JP2003121189A - Guidance information providing method and executing apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for providing more effective guidance information suited to individual users. SOLUTION: The method for providing guidance information indicating a route from the present position to a destination comprises a step of setting the priority to landmarks according to the contents of landmark access information showing the access condition to landmark information, and a step of setting the landmarks on a background map to generate a guide map according to the set priority and generate guidance sentences according to the generated guide map.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a guidance information providing system for providing guidance information indicating a route from a current location to a destination input by a user, and particularly a guidance map according to user's access information and landmark type. And a technique effective when applied to a guidance information providing system for providing guidance texts.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional method of providing guidance information, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-46576, as a user's route movement history in a user profile, each landmark designated as a destination is displayed. There is a method to store the number of visits etc. and use it for route search considering the contents as landmarks that the user is familiar with, but combining the route movement history with the user and individual landmarks designated as destinations Was stored against.

Further, as described in JP-A-2001-4384 and JP-A-2001-4385, landmarks in route guidance are selected, and landmarks are numbered in order from the start point to the end point (for example, 1 And 2) are added, and characters (for example, A and B) are added to the landmarks around them.
The number and letters of the number are placed on the guide map so that they do not overlap with other figures, and in the guide text, an icon corresponding to the number and letters of the number on the guide map is displayed. There is a method of transitioning to the guidance text around the corresponding landmark by keying the icon, but landmarks not selected as landmarks in route guidance are not displayed on the guidance map and guidance text. , Could not be used as a marker.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the conventional technology described in Japanese Patent No. 6576, consideration is not given to the viewpoint of grouping landmarks, and it is considered that there is a possibility that the user may be interested in the same type as the visited landmark even if the user has not visited. There was a problem that the landmark information could not be used effectively.

Further, in the prior art described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2001-4384 and 2001-4385, it should be taken into consideration that a landmark not selected as a landmark in route guidance is used. However, since those landmarks are not displayed on the guide map and the guide text, there is a problem that they cannot be used as a mark.

For example, when there are a plurality of landmarks near the intersection and only one landmark is placed on the guide map because of overlapping or the like, the signboard of the landmark on which the landmark is placed is located from the user's position. Since it is a blind spot, it is difficult to confirm it as a mark, and as a result, there was a problem that it was easier to confirm as a mark by placing a landmark that was not selected. In addition, because the meaning of the characters indicating the landmark on the guide map is unknown, it is not possible to directly check the name or type of the landmark, and the line of sight is moved downward and displayed below the guide map. It was inconvenient and annoying to read the name of the landmark or switch the screen by key operation to check.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a technique capable of providing more effective guidance information suitable for individual users.

[0008]

According to the present invention, in a guide information generating device for providing guide information indicating a route from a present location to a destination, contents of landmark access information indicating an access situation to landmark information, The guide map is generated by arranging each landmark according to the priority set according to the type of landmark.

In the present invention, the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information when the guide map is generated using the landmark is recorded, and the route from the user to the destination is recorded. When the provision of the indicated guide map is requested, the landmark access information is read out and the priority is set for each landmark according to the content. Here, the priority may be set according to the type of landmark such as a department store or a convenience store, and for example, a high priority may be set for the type of landmark the user likes.

Next, on the background map for displaying the route from the current position to the destination, each landmark is arranged according to the set priority to generate a guide map,
A guidance sentence corresponding to the generated guidance map is generated. If there are landmarks that cannot be placed due to overlapping when arranging the landmarks, the guide map and the guide text may be hierarchically generated and placed on the guide maps of other layers.

As described above, according to the present invention, the landmark priority information is set in consideration of the landmark access information to provide the guide map and the guide text in which the user's favorite landmark is prioritized. You will be able to do it.

According to the present invention, the landmarks desired by the user are grouped rather than individually, and are classified into a plurality of types such as department stores and convenience stores to be managed so that the user's current location and destination are included. Use the landmark landmarks used in each area according to the type, create a guide map or guide text that preferentially uses department stores that users often visit, and even in the area where you visited for the first time It is possible to provide more effective information to individual users such as reflecting the landmarks of.

Further, as a landmark in route guidance, when a user's favorite landmark, which cannot be placed in one guidance map and is not selected, is used, for example, a guidance map in which a landmark such as a department store often visited is prioritized. The guide map using the landmarks such as fast food and convenience stores, which are less frequently visited than department stores, is used as the guide map for the second layer and the guide map for the second and subsequent layers. Among the marks, the priority of landmarks is generated in consideration of the number of visits and the date of the last visit, and multiple guide maps and guide sentences are hierarchically generated in the same area, which can be switched as needed. It is possible to provide information.

As described above, according to the guide information providing system of the present invention, the contents of the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information and the priority set according to the type of the landmark can be set for each. Since the guide map is generated by arranging the landmarks, it is possible to provide more effective guide information suitable for each user.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A guide information providing system according to an embodiment for providing guide information indicating a route from a current position to a destination input by a user will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the guidance information providing system of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide information generation server 121 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a request information acquisition unit 131.
, Position information acquisition unit 141, and background map generation unit 151
A landmark information management unit 161 and a guidance information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure.

The request information acquisition unit 131 is a processing unit that receives a guidance information generation request including current location information and destination information from a user's mobile phone or the like, and acquires the current location information and destination information from the guidance information generation request. . The position information acquisition unit 141 is a processing unit that acquires the position information of the current position and the position information of the destination from the acquired current position information and destination information.

The background map generation unit 151 is a processing unit for generating a background map which is a basis of a guide map from the acquired position information of the current position and the destination. The landmark information management unit 161 manages information about landmarks, and sets priority to each landmark according to the content of the landmark access information 114 indicating the access status to the landmark information 113 and the type of the landmark. It is a processing unit.

The guide information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure
By arranging each landmark on the background map according to the set priority to generate a guide map and performing a process of generating a guide sentence corresponding to the generated guide map multiple times, the same area is Is a processing unit that hierarchically generates a plurality of pieces of guidance information.

The guide information generation server 121 includes a request information acquisition unit 131, a position information acquisition unit 141, and a background map generation unit 15.
1. The program for functioning as the landmark information management unit 161 and the hierarchical guide information generation unit 171 is recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in a magnetic disk or the like, and then loaded into a memory and executed. Shall be done. The recording medium for recording the program is C
A recording medium other than the D-ROM may be used. The program may be installed in the information processing apparatus from the recording medium and used, or the recording medium may be accessed through the network to use the program.

In FIG. 1, the position information input unit 101 is
It is an input unit for current location information by GPS (Global Positioning System), menu selection, etc., and an input unit for destination information by menu selection, etc.

Positioning results obtained by using GPS can be used for inputting the current location information. However, even when inputting latitude and longitude, telephone number designation, address designation, station name, building name, store May be input.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of contents of present location information (telephone number designation) according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the current location information in the case of specifying a telephone number is a user ID that is an identifier for identifying a user, a guidance information generation mode that indicates a mode in which guidance information is generated, a store where the user is present, and the like. It is the information that stores the current location telephone number and the like indicating the telephone number of the landmark.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of contents of present location information (address designation) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the current location information in the case of address designation is information that stores a user ID, a guide information generation mode, and a current location address indicating the address of a landmark such as a store where the user is currently located.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the current position information (positioning result) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the current position information when using the positioning result is information that stores a user ID, a guidance information generation mode, a current position measured value indicating the result of positioning the current position of the user by GPS, and the like. .

Although the current location information includes the user ID and the guide information generation mode, the user ID and the guidance information generation mode may be separately acquired as other information and may not necessarily be included in the current location information. .

Although telephone number designation can be used for inputting destination information, address designation, station name, building name, or store name may be used.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of contents of destination information (telephone number designation) according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, the destination information in the case of designating a telephone number is information in which the destination telephone number indicating the telephone number of a landmark such as a store which is the destination of the user is stored.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of contents of destination information (address designation) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the destination information in the case of specifying an address is information in which the destination address or the like indicating the address of a landmark such as a store which is the destination of the user is stored.

The guide information display section 102 displays guide information composed of a guide map and guide texts generated by the guide information generating server 121. In addition, the guide information display unit 102
Is also used as a display unit for displaying a menu or the like when the position information is input in the position information input unit 101. The guidance information display unit 102 is a mobile phone or PHS.
Not only (Personal Handy-phone System) but also personal digital assistants (PDA) and personal computers may be used.

The storage device 111 stores the map information 112 and the landmark information 113 necessary for generating the guide information.
And a landmark access information 114.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the map information 112 of this embodiment. Map information 112 as shown in FIG.
Is information that stores road information of ordinary roads and expressways, railroad information, river information, feature information such as building information, and the like, represented by type, map information ID, coordinate value, and the like. .

The landmark information 113 stores landmark type ID information of landmarks that serve as landmarks in route guidance, detailed information, landmark attribute information, landmark telephone number information, landmark address information, and the like. This is the information.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark information (landmark type information ID) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 31, the landmark type ID information is 0.
Landmark type ID such as 1, 02, type name of department store, convenience store, fast food, post office, etc., symbol shape representing the shape of the landmark symbol, and the vertical and horizontal directions of the shape of the landmark symbol. This is information that stores the symbol size (length x width) indicating the size.

In the landmark type ID information, information corresponding to the current location and the destination is also stored separately from other landmarks. For example, the landmark type ID of the current location is “98”, the type name is “current location”, the landmark type ID of the destination is “99”, and the type name is “destination”.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark information (detailed information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 32, the detailed information is information in which a landmark individual ID, a landmark type ID, a name, position information, an attribute data presence / absence flag, and the like are stored.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark information (landmark attribute information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 33, the landmark attribute information is, for example, about six levels based on the landmark individual ID, the landmark attribute data (advertising information, event information, gourmet guidance information, etc.), and the advertising fee of the store ( This is information that stores the advertising fee ranks ranked from 0 to 5).

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark information (landmark telephone number information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 34, the landmark telephone number information is information that stores a landmark individual ID, a telephone number, and the like.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark information (landmark address information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 35, the landmark address information is information that stores a landmark individual ID, an address, and the like.

The landmark type ID information (see FIG. 3)
1) and detailed information (FIG. 32) are the landmark type ID
Items, and detailed information (Fig. 3
2), landmark attribute information (FIG. 33), landmark telephone number information (FIG. 34), and landmark address information (FIG. 35) are associated with each other by the landmark individual ID item.

Next, landmark access information 114
Is information that stores access information for each user, user hobby information, and the like.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark access information (user-specific access information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 36, the access information for each user is information that stores a landmark type ID, a designated number of times indicating the number of times a landmark is designated as a destination, a final designated date and time, a final designated landmark individual ID, and the like. is there.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark access information (user hobby information) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 37, the user hobby information is information that stores a user ID, a landmark type ID that matches the user's hobby, and the like.

Regarding the landmark type ID that suits the user's hobby, the user's hobby can be obtained by acquiring the user's information such as the hobby in a simple questionnaire format when registering the service with the provider. It is assumed that the type of the landmark that suits the above is obtained and stored in the user hobby information included in the landmark access information 114 as the landmark type ID that matches the hobby.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the command sequence of this embodiment. Guide information generation server 121
Serves as a server for generating guidance information, and receives a guidance information generation request including current location information and destination information input from the location information input unit 101 from a mobile phone or the like of the guidance information display unit 102. In addition to the server function of FIG. 17 that returns the guide information generation result including the guide map and the guide text to the mobile phone or the like of the guide information display unit 102 as a response, the guide information generation request is received and the guide information generation request is received. A request information acquisition unit 131 that acquires the current location information and the destination information, a position information acquisition unit 141 that acquires the location information of the current location and the destination from the current location information and the destination information, and a background map that is the basis of the guide map. Background map generator 1
51, a landmark information management unit 161 that manages information about landmarks, and a guide information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure that hierarchically generates a plurality of guide information for the same area.

The position information of the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 141 is the one at the time of specifying a landmark, which is acquired from the current position information of the specified telephone number and the address, and the time of positioning acquired from the current position information of the positioning result. However, both are information that stores a user ID, a guide information generation mode, a landmark individual ID, a current location name, a current location coordinate value, and the like.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the current position information (when a landmark is designated) according to this embodiment. Figure 2
In the position information of the current location shown in 1, the landmark individual ID “LS”, the name “S convenience store”, and the coordinate value of the landmark designated as the current location are the landmark individual ID,
The present location name and the present location coordinate value are stored respectively.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the position information (at the time of positioning) of the present location in this embodiment. In the position information of the current position shown in FIG. 22, “ST” is stored as the individual ID of the position measured as the current position and “current position” is stored as the name in the landmark individual ID and the current position name, and the current position coordinate value is measured. The coordinate value is stored.

The position information of the present location includes the user ID.
And the guidance information generation mode, the user I
D and the guide information generation mode may be separately acquired as other information, and may not necessarily be included in the position information of the current location.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the position information of the destination of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, the location information of the destination acquired by the location information acquisition unit 141 is information in which the landmark individual ID, the destination name, and the destination coordinate value are stored.

FIG. 2 shows the background map generator 151 of this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the detail of. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the background map generation unit 151 acquires the map information 112 used when generating the guidance information from the storage device 111, and the map information acquisition unit 15 acquires the map information 112.
2 and a route search unit 153 that searches for a route between two points from the current position to the destination.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the map rectangular area of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 27, the map information acquisition unit 1
At 52, a map rectangular area, which is a rectangular area having margins vertically and horizontally with respect to the rectangular area including the current location and the destination, is obtained.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the map rectangular area information of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the map information acquisition unit 152 generates map rectangular area information as information for storing the range of the map rectangular area in FIG. 27, and acquires the map information 112 in the map rectangular area from the storage device 111.

The route search unit 153 generates a route search result from the current position to the destination as a result of the route search in the map rectangular area. The route search result from the current location to the destination is information in which information such as a route number and a map information ID is stored in order of route.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the route search result (map information ID) from the present location to the destination according to this embodiment. In the route search result of FIG. 29, the route number for identifying the searched route and the map information ID corresponding to the route are stored.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the route search result (route) from the present location to the destination according to this embodiment. The route search result of FIG. 30 represents the map information in which the route of the map that is the basis of the background map is modified by bold line display, color-coded display, or the like based on the map information ID of FIG. 29.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the details of the landmark information management unit 161 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the landmark information management unit 161 includes the landmark information acquisition unit 1 that acquires the landmark information 113 from the storage device 111.
62, a landmark access information management unit 163 that acquires, adds, deletes, or updates the landmark access information 114 with respect to the storage device 111, the landmark information 113 and the landmark access acquired by the landmark information acquisition unit 162. Based on the landmark access information 114 acquired by the information management unit 163, a landmark priority information generation unit 164 that generates landmark priority information for landmarks in the map rectangular area, and landmark placement area information. A landmark placement area information management unit 165 that manages and manages the landmark usage information and a landmark usage information management unit 166 that generates and manages the landmark usage information.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark priority information of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 38, the landmark priority information generated by the landmark priority information generation unit 164 is information that stores information such as a landmark individual ID and priority.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark arrangement area information (management for each layer) of this embodiment. FIG. 39
The landmark placement area information generated and managed by the landmark placement area information management unit 165 is information in which information such as a landmark individual ID, a symbol placement area, and a name placement area is stored.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information (initialization state) of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 40, the landmark usage information generated and managed by the landmark usage information management unit 166 is the landmark individual ID.
And information that stores information such as the layer number used in the guide map.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the details of the guide information generating unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the guidance information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure includes a guidance map generation unit 172 that generates a guidance map and a guidance sentence generation unit 173 that generates a guidance sentence.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the guidance information providing processing of this embodiment. Next, an outline of processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Step 531 is the request information acquisition unit 1 of FIG.
This is the process of 31, and the present location information and the destination information are acquired from the guidance information generation request. Step 541 is a process of the position information acquisition unit 141 of FIG. 1, and acquires the position information of the current position and the destination based on the current position information and the destination information acquired in step 531.

Step 551 is the background map generator 1 of FIG.
In the process of 51, the map rectangular area is obtained based on the position information of the current position and the destination acquired in step 541, the map information in the map rectangular area is acquired from the map information 112 of the storage device 111, and the destination is calculated from the current position. Perform a route search to.

Step 552 is the background map generator 1 of FIG.
In the processing of 51, a background map (without the placement of landmarks) that is the basis of the guide map is generated based on the route search result from the current position to the destination generated in step 551,
It is stored in a storage device such as a memory.

Step 561 is a process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, in which only the landmarks including the positional information of the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) in the area of the map rectangular area are mapped. It is acquired as landmark information in the rectangular area.

Step 562 is a process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, and from the landmark access information 114 managed for each user, the landmark access information corresponding to the user (access information for each user) (FIG. 36) and landmark access information (user hobby information) (FIG. 37) corresponding to the user.

Step 563 is processing of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, and the landmark information in the rectangular map area acquired in step 561 and the step 562.
Landmark priority information (FIG. 38) is generated based on the landmark access information acquired in (1). The generated landmark priority information may or may not be sorted in descending order of priority.

Step 564 is a process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, which generates and initializes the landmark use information (FIG. 40) based on the landmark information in the map rectangular area. Step 565 is a process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, which generates and initializes the landmark arrangement area information (FIG. 39) of the current layer based on the landmark information in the map rectangular area. In addition, step 5
In 64 and step 565, the landmark use information and the landmark arrangement area information are only generated and initialized, and the setting is performed in step 566 or step 567.

Step 571 is a process of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of FIG. 1, and the background map stored in the storage device such as the memory in step 552 is read for the guide map of the current layer.

Step 572 is a process of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, and based on the landmark priority information, the landmark use information and the landmark arrangement area information, for the guide map of the current layer. Place landmarks on the loaded background map. At this time, since the route guidance is from the current location to the destination, the landmarks corresponding to the current location and the destination are always placed.

Step 573 is a process of the guide information generating unit 171 having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, and it is judged whether the rearrangement of landmarks is necessary. If it is determined in step 573 that the landmarks need to be rearranged (YES), first, in step 566, the landmarks that have already been placed in the current layer are used in the guide map included in the landmark use information. The layer number of the current layer is set as the number, and the value of the placement area of each landmark is set as the symbol placement area and the name placement area included in the landmark placement area information for the current layer. Here, step 566 is shown in FIG.
This is a process of the landmark information management unit 161.

Next, at step 574, among the landmarks already arranged on the other layers, the landmarks that can be arranged on the current layer are rearranged. Here, step 574 is processing of the guidance information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of FIG. In addition,
Landmarks already placed on other layers are the layer numbers other than the current layer in the layer numbers used in the guide map included in the landmark usage information (excluding those that indicate invalid, unused, current location and destination). ) Is a landmark that has been set.

If it is determined in step 573 that rearrangement is unnecessary (NO), steps 566 and 57 are performed.
Step 4 is skipped.

Next, step 567 is the process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, and the landmark used information is included in the landmark use information for the landmarks already arranged in the current layer as in the process of step 566. The layer number of the current layer is set as the layer number used in the guide map, and the values of the respective arrangement areas are set in the symbol arrangement area and the name arrangement area included in the landmark arrangement area information for the current layer.

Step 575 is a process of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, and generates a guide map in which landmarks are arranged for the current layer and a guide sentence corresponding to the guide map and stores it in the storage area. Store by hierarchy.

Step 576 is a process of the guidance information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, and it is determined whether or not there is an unused hierarchy number in the guidance map included in the landmark usage information. It is determined whether all the landmarks of have been used. Here, if there is even one unused landmark, it is determined that all the landmarks in the area have not been used yet. Note that the number of layers of guidance information to be generated is limited to, for example, three, and in consideration of this number of layers, if the number of layers reaches the limit even if there are unused landmarks, the landmarks in the area are It may be determined that all have been used.

When it is determined in step 576 that all the landmarks in the area have not been used yet (N
O), the process from step 565 is repeated to generate guide information for the next layer. If it is determined in step 576 that all the landmarks in the area have been used (YES), the iterative process of generating guidance information having a hierarchical structure is exited.

Step 577 after exiting the iterative process is the process of the guidance information generating unit 171 having the hierarchical structure shown in FIG. 1, and the generated one or more guidance maps and the guidance sentence corresponding to the guidance map are classified by hierarchy. It is read from the stored storage area and returned to the mobile phone or the like of the guide information display unit 102 in FIG. 1 as the guide information generation result.

Step 568 is a process of the landmark information management unit 161 of FIG. 1, and updates the landmark access information 114 based on the destination information. At this time, in the case of the landmark of the type designated as the destination for the first time, the landmark access information for the type is added.

Also, the landmark access information 11 has already been entered.
When the type of landmark existing in 4 is designated as the destination, the designated number is updated by adding 1, the last designated date and time is updated with the current date and time, and the last designated landmark individual ID is the destination. The landmark individual ID of the landmark designated as is updated.

In order to save resources, the landmark access information of a type that has not been used as a destination for a certain period is deleted. However, based on the advertisement fee rank of the store or the like included in the landmark information (landmark attribute information), for example, the landmark access information corresponding to the type of landmark having a high advertisement fee rank is not deleted, or the advertisement The landmark access information 114 is managed by setting an exception such that the landmark access information corresponding to the type including the landmark in which the fee rank has a value of 1 or more indicating that there is an advertisement fee is not deleted. Is also good.

Next, a detailed processing example of each step in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 16.

FIG. 6 shows the request information acquisition unit 131 of this embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of step S1. In FIG. 6, FIG.
The processing flow is shown for the processing example of step 531 of FIG. 1, and first, in step 601, a guide information generation request is received. In step 602, current location information is acquired from the guidance information generation request, and in step 603, destination information is acquired from the guidance information generation request.

FIG. 7 shows the position information acquisition unit 141 of this embodiment.
8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of position information acquisition processing of the present location by. FIG. 7 shows the flow of processing for the processing example of acquiring the position information of the current location in step 541 of FIG.

In step 701 of FIG. 7, the user ID and guidance information generation mode are acquired from the current location information (FIGS. 18 to 20). In step 702, it is determined whether the current location information is based on the positioning result. If it is determined in step 702 that the current location information is a positioning result (YE
S), the processing from step 703 to step 706 is performed. If it is determined in step 702 that the current location information is not a positioning result but a telephone number designation or an address designation (NO), steps 707 to 711 are performed.

First, the processing in the case where it is determined in step 702 that the current location information is the positioning result (YES) will be described.

At step 703, the current location information (see FIG.
The current position measurement value is acquired from 0) and used as the current position coordinate value.
In step 704, a special ID for positioning such as “ST” is set as the landmark individual ID.
In step 705, a special name for positioning such as "current position" is set as the current position name. In step 706, position information (at the time of positioning) of the current position (at the time of positioning) (FIG. 22) is generated from the user ID, the guide information generation mode, the landmark individual ID, the current position name and the current position coordinate value.

Next, a case (NO) in which it is determined in step 702 that the current location information is not a positioning result but a telephone number designation or an address designation will be described.

In step 707, if the present location information is the telephone number designation (FIG. 18), the present location telephone number is acquired, and if it is the address designation (FIG. 19), the present location address is acquired from the present location information.

In step 708, if the current location information is a telephone number designation, the current location telephone number is used as a search key for landmark information (landmark telephone number information).
The corresponding landmark is searched from (FIG. 34), and the landmark individual ID is acquired. When the current location information is an address designation, the current location address is used as a search key to search for the corresponding landmark from the landmark information (landmark address information) (FIG. 35), and the landmark individual ID is acquired.

In step 709, the landmark individual I
Landmark information (detailed information) based on D (Fig. 32)
The name and position information are acquired from. In step 710, the name acquired in step 709 is set as the current location name,
The position information acquired in step 709 is used as the current position coordinate value. In step 711, position information of the current location (when the landmark is designated) from the user ID, the guide information generation mode, the landmark individual ID, the current location name and the current location coordinate value.
(FIG. 21) is generated.

FIG. 8 shows the position information acquisition unit 141 of this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a position information acquisition processing of a destination according to. FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing for the processing example of acquiring the position information of the destination in step 541 of FIG.

In step 801, the destination telephone number is designated when the destination information is the telephone number designation (FIG. 23), and the destination address is designated when the destination information is the address designation (FIG. 24).
Each is acquired from the destination information.

In step 802, if the destination information is a telephone number designation, the destination telephone number is used as a search key and landmark information (landmark telephone number information) is used.
The corresponding landmark is searched from (FIG. 34), and the landmark individual ID is acquired. When the destination information is an address designation, the destination address is used as a search key to search for the corresponding landmark from the landmark information (landmark address information) (FIG. 35), and the landmark individual ID is acquired.

In step 803, the landmark individual I
Landmark information (detailed information) based on D (Fig. 32)
The name and position information are acquired from. In step 804, the name acquired in step 803 is set as the destination name,
The position information acquired in step 803 is used as the destination coordinate value. In step 805, position information of the destination (FIG. 25) is generated from the user ID, the landmark individual ID, the destination name, and the destination coordinate value.

FIG. 9 shows the background map generator 151 of this embodiment.
14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a process of generating a route search result from the current position to the destination by the route search unit 153 of FIG. FIG. 9 shows the flow of processing for the processing example of step 551 in FIG.

In step 901 of FIG. 9, the current position coordinate value included in the current position information (FIGS. 21 and 22) and the destination coordinate value included in the destination position information (FIG. 25) are acquired. In step 902, a rectangular area (2703 in FIG. 27) including the current position and the destination is obtained based on the acquired current position coordinate value and destination coordinate value.

At step 903, a map rectangular area (2704 in FIG. 27, FIG. 28) having margins in the upper, lower, left and right sides is calculated with respect to the rectangular area including the obtained present location and destination. In step 904, the map information included in the obtained map rectangular area is acquired. In step 905,
A route between two points from the current position to the destination is searched based on the coordinate value of the general road included in the acquired map information (for example, using the Dijkstra method). Step 9
At 06, a route search result (FIGS. 29 and 30) from the current position to the destination including the route number and the map information ID such as the general road included in the map information is generated based on the route obtained by the route search.

FIG. 10 shows the background map generator 15 of this embodiment.
3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of background map generation processing according to No. 1; FIG. 10 shows the flow of processing for the processing example of step 552 of FIG.

In step 1001 of FIG. 10, a map that is the basis of the background map is generated based on the map information included in the map rectangular area. In step 1002, the route search result (map information ID) from the current location to the destination (FIG. 29)
From, the map information ID indicating the route is acquired.

In step 1003, based on the acquired map information ID indicating the route, the route of the map which is the base of the background map is modified such as bold line display or color-coded display (3011 to 3014 in FIG. 30). . In step 1004, the modified map is stored in a storage device such as a memory as a background map serving as a base of the guide map.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the landmark priority information generation processing by the landmark priority information generation section 164 of the landmark information management section 161 of this embodiment. In FIG. 11, step 56 in FIG.
The processing flow is shown for the processing example of No. 3.

In step 1101 of FIG. 11, landmark access information (user-specific access information) (FIG. 36) having a landmark type ID that matches the landmark type ID of each landmark in the map rectangular area is searched. ,
Corresponds to each landmark in the map rectangular area.

In step 1102, the designated number of times, the last designated date and time, and the last designated landmark individual ID are calculated from the landmark access information (user-specific access information) in which each landmark in the map rectangular area is associated with the landmark type ID. get.

In step 1103, the acquired designated number of times is set as the priority Y1 of each landmark in the map rectangular area. For example, when the designated number of times is 15, the priority Y1 of the landmark is 15.

In step 1104, based on the acquired last designated date and time, 5, 4, 3,
The final designated date / time consideration value is set as 2, 1, 0, and the landmark priority Y2 is added to the landmark priority Y1 set in step 1103. For example, when the landmark priority Y1 is 15 and the final designated date / time consideration value is 2, the landmark priority Y2 is 17.

In step 1105, if the acquired final designated landmark individual ID matches the landmark individual ID of each landmark in the map rectangular area, the landmark set in step 1104 as the final designated landmark consideration value. 5 is added to the priority Y2 of No. 3 to obtain the priority Y3 of the landmark. For example, when the landmark priority Y2 is 17 and the final designated landmark consideration value is 0, the landmark priority Y3 is 17.

In step 1106, the landmark type ID that matches the hobby contained in the landmark access information (user hobby information) (FIG. 37) is acquired based on the user ID. In step 1107, when the acquired landmark type ID that matches the hobby and the landmark type ID of each landmark in the map rectangular area match, the landmark set value that is set in step 1105 is set as the landmark consideration value that matches the hobby. 1 is added to the priority Y3 to obtain the landmark priority Y4. For example, if the landmark priority Y3 is 17 and the landmark consideration value that suits the hobby is 1, the landmark priority Y4 is 18.

At step 1108, the advertisement charge rank included in the landmark information (landmark attribute information) (FIG. 33) is acquired based on the individual ID of each landmark in the map rectangular area. In step 1109, the acquired advertisement fee rank is set in step 1107 in the map rectangular area.
In addition to the landmark priority Y4 set in step 1, the final landmark priority Y5 is set. For example, when the landmark priority Y4 is 18 and the advertisement fee rank is 5, the landmark priority Y5 is 23.

At step 1110, the priority of the landmark corresponding to the current location and the destination is set to a value obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value of the priority obtained for the landmark in the map rectangular area. For example, if the maximum priority value is 23,
The priority of landmarks corresponding to the current location and destination is 23
Then, 1 is added to 24.

At step 1111, the priority item of the landmark for which the special landmark individual ID (ST) for positioning is set is invalidated (-1) except when the positioning result is used as the current position information. . At the time of positioning, as in the case of specifying the landmark, a special landmark individual ID (ST) for positioning is added by adding 1 to the maximum value of the obtained priority.
Set the priority of.

After the priority of each landmark in the map rectangular area is set as described above, the set priority is stored as landmark priority information (FIG. 38) in a storage device such as a memory.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the procedure of landmark arrangement processing in the optimization mode by the guide map generation unit 172 of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. In FIG. 12, step 572 of FIG.
2 shows a processing flow for a processing example in which one landmark symbol and one name are arranged when the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode.

In step 1201 of FIG. 12, the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) is used as the center point and the landmark information (landmark type ID information) is used.
A symbol arrangement area in which a vertical half size of the symbol size (vertical × horizontal) in (FIG. 31) is provided above and below and a horizontal half size is provided on the left and right, and the symbol arrangement area is set to the already-arranged land. Whether or not it overlaps with the arrangement area of the symbol or name of the mark is determined based on the arrangement area information of the symbol and the name stored in the storage device such as the memory.

At this time, the map information ID of the route search result (map information ID) from the current location to the destination (FIG. 29).
Based on the above, the coordinate value of the general road indicating the route is obtained from the map information (FIG. 26) included in the map rectangular area (FIG. 27), and the line segment forming the route is further obtained from the coordinate value to arrange the symbols. It may be determined whether the region overlaps with the line segment forming the route.

If it is determined in step 1201 that the landmark symbol overlaps the placement area of the already-placed landmark symbol or name (YES),
The process of step 1202 is performed.

In step 1202, the area in which the symbol is arranged is repeatedly moved within the minimum range to search for an area in which the symbol can be arranged. At this time, the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) stores not only the position information (representative point) but also information such as a plurality of coordinate points forming the landmark building frame. Use it to determine whether the landmark faces the route or at the corner of the intersection, and based on the results of that determination, determine the direction to move the landmark symbol placement area and move it along the route. It is also possible to perform processing such as moving only in the vicinity of the intersection to search for an area that can be arranged.

In step 1203, step 1202
On the basis of the result of searching for the area in which the symbol can be arranged, whether the area in which the landmark symbol can be arranged is found is determined. When it is determined in step 1203 that the area in which the landmark symbol can be arranged has not been found (NO), the processing of arranging the landmark symbol and name is not performed.

When it is determined in step 1201 that the landmark symbol does not overlap the placement area of the placed landmark symbol or name (NO).
Alternatively, when it is determined in step 1203 that a region where the landmark symbol can be arranged is found (Y
ES), and the determination in step 1204 is performed.

At step 1204, it is determined whether or not the landmark has attribute data by the landmark information (detailed information).
The determination is made based on the attribute data presence / absence flag of (FIG. 32). If it is determined in step 1204 that the landmark has attribute data (YES), the process in step 1205 is performed. In step 1205, after the landmark symbol is modified by highlighting or the like, the symbol arrangement area is stored in a storage device such as a memory to arrange the symbol. The modification may be color-coded display or enlargement of the character size in addition to the highlighted display.

If it is determined in step 1204 that the landmark does not have attribute data (NO), the process of step 1206 is performed. In step 1206, the symbols of the landmarks are not modified, and the arrangement area of the symbols is stored in a storage device such as a memory to arrange the symbols.

In step 1207, the landmark name is arranged with respect to the landmark in which the symbol is arranged as described above.

In this way, landmark priority information (see FIG. 3)
8) The arrangement of symbols and names of landmarks (processing in FIG. 12) is repeated for the current location, the destination, and all unused landmarks in order from the landmark with the highest priority.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the landmark arrangement processing in the simple mode by the guide map generation unit 172 of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a processing flow of a processing example in which one landmark symbol and one name are arranged when the guide information generation mode is the simple mode in step 572 of FIG.

In step 1301 of FIG. 13, similar to step 1201 of FIG. 12, the position information of the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) is used as the center point and the landmark information (landmark type ID information) (FIG. 31) The size of the vertical half of the symbol size (vertical x horizontal) in (1) is determined above and below, and the horizontal half size is determined on the left and right. Whether or not it overlaps with the arrangement area of the symbol or name is determined based on the arrangement area information of the symbol and the name stored in the storage device such as a memory.

At this time, the map information ID of the route search result (map information ID) from the current location to the destination (FIG. 29).
Based on the above, the coordinate value of the general road indicating the route is obtained from the map information (FIG. 26) included in the map rectangular area (FIG. 27), and the line segment forming the route is further obtained from the coordinate value to arrange the symbols. It may be determined whether the region overlaps with the line segment forming the route.

If it is determined in step 1301 that the landmark symbol overlaps the placement area of the already-placed landmark symbol or name (YES),
The process of step 1302 is performed.

In step 1302, the area in which the symbols are arranged is repeatedly moved within the minimum range to search for an area in which the symbols can be arranged. At this time, the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) stores not only the position information (representative point) but also information such as a plurality of coordinate points forming the landmark building frame, and the coordinate points are stored. Use it to determine whether the landmark faces the route or at the corner of the intersection,
Based on the determination result, the direction in which the landmark symbol placement area is moved may be obtained, and the placement area may be searched for by performing processing such as moving along the route or only near the intersection.

In step 1303, step 1302
On the basis of the result of searching for the area in which the symbol can be arranged, whether the area in which the landmark symbol can be arranged is found is determined. If it is determined in step 1303 that the area in which the landmark symbol can be arranged has not been found (NO), the processing of arranging the landmark symbol and name is not performed.

When it is determined in step 1301 that the landmark symbol does not overlap the placement area of the placed landmark symbol or name (NO).
Alternatively, when it is determined in step 1303 that a region where the landmark symbol can be arranged is found (Y
ES), the determination process of step 1304 is performed.

In step 1304, it is determined whether or not the landmark has attribute data. If it is determined in step 1304 that the landmark has attribute data (YES), the process in step 1306 is performed. In step 1306, after the landmark symbol is modified by highlighting or the like, the symbol arrangement area is stored in a storage device such as a memory to arrange the symbol. The modification may be color-coded display or enlargement of the character size in addition to the highlighted display.

If it is determined in step 1304 that the landmark does not have attribute data (NO), the determination processing in step 1305 is performed. In step 1305, it is determined whether another landmark is arranged near the same intersection. When it is determined in step 1305 that another landmark is arranged near the same intersection (YE
S), the process of arranging landmark symbols and names is not performed.

If it is determined in step 1305 that no other landmark is placed near the same intersection (NO), the process of step 1307 is performed. Step 1
In 307, the symbols of the landmarks are not modified, and the arrangement area of the symbols is stored in a storage device such as a memory to arrange the symbols.

In step 1308, the landmark name is arranged with respect to the landmark in which the symbol is arranged as described above.

In this way, landmark priority information (see FIG. 3)
8) The arrangement of symbols and names of landmarks (processing of FIG. 13) is repeated for the current location, the destination, and all unused landmarks in order from the landmark with the highest priority.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the landmark name arrangement processing by the guide map generation unit 172 of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. In FIG. 14, in step 572 of FIG.
The flow of processing is shown for an example of processing for arranging the names of landmarks, and this is step 1207 in FIG.
13 is also an example of processing for arranging the landmark name in step 1308 of FIG.

In step 1401 of FIG. 14, a symbol arrangement area corresponding to the landmark whose name is to be arranged is searched for and read from the symbol arrangement areas stored in the storage device such as a memory, and the reading is performed. When the landmark name is placed in one line horizontally on the right side of the symbol placement area, determine the placement area of the name, and check whether the placement area with that name overlaps the placement area of the landmark symbol or name already placed. , Based on the arrangement area information of symbols and names stored in a storage device such as a memory.

At this time, the map information ID of the route search result (map information ID) from the current location to the destination (FIG. 29).
Based on the above, the coordinate value of the general road indicating the route is obtained from the map information (FIG. 26) included in the map rectangular area (FIG. 27), and further the line segment forming the route is obtained from the coordinate value, and the name is arranged. It may be determined whether the region overlaps with the line segment forming the route.

If it is determined in step 1401 that the landmark name overlaps the placement area of the already-placed landmark symbol or name (YES), the process of step 1402 is performed.

In step 1402, the character direction (vertical writing, horizontal writing) of the character string of the name is changed, or the character string is changed to a plurality of lines, or the area in which the name is arranged is moved within a minimum range, and the character can be arranged. Find the area. At this time, the landmark information (detailed information) (FIG. 32) stores not only the position information (representative point) but also information such as a plurality of coordinate points forming the landmark building frame, and the coordinate points are stored. Use it to determine whether the landmark faces the route or at the corner of the intersection, and based on the result of that determination, find the direction to move the placement area of the character string of the landmark name,
It is also possible to perform processing such as moving along the route or moving only in the vicinity of an intersection to search for an area in which arrangement is possible.

In step 1403, step 1402
On the basis of the result of searching for the area where the place can be arranged, it is determined whether the area where the name of the landmark can be arranged is found.

If it is determined in step 1403 that no area in which the landmark name can be arranged has been found (NO), the processing for arranging the landmark name is not performed, and further, in step 1407, the processing currently being performed is being performed. Cancels the placement area information of the landmark symbol corresponding to the landmark name. Here, the placement area information of each landmark symbol or name is information that is temporarily stored in a storage device such as a memory. The setting of the landmark use information and the landmark placement area information from the placement area information of the symbols and names temporarily stored in the storage device such as the memory is performed in step 566 or step 567 of FIG. At that time, the processing is collectively performed in the processing unit of step 572 or step 574 of FIG.

In the guidance information providing system of this embodiment, the landmark symbol and the name do not necessarily have to be arranged in pairs, and only the landmark symbol may be arranged. In that case, step 1407
You can skip the process.

If it is determined in step 1401 that the name of the landmark does not overlap the placement area of the already-placed landmark symbol or name (NO), or in the determination of step 1403, the landmark name is placed. If it is determined that a possible area has been found (YES),
The determination in step 1404 is performed.

In step 1404, it is determined whether or not the landmark has attribute data. If it is determined in step 1404 that the landmark has attribute data (YES), the process of step 1406 is performed. In step 1406, after the landmark name is modified by highlighting or the like, the layout area of the landmark name is stored in a storage device such as a memory and the landmark name is arranged. The modification may be color-coded display or enlargement of the character size in addition to the highlighted display.

If it is determined in step 1404 that the landmark has no attribute data (NO), step 1405 is executed. In step 1405, without modifying the landmark name, the placement area of the landmark name is stored in a storage device such as a memory and the landmark name is placed.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the processing procedure of the landmark rearrangement necessity determination processing by the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a processing flow for the determination processing example of step 573 in FIG.

In step 1501 in FIG. 15, first, the rearrangement necessary flag is set to 0 (unnecessary) for initialization. It should be noted that when the rearrangement is determined to be necessary in the subsequent processing, the rearrangement necessary flag is set to 1 (necessary).

In step 1502, it is determined whether the layer currently being processed is the first layer. When it is determined in step 1502 that the layer currently being processed is the first layer (YES),
Since the generated layer does not yet exist, it is not necessary to relocate the landmark, and the relocation required flag remains initialized to 0 (unnecessary). When it is determined in step 1502 that the layer currently being processed is not the first layer but the second layer or later (NO), the determination process of step 1503 is performed.

In step 1503, it is determined whether the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode. If it is determined in step 1503 that the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode (YES), the process of step 1505 is performed.
In step 1505, the relocation required flag is 1 (required)
To set. When it is determined in step 1503 that the guide information generation mode is not the optimization mode but the simple mode (NO), the determination process of step 1504 is performed.

In step 1504, it is determined whether or not a landmark, which is an important mark, has already been placed in another layer near the intersection of the route and there is no landmark to be placed in the layer currently being processed. Here, an important landmark is near an intersection, which is considered to be a possibility of not being able to correctly guide the route if the user does not have the landmark when making an action such as turning right or left in the route guidance. It is a noticeable mark.

If it is determined in step 1504 that there is nothing to be placed in the layer currently being processed (YES), 1 (necessary) is set in the relocation required flag in step 1505. If it is determined in step 1504 that landmarks that are important landmarks have not been placed in another layer, or if there is something that can be placed in the layer currently being processed in step 572 of FIG. 5 (NO ), The rearrangement necessary flag remains initialized to 0 (unnecessary).

As described above, in the rearrangement necessity determination process of FIG. 15, it is determined that the rearrangement is necessary when the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode in the second and subsequent layers, and the second and subsequent layers are determined. If the guide information generation mode is the simple mode during the process of 1., it is determined that there is no need to rearrange if there is at least one landmark to be arranged near the corner of the route or near the intersection on the route. If there is none, it is determined that it is necessary to relocate the landmarks already placed on the other layer to the layer currently being processed.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the procedure of a guide sentence generation process by the guide sentence generation unit 173 of the guide information generation unit 171 having the hierarchical structure of this embodiment. Figure 1
6 shows the flow of processing for the guidance message generation processing example of step 575 of FIG.

In step 1601 of FIG. 16, a guide text is generated without considering the landmark attribute data. At this time, the distance, direction, etc. are obtained based on the route search result (FIG. 29) from the current position to the destination.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the process of generating the guidance message of the first layer in the optimization mode of this embodiment. FIG. 51
As shown in (1), in step 1601 of FIG. 16, a process of generating a guide sentence is performed without considering the landmark attribute data. Here, it is assumed that the distances and directions shown in FIG. 51 are obtained based on the route search result (FIG. 29) from the current position to the destination.

In step 1602, it is determined whether or not the landmark along the route has attribute data. Step 16
If it is determined that the landmark along the route has attribute data in the determination of 02 (YES), the process of step 1603 is performed.

At step 1603, the attribute data of landmarks along the route is embedded in parentheses after each landmark of the guide sentence. It should be noted that, with respect to the landmarks in which the attribute data has already been embedded, the attribute data is not embedded in duplicate (FIG. 51 (2)).

At step 1604, it is determined whether or not the surrounding landmarks have attribute data. Step 1604
If it is determined that the surrounding landmarks have attribute data (YES), the process of step 1605 is performed.

At step 1605, as the peripheral information,
The attribute data of the surrounding landmarks is added to the end of the route guidance sentence (FIG. 51 (3)). Note that step 160
The process of embedding the attribute data of landmarks along the route in 3 in the guide sentence and the process of adding the attribute data of the surrounding landmarks to the end of the guide sentence of the route in step 1605 do not necessarily have to be performed. It is also possible to generate a guide sentence in which only the attribute data of the landmark along the route is not embedded, or a guide sentence in which only the attribute data of the landmark along the route is embedded.

Next, referring to FIG. 41, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-4384 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-4385.
The outline of an example of the generation of the guide information by the publication will be described.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a conventional generation example of guidance information. As shown in FIG. 41, in the guide information according to the related art, landmarks in route guidance are selected, and the numbers 1 and 2 are given to the landmarks in order from the start point to the end point of the route. In addition, characters such as A are added to the surrounding landmarks, and the numbers and letters of the numbers are moved and arranged at positions where they do not overlap with the figures of other landmarks on the guide map.

At the bottom of the guide map, icons corresponding to numbers and letters of numbers on the guide map are displayed.
This icon is for transitioning to the guide text around the corresponding landmark when that icon is keyed in.Since the name of the landmark is not displayed on the guide map, see the guide map. I could not confirm the landmark just by looking at it.

Next, in the guide information providing system of the present embodiment, an example of guide information generation when the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode will be described with reference to FIG. As a current location, specify the S convenience store phone number,
It is assumed that the G post office is designated as the destination telephone number.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of generation of the guide information for the first and second layers in the optimization mode of this embodiment. FIG. 42
The positional relationship between the A department store on the guide map on the first floor and the E fast food on the guide map on the second floor is that E fast food is on the first floor of the A department store. Is. Also, the positional relationship between the C department store located on the guide map on the first floor and the H convenience store located on the guide map on the second floor is that there is an H convenience store adjacent to the C department store. Is.

In the guide map for the first layer and the guide map for the second layer, the A department store and the E fast food are replaced with each other, and the C department store and the H convenience store are also replaced with each other. As for the guide text, the landmarks arranged on the guide map are used in the guide text, as in the guide map.

In the case of A department store and E fast food,
Since the A department store, which has a higher priority than the E fast food, is placed on the guide map of the first layer, the E fast food cannot be placed because it overlaps with the A department store, and the E fast food is the guide map for the next layer. It is placed on the guide map for the eyes. Also, in the case of C department stores and H convenience stores as well, the H convenience store and C department store, which have a higher priority than the H convenience store on the guide map of the first layer, can be arranged because they overlap with the C department store. First, the H convenience store is placed on the guide map for the second layer, which is the guide map for the next layer. There are no overlapping landmarks for other landmarks, so 1
It is placed on the guide maps for both the second and the second layers.

Next, an example of the contents of the landmark use information when the guide information generation mode is the optimization mode in the guide information generation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 43 to 45. It is assumed that the S convenience store is designated as the current number and the G post office is designated as the destination.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the first layer of the guide map of this embodiment. In FIG. 43, based on the landmark priority information (FIG. 38), S convenience store (priority = 24), G post office (priority = 24), A department store (priority = 23), B department store (priority) Degree = 22),
Landmarks are arranged in the order of C department store (priority = 22) and F fast food (priority = 20), and E fast food (priority = 18) is A department store (priority = 2).
Since it overlaps with 3), it is not arranged, and then D fast food (priority = 15) is arranged. The H convenience store (priority = 11) overlaps with the C department store (priority = 22), so it is not arranged. Similarly, landmarks that can be arranged are arranged on the guide map of the first layer.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the telephone number is designated as the current location in the landmark use information,
For the item whose landmark individual ID is ST, it is invalid except when the positioning result is used as the current location, so a special value "-2" is set for the hierarchy number used in the guide map (remains in the initialized state). ).

Since the landmark individual ID LS (S-convenience store) corresponding to the current location and the landmark individual ID LG (G post office) corresponding to the destination are also used in other layers, guidance is provided. A special value "0" is set for the hierarchy number used in the map (it remains in the initialized state).

Further, LA (A department store), LB (B department store), LC (C department store), LD which are landmark individual IDs of the landmarks arranged on the guide map of the first layer.
For (D fast food) and LF (F fast food), "1" indicating the first layer is set as the use hierarchy number on the guide map.

[0174] Also, since it overlaps with other landmarks, "-1" is set for LE (E fast food) and LH (H convenience store), which are landmark individual IDs of landmarks that could not be placed. Yes (remains in the initialized state).

As shown in step 1502 of FIG. 15, the landmarks are not rearranged because they are the first layer.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the second layer of the guide map of this embodiment. In FIG. 44, based on the landmark priority information (FIG. 38) and the landmark usage information (FIG. 43), S convenience store (priority = 24), G
Place the landmarks on the guide map of the second layer such that the post office (priority = 24), E fast food (priority = 18), and H convenience store (priority = 11) are arranged in this order. It is arranged.

In the landmark use information, 2 is used.
LE (E fast food) and LH (H), which are the landmark individual IDs of the landmarks arranged on the guide map of the layer
For convenience stores), "2" indicating the second layer is set as the layer number used in the guide map.

As shown in step 1503 of FIG. 15, since the guide information mode is the optimization mode, the landmarks are rearranged subsequently.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after rearranging the landmarks on the second layer of the guide map of this embodiment. S convenience store (priority = 24) corresponding to the current location, G post office (priority = 24) corresponding to the destination, and E fast food (priority = 18) already placed on the second layer of the guide map Regarding the arrangement of the H convenience store and the H convenience store (priority = 11), the rearrangement is skipped.

In FIG. 45, based on the landmark priority information (FIG. 38) and the landmark use information (FIG. 44), the A department store (priority = 23) is the E first which has been arranged on the second layer of the guide map. Since it overlaps with the hood (priority = 18), it is not placed, but the B department store (priority = 22) is placed next, and then the C department store (priority = 22) is 2 on the guide map.
H convenience stores (priority = 1) that have been placed in the second layer
Since it overlaps with 1), it is not placed, but F fast food (priority = 20) is placed next, and D fast food (priority = 15) is placed next. Landmarks are arranged.

In the landmark use information, 2 is used.
For LB (B department store), LD (D fast food), and LF (F fast food), which are the landmark individual IDs of the landmarks rearranged on the guidance map of the first layer, one layer is used for the hierarchy number used on the guidance map. Although "1" indicating the eye is set, "2" indicating the second layer is set by rearranging the landmarks.

Next, in the guidance information providing system of the present embodiment, an example of guidance information generation when the guidance information generation mode is the simple mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 46 and 47. It is assumed that the S convenience store is designated as the current number and the G post office is designated as the destination.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of generation of guide information for the first and second layers when the guide information generation mode of this embodiment is the simple mode. In FIG. 46, the positional relationship between the A department store located on the guide map on the first floor and the E fast food located on the guide map on the second floor is that there is E fast food on the first floor of the A department store. It is a positional relationship.

In the guide map of the first layer and the guide map of the second layer, the A department store and the E fast food are replaced with each other, and the C department store and the H convenience store are also replaced with each other. In addition, the B department store is placed on the guide map of the first layer, and the F fast food is placed on the guide map of the second layer.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of generation of guide information for the third layer when the guide information generation mode of this embodiment is the simple mode. In FIG. 46 and FIG. 47, the positional relationship between the C department store located on the guide maps on the first and third floors and the H convenience store located on the guide map on the second floor is adjacent to the C department store. It is a positional relationship that there is an H convenience store. In the guide map on the third floor, D fast food and the C department stores that have been placed on the guide map on the first floor are placed. As for the guide text, the landmarks arranged on the guide map are used in the guide text, as in the guide map.

In the case of E fast food and D fast food, which are landmarks near the same intersection as the A department store, by placing A department store, which has a higher priority than E fast food or D fast food, on the guide map of the first layer As for E fast food and D fast food, because another landmark, A department store, is located near the same intersection, E fast food, which has a higher priority than D fast food, is a guide map for the next layer. It is placed on the guide map for the eyes, and D fast food is placed on the guide map for the third layer. In the case of B department store, it is not placed on the second and third floors because it is placed on the guide map on the first floor and is not an important landmark in the surrounding landmarks.

Next, in the case of F fast food and H convenience store, which are landmarks near the same intersection as C department store, C department store with higher priority than F fast food and H convenience store is placed on the guide map of the first layer. As a result, as for the F fast food and H convenience store, another landmark, C department store, is located near the same intersection, so the F fast food and H convenience store are the guide map for the next layer, the second layer. It is placed on the information map of. At this time, the F fast food, which has a higher priority than the H convenience store, is arranged first on the guide map of the second layer, and then the H convenience store having attribute data is arranged. Regarding the H convenience store, the other landmark, F fast food, is located near the same intersection, but since the H convenience store has attribute data, it is located near the same intersection as the F fast food. There is.

Next, regarding the layout of the C department store on the guide map on the third floor, as a landmark near the intersection where the C department store is located, the C department store, the F fast food, and the H convenience store, which are important landmarks, are already on the first floor. The C department store, which has the highest priority among the three landmarks, has been placed on the 3rd floor because there is nothing to be placed on the 3rd guide map that has already been placed on the 3rd and 2nd guide maps. It is placed on the map.

Next, in the guide information generation of this embodiment, an example of the contents of the landmark use information in the case where the guide information generation mode is the simple mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 48 to 50. It is assumed that the S convenience store is designated as the current number and the G post office is designated as the destination.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the first layer of the guide map of this embodiment. 48, based on the landmark priority information (FIG. 38), S convenience store (priority = 24), G post office (priority = 24), A department store (priority = 23), B department store (priority) Degree = 22),
Landmarks are arranged in the order of C department store (priority = 22), and then F fast food (priority = 20) is shown in FIG.
As shown in step 1305 of No. 3, since there is no attribute data and it is near the same intersection as C department store (priority = 22), it is not placed, and then E fast food (priority = 18) is A.
Since it overlaps with the department store (priority = 23), it is not placed. Next, D fast food (priority = 15) has no attribute data and is similar to F fast food (priority = 20).
Since it is near the same intersection as the department store (priority = 23), it is not placed, and the H convenience store (priority = 11) overlaps with the C department store (priority = 22), so it is not placed, so it is the first layer The landmarks that can be arranged are arranged on the guide map.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the telephone number is designated as the current location in the landmark use information,
For the item whose landmark individual ID is ST, it is invalid except when the positioning result is used as the current location, so a special value "-2" is set for the hierarchy number used in the guide map (remains in the initialized state). ).

Since the landmark individual ID LS (S convenience store) corresponding to the current location and the landmark individual ID LG (G post office) corresponding to the destination are also used in other layers, guidance is provided. A special value "0" is set for the hierarchy number used in the map (it remains in the initialized state).

Furthermore, for LA (A department store), LB (B department store), and LC (C department store), which are the landmark individual IDs of the landmarks arranged on the guide map of the first layer, the hierarchy number used in the guide map. Is set to "1" indicating the first layer.

Further, since there is no attribute data and other landmarks are arranged in the vicinity of the same intersection, the landmark individual IDs LD (D fast food) and LF (F fast food) of the landmarks not arranged are set. Is set to "-1" (remains in the initialized state).

[0195] Further, since "L" (E fast food) and LH (H convenience store), which are landmark individual IDs of landmarks that could not be placed because they overlap with other landmarks, "-1" is set. Yes (remains in the initialized state).

As shown in step 1502 of FIG. 15, the landmarks are not rearranged because it is the first layer.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the second layer of the guide map of this embodiment. In FIG. 49, based on the landmark priority information (FIG. 38) and the landmark usage information (FIG. 48), S convenience store (priority = 24), G
Landmarks are placed in the order of post office (priority = 24), F fast food (priority = 20), E fast food (priority = 18), and then D fast food (priority = 15) is attribute data. Without E, because it is near the same intersection as E fast food (priority = 18), it is not placed, then H
Landmarks are placed on the guide map of the second layer such that a convenience store (priority = 11) is placed.

In the landmark use information, 2 is used.
LE (E fast food) and LF (F), which are the landmark individual IDs of the landmarks arranged on the guide map of the layer
For fast food) and LH (H convenience store), "2" indicating the second layer is set as the layer number used in the guide map.

Further, as shown in step 1504 of FIG. 15, since the landmarks that are important landmarks are near the intersections of the route, the landmarks are not rearranged.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the landmark use information after rearranging the landmarks on the third layer of the guide map of this embodiment. In FIG. 50, landmark priority information (FIG. 38) and landmark usage information (FIG. 4)
9) based on S convenience store (priority = 2
4), the G post office (priority = 24), the D fast food (priority = 15) are arranged in this order, and the landmarks are arranged on the guide map of the third layer.

In the landmark use information, 3
For LD (D fast food), which is the landmark individual ID of the landmark arranged on the guide map of the layer, "3" indicating the third layer is set as the layer number used in the guide map.

Further, as shown in step 1504 of FIG. 15, since landmarks that are important marks have already been arranged in other layers and there is no landmark to be arranged in the third layer that is currently being processed, the landmarks Rearrange.

In rearrangement, C department store (priority = 22)
As a landmark near an intersection with a sign, C department stores (priority = 22), F fast food (priority = 20), and H convenience stores (priority =)
11) has already been placed on the guide map for the first and second layers,
Since there is nothing to be placed on the current 3rd guide map, the C department store (priority = 22), which has the highest priority among the 3 landmarks, is placed on the 3rd guide map.

As a result, in the landmark use information, LC (C) which is the landmark individual ID of the landmark placed on the guide map of the third layer by relocating the landmark.
For department stores), use 1 for the hierarchy number used in the guide map
Although "1" indicating the third layer is set, "3" indicating the third layer is set by rearranging the landmarks.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the landmarks the user likes can be classified into a plurality of types and used when setting the priority, and a plurality of guide information can be hierarchically generated in the same area. There is an effect that it is possible to provide guidance information including more landmarks.

As described above, in the guidance information providing system of this embodiment, a plurality of guidance maps and guidance sentences are hierarchically generated for the same area, so that a user who cannot display one guidance map can be displayed. It is possible to display many landmarks that have information such as favorite landmarks and advertisements.

For example, even when only one landmark can be placed near the intersection due to overlapping or the like, it is easy to place the landmark that cannot be placed on the map of the second layer or later and switch to the map of the second layer or later. In addition to being able to check other landmarks as landmarks, many landmarks can be used on the guide map and guide text as landmarks along and around the route, so the increase in income such as advertising fees from stores etc. Can be expected. In particular, when the landmarks having information such as advertisements are overlapped with each other, only one landmark can be arranged, which is a great effect. In addition, since the surrounding landmarks can also be used for guide maps and guide sentences, it is possible to head to the destination while detouring to the surrounding landmarks.

As described above, according to the guidance information providing system of the present embodiment, the priority level is set according to the contents of the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information and the type of the landmark. Since each landmark is arranged to generate a guide map, more effective guide information suitable for each user can be provided.

[0209]

According to the present invention, a guide map in which each landmark is arranged according to the priority of the contents of the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information and the type of the landmark is set. Is generated, it is possible to provide more effective guide information suitable for each user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a guidance information providing system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a background map generation unit 151 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a landmark information management unit 161 of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a guide information generation unit 1 having a hierarchical structure according to the present embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the detail of 71.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of guidance information providing processing of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a request information acquisition unit 131 of this embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of position information acquisition processing of a current location by the position information acquisition unit 141 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of location information acquisition processing of a destination by the location information acquisition unit 141 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of generation processing of a route search result from a current position to a destination by the route search unit 153 of the background map generation unit 151 of this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of background map generation processing by the background map generation unit 151 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a landmark information management unit 161 of the present embodiment.
8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of landmark priority information generation processing by the landmark priority information generation unit 164.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of landmark arrangement processing in an optimization mode by a guide map generation unit 172 of a guide information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure according to this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of landmark arrangement processing in a simple mode by a guide map generation unit 172 of a guide information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure according to this embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of landmark name arrangement processing by the guide map generation unit 172 of the guide information generation unit 171 according to the hierarchical structure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of landmark rearrangement necessity determination processing by a guidance information generation unit 171 having a hierarchical structure according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a guidance sentence generation process by a guidance sentence generation unit 173 of the guidance information generation unit 171 according to the hierarchical structure of the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a command sequence according to this embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of contents of current location information (telephone number designation) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of contents of present location information (address designation) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of contents of current position information (positioning result) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of contents of position information of a current location (when a landmark is designated) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of contents of position information (at the time of positioning) of the present location of the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of contents of destination information (telephone number designation) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of contents of destination information (address designation) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of contents of destination position information according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of contents of map information 112 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a map rectangular area of the present embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of contents of map rectangular area information of the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a route search result (map information ID) from the current position to the destination according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a route search result (route) from the current position to the destination according to this embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark information (landmark type information ID) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 32: Landmark information (detailed information) of this embodiment
It is a figure which shows the example of the content of.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark information (landmark attribute information) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark information (landmark telephone number information) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark information (landmark address information) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark access information (access information for each user) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark access information (user hobby information) of the present embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark priority information according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark arrangement area information (managed by layer) according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark use information (initialization state) of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 41] Fig. 41 is a diagram illustrating a conventional generation example of guidance information.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of generation of guide information for the first and second layers in the optimization mode of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 43] Fig. 43 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of landmark usage information after the landmarks are arranged on the first layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 44] Fig. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the second layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of landmark use information after rearranging landmarks on the second layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 46] Fig. 46 is a diagram showing an example of generation of guide information of the first layer and the second layer when the guide information generating mode of the present embodiment is the simple mode.

[Fig. 47] Fig. 47 is a diagram illustrating a generation example of the third-layer guide information when the guide information generation mode of the present embodiment is the simple mode.

[Fig. 48] Fig. 48 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of landmark use information after the landmarks are arranged on the first layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 49] Fig. 49 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of landmark usage information after the landmarks are arranged on the second layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of contents of landmark use information after rearranging landmarks on the third layer of the guide map of the present embodiment.

[Fig. 51] Fig. 51 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of a generation process of a guidance message in the first layer in the optimization mode of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 ... Position information input section, 102 ... Guidance information display section, 1
11 ... Storage device, 112 ... Map information, 113 ... Landmark information, 114 ... Landmark access information, 121
... guide information generation server, 131 ... request information acquisition unit, 14
1 ... Position information acquisition unit, 151 ... Background map generation unit, 161
... Landmark information management unit, 171 ... Hierarchical guide information generation unit, 152 ... Map information acquisition unit, 153 ... Route search unit, 162 ... Landmark information acquisition unit, 163 ... Landmark access information management unit, 164 ... Land Mark priority information generation unit, 165 ... Landmark arrangement area information management unit, 166 ... Landmark usage information management unit, 172
... Guidance map generation unit, 173 ... Guidance sentence generation unit.

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masaru Tanaka             5030 Totsuka Town, Totsuka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture             Ceremony company Hitachi Ltd. software division F term (reference) 2F029 AA07 AB07 AC02 AC13 AC14                 5H180 AA21 BB05 BB13 FF05 FF13                       FF22 FF27 FF32

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. In a guidance information providing method for providing guidance information indicating a route from a current location to a destination, priority is given to each landmark according to the contents of the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information. And a step of generating a guide map by arranging each landmark on the background map according to the set priority and generating a guide sentence corresponding to the generated guide map. A method for providing guidance information, characterized by: 2. The priority is set for each landmark in accordance with the content of landmark access information including the designated number of landmarks, the last designated date and time, or the last designated landmark individual ID. The guidance information providing method described in. 3. A plurality of guide maps are hierarchically generated for the same area by arranging each landmark on a background map in accordance with the priority set for the landmark, and the guide is generated hierarchically. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of hierarchically generating a plurality of guide sentences corresponding to the map.
The guidance information providing method described in. 4. A priority is given to each landmark according to the contents of the landmark access information indicating the access status to the landmark information in the guidance information generation device that provides the guidance information indicating the route from the current location to the destination. A landmark information management unit that sets a guide map that generates a guide map by arranging each landmark on a background map according to the set priority and a guide sentence that corresponds to the generated guide map. An information generating unit, comprising: an information generating unit. 5. The guide information generation unit arranges each landmark on a background map according to the priority set for the landmark, hierarchically generates a plurality of guide maps for the same area, and The guide information generation device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of guide sentences corresponding to the guide map generated in a hierarchical manner are generated in a hierarchical manner.