JP2001082965A - Map display system and method and computer-readable storage medium storing map display program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently display a map desired by a user on a portable terminal device which is greatly limited in memory capacity. SOLUTION: The map display terminal 10 of this map display system 1 is provided with a position detecting part 13 for detecting the current position of the map display terminal 10 and a map information acquiring part 16 for acquiring from a map server 18 a detailed map including a desired position designated within a wide-area map containing the current position. The map information acquiring part 16 transmits the current position detected by the position detecting part 13 to the map server 18 to acquire the wide-area map, the detailed map containing the current position, and a detailed map of an area around the former detailed map containing the current position. In this case, the map display terminal 10 transmits the storable capacity of the detailed map to the map server 18. The detailed map transmitted from the map server 18 is received and displayed in order of precedence based on the storable capacity of the detailed map.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a map display system and a map display method for displaying a map on a portable terminal device having a large memory capacity, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a map display program. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a map display device such as a car navigation system obtains and displays map information from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM.

However, in such a map display device, since it is necessary to provide the map information by a physical medium, it is necessary for the system provider to always provide the map information such as a road map which is updated successively in the latest version. It was very burdensome. In addition, the progress of communication technology represented by the Internet and the like has made it possible to use a new communication environment.

[0004] For these reasons, services for distributing map information to terminal devices as image data via the Internet or the like have increased in recent years. For example, "Locatio" (registered trademark) of Seiko Epson Corporation
There is.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional structure has the following problems in a portable terminal device that uses a service for distributing map information as image data.

First, since external storage media such as FDs and CD-ROMs are relatively slow in read / write processing, it takes time to store data transmitted from a distribution service. In addition, these external storage media are not suitable for mounting on mobile system equipment because the shape of the drive itself is large. Actually, a portable terminal device is mainly equipped with a built-in storage medium such as a small and high-speed flash memory. However, the built-in storage medium has a small capacity, and most of the storage medium is not suitable for storing map information that requires a very large storage area for image data.

Second, in the current map information distribution service, map information corresponding to a current position designated by a GPS (global positioning system) or the like is distributed to a portable terminal device. However, when considering a situation where the user wants a map, it is considered that a map around the destination (target position) is often required rather than around the current position. That is, even if a GPS or the like is mounted, the destination of the user cannot be specified.

In this regard, there is a method of requesting the user to specify a necessary range centering on the current position, and distributing map information according to the request. However, in this method, since the user accesses the server every time the user specifies a destination, it takes time to connect and disconnect the communication line, and the access cost increases.

[0009] There is also a method of collectively acquiring from the server a map of a preset range centering on the current position from the server. However, if the storage capacity of the portable terminal device is not sufficient, all the areas designated by the user are obtained. Map cannot be displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a map capable of efficiently displaying a map desired by a user on a portable terminal device having a large memory capacity restriction. A display system, a map display method, and a computer-readable recording medium that records a map display program are provided.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided a map display system for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the acquired map information on a terminal computer.
Position detecting means for detecting the current position of the terminal computer, and map information obtaining means for obtaining, from the server computer, a detailed map including the target position specified in the wide area map including the current position. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map display method for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the acquired information on a terminal computer, wherein the current position of the terminal computer is detected. The method is characterized by including a first step and a second step of transmitting a detailed map including a target position specified in the wide area map including the current position from the server computer to the terminal computer.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a computer-readable recording medium recording a map display program of the present invention records a map display program for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer. A first process for detecting a current position of the terminal computer on a computer-readable recording medium, and a detailed map including a target position designated in a wide area map including the current position from the server computer to the terminal computer. And a second process for transmitting to
It is characterized in that a map display program to be executed by a computer is recorded.

According to the above configuration, the wide area map including the current position expected to be most used can be automatically displayed by the position detecting means (first step, first processing). Then, using the wide area map as an interface, a detailed map around the current position can be acquired from the server computer and displayed by the map information acquiring means (second step, second processing).

That is, the terminal computer can acquire and display the detailed map including the target position specified in the wide area map including the current position from the server computer.

Therefore, since the detailed map database is not provided in the terminal computer, even a portable terminal computer having a small storage capacity can display map information requiring an extremely large storage area. Moreover,
Since the wide area map based on the current position is automatically displayed, excellent operability can be realized.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the map display system of the present invention further comprises: a map information acquisition unit of the terminal computer transmitting a current position detected by the position detection unit to the server computer. , Acquiring the wide area map.

With the above arrangement, the map information acquisition means can transmit the current position from the terminal computer and acquire a wide area map from the server computer.

Thus, the wide area map can also be transmitted from the server computer by transmitting the current position, so that the database of the wide area map can be excluded from the terminal computer. Therefore, weight reduction, which is the maximum required specification as a mobile terminal, can be realized.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the map display system of the present invention further comprises: a map information obtaining means of the terminal computer obtains, from the server computer, a detailed map including the current position together with the wide area map. It is characterized by that.

With the above arrangement, the terminal information can be obtained from the server computer by the terminal computer at the same time as the wide area map by the map information obtaining means.

Thus, the detailed map including the current position most expected to be designated by the user using the wide area map can be acquired in advance at the same time as the acquisition of the wide area map.
Therefore, when the user specifies the detailed map including the current position, access to the server computer is performed only once at the time of obtaining the wide area map, so that the operability of the terminal computer is improved and the user is charged based on the number of accesses. Communication line usage fees and service access fees can be reduced.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the map display system according to the present invention further comprises: a map information acquisition unit of the terminal computer, wherein the map information acquisition means includes, from the server computer, a detailed map including the wide area map and the current position; It is characterized in that a detailed map of a peripheral area of the detailed map including the current position is obtained.

According to the above configuration, the terminal information can be obtained from the server computer by the terminal computer at the same time as the detailed map including the wide area map and the current position by the map information obtaining means.

Thus, a detailed map around the current position expected to be designated by the user using the wide area map can be acquired in advance simultaneously with the acquisition of the wide area map. Therefore, when the user designates the detailed map acquired in advance, the access to the server computer is performed only once when the wide area map is acquired, so that the operability of the terminal computer is improved and the user is charged based on the number of accesses. Communication line usage fee and service access fee can be reduced.

In the map display system according to the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the map information acquiring means of the terminal computer transmits the storage capacity of the detailed map to the server computer, and It is characterized in that a detailed map is obtained in accordance with the priority order based on the capacity.

According to the above configuration, the terminal computer can transmit the storable capacity and obtain a detailed map from the server computer in accordance with the priority by the map information obtaining means.

Therefore, the detailed map is acquired in accordance with the priority within the range of the storable capacity, so that the memory can be used efficiently and the necessary detailed map has already been acquired even when the communication line is disconnected halfway. Then, there is no need to access the server computer again.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the map display system according to the present invention further comprises the server computer displaying the detailed map in accordance with the priority order based on the storage capacity of the detailed map received from the terminal computer. It is characterized in that it is transmitted to.

According to the above configuration, the server computer can further transmit the detailed map according to the priority order based on the storage capacity of the terminal computer.

Therefore, the terminal computer can acquire the detailed map according to the priority within the range of the storage capacity. Therefore, the memory of the terminal computer can be used efficiently, and even if the communication line is disconnected halfway, if the necessary detailed map has already been obtained, there is no need to access the server computer again.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a map display system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the map display system 1, a map display terminal (terminal computer) 10 is connected to a map server (server computer) 18 via a communication line 19.

The map display terminal 10 includes a parameter generation unit 11, a recording unit 12, a position detection unit (position detection means) 1.
3, an input unit 14, a display unit 15, and a map information acquisition unit (map information acquisition unit) 16. The map server 18 includes a map information transmitting unit 81 and a map database 82.

The map display system 1 obtains (downloads) a map of the current position in a short time and with a small number of user actions by detecting the current position of the map display terminal 10 and transmitting (uploading) the map to the map server 18. System.

That is, the map information acquisition unit 16 of the map display terminal 10 transmits the coordinates of the current position detected by the position detection unit 13 to the map server 18 to obtain a wide area map, a detailed map including the current position, From the map server 18, a detailed map of the peripheral area of the detailed map including the current position is acquired. At this time, the map display terminal 10 transmits the storage capacity of the detailed map to the map server 18. Then, the detailed map transmitted from the map information transmitting section 81 of the map server 18 is received by the map information acquiring section 16 and displayed on the display section 15 in accordance with the priority order based on the storage capacity of the detailed map.

For each member of the map display terminal 10,
The details will be described below.

The position detecting section 13 is provided on the map display terminal 10.
GPS (global positioning sys)
tem). The position detection unit 13 inputs the detected coordinates of the current position to the parameter generation unit 11.

The input unit 14 is a user input interface such as a pen tablet. The user operates the input unit 1
4, the map display terminal 10 can be operated. In particular, it is possible to use the input unit 14 to input a position instruction in the wide area map and the detailed map displayed on the display unit 15.

The display unit 15 is an output interface for a user such as a liquid crystal display device (pen tablet).
A wide area map, a detailed map, annotation information (described later), an operation screen of the map display terminal 10, and the like are displayed.

The recording unit 12 is a built-in storage medium such as a flash memory. The recording unit 12 includes a wide area map storage area 21 for storing a wide area map, a detailed map storage area 23 for storing a detailed map, and a management area 22 for storing header information of each map. The detailed map storage area 23 can use a volatile memory.
Here, the volatile memory is a memory in which stored data is lost when the power is turned off, and the user or the system can delete the stored data and reuse it as a free area.

Here, the relationship between the wide area map and the detailed map handled by the map display system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which nine detailed maps M1 to M9 (3 × 3) are assigned to the wide area map ML centering on the current position P0 (pn, pe). . The wide area map is a map for displaying a guide for the user to input a target position, and includes information necessary for designating the target position. On the other hand, the detailed map is a map that is called and displayed when the user specifies a target position in the wide area map, and includes information on the vicinity of the target position required by the user. Although the detailed maps M1 to M9 are assigned to the wide area map ML without overlapping in FIG. 5, the detailed maps may be assigned to have overlapping areas. This is the same for the wide area maps.

Then, the wide area map and the detailed map are
It has the header information shown in Table 1 below, and is stored in the management area 22 in association with the image information of the map.

[0045]

[Table 1]

The map information handled by the map display system 1 includes map image data (image data), header information (various control information such as a rectangular area of the image data), and note information. Of these, map image data is the most important and requires memory. The header information is various control information such as a rectangular area of the map image data. The annotation information is town information or the like displayed together with the map image data, and is mainly text data. The format and management method of the map information can be determined according to the required specifications of the map display system 1.

The wide area map may be stored in the non-volatile memory so that the wide area map is always stored in the map display terminal 10. Further, the detailed map may be stored in a volatile memory and erased by the designation of the user or the system or by turning off the power, or may be overwritten from the oldest one in the capacity of the detailed map storage area 23. Further, the note information and the like may be stored in the management area 22 or may be stored in a dedicated area (not shown).

The parameter generation unit 11 includes the input unit 1
4. It is connected to the display unit 15, the recording unit 12, the map information acquisition unit 16, and the position detection unit 13, and controls the map display terminal 10. Specifically, if a map to be displayed is stored in the recording unit 12 based on the input information of the input unit 14 or the current position of the position detection unit 13, the wide area map storage area 2
1 or read from the detailed map storage area 23 and displayed on the display unit 15. If it is not stored in the recording unit 12, a parameter for obtaining a map from the map server 18 is generated and input to the map information obtaining unit 16, and the necessary map is transmitted via the map information obtaining unit 16 and the communication line 19. To get.

Here, the parameters generated by the parameter generation section 11 include the elements shown in Table 2 below. Note that the wide area map transmission request “GM” is described in the parameter only when a wide area map is requested. That is, the parameters for requesting the detailed map include the latitude and longitude “POS (x, y)” of the current position and the detailed map storage area 23.
Only the free space (storable capacity) “FREE (f)” is described.

[0050]

[Table 2]

The map information acquisition unit 16 includes a communication line 19
And a communication interface for transmitting and receiving. The map information acquisition unit 16 communicates with the map server 1 via the communication line 19.
8 and transmits a communication command including the above parameters to acquire map information of a wide area map and a detailed map from the map server 18. Then, the map information acquisition unit 16
Inputs the acquired wide area map to the parameter generation unit 11. In addition, the map information acquisition unit 16 stores the acquired detailed map in the detailed map storage area 23 and the management area 22, and displays the acquired detailed map on the display unit 15.

As described above, the wide area map is stored and displayed by the parameter generator 11. On the other hand, the detailed map is stored by the map information acquisition unit 16,
Display processing is performed. In other words, a destination is required to generate a parameter for acquiring a detailed map, and since this is a wide area map for inputting the destination, storing and displaying the wide area map is performed by the parameter generation unit 11. Is convenient.

Subsequently, the map information transmitting section 81 of the map server 18 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving to and from the communication line 19. The map information transmitting unit 81 reads a wide area map and a detailed map from the wide area map storage area 82a and the detailed map storage area 82b of the map database 82, respectively, according to the parameters transmitted from the map display terminal 10 via the communication line 19. To send. Then, when transmitting the detailed map, the detailed map is transmitted according to the priority order based on the free space “FREE (f)” of the detailed map storage area 23 in the parameters.

The communication line 19 is a communication line that enables mutual communication between the map display terminal 10 and the map server 18, and may be, for example, the Internet via a general public line.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the parameter generation unit 11.

The parameter generation section 11 is activated when a user instructs to “acquire a map”. For example, if the map display terminal 10 is a dedicated terminal for map display, it may be operated simultaneously with turning on the power.

The parameter generator 11 first obtains the coordinates P0 (pn, pe) of the current position by the position detector 13 (S1 (first step, first processing)), and generates a wide area map for the current position. It is checked whether or not it has already been stored (registered) in the wide area map storage area 21 (S2). Specifically, the current position is the area of the wide area map (No, Eo)
(Nn, En) is determined based on the header information. If the current position is near the boundary of the wide area map, it may be determined that the corresponding wide area map is not registered with a margin.

Next, if it is determined in step S2 that the wide area map has not been registered (NO), the current free space f of the detailed map storage area 23 is obtained (S3). Then, the free space parameter “FREE
(F)] includes a position parameter POS (pn,
pe) and the wide-area map acquisition parameter “GM” are output to the map information acquisition unit 16 to acquire a wide-area map from the map server 18 (S4). Then, the acquired wide area map is stored in the wide area map storage area 21 (S5).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that the wide area map has already been registered (YES), the process skips steps S3 to S5 and proceeds to step S6.

Subsequently, the wide area map is output to the display unit 15 together with the current position (S6), and the user enters the destination (target position PD) in the wide area map display area (display unit 15).
(Pointing process) for designating (S7). Then, when a pointing operation is performed by the user, the pointing position is converted to latitude / longitude information (PD (pn,
pe)) (S8).

Finally, the latitude / longitude information (POS (pn, pe)) of the target position PD is transmitted to the map information acquisition unit 16 to acquire a detailed map specified by the user, and the display unit 1
5 is displayed (S9). Note that the above steps S7 to S7
9 corresponds to the second step and the second process.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the map information acquisition unit 16.
3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of FIG.

The map information acquisition section 16 operates when a parameter is input from the parameter generation section 11 described above (S11).

First, it is checked whether or not the parameter is for obtaining a wide area map (S12). Specifically, it is checked whether or not the parameters include the wide area map acquisition parameter “GM”.

Next, when it is determined in step S12 that the parameter is for acquiring a wide area map (YE
S), a connection with the communication line 19 is established (S13), and the parameter character string input from the parameter generation unit 11 is output as it is to the map server 18 (map information transmission unit 81) (S14), and the acquired wide area The map information of the map is output to the parameter generator 11 (S15).

Further, as post-processing, the map information transmitting section 8
It is confirmed from step 1 whether or not a detailed map has been transmitted (S16).
If the detailed map has been transmitted (YES), the detailed map is received and stored in the detailed map storage area 23 (S17).
Then, when the detailed map is not transmitted from the map server 18 (NO), or after the reception of the detailed map is completed, the connection with the communication line 19 is disconnected (S18).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the parameters do not include the wide area map acquisition parameter "GM" (NO), it is determined that the detailed map is to be acquired, and the designated position information POS is determined. It is checked whether the detailed map has already been received (S19).

If it is determined in step S19 that the detailed map has not been received (NO), a connection with the communication line 19 is established (S20), and the parameter character string input from the parameter generation unit 11 is used as is in the map. The information is output to the server 18 (S21), and the obtained map information of the detailed map is stored in the detailed map storage area 23 (S22). Then, the connection with the communication line 19 is disconnected (S23). Steps S20 to S23 correspond to a second step and a second process.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the detailed map has already been received (YES), the process skips steps S20 to S23 and proceeds to step S24.

Finally, the received or stored detailed map is output and displayed on the display unit 15 together with the current position (S24), and the process is terminated.

Since it is expected that the user will designate the target position for acquiring the detailed map after acquiring the wide area map, the process is continued from step S18 to step S11 with the connector A.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the outline of the operation of the map server 18 for distributing the map information of the wide area map and the detailed map. In the following description, nine detailed maps (3 × 3) M1 are added to the wide area map ML.
To M9 are arranged. That is, the detail map M1 is a detail map centering on the current position, and the detail maps M2 to M9 are detail maps of the area around the detail map M1.

The map information transmitting section 81 of the map server 18
The operation starts when a request for obtaining a wide area map ML or a detailed map is received from the map display terminal 10 that wants to receive the map distribution service (S31).

First, it is determined whether or not to transmit (distribute) the wide area map to the map display terminal 10 based on the received parameters (S31).

If it is determined in step S32 that the wide area map is to be transmitted (YES), the wide area map information corresponding to the position information (POS) designated by the parameter is transmitted to the map display terminal 10 (S33).

Then, a value obtained by dividing the terminal free space “FREE (f)” similarly designated by a parameter by a predetermined specified value is calculated and stored in the transmission number Cnt which is a variable (S).
34). The specified value in this calculation is at least
It should be equal to or larger than the capacity of the map information of the detailed map including the header information. However, since the degree depends on the use scene (specifications) of the map display terminal 10, parameters other than those shown in Table 2 should be separately provided to enable designation from the map display terminal 10 side. There will be. That is, the map display terminal 1
When 0 is dedicated to map display, there is no problem as “the above-mentioned default value = detailed map information capacity including header information”.
However, when the map display terminal 10 is equipped with another application (for example, a personal information management (PIM) function), it is necessary to take care that the detailed map does not squeeze the memory area of the other application.

Next, the value of the number of transmissions Cnt is checked, and if the number of transmissions Cnt is greater than 1 (YES in step S35), the detailed map M1 is transmitted (step S36). Further, if the number of transmissions Cnt is larger than 5 (YES in step S37), detailed maps M2 to M5
Is transmitted (step S38). Further, the transmission number Cn
If t is greater than 9 (YES in step S39), detailed maps M6 to M9 are transmitted (S40). If the conditions are not satisfied in steps S35, S37, and S39 (NO), the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the wide area map is not to be transmitted (NO), the above-mentioned step S34 is not performed.
Similarly to S36, the value of the transmission number Cnt is calculated (S4).
1) If the number of transmissions Cnt is larger than 1 (step S)
Then, the detailed map M1 is transmitted (S43).
(2nd step, 2nd processing)), processing is ended.
If the condition is not satisfied in step S42 (NO), the process ends without transmitting anything.

As described above, in the transmission process of the map information transmitting section 81, when the current position P0 is designated and the wide area map ML is acquired, the detailed map M1 including the current position P0 and the detailed map of the surrounding area are obtained. M2 to M9 are also transmitted. On the other hand, when the detailed map is acquired by designating the target position PD, only the detailed map including the target position PD (M1
To M9) is transmitted.

In the detailed map transmitting process of the map information transmitting section 81, it is desirable to transmit the detailed map M1 in order (in the order of the detailed map closer to the current position P0) as in steps S35 to S40 described above. This is because it is considered that a detailed map near the current position P0 is often important to the user. In addition, depending on the protocol used for distributing the map information, if the line connection is long, the communication line 19 is cut off on the map display terminal 10 side, or the communication line 19 is disconnected due to an error. This is because the purpose of the user may be achieved even when the communication line 19 is disconnected during the communication and only the detailed map M1 is transmitted, for example.

For example, consider a state in which the wide area map ML is displayed for the detected current position P0 and the detailed maps M1 to M5 have been obtained. In this state, if the user specifies a location included in the detailed maps M1 to M5 as a target position, one of the detailed maps M1 to M5 is read from the detailed map storage area 23 and displayed according to the coordinates. On the other hand, when the user specifies a location included in the detailed maps M6 to M9 as a target position, a parameter for acquiring a detailed map corresponding to the coordinates is generated, acquired from the map server 18, and displayed.

Here, the priority order in the detailed map transmission processing of the map information transmission section 81 will be described. The reason for transmitting the detailed maps in accordance with the priority order is to efficiently use the detailed map storage area 23 in which it is difficult to secure a sufficient capacity in consideration of the operability of the user and the line usage fee. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the priorities may be set in the map information distribution unit 81 in advance, and the detailed map may be transmitted with a fixed priority. Of course, this priority can be specified by the user from the map display terminal 10 according to the purpose of use of the diagram display terminal 10.
In this case, a parameter specifying the priority order may be generated by the parameter generation unit 11 and transmitted together with other parameters.

For example, the following can be considered as a method of setting the priorities of the detailed maps. Of course, the following methods can be combined.

(1) A detailed map closer to the current position has a higher priority. The method of FIG. 4 is an example of this.

(2) The priority of the detailed map in the same area as the area to which the current position belongs is increased. For example, in a wide area map extending over two prefectures, the priority of the detailed map of the prefecture to which the current position belongs is set higher.

(3) The priority of the detailed map including the railway and the main road is increased. For example, when a railway is laid on the detailed map including the current position, the priority of the detailed map including the railway is set higher. That is, a detailed map is acquired along the railway. In this case, it is possible to obtain a detailed map beyond the range of the wide area map.

(4) The priority of a detailed map in an area where a more detailed map is prepared is increased. When a detailed map is prepared in a plurality of hierarchies, it is preferentially displayed so that a more detailed detailed map can be obtained.

(5) A detailed map including more annotation information has a higher priority. Note information such as local information (stations, shops, etc.) can be displayed on the detailed map. It is considered that a detailed map in which the annotation information is denser (including more annotation information) is more important. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a map having a high annotation information density with a high priority. For example, in a countryside, a detailed map of an area including a bus stop and a station can be preferentially acquired over an area that is closer to the current position but is only on the mountain.

(6) The priority of the detailed map expected as the destination of the user is increased. If a wide area map or a detailed map is requested at a time interval (for example, an interval of one minute or more), the moving direction of the user can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to increase the priority of the detailed map of the area where the user is expected to move based on the moving direction. For example, in FIG. 5, when it is determined that the user is moving from left to right, M3, M9, M7, M4, M
5, M2, M6, and M8.

In the map display system 1 described above, the wide-area map is intended only to specify a detailed map to be acquired. Therefore, as in the detailed map, a temporal situation change (a new road is opened, etc.) There is no need to specifically consider updates by.

Therefore, the wide area map is stored in the map display terminal 10.
May be stored in the wide area map storage area 21 in advance, or may be obtained from a map information service station such as the map server 18 via a communication medium. In addition, CD-
It may be obtained from an external storage medium such as a ROM.

As described above, in the map display system 1, the database of the detailed map must exist in the map server 18, but the wide area map may be stored anywhere. However, in order to reduce the memory of the map display terminal 10, it is desirable that the wide area map does not have a database on the terminal side like the detailed map.

In the map display system 1, the wide area map designated by the current position P0 is displayed on the display unit 15 as a wide area map display object, so that the user can input a target position PD and obtain a detailed map. It can be carried out. That is, the wide area map is a means for specifying the detailed map, and the target position P
This is a user interface for designating D.

In the map display system 1, a parameter of "necessity of downloading map" can be provided. This makes it possible to selectively use (a) carry a map and use it as a digital map, or (b) just display one map immediately. For example, when the GPS or PHS is connected, the map of the current location is immediately displayed, and when a map in front of the station is requested, the map is downloaded in a state that can be used in the future, so that the operation is automatically switched, and the user is automatically switched. Work can be reduced.

That is, in a mobile environment, for example, a user carries a map and uses a GPS or PHS (personal handy).
phone system) to determine your current location,
A plurality of maps can be connected on a terminal, and a usage mode such as attaching data on the map can be flexibly switched. In this regard, URLs (unifs) are sent from terminals to servers, which are used in map distribution services on the Internet, etc.
Orm resource locators) specify location information by using map information as a URL response in HTML (hy
(per text markup language) It is a method of returning data and browsing it on the terminal, so it is difficult to use it flexibly in a mobile environment.

In the map display system 1, a parameter of "map acquisition range" can be provided. As a result, the map can be acquired while automatically switching the range in accordance with the needs and situations of the user, thereby increasing the convenience. For example, if you just want to know the current location, a narrow range around the current location, if you want to acquire it for future use, a wide range, or if you are in an urban area, the whole city area, if in the countryside you will enter the station It is possible to automatically switch the map acquisition range, such as the range of the map.

In this regard, the conventional map distribution service on the Internet displays only one map at a designated position or designates a narrow range or a wide range (one or nine) by the user in advance. It was not flexible because it was displayed.

In the map display system 1, a parameter of "scale of the wide area map" can be provided.
Thereby, the user's labor can be reduced by selecting the scale of the wide area map according to needs and situations without relying on the user's judgment.

That is, the use of this parameter can solve the following problem. When specifying a target position using a wide-area map, it is not useful if the scale is too coarse in an urban area, and it is difficult to understand the content in a rural area by making a map of a wide area. Also, the need to know where the detailed map displayed is located in the city, for example, or on the other hand, looking at a wide area map and finding out what detailed map you have within that range There is a need to know.

In this regard, in the current map distribution service, display or download of a map is only one type of scale, and display / download of another scale requires further user operation. Was.

In the map display system 1, a parameter of "designation of map image format" can be provided. This makes it possible to realize a map distribution service that can be utilized on mobile devices to various terminals. Also, if the required format can be automatically specified from the terminal side, those processes can be performed without the user's awareness.

For example, a map is prepared in a plurality of formats such as a raster map, a vector map, and a deformed map, and is selected according to the parameters. Specifically, it is possible to improve convenience by automatically obtaining a vector map when searching for a route, and automatically obtaining a deformed map with only roads and landmarks if you just want to go to the destination. it can.

In this regard, in the current map distribution service, a map image (raster data) is transmitted in a format that can be viewed with an Internet browser or in a unique format for a dedicated terminal.

In the map display system 1, note information (characters and marks drawn on the map) can be displayed on the map image. In the map display system 1, parameters of "designation of a category to be downloaded", "designation of a range to be downloaded", and "designation of non-display" can be provided with respect to the note information.

There are various types of annotation information such as roads, buildings, rivers, and names of mountains. However, if all of them are acquired, it takes time and memory. Therefore, by specifying the category to be downloaded with the parameter, necessary information can be efficiently acquired. For example, it is possible to efficiently display the name of an intersection when traveling on a road and the exit name of a station when riding a train. In particular, it automatically detects the user ’s situation,
Convenience is increased by automatically generating a parameter specifying the category to be downloaded and acquiring a detailed map. Note that the user's situation can be detected from the speedometer while the vehicle is moving by car.

Further, if all the annotation information is downloaded, it may be enormous in an urban area or the like.
Therefore, necessary information can be efficiently acquired by designating a range to be downloaded with a parameter. Therefore, it is possible to avoid troubles such as that communication is not completed due to too large data or that memory is insufficient.

Further, since the current map distribution service provides a map image (raster data), the annotation information is drawn as it is on the map. On the other hand, in the map display system 1, the annotation information can be obtained separately from the map image. As a result, the map can be displayed in a reduced size so that the characters are not broken, and the search can be performed using characters or marks.

Furthermore, when the user simply wants to see the map, unnecessary annotation information can be omitted and displayed by designating non-display of the annotation information with a parameter. In particular, convenience is increased by automatically setting these parameters according to the application.

In the map display system 1, the downloadable capacity at that time can be specified. In general, a portable terminal has a limited memory capacity, and if it is used to its full extent, it may affect processing speed and stability. Therefore, the downloadable capacity is
By automatically setting the system, such troubles can be prevented without the user being conscious.

The present embodiment does not limit the scope of the present invention, and various changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be configured as follows.

The map display system according to the present invention is characterized in that the map display terminal acquires or stores a wide area map based on the current position, a means for specifying a target position at which a detailed map is to be obtained, using the wide area map, Means for receiving and displaying a detailed map transmitted by notifying the location to the map distribution service (map server). Thus, even if the map display terminal has a small memory, the user can obtain and use the detailed map from the map server.

Further, the map display system according to the present invention
The map display terminal may include means for obtaining the current position, and means for receiving and displaying the wide area map transmitted by notifying the current position to the map distribution service.

As a result, since the wide area map can also be transmitted from the map server by transmitting the current position, the wide area map storage area can be excluded from the components of the map display terminal. The required weight reduction can be realized.

Further, the map display system according to the present invention comprises:
Means for the map server receiving the current position of the map display terminal and the remaining memory capacity of the map display terminal in response to a request for transmission of the wide area map from the map display terminal; and a wide area map corresponding to the current position of the map display terminal. Means for transmitting a map according to the current position of the map display terminal, and determining whether or not to activate the means for transmitting the map according to the current position of the map display terminal, according to the remaining memory capacity of the map display terminal. You may.

Thus, the detailed map of the target position expected to be specified by the user using the wide area map can be obtained in advance simultaneously with the obtaining of the wide area map. Therefore, when the predicted detailed map matches the user's specification, access to the map server is performed only once when the wide area map is obtained, improving the operability of the map display terminal and reducing the number of accesses. The communication line usage fee and the service access fee charged based on this can be suppressed.

Note that the above method requires a longer communication line use time than the method of acquiring only necessary detailed maps. However, in the charging system of the communication line usage fee and the service access fee of the map server, it is often the case that the use of "large and small number of times" is cheaper than the use of "small and many times".

Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide a program code (executable program, intermediate code) for a program of the map display system 1 (that is, the map display terminal 10 and the map server 18) which is software for realizing the above-described functions. A recording medium in which a program or a source program is recorded so as to be readable by a computer is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the program code recorded in the recording medium. This is also achievable. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the above-described function, and the recording medium on which the program code is recorded constitutes the present invention.

A recording medium for supplying the program code can be configured to be separable from a system or an apparatus. Further, the recording medium may be a medium that fixedly carries the program code so that the program code can be supplied. Even if the recording medium is mounted on a system or an apparatus so that a computer can directly read the recorded program code, the recording medium may be connected to a system or apparatus as an external storage device via a program reading apparatus connected to the system or the apparatus. It may be mounted so that it can be read.

For example, as the recording medium, a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy disk / hard disk, a CD-ROM / M
Disk system including optical disk such as O / MD / DVD / CD-R, card system such as IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or mask ROM / EPROM / E
A semiconductor memory system such as an EPROM / flash ROM can be used.

Further, the program code may be recorded so that the computer can read out from the recording medium and directly execute the program code, or the program code is transferred from the recording medium to the program storage area of the main storage and read out from the main storage by the computer. It may be recorded so that it can be executed.

Furthermore, the recording medium may be a medium that carries the program code in a fluid manner so that the program code can be supplied via a communication network or the like. In this case, the system or device can be configured to be connectable to a communication network (including the Internet or the like), and the program code can be supplied by downloading from the communication network.

A program for reading a program code from a recording medium and storing the program code in a main memory;
It is assumed that the program for downloading the program code from the communication network is stored in a system or an apparatus in advance so as to be executable by a computer.

The functions described above are realized not only by the computer executing the above-described program code read out, but also by the OS or the like running on the computer performing one of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It is also realized by performing part or all.

Further, the above-mentioned functions are realized after the above-mentioned program code read from the above-mentioned recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board mounted on a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Based on the instructions of the program code, the functions are also realized by the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performing part or all of the actual processing.

[0125]

According to the map display system of the present invention, as described above, in a map display system for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer, the terminal computer detects a current position of the terminal computer. And a map information acquisition unit for acquiring from the server computer a detailed map including a target position designated in the wide area map including the current position.

Further, the map display method of the present invention, as described above, is a method of acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer, wherein the first step of detecting the current position of the terminal computer is described. And a second step of transmitting a detailed map including the target position specified in the wide area map including the current position from the server computer to the terminal computer.

The computer-readable recording medium on which the map display program of the present invention is recorded is, as described above, a computer-readable recording medium on which a map display program for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer is recorded. A first process for detecting a current position of the terminal computer, and a second process for transmitting a detailed map including a target position designated in a wide area map including the current position from the server computer to the terminal computer. 2 is a configuration in which a map display program for causing a computer to execute the process 2 is recorded.

Therefore, the terminal computer can obtain a detailed map including the target position specified in the wide area map including the current position from the server computer and display the detailed map.

Thus, since the detailed map database is not provided in the terminal computer, it is possible to display map information requiring an extremely large storage area even with a portable terminal computer having a small storage capacity. To play. In addition, since a wide area map based on the current position is automatically displayed, excellent operability can be achieved.

As described above, in the map display system of the present invention, the map information acquisition means of the terminal computer transmits the current position detected by the position detection means to the server computer, Is obtained.

Therefore, since the wide area map can be transmitted from the server computer by transmitting the current position, the database of the wide area map can be excluded from the terminal computer. Therefore, there is an effect that the weight reduction which is the maximum required specification as the mobile terminal can be realized.

As described above, the map display system of the present invention is configured such that the map information obtaining means of the terminal computer obtains a detailed map including the current location together with the wide area map from the server computer. .

Therefore, the detailed map including the current position most expected to be designated by the user using the wide area map can be obtained in advance simultaneously with the acquisition of the wide area map. This has the effect. Therefore, when the user specifies the detailed map including the current position, access to the server computer is performed only once when the wide area map is obtained,
The operability of the terminal computer is improved, and the communication line usage fee and the service access fee charged based on the number of accesses can be suppressed.

As described above, in the map display system of the present invention, the map information acquiring means of the terminal computer transmits the current position along with the detailed map including the wide area map and the current position from the server computer. This is a configuration for acquiring a detailed map of a peripheral area of the included detailed map.

Therefore, the detailed map around the current position expected to be specified by the user using the wide area map can be obtained in advance at the same time when the wide area map is obtained. Therefore, when the user specifies the previously acquired detailed map, access to the server computer is performed only once at the time of acquiring the wide area map, thereby improving the operability of the terminal computer and charging based on the number of accesses. This has the effect of reducing communication line usage fees and service access fees.

As described above, in the map display system of the present invention, the map information acquisition means of the terminal computer transmits the storage capacity of the detailed map to the server computer, and the priority based on the storage capacity is determined. This is a configuration for acquiring a detailed map according to the order.

Therefore, the detailed map is obtained according to the priority within the range of the storable capacity, so that the memory can be used efficiently. Further, even when the communication line is disconnected halfway, there is an effect that it is not necessary to access the server computer again if the necessary detailed map has already been obtained.

As described above, in the map display system of the present invention, the server computer transmits the detailed map to the terminal computer in accordance with the priority order based on the storage capacity of the detailed map received from the terminal computer. It is.

According to the above configuration, the terminal computer can further obtain a detailed map according to the priority order within the range of the storage capacity. Therefore, there is an effect that the memory of the terminal computer can be used efficiently. Further, even when the communication line is disconnected halfway, there is an effect that it is not necessary to access the server computer again if the necessary detailed map has already been obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart schematically showing an operation of a parameter generation unit of the map display terminal of the map display system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing an operation of a map information acquisition unit of a map display terminal of the map display system shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of a map server of the map display system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a wide area map and a detailed map displayed by the map display system shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map display system 10 Map display terminal (terminal computer) 13 Position detecting part (position detecting means) 16 Map image obtaining part (map information obtaining means) 18 Map server (server computer) P0 Current position PD Target position ML Wide area map M1 M9 Detailed map S1 (first step, first processing) S7 to S9, S20 to S23, S43 (second step, second processing)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G08G 1/0969 G09B 29/10 A 5H180 G09B 29/00 H04M 3/493 5J062 29/10 G06F 15/40 370C 5K015 H04M 3/493 15/62 335 9A001 (72) Inventor Hajime Asano, 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (72) Inventor Tatsuya Sakai 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka, Osaka No. Sharp Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C032 HB22 HB25 HC11 HC13 HC30 2F029 AB07 AC02 AC14 5B050 BA17 CA07 5B075 ND07 PQ02 PQ05 UU13 5B089 GA25 GB01 GB03 JA33 JB03 JB22 KA05 KA11 KA16 KC39 5B13 FF05 BB CC07 HH04 HH05 5K015 AA00 AB00 AB01 AF00 AF07 9A001 CC02 HH23 JJ01 JJ11 JJ12 JJ25 JJ27 JJ7 8

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A map display system for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer, wherein the terminal computer detects a current position of the terminal computer, and a wide area map including the current position. And a map information acquisition means for acquiring a detailed map including the target position designated in the server computer from the server computer. 2. The map information acquisition means of the terminal computer transmits the current position detected by the position detection means to the server computer to acquire the wide area map. 2. The map display system according to 1. 3. The map display according to claim 2, wherein the map information acquiring means of the terminal computer acquires a detailed map including the current position together with the wide area map from the server computer. system. 4. The map information obtaining means of the terminal computer obtains, from the server computer, a detailed map including the wide area map and the current position and a detailed map of a peripheral area of the detailed map including the current position. The map display system according to claim 3, wherein 5. The map information obtaining means of the terminal computer transmits the storable capacity of the detailed map to the server computer, and obtains a detailed map in accordance with a priority order based on the storable capacity. The map display system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein 6. The server computer according to claim 3, wherein the server computer transmits the detailed map to the terminal computer in accordance with a priority order based on a storage capacity of the detailed map received from the terminal computer.
The map display system according to any one of the above. 7. A map display method for obtaining map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer, comprising: a first step of detecting a current position of the terminal computer; and a designated step in a wide area map including the current position. Transmitting a detailed map including the determined target position from the server computer to the terminal computer. 8. A computer-readable recording medium storing a map display program for acquiring map information from a server computer and displaying the map information on a terminal computer, wherein: a first process for detecting a current position of the terminal computer; And a second process of transmitting a detailed map including the target position specified in the wide area map including the position from the server computer to the terminal computer, and a computer readable recording of a map display program for causing the computer to execute the second process. recoding media.