WO2005088253A1

WO2005088253A1 - Spot search device, navigation device, spot search method, spot search program, and information recording medium containing the spot search program

Info

Publication number: WO2005088253A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/004248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takayuki Uchida; Noriyuki Shiragami
Original assignee: Pioneer Corporation; Increment P Corporation
Priority date: 2004-03-15
Filing date: 2005-03-10
Publication date: 2005-09-22
Also published as: JPWO2005088253A1

Abstract

Data for searching a spot includes: (a) a plurality of spot search files RF-k including POI data RFP-i consisting of spot information such as a facility existing in each of areas obtained by dividing the region to be searched for the spot, the spot latitude/longitude, address, and the like; (b) a menu display file MF as data for displaying a search menu; and (c) an area management table TBL. When performing a spot search, condition information is generated according to the menu display file MF, a spot search file RF-k corresponding to the condition information is identified according to the area management table TBL, and the POI data RFP-i contained in the spot search file RF-k is extracted according to the condition information.

Description

Specification

Point search device, navigation device, point search method, point search program, and information recording medium recording this point search program

Technical field

The present invention relates to a navigation device that searches for a movement route of a moving object and presents the route to a user, and particularly relates to a technology of a point search device that searches for a point on a map. Background art

[0002] Conventionally, various types of so-called navigation devices have been provided which are mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle, display information such as a moving route and the current location of the moving body on a display, and guide the moving body. I have. In this type of navigation device, along with map data for displaying a map on a display, information such as latitude and longitude of facilities and points (hereinafter simply referred to as “points”), addresses, telephone numbers, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “points”). (Referred to as "point information"), and a point search function that searches for point information of a destination point in response to a user input operation is realized. For example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Further, in this type of navigation device, the data for searching for points and the map data are recorded on a rewritable recording medium such as a disk or a hard disk, and these data are rewritten. As a result, some devices have a function of updating various data recorded in the navigation device to the latest data.

[0004] By the way, in the above-described conventional navigation device, data in which point information corresponding to all points existing in a point search target area is described in one file is used as point search data. Have been. For example, if the navigation device guides a mobile unit all over Japan, the search target area covers all over Japan, so the location information corresponding to all the locations throughout Japan is stored in one file. It will be described.

[0005] For this reason, when updating data for point search, it is necessary to update the entire file, and it has not been possible to perform partial update. Also, when updating the entire file, it takes a long time to update the data, and the update work becomes complicated. Patent Document 1: Patent 2001-109773

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0006] The present application has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and as an example of the problem, it is possible to partially update the data for point search, thereby improving the efficiency of the update work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a point search device, a navigation device, a point search method, a point search program, and an information recording medium on which the point search program is recorded.

Means for solving the problem

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present application, a plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and each of the data files exists in the area. Point information on points and point identification information indicating attributes of each point are described in association with each other, and the first storage means for storing a plurality of point files and the first storage means for storing the plurality of point files. Second storage means for storing a table in which file information indicating each of the point files, and at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information are associated with each other. Operating means for generating condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information; and at least a part of the generated condition information. A search unit that searches the table based on the location information, and specifies the location file based on the file information corresponding to the location identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. Based on the condition information generated by the operating means, the searched location file is searched for, and the location described in association with location identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information is described. It is characterized by comprising extraction means for extracting information, and output means for outputting the extracted point information.

[0008] Further, when the attribute is input, the data is menu data for displaying an image that assists the input of the attribute, and corresponds to at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file. A third storage unit for storing menu data including attribute information indicating an attribute to be performed, and a first storage unit for assisting an input by a user based on the menu data. Presenting means for presenting a menu, wherein the operating means, when the attribute is input based on the first menu presented by the presenting means, the condition information corresponding to the attribute Is generated based on the attribute information, and when the condition information is generated by the operation means, at least one of the attributes corresponding to the generated condition information is generated. The location file is specified by searching the table based on the attribute of the section, and the extraction means searches the location file based on the generated condition information, and searches the location file according to the condition information. The point information described in association with the point identification information having the attribute is extracted.

[0009] Further, when the extracting means searches the spot file based on the generated condition information, the presenting means may be provided by a user based on the spot identification information included in the spot file. Presenting a second menu for assisting the input of the attribute, wherein the extraction unit is configured to perform the extraction based on both the attribute input based on the second menu presented by the presentation unit and the condition information. !, The location file is searched, and the location information is extracted.

[0010] Further, the second storage means stores the point identification information partially including area identification information for specifying the divided area, and the specifying means is configured to perform the operation by the operating means. When the area is input as an attribute, the location file is specified based on the area identification information.

[0011] Further, the point identification information includes at least one attribute of: a) an attribute of a facility existing at the point; b) a telephone number of a facility existing at the point; The step is characterized in that when at least one of the attributes is input, condition information corresponding to the attribute is generated.

[0012] Further, the point identification information includes a specific code for specifying a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the area, and the operation means displays a map corresponding to the area based on map data. When the user designates a predetermined position on the map in accordance with the map displayed on the display means, the display device further includes a display unit that specifies the specific code corresponding to the area including the specified position. And generating the condition information including the specific code as the attribute. [0013] Further, the point identification information includes at least an identification code for identifying a facility present at a point corresponding to the point identification information, and the operation means includes: a voice input means for inputting a voice; Voice recognition means for recognizing the recognized voice and specifying the identification code corresponding to the recognition result, and generating the condition information including the identification code specified by the voice recognition means as the attribute. It is characterized by doing.

[0014] Further, the output means further includes: point information display means for displaying the point information; and display control means for controlling the display means. The point is displayed on a map including the point corresponding to the information.

[0015] In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present application, a plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and each data file exists in the area. Point information on points and point identification information indicating attributes of the respective points are described in association with each other, and first storage means for storing a plurality of point files; and each of the first and second storage means stored in the first storage means. Second storage means for storing a table in which file information indicating a point file and at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information are stored; An operation unit configured to generate condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for a search, based on at least a part of the generated condition information; Specifying means for searching the table and specifying the location file based on the file information corresponding to the location identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information; and The specified location file is searched based on the condition information generated by the operation means, and the location information described in association with location identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information is described. Extraction means for extracting the route information, route setting means for setting a route based on the extracted point information, and guidance means for performing guidance based on the set route. It is characterized.

[0016] In order to solve the above-described problem, according to still another aspect of the present application, there are a plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and each data file exists in the area. Point information about the point, point identification information indicating an attribute of each point, and The first storage means for storing a plurality of location files, file information indicating each location file stored in the first storage means, and a file corresponding to the file information. A point search method in a point search device, comprising: a second storage unit that stores a table in which at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file is associated with. When the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information, a first step of generating condition information corresponding to the attribute; and The table is searched based on at least a part thereof, and the location is searched based on the file information corresponding to the spot identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. A second step of specifying a file, wherein the point search device searches the point file specified in the second step based on the condition information generated by the operation means, and corresponds to the condition information. A third step of extracting the point information described in association with the point identification information having an attribute to be searched, and a fourth step of outputting the extracted point information by the point search device. And

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to still another aspect of the present application, there are provided a plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and a plurality of data files related to each point existing in the area. A location search program for searching for the location information by a computer from a storage medium storing a plurality of location files in which information and location identification information indicating attributes of each location are described in association with each other. When the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information, the computer is stored in condition information generating means for generating condition information corresponding to the attribute, and in the first storage means. File information indicating each point file described, and at least the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information. A second storage medium that stores a table associated with a part of the condition information based on at least a part of the generated condition information and has an attribute represented by the part of the condition information; Specifying means for specifying the point file based on the file information corresponding to the point identification information; searching for the point file specified by the specifying means based on the condition information generated by the operation means; , Corresponding to the condition information It is characterized by functioning as extraction means for extracting the point information described in association with point identification information having attributes, and output means for outputting the extracted point information.

[0018] In order to solve the above-described problem, another aspect of the present invention is an information recording medium readable by a computer, characterized in that the point search program is recorded.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a data group for search used in a point search device and a point search method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a menu display file MF in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a point search file RF-k in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a category data file MFC-1 included in a menu display file MF in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a category data file RFC-1 included in the point search file RF-k in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of recorded contents of an area management table TBL in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a navigation device 100 using the point search device and the point search method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the system control unit 115 in the genre search in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the system control unit 115 in the embodiment when searching for a telephone number.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the system control unit 115 in the vicinity search at the time of a peripheral search.

Explanation of reference numerals MF- · 'Menu display file

RF-k (k = l, 2, · · ·, n) · · · Location search file

TBL- · 'Area management table'

MFDC, RFDC-

MFV- RFV- 1 (1 = 1, 2, ·, m, m)

MFC-1, RFC-1 (1 = 1, 2, ..., m)

RFPC- ··· Location information management record

RFP— i (i = l, 2, · · ·, η) · · · ΡΟΙ Data RFP— i

100 Navigation device

101GPS receiver

102 '' Sensor part

103IZF section

104 · • 'VICS data receiver

105 HD drive

106 DVD drive

107

108 · • 'Microphone

109

110

111 · 'buffer memory

112 Display control unit 113

114 'speaker

115 · • System control unit

116 ROMZRAM section

117 · • Data bus

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Before describing a specific device configuration, first, a point search device and a point search device realized in the present embodiment will be described. The configuration of data used in the point search device will be described.

[0022] [1, Embodiment

[1.1 Location, points, and data

First, a point search device that is effective in the present embodiment is configured to enable partial update of data used for point search by configuring the data for point search as a group of a plurality of filters. is there. Figure 1 shows the data structure of the data group for this point search.

As shown in the figure, the data group for search used in the point search device according to the present embodiment includes ( _a ) a menu display file MF, and (b) a plurality of point search files RF-k (k = 1, 2, · · · ·, η) and (c) area management table TBL.

[0024] Of these data, the point search file RF-k is data that includes data on facilities and points to be searched (hereinafter referred to as "POI (Point of Interest) data"). For example, point information such as latitude and longitude, address, telephone number, postal code, etc. corresponding to each point is included as POI data!

[0025] The "point file" in the "claims" corresponds to, for example, this point search file RF-k, and the "point information" in the "claims" corresponds to, for example, this POI data. .

[0026] The point search file RF-k is created for each area obtained by dividing the area to be searched for a point, and each point search file RF-k includes different POI data. For example, if the area to be searched for points is the whole of Japan, the whole country is divided into Hokkaido and regions with multiple other prefectures as one unit (for example, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, etc.). In addition, a point search file RF-k is created for each region, and each point search file RF-k will contain POI data on points that exist in the corresponding region. It is optional to divide the area to be searched for points into any area. The area may be divided into local units, or may be divided into prefecture units.巿 You can divide by town and village!

In the point search device and the point search method according to the present embodiment, by updating only some of the point search files RF-k among the data belonging to these data groups, Partial update of data for point search is realized. In this update, how many point search files RF-k are to be updated is arbitrary, and only one file RF-k of the point search files RF-k belonging to the data group may be updated. Then, a predetermined number of files R Fk may be updated.

Here, when adopting a configuration in which the data for point search is divided into a plurality of data as in this embodiment and a part of the data group for the point search is updated, the data for each point search is used. The POI data included in the data cannot be identified by the point search device as to which search conditions the data matches. For this reason, when a powerful method is adopted, it is necessary to load all the point search data once in the RAM and search for the point information that matches the search condition from all the data. The processing load increases, which increases the time required to search for points. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the menu display file MF and the area management table TBL are provided in the data group for the point search.

[0029] The menu display file MF is data provided for displaying a search menu, and is partially constituted by data having the same contents as the point search file RF-k. On the other hand, the area management table TBL is data describing data for specifying a point search file RF-k that matches a search condition specified by a user according to a search screen displayed based on the menu display file MF. is there.

When a point search is actually performed by the point search device according to the present embodiment, first, condition information (search key) indicating search conditions desired by the user is generated in accordance with a user's instruction. Then, the point search file RF-k corresponding to the condition information is specified based on the area management table TBL, and the specified point search file RF-k is searched based on the condition information, and the user is searched. POI data that matches the search conditions specified in is extracted.

Hereinafter, a specific data configuration of a data group for point search that realizes a powerful function will be individually described.

[0032] (I) Menu display file MF and point search file RF-k

FIG. 2 shows an example of the data configuration of the menu display file MF that is useful in the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a point search file RF-k according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the menu display file MF is composed of a data management unit MFDC, a plurality of volume management records MFV-1 (1 = 1, 2,..., M), and each volume management record. It consists of a category data file MFC-1 (1 = 1, 2, ···, m) associated with MFV-1.

On the other hand, the point search file RF-k includes a data management unit RFDC, a plurality of volume management records RFV-1 (1 = 1, 2, ···, m), and each volume management record. Category data file RFC-1 (1 = 1, 2, ..., m) associated with RFV-1, the point information management record RFPC, and the POI data RFP-i (i = l, 2 , · · ·, N) and power.

[0035] The data management unit MFDC included in the menu display file MF and the data management unit RFDC included in the point search file RF-k are both volume management records MF Vl and RFV-1. For example, it includes data such as a pointer (offset) for specifying the volume management record MFV-1 and RFV-1 as subsequent records! /,. In the present embodiment, the term “pointer” means data that specifies the address of specific data.

On the other hand, the volume management records MFV-1 and RFV-1 are various data for managing the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1, for example, the corresponding category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1. It contains data such as a pointer that specifies -1. These volume management records MFV-1 and RFV-1 are provided as separate records for each search type such as genre search, neighborhood search, and telephone number search. One MFV-1 and one RFV-1 are provided.

In the present embodiment, a data configuration in which the POI data RFP-i is included only in the point search file RF-k is adopted, and the powerful POI data RFP-i is managed. For this reason, the point search file RF-k includes the point information management record RFPC.

Next, the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 are data files provided in association with the respective volume management records MFV-1 and RFV-1, and are used in the point search device according to the present embodiment. Necessary for executing searches corresponding to various search types Data is described. The category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 and the volume management records MFV-1 and RFV-1 can be associated one-to-one or one-to-many, and it is optional. It should be changed by the method.

Here, the data structure of the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 will be described using the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 for genre search as an example. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a category data file MFC-1 for genre search included in the menu display file MF used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows an example in the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the category data file RFC-1 for genre search contained in the point search file RF-k.

As shown in FIG. 4, the category data file MFC-1 of the menu display file MF is composed of a plurality of records, and each record contains information for realizing a search, for example, a search Contains text data for displaying the menu. Each record includes a pointer for designating the succeeding record of the record. As a result of the pointer being associated with the succeeding record, the category data file MFC-1 has a tree structure as shown in the figure as a whole. It has the shape of a letter.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, subsequent records such as “baseball field”, “one football field”, and “gymnasium” are associated with a record “sports spot” by a pointer. In the record “Baseball field”, subsequent records “Hokkaido”, ···, and “Okibashi” are associated with pointers. For this reason, in the category data file MFC-1 having a powerful configuration, for example, when a record “sports spot” is selected, “baseball field”, “soccer football” specified by the pointer included in the record, Subsequent records such as “stadium” and “gymnasium” are extracted, and based on the data contained in these records, menus such as “baseball stadium”, “soccer stadium” and “gymnasium” are displayed.

The “attribute” in the “claims” corresponds to, for example, a genre name such as “Hokkaido”.

Each record included in the category data file MFC-1 of this menu display file MF is the same as the record common to the category data file RFC-1 of the point search file RF-k. The location search file RF-k category data file RFC-1 include. In the following description, a record that is common between both category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 is called a common record.

[0044] On the other hand, the category data file RFC included in the point search file RF-k

-1 includes an individual record in addition to the common record. This individual record is a succeeding record to the lowest record of the common record, and the category data file R

This record is included only in FC-1!

[0045] This means that the category data file RFC-1 includes a lower-level record in the corresponding category data file MF C-beam. For example, in the case of the example shown in Fig. 5, the records "abc Dome", "Kawagoe Iroha Stadium", and "Daiko Stadium" that follow the record "Saitama" correspond to this individual record. .

[0046] Further, the lowest record in the individual record included in the category data file RFC-1 of the point search file RF-k includes text for displaying a search menu corresponding to the record. Along with the data, a pointer that specifies the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the record is included. Therefore, by selecting this lowest record, it is possible to extract the POI data RFP-i corresponding to that record.

[0047] Here, as described above, in the present embodiment, the location search file RF-k is created for each area obtained by dividing the area to be subjected to the location search to be able to partially update the data. It contains only the POI data RFP-i corresponding to points existing in the area. In the present embodiment, since the data structure is different between the point search files RF-k as described above, the individual records included in each category data file RFC-1 are stored in the corresponding area. Is limited to those corresponding to

[0048] For example, when a configuration in which the area to be searched for is divided into regions is adopted, the point search file RF-k corresponding to the Kanto region includes Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama. POI data RFP-i for points existing in prefectures such as prefectures will be included. Therefore, the category data file RFC-1 included in the location search file RF-k includes only the records related to these prefectures in the individual records shown in Fig. 5. Similarly, in the location search file RF-k corresponding to the Kinki region, Prefectures, Hyogo prefecture, and other prefectures only.

When a genre search is actually performed using the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the category data file MFC-1 of the menu display file MF is included. The condition information is generated based on the common record. For example, when the user specifies search conditions in the order of "sports spot", "baseball field", and "Saitama prefecture", condition information describing these text data is generated. The "point identification information" in the "claims" is, for example, the condition information from the top record to the bottom record in the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1. It corresponds to the information represented by the set of records.

[0050] Next, the location search file RF-k corresponding to the condition information is specified using the area management table TBL, and the category data file RFC-1 included in the location search file RF-k is identified. Specified. When the category data file RFC-1 is identified in this way, a common record “Saitama Prefecture” is identified as a record corresponding to the condition information from the records included in the category data file RFC-1. Is extracted.

Then, the individual records “a be dome”, “Kawagoe Iroha Stadium”, and “Daiko Stadium” designated by the pointer included in the record “Saitama” are extracted and included in the individual record. Based on the text data, a search menu for selecting the subsequent record of "Saitama" is displayed. In this state, for example, when the record “abc dome” is selected, the POI data RFP-i designated by the pointer included in the record is selected, and the point search is completed.

Although the data configuration of the category data file RFC-1 when performing a genre search has been described above, the data configuration for realizing other search types is arbitrary. However, in the present embodiment, in order to make the description more specific, the following data configuration is adopted.

[0053] Talk number〉

When performing a phone number search, the user specifies the phone number that serves as the search condition.Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a common record in the category data file MFC-1 of the menu display file MF. Configuration to provide image data for do it. On the other hand, for the category data file MFC-1 of the location search file RF-k, it is necessary to provide a record to specify the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the input telephone number. The configuration of each record in this case is arbitrary. For example, only the record corresponding to the outside area code may be provided. In addition, if the record of the local number is set as the top record and a record corresponding to the local number is provided in a record subsequent to the record, the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the telephone number specified by the user can be described in more detail. Can be searched for.

[0054] <Search around>

In the peripheral search, a point near the place specified by the user is searched on the displayed map based on the map data, so the specified place is included in any area on the map data. It is necessary to specify whether they are being used. For this reason, when performing a peripheral search, the menu display file MF needs a mesh code as a category data file MF C-1 to specify the location specified by the user according to the map data. The mesh code is used to divide the area into mesh areas based on latitude * longitude without gaps and specify each area. For example, the mesh code defined by the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is used. Etc. correspond to this. On the other hand, for the location search file RF-k, it is necessary to provide a category data file RFC-1 that contains records to identify the locations that exist in each area. In this case, each record describes each mesh code on the map data, and also describes a pointer that specifies the POI data RFP-i corresponding to a point existing in the area corresponding to the message code. You should do it.

(II) Area Management Table TBL

Next, the area management table TBL will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the area management table TBL stores a file name corresponding to each point search file RF-k.

The area management table TBL stores a keyword for specifying the location inspection search file RF-k in association with the file name. For example, in the case of the example shown in Fig. 6, the location search file RF-k corresponding to the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions corresponds to the file name. In addition, the names of prefectures such as Hokkaido, Aomori, and Akita are referred to as "prefecture names", and all telephone numbers belonging to the Tohoku region of Hokkaido are referred to as "telephone numbers." All the mesh codes in the map data are stored. When actually storing the above-mentioned prefecture name in the area management table TBL, the name of the prefecture described in text may be stored. Alternatively, IS03166-2 or JIS

The prefecture code defined by X0401 may be stored.

As described above, since various keywords for specifying the location search file RF-k are stored in the area management table TBL, in the genre search, for example, condition information including the name of a prefecture such as Hokkaido is generated. In this case, the location search file RF-k corresponding to the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions is specified based on the condition information.

[0058] Also, in the case where condition information including, for example, Sapporo 011 is generated in the telephone number search, the location search file RF-k corresponding to the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions is specified based on the condition information. . The same applies to the case of performing a peripheral search. In the above description, a configuration in which information corresponding to a part of the condition information is stored as a keyword is shown as an example. However, it is naturally possible to store all the condition information.

When updating the location search file RF-k of the location search data group having the configuration described above, it is necessary to specify the updated location search file RF-k using the area management table TBL. Before and after the update, it is necessary to keep the file name of the point search file RF-k unchanged. However, when updating the area management table TBL together with the location search file RF-k, it is not necessary to satisfy the powerful requirements.

When updating the location search file RF-k, the category data file RFC-1 for genre search must satisfy the following requirements. That is, even if the data is updated, the updated condition information is generated based on the condition information generated based on the category data file MFC-1 of the menu display file MF. Since it is necessary to extract individual records from the category data file RFC-1 included in the point search file RF-k, the common record is used in the category data file RFC-1 of the point search file RF-k before and after updating. Need to be immutable.

[0061] [1.2. Specific device configuration Next, a specific configuration of the navigation device 100 using the above-described point search device and the point search method will be described with reference to FIG. The navigation device 100 searches the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the destination point of the vehicle by using the data group for the above-mentioned point search, and uses the POI data RFP-i. It is for setting the destination while doing.

[0062] In order to realize a powerful function, the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment is a GPS device.

(Global Positioning System) receiving unit 101, sensor unit 102, interface unit 103 (hereinafter, "interface" is abbreviated as "IZF"), VICS (Vehicle

Information Communication System) Data receiving unit 104, HD (hard disk) drive 105, DVD drive 106, operation unit 107, microphone 108, voice recognition circuit 109, display unit 110, buffer memory 111, Display control unit 112, audio processing unit 113, speed 114, system control unit 115, ROM (Read

Only a Memory / Random Access Memory (RAM) unit 116 and a data bus 117 for interconnecting these elements.

Note that “first recording means”, “second recording means”, and “third recording means” in “Claims” correspond to, for example, the HD drive 105, and “operation means” includes, for example, , The operation unit 107 and the system control unit 115. In addition, “specification means” and “extraction means” in “claims” correspond to, for example, the system control unit 115, and “output means” corresponds to, for example, the display control unit 112 and the display unit 110. .

[0064] GPS receiving section 101 receives, via antenna AT, GPS radio waves transmitted by a plurality of geodetic satellites belonging to the GPS, and, based on the received GPS radio waves, a latitude corresponding to the current position of the vehicle. Calculate Z longitude. Then, the calculated latitude Z longitude is output to the IZF unit 103 as GPS data.

The sensor unit 102 has various sensors for detecting the traveling speed, acceleration and azimuth of the vehicle, and outputs traveling data corresponding to the detection result to the IZF unit 103. At this time, the sensor unit 102 changes the voltage value of the signal to be output or changes the pulse shape of the signal according to the detection result.

[0066] The IZF unit 103 receives the driving data input from the sensor unit 102 and the driving data input from the GPS receiving unit 101. The vehicle position is calculated based on the input GPS data, and the vehicle position data corresponding to the calculation result is output to the system control unit 115. The vehicle position data is used by the system control unit 115 to collate with the map data when executing a map matching process or the like.

[0067] VICS data receiving section 104 receives a broadcast radio wave such as an FM multiplex broadcast, extracts VICS data included in the broadcast radio wave, and outputs it to system control section 115. VICS refers to a road traffic information communication system, and VICS data refers to road traffic information such as traffic jams, accidents, and traffic restrictions.

[0068] The HD drive 105 is configured by a rewritable hard disk.

(Data a) Data group for the above point search,

(Data b) Map data such as road maps and other data necessary for driving guidance are recorded. The HD drive 105 reads out data such as a data data group for point search and map data from the HD based on a control signal input from the system control unit 115 and supplies the data to the system control unit 115.

[0069] The DVD drive 106 has a storage section for detachably storing a DVD, and a drive for playing a disc mounted on the storage section. The DVD drive mounted on the storage section reads out various kinds of data. Is output to the data bus 116. In the navigation apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, while using the data read using the DVD drive 106, the location search file RF-k recorded on the HD drive 105 is updated. You.

[0070] The operation unit 107 includes a remote control device having various keys such as a numeric keypad and a cursor key. The operation unit 107 includes, for example, a command to display vehicle travel information and input and setting of a destination to which the vehicle should reach. It is used to input commands from users (drivers and passengers).

The speech recognition circuit 109 receives the uttered voice of the user input to the microphone 108. The voice recognition circuit 109 analyzes the input uttered voice, recognizes a user operation command, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation command to the system control unit 115.

The display unit 110 includes, for example, a CRT, an organic EL (Electro Luminescent) panel, Under the control of the display control unit 112, the display control unit 112 controls the HD drive 105. The read map data is displayed in various forms, and is superimposed on the map to be displayed. Various information required for route guidance such as a position is displayed. In addition, in the present embodiment, in order to set a destination point of the vehicle, various types of search are performed on the display unit 110 based on the menu display file MF read from the HD drive 105 and the location search file RF-k. Is displayed.

[0073] The map data read from the HD drive 105 is input to the display control unit 112, and the system control unit 115 generates the! / Based on the menu display file MF and the point search file RF-k. Image data corresponding to the searched screen is input. Under the control of the system control unit 115, the display control unit 112 expands the input data in the buffer memory 111, reads out the data from the buffer 111 at a predetermined timing, and outputs the read data to the display unit 110.

The audio processing unit 113 generates an audio signal under the control of the system control unit 115, and vocalizes the generated audio signal via the speaker 114. With the function of the powerful voice processing unit 113, the navigation device 100 that is powerful in the present embodiment notifies the user of the traveling direction of the vehicle at the next intersection, for example, or notifies the user of the traffic congestion state on the set route. Notify the user of the road closure situation.

[0075] The system control unit 115 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and includes various input / output ports such as a GPS reception port, a key input port, and a display unit control port. To control general functions. At the time of such control, the system control unit 115 reads out a control program recorded in the ROMZRAM unit 116, executes each process, and temporarily stores the data being processed in the ROMZRAM unit 116.

For example, when performing route guidance, the system control unit 116 performs correction processing such as map matching based on the own vehicle position data and the map data output from the IZF unit 103, and performs display processing. The unit 110 controls the display control unit 112 so that the route guidance information is displayed on a map corresponding to the area around the current position of the vehicle, so that the voice processing unit 113 outputs the travel route information and the like as voice. Controlled. Further, in this embodiment, when a DVD for updating the location search file RF-k is mounted on the DVD drive 106, the system control unit 115 stores the location search file RF-k recorded on the DVD. Based on! /, Recorded on HD drive 105, and updated the search point file RF-k.

Further, in the present embodiment, the system control unit 115 executes a process for setting a destination of the vehicle. Specifically, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the menu display file MF recorded on the HD. Using the menu display file MF thus read out, the system control unit 115 generates the condition information. Next, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the area management table TBL. Then, the location search file RF-k corresponding to the generated condition information is specified based on the area management table TBL, and the HD drive 105 reads the specified location management file RF-k.

The system control unit 115 searches the read location search file RF-k based on the generated condition information, extracts the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the condition information, and, at the same time, extracts the POI data RFP-i. The destination is set based on the point information, such as latitude and longitude, included in the data RFP-i. When the destination is set by the above processing, the system control unit 115 specifies the latitude Z longitude corresponding to the current position of the vehicle based on the own vehicle position data output from the IZF unit 103, and maps the destination. The matching process is executed, and the traveling direction of the vehicle is specified based on the traveling data acquired from the sensor unit 102. Then, the system control unit 115 calculates a route from the current position to the destination based on the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle and the POI data RFP-i.

[0080] Note that the route setting after the destination is set is the same as the processing in the conventional navigation device, and thus the details are omitted.

[0081] [1.31 Specific Operation of Navigation Device

Next, the operation when the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment searches the POI data RFP-i corresponding to the destination point and sets the destination will be described. The operation content for each search type called search Therefore, the operation of the navigation device 100 will be described below for each search type.

[0082] (1) Genre search operation

First, an operation when performing a genre search in the navigation device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process executed by the system control unit 115 when a user performs a predetermined input operation on the operation unit 107. When performing a genre search, what input operation is performed is optional. For example, a button for genre search is provided on the operation unit 107, and when the button is pressed, the genre search button shown in FIG. Processing may be performed.

In this process, first, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the menu display file MF, and based on the menu display file MF, a search screen for genre search. Is generated and output to the display control unit 112 (step Sal), and the apparatus enters a state of waiting for user input (step Sa2 "no").

[0084] At this time, the system control unit 115 specifies the volume management record MFV-1 corresponding to the genre search based on the data management unit MFDC of the menu display file MF, and specifies the volume management record MFV-1. Identify the category data MFC-1 specified by the included pointer. Then, in the common record included in the category data MFC-1, the highest-order record is read out, and image data describing the text data included in the record is generated.

As a result of the powerful processing, a menu for selecting a genre such as “sports spot”, “gourmet spot”, or “public facilities” is displayed on the display unit 110. In this state, the user performs an input operation on the operation unit 107 to select one of the menus.

[0086] Then, the system control unit 115 determines "yes" in step Sa2, stores the name of the selected genre in the RAMZROM 116 (step Sa3), and stores a name corresponding to the selected genre in the common record. It is determined whether there is a record following the record to be executed (step Sa4). In this determination, if “yes” is determined, the system control unit 11 5 repeats the processing of step Sal again, generates image data for displaying a lower-level menu based on the text data included in the record specified by the pointer, and sends the generated image data to the image display unit 112. Output. Thereafter, the system control unit 115 repeats the processing of Step Sal—Step Sa4 until the lowest record of the common record is reached. As a result, the genre selected by the user is hierarchically stored in the RAMZROM 116.

After that, when the genre selection in the lowest record of the common record is completed, the system control unit 115 determines “no” in step Sa4, and is stored in the RAMZROM 116 based on a certain genre. Generate information (step Sa5). When the condition information is generated in this manner, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the area management table TBL, and in the area management table TBL and step Sa5, Based on the generated condition information, the location search file is read (step Sa6).

At this time, the system control unit 115 searches the area management table TBL based on the lowest genre name of the condition information, and associates the file name stored in the area management table TBL with the genre name. Extract. Then, a control signal is output to the HD drive 105, and the point search file RF-k corresponding to the file name is read.

Next, in step Sa5, the system control unit 115 searches the location search file RF-k read out based on the condition information generated in step Sa5, and searches for a common record corresponding to the condition information. Extract the record following the code (step Sa7). Specifically, the system control unit 115 specifies the volume management record RFV-1 corresponding to the genre search based on the data management unit RFDC of the point search file RF-k, and also specifies the volume management record RFV-1. Identify the category data RFC-1 specified by the pointer contained in. Then, the common record included in the category data RFC-1 is searched to identify the common record corresponding to the condition information, and the individual record included in the record and designated by the pointer Is extracted.

When the extraction of the individual record is completed as described above, the system control unit 115 causes the search menu to be displayed based on the text data included in the individual record. After the image data is generated and output to the display control unit 112 (step Sa8), a state of waiting for a user input operation is entered (step Sa9 "no"). As a result, as an image for selecting a menu corresponding to an individual record, for example, an image for selecting a menu such as “abc dome”, “Kawagoe Iroha Stadium”, and “Daiko Stadium” is displayed on the display unit 110. Is displayed.

[0091] In this state, when the user performs an input operation to select one of the menus on the operation unit 107, the system control unit 115 searches for a record corresponding to the selected menu by point search. The category data file RFC-1 of the file RF-k is also extracted, and the POI data RFP-i specified by the pointer included in the record is extracted (step SalO). Then, the system control unit 115 sets a destination based on the extracted POI data RFP-i, sets a route from the current position to the destination (Step Sail), and ends the processing. .

[0092] At this time, the system control unit 115 specifies the latitude Z longitude corresponding to the current position of the vehicle based on the own vehicle position data output from the IZF unit 103 based on the GPS data, and performs the map matching process. And the traveling direction of the vehicle is specified based on the traveling data acquired from the sensor unit 102. Then, the system control unit 115 calculates a route from the current position to the destination based on the current position and the traveling direction of the vehicle and the POI data RFP-i.

[0093] When the setting of the destination is completed by the above processing, the system control unit 115 draws the set destination and the calculated route on a map, and moves the vehicle from the current position to the set destination. The route will be guided up to.

[0094] (2) Operation when searching for the thunder talk number

Next, the operation of the navigation device 100 when searching for a telephone number will be described with reference to FIG. This processing is executed by the system control unit 115 when the user performs a predetermined input operation on the operation unit 107. Note that what kind of input operation is performed when performing a telephone number search is arbitrary as in the case of the genre search.

In this process, first, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the menu display file MF, and After generating image data corresponding to the search screen for telephone number search based on the above and outputting the generated image data to the display control unit 112 (step Sbl), the system waits for a user input (step Sb2 “no”).

[0096] At this time, the system control unit 115 specifies the volume management record MFV-1 corresponding to the telephone number search based on the data management unit MFDC of the menu display file MF, and specifies the volume management record MFV-1. Extract the force category data MFC-1 specified by the included pointer. Then, the system control unit 115 generates image data corresponding to the search screen for telephone number search based on the category data file MFC-1.

[0097] As a result of the strong processing, the display unit 110 displays, for example, an input box for inputting a telephone number together with a character string such as "Please enter a telephone number V," and "OK". The button appears. In this state, the user inputs a telephone number and performs an input operation to select the “OK” button.

[0098] Then, the system control unit 115 determines "yes" in step Sb2, saves the input telephone number in the RAMZROM 116 (step Sb3), and outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105. Then, the area management table TBL is read out, and the location search file RF-k is read out based on the area management table TBL and the stored local number of the telephone number (step Sb4).

[0099] At this time, the system control unit 115 uses the telephone number stored in the RAMZROM 116 as condition information, and stores the condition information in the area management table TBL in association with the area code included in the telephone number. Extract the file name that exists. Then, a control signal is output to the HD drive 105, and the point search file RF-k corresponding to the file name is read.

[0100] Next, the system control unit 115 searches the read location search file RF-k using the telephone number stored in the RAMZROM 116 as the condition information, and searches the POI data RFP-K corresponding to the condition information. Extract i (step Sb5). Specifically, the system control unit 115 specifies the volume management record RFV-1 corresponding to the telephone number search based on the data management unit RFDC of the point search file RF-k, and Specify the category data RFC-1 specified by the pointer included in the logical record RFV-1. Then, the system control unit 115 searches the record included in the category data RFC-1 to identify a record corresponding to the condition information (telephone number), and specifies the record included in the record. The POI data RFP-i specified by the pointer is extracted.

[0101] When the POI data RFP-i is extracted in this manner, the system control unit 115 sets a destination based on the extracted POI data RFP-i, and sets the destination from the current position. The route up to is set (step Sb6), and the process ends. Note that the route setting method at this time is the same as in the case of the genre search described above. Then, when the setting of the destination is completed by the above processing, the system control unit 115 draws the set destination and the calculated route on a map, and moves the vehicle from the current position to the set destination. Until then, route guidance will be performed.

[0102] (3) Operation during search

Next, an operation when performing a peripheral search in the navigation device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process executed by the system control unit 115 when a user performs a predetermined input operation on the operation unit 107. The content of the input operation at this time is arbitrary.

[0103] In this process, first, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read out the menu display file MF and the map data, and based on the map data and the menu display file MF. After the image data corresponding to the search screen for the peripheral search is generated and output to the display control unit 112 (step Scl), a state of waiting for a user input is entered (step Sc2 “no”).

At this time, the system control unit 115 outputs the map data to the display control unit 112, and causes the display unit 110 to display the map data. At this time, the system control unit 115 generates image data corresponding to the search screen for the peripheral search based on the category data file MFC-1 corresponding to the peripheral search of the menu display file MF, and generates the display control unit. Output to 112. As a result, the display control unit 112 displays a character string such as “specify the searched location. In this state, if the user performs a peripheral search and performs an input operation to specify a location, the system control unit 115 determines “yes” in step Sc2 and The mesh code of the map data to which the selected place belongs is obtained based on the category data file MFC-1 (Step Sc3), and the mesh code is stored in the RAMZROM 116 (Step Sc4).

Next, the system control unit 115 outputs a control signal to the HD drive 105 to read the area management table TBL, and stores the area management table TBL and the stored mesh.

Then, read the location search file RF-k (Step Sc5).

[0107] At this time, the system control unit 115 uses the mesh code stored in the RAMZROM 116 as condition information, and extracts the file name stored in the area management table TBL in association with the mesh code. Then, a control signal is output to the HD drive 105, and the point search file RF-k corresponding to the file name is read.

Next, based on the mesh code stored in the RAMZROM 116, the system control unit 115 searches the read location search file RF-k, and searches for a location existing in an area corresponding to the mesh code. Extract POI data RFP-i (Step Sc6). Specifically, the system control unit 115 specifies the volume management record RFV-1 corresponding to the peripheral search based on the data management unit RFDC of the point search file RF-k, and specifies the volume management record RFV-1. Identify the category data RFC-1 specified by the pointer contained in the. Then, the system control unit 115 searches the record included in the category data RFC-I, extracts the record corresponding to the mesh code, and specifies the record specified by the pointer included in the record. The POI data RFP-i is extracted.

[0109] When the POI data RFP-i is extracted in this way, the system control unit 115 executes a process for displaying a list for selecting the extracted POI data RFP-i. (Step Sc7), and waits for user input (step Sc8 "no"). At this time, for example, the system control unit 115 generates image data in which point information such as an address included in the POI data RFP-i is described, and outputs the image data to the display control unit 112. As a result, the list of POI data RFP-i extracted in step Sc6 is displayed Displayed in section 110.

In this state, if the user performs an input operation on the operation unit 107 to select any of the POI data RFP-i, the system control unit 115 determines “yes” in step Sc8. Then, the destination is set based on the selected POI data RFP-i, the current position force also sets a route to the destination (Step Sc9), and the process ends. Note that the route setting method at this time is the same as in the case of the genre search described above. Then, when the setting of the destination is completed by the above processing, the system control unit 115 draws the set destination and the calculated route on a map, and moves the vehicle from the current position to the set destination. The route will be guided until it reaches.

[0111] In this manner, the point search device according to the present embodiment is created for each area obtained by dividing the area to be searched for a point, and POI data RFP-i for each point existing in the area, Stores a plurality of point search files RF-k in which a series of records indicating the attributes of the point corresponding to the POI data RRFP-i are described in association with each other, and stores a file name indicating the point search file RF-k and An HD drive 105 in which an area management table TBL in which at least a part of a series of records included in the category data file RFC-1 of the point search file RF-k corresponding to the file name is associated with is recorded. When an attribute such as a genre is input as a search condition for searching the POI data RFP-i, for example, an operation for generating condition information as a series of records corresponding to the search condition is performed. Based on at least a part of the generated condition information, the unit 107 and the system control unit 115 search the area management table TBL in the HD drive 105 for a file RF-k corresponding to the condition information. And searches the specified location search file RF-k based on the condition information, and extracts POI data RFP-i associated with a series of records having attributes corresponding to the condition information The system includes a system control unit 115, a display unit 110 for outputting the extracted POI data RFP-i, and a display control unit 112.

[0112] With this configuration, condition information that matches the search condition specified by the user is output by the operating means, and a file name corresponding to at least a part of the condition information is specified. At this time, the target file RF-k is specified based on the area management table TBL. Therefore, even if the location search file RF-k is updated, as long as the file name is fixed, the POI data RFP-i described in the updated location search file RF-k It can be specified whether it is described in the point search file RF-k based on the area management table TBL. Then, the POI data RFP-i is extracted in the specified point search file RF-k!

[0113] Therefore, it is possible to update only a part of the point search file R Fk without updating all the data of the point search data group, and even if a powerful update is performed, the update is performed. Various searches using the later point search file RF-k will be possible. Even if only a part of the location search file RF-k is updated, the location search file RF-k that matches the search conditions can be specified using the area management table TBL. It is possible to prevent an increase in the processing load at the time of point search.

[0114] In addition, in the point searching device according to the present embodiment, the HD drive 105 has a menu for displaying an image that assists in inputting attributes such as genre when inputting attributes such as genre. The display file MF is recorded, and the system control unit 115 presents a menu for assisting the user's input based on the menu display file MF, and based on the presented menu, attributes such as genre and the like. When is input, condition information corresponding to the attribute is generated based on the menu display file MF. Then, when the condition information is generated, the system control unit 115 converts at least a part of the attributes corresponding to the generated condition information into, for example, the attribute such as “Hokkaido” described above. Based on the generated condition information, the location search file RF-k is identified based on! /, And the POI data having the attribute corresponding to the condition information is searched. Extract RFP-i.

[0115] With this configuration, the menu is displayed based on the menu display file MF, so that a genre name that matches the search condition can be easily selected.

Further, in the point search device according to the present embodiment, when searching for the point search file RF-k based on the generated condition information, the system control unit 115 includes the point search file RF-k in the point search file RF-k. A menu for assisting in input of attributes such as genre is presented based on the recorded record, and a menu is input based on the presented menu. It is configured to search the point search file RF-k based on both attributes such as genre name and condition information and extract POI data RFP-i.

[0117] With this configuration, condition information that matches the search condition input based on the menu displayed based on the menu display file MF is generated, and the location search file RF-k corresponding to the condition information is searched. At the same time, a menu corresponding to the record following the record that matches the condition information is displayed. Then, the location search file RF-k is searched based on the attributes such as the genre input based on this menu, and the POI data RFP-i is extracted.

[0118] For this reason, the menu corresponding to the subsequent record is displayed according to the menu based on the menu display file MF, and the attribute such as the genre corresponding to the subsequent record is specified without giving the user an uncomfortable feeling at the time of operation. It is possible to do.

[0119] In addition, in the point search device according to the present embodiment, in order to identify the divided area, the HD drive 105 includes, as a part of the information included in the above-described series of records, the Tokaido, Information such as local name, Kanto, Kinki, etc., area code, and mesh code are stored in the area management table TBL, and when search conditions are input to the operation unit 107, the system control unit 115 The file name is specified based on a part of the condition information corresponding to the condition, that is, a local name or the like.

[0120] With this configuration, the file name corresponding to the condition information that does not require the information corresponding to all of the series of records to be stored in the area management table TBL is specified. Therefore, the area management table TBL is simplified. , The data amount can be reduced.

[0121] Further, in the point search device according to the present embodiment, at least a) the attribute of the facility existing at each point as a series of records included in the category data file RFC-1 of the point search file RF-k (Genre name), b) records indicating the attributes corresponding to at least one of the telephone numbers of the facilities at each point, and when these attributes are input to the operation unit 107, the system control unit 115 generates the condition information including the attribute.

[0122] With this configuration, when the attribute or telephone number of the facility existing at the point corresponding to the POI data RFP-i to be searched is input to operation unit 107, the input attribute or Since the POI data RFP-i of the facility corresponding to the telephone number is extracted, it is possible to search for points based on the genre and the telephone number.

[0123] Further, the point search device according to the present embodiment includes, as the series of records, a record corresponding to a mesh code for specifying a plurality of areas obtained by dividing a region to be searched for a point, and By further providing a display unit 110 that displays a map corresponding to the area based on the data, the system control unit 115 allows the user to specify a predetermined position on the map according to the map displayed on the display unit 110. When specified, a mesh code corresponding to an area including the specified position is specified, and condition information including the mesh code is generated.

[0124] According to this configuration, when an input operation for designating a position to be searched is performed on operation unit 107, POI data RFP-i of a point existing around the input position is extracted. , It is also possible to perform a peripheral search.

[0125] Furthermore, in the point searching device according to the present embodiment, the functions of the display unit 110 and the display control unit 112 include points corresponding to the POI data RFP-i extracted by the system control unit 115. The point is displayed on a map. For this reason, the user can clearly grasp the position on the map of the point extracted as a result of the search.

In the above-described embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which a data group for point search is recorded in the HD drive 105 of the navigation device 100. These data are recorded in the navigation device 100. It is not something that must be kept. For example, a part of the data included in the data group for point search is stored in a server on the network, the data is downloaded as necessary, and the point search is performed using the downloaded data. You may do it. Further, for example, all the data groups for the point search are held in a server on the network, and the POI data RFP-i is searched on the server in response to a request from the navigation device 100, and the search is performed. As a result, only the extracted POI data RFP-i may be transmitted to the navigation device 100.

Further, in the above embodiment, the point search device according to the present embodiment is Although the case where the present invention is used for the navigation device 100 has been described, it goes without saying that such a point search device can be applied to other devices. For example, if the point search device according to the present embodiment is applied to a mobile phone, it can be applied to a moving pedestrian searching for a destination.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the DVD drive 106 is provided in the navigation device 100, and the DVD drive 106 is used to reproduce the DVD on which the update point search file RF-k is recorded. , The configuration to update the location search file RF-k was adopted. However, the point search file RF-k for updating may be downloaded from a server on the network, or a dedicated device for updating the point search file RF-k recorded on the HD drive 105 is provided separately. May be prepared.

In the configuration in which the point search file RF-k is updated by the dedicated device, the HD drive 105 is removed from the navigation device 100, and the data in the HD is updated by the dedicated device. Alternatively, the data may be updated while the HD drive 105 is connected to the navigation device 100.

[0130] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where the genre search, the telephone number search, and the neighborhood search are performed has been described. However, other types of search modes can be realized. For example, when implementing a voice recognition search, a code corresponding to each uttered voice is stored in the area management table TBL, and when a control signal corresponding to the uttered voice is input from the voice recognition circuit 109, the uttered voice is controlled. The point search file RF-k corresponding to the voice may be specified based on the area management table TBL. Further, when performing such a voice recognition search, conversion data for converting the input voice into the above code is required in place of the menu display file MF. In this case, the specific data configuration of the point search file RF-k is arbitrary.

In the above embodiment, the menu display file MF is provided with the volume management record MFV-1 for performing the telephone number search and the category data file MFC-1, and the search is performed based on the data. Had been adopted. However, when the telephone number search is to be realized, even if the volume display record MFV-1 and the category data file MFC-1 are not provided in the menu display file MF, The same processing can be executed. In this case, the area search table TBL may be simply searched based on the telephone number input by the user, and the point search file RF-k corresponding to the telephone number may be specified. However, since it is necessary for the point search device to identify that the input number is a telephone number, for example, when a predetermined input operation is performed on the operation unit 107 after the input of the telephone number, Figure 9 Step Sb3—Sb6 should be executed!

[0132] Similarly, when performing a genre search or a neighborhood search, the menu display file MF must also include a volume management record MFV-1 and a category data file MFC-1 for the neighborhood search and the genre search. It is not necessary to search for POI data RFP-i for points existing in the area corresponding to the same mesh code as the current position using the vehicle position data indicating the current position of the vehicle. Anyway, good.

Further, in the present embodiment, when searching for a telephone number, all of the telephone numbers are directly input. However, in the telephone number search, for example, a menu for selecting a prefecture such as "Tokyo" or "Osaka" is displayed, and an area code belonging to the selected prefecture is selected on the menu. The POI data RFP-i corresponding to the telephone number selected by the user may be displayed in the order of the menu for selecting the local area code and the menu for selecting the local area code. In this case, the category data files MFC-1 and RFC-1 for telephone number search may be provided with (1) a record corresponding to the outside number and (2) a record corresponding to the inside number. If text data indicating a number such as a local number is described in each record, a telephone number search can be performed in the same manner as the genre search.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the location search file RF-k is a power that adopts a configuration that manages the category data file RFC C-1 and the POI data RFP-i as separate data. May be managed as one data.

Further, in the navigation device 100 according to the present embodiment, a menu is displayed on the display unit 110 based on! /, Based on the data included in the category data file RFC-1. A configuration is employed in which condition information is generated according to the contents input by the user based on the menu. However, voice data is stored in the category data file RFC-1, A voice for selecting a genre or the like may be output using the voice data, and an input operation for selecting a genre or the like may be performed on the operation unit 107 according to the voice.

[0136] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a data group for point search is recorded in the point search device, and condition information corresponding to the search condition specified by the user is generated, and then the condition information matches the condition information. A configuration is adopted in which the location search file RF-k is specified and the location search file RF-k is searched based on the condition information. However, a recording medium in which a program defining the operation of the processing is recorded, and a computer that reads the program may be provided, and the computer may read the program to perform the same processing operation as described above. .

[0137] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above-described embodiment is an example, and has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention. It is included in the technical scope of the invention.

[0138] In addition, the entire disclosure of the Japanese patent application (No. 2004-73487), including the specification, claims, drawings, and abstracts, filed on March 15, 2004, refer to all of them. And are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and includes location information on each location existing in the area and location identification information indicating an attribute of each location. Are stored in a plurality of point files in which

1 storage means,

File information indicating each point file stored in the first storage means is associated with at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information. Second storage means for storing the table;

Operating means for generating condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information;

The table is searched based on at least a part of the generated condition information, and the location file is searched based on the file information corresponding to the location identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. Means for identifying,

Based on the condition information generated by the operating means, the location file specified by the specifying means is searched for and described, and the location file is described in association with the location identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information. Extracting means for extracting the point information,

Output means for outputting the extracted point information,

A point search device comprising:

[2] Menu data for displaying an image that assists the input of the attribute when the attribute is input, and is described in the point file! A third storage means for storing menu data including attribute information indicating attributes corresponding to at least a part of the spot identification information;

Presenting means for presenting a first menu for assisting the user to input based on the menu data,

The operation means, when the attribute is input based on the first menu presented by the presentation means, generates the condition information corresponding to the attribute based on the attribute information,

The specifying unit is configured to determine whether the condition information is generated by the operating unit. Among the attributes corresponding to the generated condition information, the table is searched based on at least a part of the attributes to identify the point file,

The extraction means searches the location file based on the generated condition information, and extracts the location information described in association with location identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information.

2. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[3] The presenting means, when the extracting means searches the point file based on the generated condition information, the attribute by a user based on the point identification information included in the point file. Presenting a second menu for assisting the input of the information, and the extracting means, based on both the attribute inputted based on the second menu presented by the presenting means and the condition information! Search for the location file and extract the location information

3. The point search device according to claim 2, wherein:

[4] The second storage means stores the point identification information partially including area identification information for specifying the divided area,

The specifying means specifies the location file based on the area identification information when the area is input as the attribute by the operating means.

4. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[5] The point identification information is at least

a) the attributes of the facility present at the point,

b) the telephone number of the facility at the point,

Including one or more attributes of

When at least one of the attributes is input, the operation means generates condition information corresponding to the attribute.

4. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[6] The point identification information includes a specific code for specifying a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the area,

The operating means includes: A display unit that displays a map corresponding to the area based on the map data, wherein, when the user specifies a predetermined position on the map according to the map displayed on the display unit, the specified Identifying the specific code corresponding to the area including a position and generating the condition information including the specific code as the attribute

4. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[7] The point identification information includes at least an identification code for identifying a facility existing at a point corresponding to the point identification information,

The operating means includes:

Voice input means for inputting voice,

Voice recognition means for recognizing the input voice and specifying the identification code corresponding to the recognition result,

Generating the condition information including the identification code specified by the voice recognition unit as the attribute;

4. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein:

[8] The output means, point information display means for displaying the point information,

Display control means for controlling the display means,

4. The point search device according to claim 1, wherein when displaying the point information, the point is displayed on a map including at least a point corresponding to the point information. 5.

[9] A plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and includes location information on each location existing in the area and location identification information indicating an attribute of each location. First storage means for storing a plurality of point files described in association with each other;

File information indicating each point file stored in the first storage means is associated with at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information. Second storage means for storing the table

Operating means for generating condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information; The table is searched based on at least a part of the generated condition information, and the location file is searched based on the file information corresponding to the location identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. Means for identifying,

Based on the condition information generated by the operating means, the location file specified by the specifying means is searched for and described, and the location file is described in association with the location identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information. Extraction means for extracting the location information, route setting means for setting a route based on the extracted location information, guidance means for providing guidance based on the set route,

A navigation device comprising:

A plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, where point information on each point existing in the area is associated with point identification information indicating the attribute of each point. To store multiple point files described in

1 storage means,

File information indicating each point file stored in the first storage means is associated with at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information. And a second storage means for storing the stored table.

A first step of generating condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for the point search device to search for the point information; and Searching the table based on at least a part of the information, and specifying the location file based on the file information corresponding to the location identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. 2 steps and

The point search device searches the point file specified in the second step based on the condition information generated by the operating means, and associates the file with the point identification information having an attribute corresponding to the condition information. Extracting the point information described in the third step;

A fourth step in which the point search device outputs the extracted point information; A point search method characterized by comprising:

[11] A plurality of data files created for each area obtained by dividing a predetermined area, and includes location information on each location existing in the area and location identification information indicating an attribute of each location. A location search program for searching for the location information by a computer from a recording medium storing a plurality of location files described in association with each other,

Said computer,

Condition information generating means for generating condition information corresponding to the attribute when the attribute is input as a search condition for searching for the point information;

File information indicating each point file stored in the first storage means is associated with at least a part of the point identification information described in the point file corresponding to the file information. A second storage medium that stores the generated table, based on at least a part of the generated condition information, and retrieves the file information corresponding to the point identification information having an attribute represented by a part of the condition information. Specifying means for specifying the location file based on

Output means for outputting the extracted point information,

A point search program characterized by functioning as a.

[12] An information recording medium readable by a computer, on which the point search program according to claim 11 is recorded.