information as well as a cursor, an icon, or a tool box. As the display 208, for example, a CRT, a TFT liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or the like can be adopted.

  The I / F 209 is connected to a network 214 such as the Internet through a communication line, and is connected to other devices via the network 214. The I / F 209 controls an internal interface with the network 214 and controls data input / output from an external device. For example, a modem or a LAN adapter may be employed as the I / F 209.

  The operation panel 210 includes keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, and the like, and inputs data. Moreover, a touch panel type input pad or a numeric keypad may be used.

(Menu tree)
Here, a menu tree schematically representing menus displayed on the display 208 of the menu display device will be described. While the information provided by the interactive service is diverse, the display area on the display of the menu display device and the recognizable voice at the time of voice input are limited.

  For this reason, there is a limit to the amount of information (maximum number of menu items displayed) that can be presented on the display 208 at one time. In order to efficiently display the menu on the display 208 under such restrictions, the entire menu has a hierarchical tree structure.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a menu tree. As shown in FIG. 3, each menu item in the menu tree is connected to a menu item to be promoted or / and descended. In addition, a task for executing various programs is connected to the menu item at the end of the tree (the lowest level).

  The user follows each menu item according to the configuration of the menu tree and executes a desired task. Specifically, for example, when a movie preview video task is executed, the user follows the structure of the menu tree so that the “main menu” → “entertainment service” → “movie” → “latest movie guide” → “movie” The menu items are traced in the order of “notice video”, and finally the task of movie preview video is executed. When the movie preview video task is executed, video playback software is activated, and for example, video data downloaded from a server on the network is played back.

  When the music data task is executed, the music playback software is activated and the downloaded music data is played back. Further, when a weather map task is executed, a Web browser is activated and a weather image downloaded from a server on the network is displayed on the display 208.

(Data structure of menu data)
Next, the data structure of the menu data will be specifically described. In the menu data, a menu item that can be displayed and a menu item that is a promotion destination or / and a descending destination from the menu item are defined in association with each other. The menu data forms a hierarchical data structure such as a menu tree shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the menu data. Here, the menu data is described using XML (Extensible Markup Language). XML is one of markup languages in which certain information is embedded in a document or data created by a computer or the like by using a character string called “tag”.

  The language for describing the menu data is not limited to XML, and may be described using a markup language such as SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) or HTML (HyperText Markup Language).

  Menu data 400 is menu data relating to a movie menu (see FIG. 3). In the menu data 400, “latest movie guide”, “movie theater search”, and “ticket reservation” are described as menu items to be descended. Further, in the menu data 400, “entertainment service” and “main menu” are described as menu items to be promoted.

  As described above, the menu data (for example, menu data 400) defines the menu item of the promotion destination or / and the descending destination in each menu item. The menu display device displays a menu screen corresponding to each menu item on the display 208 based on the menu data.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a menu screen. As shown in FIG. 5, a menu screen 500 based on the menu data 400 is displayed on the display of the menu display device. The user can select an arbitrary menu item displayed on the menu screen 500 by performing a screen operation. For example, when the user selects the menu item for the latest movie guide, the displayed content is switched to the menu screen for the latest movie guide.

  The user can reach a desired task by sequentially selecting the menu items displayed on the menu screen. Here, a menu item is sequentially selected, and a path from the main menu to the movie preview image will be described. A path indicates a path from one menu item to another menu item. Specifically, as a path from the main menu to the movie preview video, there are “main menu” → “entertainment service” → “movie” → “latest movie guide” → “movie preview video” indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. .

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of path data. FIG. 6 shows path data 600 representing a path from the main menu to the movie preview video indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. The menu display device sequentially displays the menu screen shown in the path data 600 based on the user's screen operation, thereby displaying a screen for finally executing the movie preview video task.

(Functional configuration of menu display device)
Next, a functional configuration of the menu display device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the menu display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7, the menu display device includes a detection unit 701, a specification unit 702, a tracking unit 703, a change unit 704, a display unit 705, a display control unit 706, a calculation unit 707, a comparison unit 708, It is composed of

  The menu display device displays a menu by using a data structure in which menu items that can be displayed are associated with menu items that are associated with a menu item that is an ascending destination and / or a descending destination from the menu item. .

  Here, the promotion indicates a transition to a layer higher than the current layer in the hierarchical data structure. The descending level indicates a transition to a layer lower than the current layer in the hierarchical data structure. Further, the menu data is specifically data described in XML as shown in FIG. 4 and describes the menu item of the promotion destination or / and the descending destination from the displayable menu item. .

  First, the detection unit 701 detects the current location of the apparatus main body. The current location of the apparatus body is, for example, a point on map data such as latitude / longitude and altitude. Specifically, for example, when the menu display device is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, the GPS unit mounted on the moving body receives signals from GPS satellites and various sensors provided on the moving body. Current point information of the apparatus main body (moving body) is calculated using an output value or the like. The detection unit 701 detects the current location of the apparatus main body using the current location information.

  The identifying unit 702 identifies a task related to the current location detected by the detecting unit 701 from among a plurality of tasks that can be specified by menu items in the lowest-order menu data in the data structure. The lowest-order menu data in the data structure is data in the lowest layer in the data structure hierarchized by the menu data. Specifically, for example, the lowest-order menu data is menu data related to a terminal menu item (for example, store search menu, latest movie guide menu, ticket reservation menu, etc.) in the menu tree shown in FIG.

  The plurality of tasks that can be specified are tasks that can be specified by a user operation input when the terminal menu item in the menu tree is displayed. Specifically, for example, the plurality of tasks that can be specified are the various tasks shown in FIG. 3 (for example, news, sightseeing information, movie preview video, etc.).

  Specifically, the specifying unit 702 specifies a task having a high execution effect from a plurality of tasks at the current point detected by the detecting unit 701. For example, when there is a spot capable of high-speed and low-cost narrow-area wireless communication near the current location, the specifying unit 702 performs a music data task or movie preview that requires downloading of various data as a task with a high execution effect. Identify video tasks.

  The specifying unit 702 may specify a task related to an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location detected by the detecting unit 701. Specifically, for example, the identifying unit 702 first identifies an area that exists within a predetermined range of the current location, using information indicating the location of each area stored in the area DB. Then, the specifying unit 702 specifies a task related to the area type of the specified area using information indicating a task related to the area type stored in the area DB. The data structure of the area DB will be described later.

  The tracking unit 703 tracks menu items that are higher than the menu item from the menu items that can specify the task specified by the specifying unit 702 (hereinafter referred to as “specific task”) from the data structure. Specifically, the tracking unit 703 starts with menu data having a menu item that can specify a specific task, starts from the menu data at the highest level (the highest level) that is the end point, and becomes the destination for promotion in order. Keep track of menu items.

  At this time, the tracking unit 703 tracks based on the description indicating the menu item to be promoted in each menu data. Specifically, for example, the tracking unit 703 sets the menu item of the entertainment service as a promotion destination based on the description of the <previous link = “entertainment service.xml”> portion of the menu data shown in FIG.

  More specifically, for example, the movie, entertainment service, main menu, and menu items are sequentially promoted and tracked in order from the latest movie guide, which is a menu item that can specify the task of the movie preview video shown in FIG. . At this time, the menu data is traced in the reverse order to the order shown in FIG.

  The change unit 704 lowers the first menu data that cannot directly specify a specific task among the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking unit 703 from the menu item in the first menu data. Change to second menu data having menu items. Here, the first menu data in which a specific task cannot be directly specified is menu data in which the specific task is not described in the descending destination described in the first menu data.

  In addition, the second menu data having a menu item at a lower level than the menu item in the first menu data describes at least one or more lower level menu items from the described lower level. Menu data. Specifically, when the first menu data before the change is the menu data 400 shown in FIG. 4, the menu items at the descending destination described are the latest movie guide, movie theater search, and ticket reservation. . For this reason, the task of the movie preview video cannot be directly specified from the menu data 400.

  At this time, the changing unit 704 changes, for example, to the second menu data in which a movie preview video task is described as a descending menu item. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the data structure of the menu data. As shown in FIG. 8, in the menu data 800, a movie preview video is described as a descending destination menu item, and the task of the movie preview video can be directly specified. The menu items that can directly specify a task include an icon that can specify a specific task.

  Thus, for example, when the first menu data that cannot directly specify a specific task is the menu data 400 shown in FIG. 4, the changing unit 704 uses the menu data 800 shown in FIG. 8 as the second menu data. It may be changed. In addition, when there are a plurality of menu data that can be changed as the second menu data, the changing unit 704 determines the number of operations required to designate a specific task (from the changed menu data, the specific task The menu data with the smallest number of operations until the menu data can be directly specified may be changed as the second menu data.

  Further, the changing unit 704 changes the menu data to the least time required to specify a specific task (the time required to reach the menu data from which the specific task can be directly specified from the menu data after the change). You may make it do. Note that menu data and data related to the number of operations and required time until a specific task is specified may be created in advance and recorded in a recording medium such as the HD 205.

  Further, the changing unit 704 converts the first menu data that cannot directly specify a specific task among the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking unit 703 into the second menu data that can directly specify the specific task. It may be changed. That is, all menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking unit 703 may be changed to menu data that can directly specify a specific task.

  Next, the display unit 705 has a display screen. The display screen included in the display unit 705 is, for example, the display 208. Also, the display control unit 706 displays the menu items in the second menu data changed by the changing unit 704 on the display screen. Here, a specific example in which the menu data changed by the changing unit 704 is displayed on the display screen will be described.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram (part 2) illustrating an example of the menu screen. Normally, when a movie menu is selected, a menu screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. However, since the movie preview video task is specified as the specific task here, the change unit 704 changes the menu data 400 to the menu data 800. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a menu screen 900 based on the menu data 800 is displayed on the display screen.

  Specifically, the menu screen 900 displays a movie preview video indicating a descending destination, movie theater search, and other menu items based on the contents described in the menu data 800. Icons for returning to the previous display (returning to the entertainment service) and returning to the beginning (returning to the main menu) are displayed.

  When the change unit 704 changes the menu data 400 to the menu data 800, the configuration of the menu tree shown in FIG. 3 changes as follows. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the menu tree. By changing from the menu data 400 to the menu data 800, the menu item at the descending destination when the movie menu is selected changes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the descending destination at the time of selecting the movie menu changes from the latest movie guide, movie theater search and ticket reservation to movie preview video, movie theater search and others. In this way, in a place where the effect of movie preview video task execution is high, the user can perform operations such as voice input and screen operation by changing the configuration of the menu tree so that the movie preview video task can be specified directly from the movie menu The number of times can be reduced.

  Next, the calculation unit 707 specifies the information based on the weight information related to the time required for the transition from each menu item constituting the data structure to the menu item to be promoted or / and descended from the menu item. The time required to specify a task related to the area specified by the unit 702 is calculated. Specifically, the calculation unit 707 calculates the minimum time required until the task related to the area is designated from the currently displayed menu screen.

  The weight information is, for example, information in which weights relating to time required for voice guidance of menu items displayed on each menu screen and time required for voice input by the user are described. A weighted graph obtained by graphing this weight information will be described later.

  Further, the calculation unit 707 may calculate the time required until the execution of the task related to the area specified by the specifying unit 702 is completed. For example, when executing a movie preview video task, it is necessary to download video data from a server on the network. The calculation unit 707 may calculate the time by adding the time required for the download.

  Further, the calculation unit 707 may calculate the time required to reach an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location. Specifically, the calculation unit 707 calculates time based on current location information indicating the current location and information indicating the location of an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location.

  More specifically, for example, the calculation unit 707 calculates the shortest path or straight line distance from the current point to the area, and uses the moving speed of the moving body on which the menu display device is mounted or a preset speed. The time required to reach the area is calculated.

  The comparison unit 708 compares the time required to reach an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location with the time required to specify a task related to the area calculated by the calculation unit 707.

  Further, the display control unit 706 does not display a menu item that can be newly displayed by the second menu data changed by the changing unit 704 based on the comparison result of the comparing unit 708 on the display screen. Here, the menu item that can be newly displayed is a menu item that is lower than the menu item in the second menu data in which a specific task cannot be directly specified.

  Specifically, for example, as a result of the comparison by the comparison unit 708, the display control unit 706 determines that the time cost required to specify a task related to the area calculated by the calculation unit 707 is greater than the time cost required to reach the area. If the menu item becomes larger, menu items that can be newly displayed by the second menu data changed by the changing unit 704 are not displayed on the display screen.

  That is, if a task cannot be designated before reaching the area, menu data relating to the task is not displayed on the display screen. As described above, when the task related to the area cannot be executed in time within the area, it is possible to prevent the user from selecting a task with a low possibility of execution by not displaying the task on the display screen.

  Note that the detection unit 701, the identification unit 702, the tracking unit 703, the change unit 704, the display control unit 706, the calculation unit 707, and the comparison unit 708 described above are specifically, for example, the RM 202, the RAM 203, When the CPU 201 executes a program recorded in a recording medium such as the HD 205 or the FD 207, the display unit 705 specifically realizes its function by, for example, the display 208 shown in FIG.

(Weighted graph)
Next, a weighted graph indicating weight information used when the calculation unit 707 calculates time required to specify a task related to an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location specified by the specifying unit 702 will be described. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a weighted graph. FIG. 11 shows a menu tree obtained by extracting a part of the configuration from the menu tree shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the required time required for transition between the respective menu items is expressed as “weight” in the arrows indicating the ascending or descending from each menu item. An arrow indicated by a solid line indicates a menu tree by default (initial setting), and an arrow indicated by a dotted line indicates a menu tree when menu data is changed by the changing unit 704 (hereinafter referred to as “shortcut”). Is shown.

  The shortcut path can be arbitrarily set by creating menu data to be changed by the changing unit 704 for each desired shortcut. For example, although not shown in FIG. 11, a route shortcut of “main menu” → “music search” can be set. In this case, menu data in which music search is described as a descending destination from the main menu is created.

  Also, a numerical value represented as “weight” can be arbitrarily set. Here, the minimum time required for designating the menu item at the lower level by the user's operation input is set as the “weight”. For example, when selecting the main menu, 0.5 (minutes) is required to specify the menu item of the information guidance service, so the “weight” is set to “0.5”. Here, as a minimum required time, a time required for voice guidance of menu items displayed when each menu is selected is set.

  Furthermore, the “weight” may be set in consideration of the time required for downloading when executing a task such as “music data” or “movie preview video”. For example, a time sufficient for downloading a song having an average performance time is added as a “weight” as a “weight” when designating a task of “music data”.

  Specifically, for example, the time required for downloading is added to the “weight” between music search and music data. Note that the value of the “weight” to be added can be arbitrarily changed.

  The calculating unit 707 calculates the time required to specify a task related to the area specified by the specifying unit 702 using the weighted graph. For example, when the main menu is selected, the time required to specify a task for music data is “0” in the case of “main menu” → “entertainment service” → “music purchase” → “music search” → “music data”. .5 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 5.0 = 6.5 ”. In the case of a path of “main menu” → “music purchase” → “music search” → “music data”, “0.5 + 0.5 + 5.0 = 6.0”.

(Area DB)
Next, the data structure of the area DB used when the specifying unit 702 specifies a task related to an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location will be described. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the area DB.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the area DB includes a table 1201 for managing the area type for each longitude / latitude for specifying one point on the map, and a table 1202 for managing the task list for each area type. The specifying unit 702 specifies a task related to the area using the table 1201 and the table 1202 stored in the area DB.

  For example, the identifying unit 702 first identifies an area type of an area existing within a predetermined range from the area DB table 1201 and the current location information of the current location of the menu display device. Here, when the specified area type is the area type M, the specifying unit 702 specifies “movie theater information” that is a task list corresponding to the area type M from the table 1202.

(Processing procedure of menu display device)
Next, menu display processing executed in the menu display device will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a menu display processing procedure executed in the menu display device. Here, a case where the menu display device is mounted on a mobile communication terminal such as a car navigation device or a mobile phone or a mobile information terminal such as a mobile computer will be described.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 13, the menu display device first determines whether or not an area X exists within a predetermined range of the current location of the device body (step S1301). Specifically, by using a table 1201 stored in the area DB, an area X existing within a predetermined range of the current location of the apparatus main body is searched to determine the presence of the area.

  Here, after waiting for the area X existing within the predetermined range of the current point to be searched (step S1301: No), if the area X exists (step S1301: Yes), the execution effect is high in the area X. It is determined whether or not a task exists (step S1302). Specifically, using a table 1202 stored in the area DB, a task list corresponding to the area type of area X is searched to determine the presence of a task with a high execution effect.

  If there is a task with a high execution effect in step 1302 (step S1302: Yes), a path from the currently displayed menu screen to the task is searched (step S1303). Specifically, all the paths from the menu screen to the task are searched for from the changeable menu data in each menu item to the task.

  Next, based on the search result in step S1303, the path from the currently displayed menu screen to the task is changed (step S1304). At this time, if there are a plurality of retrieved results, the path with the shortest time to reach the task is selected and changed to the selected path. The time required to reach the task may be calculated using a weighted graph shown in FIG. Further, a path having the minimum number of menu items included in each path may be determined as a path having the minimum time required to reach the task.

  Specifically, changing the path means changing the menu data of a menu item included in the path. Specifically, for example, when the movie menu screen is displayed and the task having a high execution effect is a movie preview video, the menu data is changed from the menu data 400 to the menu data 800.

  By changing the menu data, the path from the movie menu to the movie trailer can be changed from "movie" → "latest movie guide" → "movie trailer" to "movie" → "movie trailer". . If there are a plurality of existing tasks, the path to each task is changed. In step S1302, when there is no task having a high execution effect (step S1302: No), the process returns to step S1301.

  Next, the time required to execute the task in the path changed in step S1304 is calculated (step S1305). Specifically, for example, the time required to execute the task may be calculated using a weighted graph shown in FIG. If the time required to reach the task is calculated in step S1304, the calculation result may be used as the time required for executing the task. If there are a plurality of tasks having a high execution effect in step S1302, the time required to execute each task is calculated.

  Next, the expected arrival time to area X is calculated (step S1306). Specifically, for example, the distance to the area X is calculated using the current location information of the current location of the apparatus main body and the table 1201 stored in the area DB, and from this calculation result, the expected arrival according to the moving speed is calculated. The time may be calculated. Note that the process in step S1305 and the process in step S1306 may be performed in reverse order, or may be performed simultaneously.

  From the calculation results of step S1305 and step S1306, a path whose time required for executing the task is longer than the expected arrival time to area X is specified (step S1307).

  Next, a current menu is created using menu data corresponding to a path different from the path specified in step S1307 (step S1308). The current menu is a menu screen displayed on the display 208, and the content of the menu screen differs depending on the menu data that is the creation source. Then, the created current menu is displayed on the display 208 (step S1309).

  Here, the current menu displayed on the display 208 will be described. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram (part 3) illustrating an example of the menu screen. As shown in FIG. 14, the display 208 displays the current menu created in step S1308. Here, since the area X is a narrow area wireless communication area in which high-speed and inexpensive wireless data communication is possible, the execution effect of a task that requires rich content data communication is high.

  For this reason, on the display 208, the movie preview video, music search and weather map tasks that require downloading of rich content are displayed as “recommended”. Thereby, the user can execute these tasks that require downloading of rich contents at a high-speed and inexpensive wireless spot. Furthermore, the user can execute the task with a small number of operations without being conscious of the narrow-band wireless communication area that is the wireless spot.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 13, it is then determined whether or not the area X has been passed (step S1310). Specifically, for example, when the current location of the apparatus main body is a predetermined distance away from the location of the area X, it may be determined that the vehicle has passed the area X. Here, when it has not passed (step S1310: No), it returns to step S1303 and repeats a series of processes.

  If it has passed (step S1310: YES), the default current menu is displayed (step S1311), and the series of processing according to this flowchart ends. The default current menu is a menu screen displayed as an initial setting, for example, a screen on which only map data is displayed, or a screen on which preset menu items are displayed.

  Here, the default current menu is displayed when passing through area X. However, a new current menu is created from the current menu created in step S1308 and the default current menu, and the created current menu is displayed. A menu may be displayed.

  If the number of menu items displayed on the newly created current menu exceeds the maximum number of menus displayed on the menu screen, the menu item related to the deleted task is given priority when the current menu is created in step S1308. May be displayed.

  Here, a menu screen displayed on the display 208 when a task related to facility information search is executed will be described. Here, a case where a task of parking lot information that is executed when a menu display device is mounted on a car navigation device will be described as an example. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram (part 4) illustrating an example of the menu screen. As shown in FIG. 15, the task execution result of the parking lot information is displayed on the menu screen.

  Specifically, information about a parking lot existing near the current location of the vehicle is displayed, and information about two parking lots is displayed as a search result. Further, since the current location of the vehicle has approached an area where there are many Chinese restaurants, it is determined that the store search menu of the Chinese store is highly effective, and the store search menu is displayed on the menu screen.

  As described above, even when various tasks are executed, if it is determined that a task having a high execution effect is present, menu items related to the task are displayed on the menu screen as shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the menu display program, the recording medium, the menu display device, and the menu display method, it is possible to execute a task having a high execution effect in a small number of times at a place where the position is located, so that the best place It is possible to prevent the missed task execution opportunity.

  The menu display method described in this embodiment can be realized by executing a program prepared in advance on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. The program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

(Supplementary Note 1) Using a data structure in which menu items that can be displayed are associated with menu items that are promoted or / and descended from the menu item, the menu display is displayed on the computer. In the menu display program to be executed,
A detection step of detecting a current location of the computer;
A specifying step of specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detection step from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by a menu item in the lowest-order menu data of the data structure;
A tracking step of tracking a menu item that is higher than the menu item from a menu item that can specify the task specified in the specific step (hereinafter referred to as “specific task”) from the data structure;
Of the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking step, the first menu data in which the specific task cannot be directly specified has a lower-order menu item than the menu item in the first menu data. A change process for changing to the second menu data;
A display step of displaying the menu items in the second menu data changed by the changing step on a display screen;
A menu display program for causing a computer to execute

(Supplementary note 2)
The menu display program according to appendix 1, wherein a task related to an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location detected by the detection step is specified.

(Supplementary Note 3) Based on the weight information regarding the time required for transition from each menu item constituting the data structure to the menu item to be promoted or / and descended from each menu item, A calculation step for calculating the time required to specify a task related to the identified area;
A comparison step for comparing the time required to reach the area with the calculation result of the calculation step;
To the computer,
The display step includes
The menu display program according to appendix 2, wherein a menu item that can be newly displayed by the second menu data changed by the changing step is not displayed on the display screen based on the comparison result of the comparing step. .

(Supplementary Note 4) The calculation step is as follows.
The menu display program according to appendix 3, wherein a time required until the execution of the task relating to the area specified by the specifying step is completed is calculated.

(Supplementary note 5)
Of the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking step, the first menu data that cannot directly specify the specific task is changed to second menu data that can directly specify the specific task. The menu display program according to any one of Supplementary notes 1 to 4.

(Appendix 6) The specific task is:
The menu display program according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, which is a task for executing data communication using narrowband radio.

(Appendix 7) The specific task is
The menu display program according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the program is a task for executing a search for facility information.

(Additional remark 8) The said computer-readable recording medium which recorded the menu display program as described in any one of additional marks 1-7.

(Additional remark 9) Menu display which displays a menu using the data structure hierarchized by the menu data with which the menu item which can be displayed and the menu item of the promotion destination or / and descending destination from the said menu item were linked | related In the device
Detection means for detecting the current location of the apparatus body;
A specifying means for specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detecting means from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by a menu item in the lowest-order menu data of the data structure;
A tracking unit that tracks a menu item that is higher than the menu item from a menu item that can specify a task specified by the specifying unit (hereinafter referred to as “specific task”) from the data structure;
Of the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking means, the first menu data that cannot directly specify the specific task has a lower-order menu item than the menu item in the first menu data. Changing means for changing to the second menu data;
Display means having a display screen;
Display control means for displaying a menu item in the second menu data changed by the changing means on the display screen;
A menu display device comprising:

(Supplementary Note 10) A menu is displayed on a menu display device using a data structure in which menu items that can be displayed are associated with menu items that are associated with a menu item that is a promotion destination or / and a subordinate destination from the menu item. In the menu display method to display,
A detection process for detecting the current location of the device body;
A specifying step for specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detection step from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by a menu item in the lowest-order menu data of the data structure;
A tracking step of tracking a menu item that is higher than the menu item from a menu item that can specify the task specified in the specific step (hereinafter referred to as “specific task”) from the data structure;
Of the menu data having each menu item tracked by the tracking step, the first menu data in which the specific task cannot be directly specified has a lower-order menu item than the menu item in the first menu data. A change process for changing to the second menu data;
A display step of displaying a menu item in the second menu data changed by the changing step on a display screen;
Menu display method characterized by including

  As described above, the menu display program, the recording medium, the menu display device, and the menu display method according to the present invention are useful for menu display on the display screen of the mobile communication terminal, and in particular, interactive services such as telematic services. Suitable for mobile communication terminals that can use

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the interactive service containing the menu display apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the menu display apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a menu tree. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of menu data. It is explanatory drawing (the 1) which shows an example of a menu screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of path data. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the menu display apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the data structure of menu data. It is explanatory drawing (the 2) which shows an example of a menu screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of a menu tree. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a graph with a weight. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of area DB. It is a flowchart which shows the menu display process procedure performed in a menu display apparatus. It is explanatory drawing (the 3) which shows an example of a menu screen. It is explanatory drawing (the 4) which shows an example of a menu screen.

Explanation of symbols

701 Detection unit 702 Identification unit 703 Tracking unit 704 Change unit 705 Display unit 706 Display control unit 707 Calculation unit 708 Comparison unit

Claims (6)

A computer that displays a menu screen corresponding to each menu item based on menu data in which a menu item of a promotion destination or / and a descending destination from each menu item of a hierarchically structured menu item group is defined. In the menu display program to be executed,
A detection step of detecting a current location of the computer;
A specifying step of specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detection step from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by the lowest-order menu item of the menu item group ;
Corresponding to the current menu screen from the menu item at the lowest level by following the menu item at the lowest level from the menu item at the lowest level that can specify the task specified by the specific process in the menu item group A search step for searching a path to a menu item to be performed;
The first menu data related to the current menu screen is a menu item on the path searched by the search step as a descending destination menu item, and is a menu item defined in the first menu data. A change process for changing to the second menu data in which the descending menu item is defined from the previous menu item ;
A display step of displaying a menu screen based on the second menu data after the change changed by the change step on a display screen;
A menu display program for causing a computer to execute The specific process includes
An area existing within a predetermined range of the current point detected by the detection step with reference to a database that stores each area of the plurality of areas in association with a task having a high execution effect in the vicinity of each area. The menu display program according to claim 1, wherein a task having a high execution effect is specified in the vicinity . Based on the weight information regarding the time required for transition from each menu item in the menu item group to the menu item to be promoted or / and descended, specified by the specifying step from the menu screen based on the second menu data A calculation process for calculating the time required to specify a designated task;
  A comparison step for comparing a time required to reach an area existing within a predetermined range of the current location from the current location, and a calculation result of the calculation step;
  Based on the comparison result of the comparison step, a menu item at a lower level than the menu item at the lower level defined in the first menu data defined in the second menu data is displayed on the display screen. Display control process to control so as not to,
  3. The program for displaying a menu according to claim 2, wherein the computer is executed. A recording medium readable by the computer in which the menu display program according to claim 1 is recorded. Menu display for displaying a menu screen corresponding to each menu item based on menu data in which a menu item of a promotion destination or / and a descending destination is defined from each menu item of a hierarchically structured menu item group In the device
Detection means for detecting a current position of the apparatus main body,
A specifying means for specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detecting means from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by the lowest-order menu item in the menu item group ;
Corresponding to the current menu screen from the lowest menu item by following the menu item at the lowest level from the lowest level menu item that can specify the task specified by the specifying means in the menu item group Search means for searching a path to a menu item to be performed;
The first menu data relating to the current menu screen is a menu item on the path searched by the search means as a descending destination menu item, and is a descending item defined in the first menu data. A change means for changing to a second menu data in which a descending menu item is defined from a preceding menu item ;
Display control means for displaying a menu screen based on the second menu data after the change that has been changed by said changing means on a display screen,
A menu display device comprising: A computer that displays a menu screen corresponding to each menu item based on menu data in which a menu item of an ascending destination and / or a descending destination is defined from each menu item of a hierarchically structured menu item group In the menu display method to be executed,
A detection step of detecting a current location of the computer;
A specifying step of specifying a task related to the current location detected by the detection step from a plurality of tasks that can be specified by the lowest-order menu item of the menu item group ;
Corresponding to the current menu screen from the menu item at the lowest level by following the menu item at the lowest level from the menu item at the lowest level that can specify the task specified by the specific process in the menu item group A search step for searching a path to a menu item to be performed;
The first menu data related to the current menu screen is a menu item on the path searched by the search step as a descending destination menu item, and is a menu item defined in the first menu data. A change process for changing to the second menu data in which the descending menu item is defined from the previous menu item ;
A display step of displaying a menu screen based on the second menu data after the change changed by the change step on a display screen;
A method for displaying a menu, wherein the computer executes the above.

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