JP2004340854A - Map information delivery system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information delivery system enabling a user to select and acquire only information of the necessary place and the necessary kind, when accessing a map information delivery server on Internet from a communication terminal device. <P>SOLUTION: This map information delivery system is configured from the map information delivery server and the communication terminal device connected to the Internet. When receiving information of a starting spot and one or more destinations from the communication terminal device, the map information delivery server searches for a moving route from the starting spot to the destination by using a road map database of the map information delivery server, retrieves guide information of the destination by using a guide information database of the map information delivery server, organizes a map by extracting the moving route searched for and the retrieved guide information of the destination, and transmits electronic information of the organized map to the communication terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a map information distribution system for a traveler to access a map information distribution server on the Internet to obtain a travel route from a start point of a travel to a destination and guide information.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, if a mobile phone device with an Internet connection function is used, a town information providing server on the Internet is accessed, and map information of a specific area and information on what sightseeing spots, famous places (place names), food and drinks in the specific area are provided. It is possible to easily obtain area information on whether there is a shop and guide information explaining those sightseeing spots, famous places, and restaurants. Further, in a mobile phone device having a GPS function, the current position is detected every moment, so that it is possible to search for area information and to search for a travel route to a destination to which one wants to go.
[0003]
However, since the map information, the area information, and the guide information explaining the sightseeing spots are individually obtained from the Internet, an operation for obtaining each information is required, and the operation is complicated. Further, there is a problem that a plurality of collected information cannot be viewed in an aggregated form like a single tourist information map. Further, since the map information is uniform, there is also a problem that when the map is too detailed, it is difficult to decide which way to go.
[0004]
Note that a mobile phone device with a GPS function can search for a travel route from a start point to a destination. However, since the device needs to be small and lightweight, a large amount of storage of map information and calculation of a current position are required. The base station transmits the reception result of the radio wave received from the GPS satellite to the base station, and the base station calculates the detailed current position or searches for the moving route, and returns the calculated result of the current position, the moving route, and the map information. (For example, Patent Document 1). For this reason, there is a problem that in a place where radio waves do not reach from the base station, even if radio waves of GPS satellites are received, the current position is not known, and the travel route and the map information cannot be obtained.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-31177
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention enables a user to obtain only one piece of information necessary for a user when accessing a map information distribution server on the Internet from a communication terminal device, and allows the communication terminal device to read and use the map information later. It is a first object to provide a map information distribution system which has been described above.
[0007]
Also, information on the current position can be input while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server on the communication terminal device, and when the current position approaches the vicinity of the destination, guide information of the approached destination is provided. It is a second object of the present invention to provide a map information distribution system for displaying a map information.
[0008]
Also, a map information distribution system is provided in which a search range is input while the map information received from the map information distribution server is displayed on the communication terminal device, so that area information within the search range can be obtained from the map information distribution server. It has a third purpose.
[0009]
In addition, while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server on the communication terminal device, the user inputs a new start point and a destination on the map, and receives the new start point and the destination from the map information distribution server. It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a map information distribution system which can obtain the map information of the above.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides a map information distribution server having a road map database storing road information and area information, a guide information database, a search means, a control means, and an information transmission / reception means. Input means for inputting a point and one or more destinations, transmitting / receiving means for transmitting a start point, a destination, a map information request signal and receiving map information, storage means, and display means, and storing the stored map information. And a communication terminal device for reading from the communication terminal device and displaying the information on the display means. The map information distribution server and the communication terminal device are connected via the Internet. Upon receiving the information request signal, the search means of the map information distribution server searches the road map database for one In addition to searching for the travel route to the destination above, the guide information of the destination is searched from the guide information database of the map information distribution server, and the searched travel route, area information around the travel route and guide information of the destination are obtained. A configuration for transmitting the map information to the communication terminal device is adopted.
[0011]
With this configuration, when information on the start point and one or more destinations is transmitted from the communication terminal device to the map information distribution server, a travel route required by the user, area information around the travel route, and guide information on the destination are obtained. be able to. In particular, the map information includes only the travel route, the area information around the travel route, and the guide information of the destination, so that it is easy to understand as a road map, and the storage capacity is reduced to facilitate storage. Also, the map information received from the map information distribution server can be stored in the storage means of the communication terminal device, read out as needed, and displayed on the display means, so that it can be viewed as an electronic map for travel.
[0012]
Further, in order to solve the second problem, the present invention provides the communication terminal device with current position information input means for inputting current position information while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server. When the current position approaches the vicinity of the destination, the guide information of the approached destination is displayed.
[0013]
With this configuration, in the communication terminal device having the current position detecting means by the GPS, the guide information is automatically displayed when approaching the vicinity of the destination, so that it is possible to obtain a notice of the arrival at the destination and the guide information. . In addition, even if the communication terminal device does not have the current position detecting means by GPS, the user can input the current position by key input means or self-propelled navigation means using a pedometer and a compass, thereby guiding the destination. Information can be obtained.
[0014]
Further, in order to solve the third problem, the present invention provides a means for inputting a search range in the communication terminal device, and inputs the search range while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server, The search range and the map information request signal are transmitted to the information distribution server. When the map information distribution server receives the search range and the map information request signal from the communication terminal device, the search means of the map information distribution server transmits the search range and the map information request signal from the road map database. A configuration is employed in which area information such as main place names and sightseeing spot names in a search range is searched, and the searched area information is transmitted to the communication terminal device as map information.
[0015]
With this configuration, it is possible to specify a search range on the map displayed on the communication terminal device, and to know area information such as main place names and sightseeing spot names in the search range. Then, a new destination can be selected from among them.
[0016]
According to the present invention, in order to solve the fourth problem, an input means for inputting a new start point and a destination on a map while displaying map information received from a map information distribution server on a communication terminal device. And a coordinate calculation means for calculating the coordinates of the start point and the destination entered on the map on the map, inputting the new start point and the destination on the map, and providing the new information to the map information distribution server. A configuration is employed in which the coordinates of the start point and the destination on the map and the map information request signal are transmitted.
[0017]
With this configuration, map information on a new start point and a new destination can be obtained from the map information distribution server. Then, when the user arrives at the destination, the same operation is repeated to input the destination one after another, and by connecting the moving routes, the traveler can enjoy the sightseeing spot tour without getting lost.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, a map information distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a map information distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a map information distribution server 2 is connected to the Internet 1. The map information distribution server 2 includes a road map database 21 storing detailed road information including city streets, area information such as sightseeing spots around the road and place names of famous places, and sightseeing spots in the area. It has a guide information database 22 that stores guide information that is simply explained, for example, guide information of famous shrines and temples, and guide information of travel routes and destinations based on information of start points and destinations from communication terminal devices. , A control unit 24 for performing overall control as a server, and an information transmitting / receiving unit 25 for transmitting / receiving information to / from a communication terminal device. The road map database 21, the guide information database 22, the search means 23, the control means 24, and the information transmission / reception means 25 are connected to each other, and under the control of the control means 24, receive access from a communication terminal device and transmit map information. It is connected to the Internet 1 as a map information distribution server 2 to transmit.
[0019]
In FIG. 1, the map information distribution server 2 is further connected to a gateway 3, a mobile phone network 4, and a base station 5, and has an Internet connection function such as a mobile phone device with an Internet connection function via the base station 5. It can be accessed from the communication terminal device 6.
[0020]
The traveler accesses the map information distribution server 2 using the communication terminal device 6, and transmits a map start request, a destination to be visited, and a map information request signal. When the information transmitting / receiving means 25 of the map information distribution server 2 receives the start point of the trip, the destination to be visited, and the map information request signal from the communication terminal device 6, the map information distribution server 2 is searched under the control of the control means 24. The means 23 searches the travel map from the road map database 21 and also searches the guide information database 22 of the map information distribution server 2 for guide information on the destination registered in advance. Then, the searched travel route information, the area information around the travel route, and the guide information of the destination are constructed into one map information. The map information displays the travel route, area information around the travel route and the destination, and transmits the guide information of the destination to the communication terminal device 6 in a form electronically embedded in the map.
[0021]
The type of information to be obtained is specified in detail, such as a simple map that can be used as a route guide displaying a travel route and a destination, or only guide information explaining a destination, and transmitted to the map information distribution server 2. You may make it.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the map information distribution server 2 is activated and starts accepting map information distribution (step S1), the communication terminal device 6 inputs a target area name, for example, "Kyoto" and transmits it to the map information distribution server 2. Then, a sightseeing spot as a specific destination is displayed on the display means 7 of the communication terminal device 6, for example, as shown in FIG. The traveler uses the key operation unit of the communication terminal device 6 to input a start point and a destination. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a double circle is input as a start point, a black circle 8 is input as a destination, and a white circle 9 is input as a destination other than the destination (step S3). When the information on the start point and the destination and the map information request signal are transmitted from the communication terminal device 6 to the map information distribution server 2 (step S4), the map information distribution server 2 moves the shortest distance between the start point and the destination. And the guide information of the destination are searched, one map information is constructed from the travel route, the area information around the travel route and the guide information of the destination, and transmitted to the communication terminal device 6 (step S5).
[0023]
The map information received by the communication terminal device 6 is stored in the storage unit of the communication terminal device 6, and is displayed on the display unit 7 of the communication terminal device 6, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is the start point 10, Kodai-ji Temple, which is the destination 11, and Chion-in Temple are displayed in a framed form, and the travel route 12 that connects the destinations is displayed (Step S6). ). Around the moving route 12, a place name 13 which is area information such as "Sanningzaka" or "Maruyama Park" is displayed. Although the guide information is not displayed in FIG. 4, the guide information is electronically embedded, and thereafter the guide information is displayed on the display means 7 to confirm that the guide information has been received (step S7). If the map information distribution server 2 ends the reception (step S8), the reception of the map information distribution server 2 ends (steps and 9), but if the map information distribution server 2 continues the reception, the map information Distribution is repeated in the same procedure.
[0024]
As described above, the communication terminal device 6 provides the map information distribution server 2 with the area information such as the travel route 12 and the place name to the destination requested by the traveler, the building name of the main tourist spot, and the guide information of the destination. Is transmitted as one piece of map information. Since the map information is a simple guide-like map as shown in FIG. 4, the storage capacity is small and can be stored in the storage means of the communication terminal device 6.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the communication terminal device 6 of the present invention. As the communication terminal device 6, a mobile phone device with an Internet connection function can be used. The communication terminal device 6 includes a key operation unit 14 such as a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number, a microphone 15 functioning as a transmitter, a speaker 16 functioning as a receiver, a display unit 7 using a liquid crystal display device or the like, an antenna 12, The description will be made on the assumption that the wireless communication unit and the storage unit are included in the housing but do not have the GPS function. The key operation unit 14, the microphone 15, the speaker 16 and the like are used to fulfill the function of the mobile telephone device with the Internet connection function. In the present invention, the four-way key 14a of the key operation unit 14 is also used as a current position input unit for inputting a current position on a map displayed on the display unit 7 after being received from the map information distribution server 2. That is, in the map of FIG. 5, the moving route 12 from Kiyomizu-dera at the start point 10 is shown as a road having a white constant width. When the four-way key 14a is tilted in the direction of walking while holding the communication terminal device 6, the black line 18 extends on the movement route 12, and when the four-way key 14a is released, the black line 18 The tip of indicates the current position on the map. If the tip of the black line 18 goes too far beyond the position considered as the current position, the tip of the black line 18 can be returned by tilting the four-way key 14a in the opposite direction.
[0026]
If the communication terminal device 6 has the GPS function, information on the current position is sent from the base station 5. As the portable wireless communication device 6 moves, a black line is displayed on the map shown on the display means 7. Numeral 18 automatically extends on the movement route 12 of the map toward the destination. FIG. 5 shows a state in which Kiyomizu-dera is a starting point and is currently approaching a left turn near Kodai-ji. When approaching the destination, guide information explaining the destination is displayed, for example, as shown in FIG. The guide information displays not only text information but also a representative photograph of the tourist spot. The audio information is also output from the speaker 16.
[0027]
As described above, according to the present invention, from the map information distribution server 2 on the Internet, based on the information on the start point and the destination transmitted by the user, the moving route 12 and the area information such as the place name and the road name near the moving route are obtained. By transmitting guide information explaining the destination 11 and the destination to the communication terminal device 6 as map information and storing the map information in the storage means of the communication terminal device 6, the map information stored in the communication terminal device 6 during the trip Is read from the storage means, and the communication terminal device 6 can be used as a guide device.
[0028]
Particularly, in the portable information terminal device with the GPS function, the information of the current position of the user is transmitted from the base station 5 every moment. When the user approaches the destination 11, the guide information is automatically displayed on the display means 7. This is convenient.
[0029]
In the communication terminal device 6 of the present invention, the current position can be input by using the four-way key 14a as shown in FIG. 5, so that the base station 5 is not nearby and information on the current position is transmitted from the base station. Even when the user does not move, the user can see the map on the display means 7 and use the four-way keys 14a to extend the black line 18 indicating that the user has moved on the movement route 12 up, down, left, and right to indicate his position on the map. be able to. Although the current position is manually input, guide information is output when approaching the destination, so that the user can enjoy the map information. In particular, if the Japanese map information distribution server 2 obtains the map information of foreign tourist spots in Japanese, even if the GPS function does not work abroad due to the difference in communication method, the map is displayed. By inputting the current position, it can be used conveniently as a guide device for guiding foreign tourist spots in Japanese.
[0030]
As a self-propelled navigation means instead of GPS navigation, a pedometer and a gyro are used to determine the travel distance from the start point, and if the current position is displayed on the display means 7, the current position can be manually determined. No need to input.
[0031]
Further, the map information taken into the communication terminal device 6 from the map information distribution server 2 is only the travel route, the destination, the area information such as the place name and the road name, and the guide information. Can also be saved.
[0032]
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a map information distribution system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment described above, the destination and the like are input according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, but in the map information distribution system according to the second embodiment, After the map information is once obtained, a function for obtaining new map information on an extension of the map information is added.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the user has walked the travel route 12 once obtained to the destination, there is no map information at the destination in the communication terminal device 6. For this reason, according to the procedure of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the start point and the destination are completely newly inputted, and the access to the map information distribution server is made again.
[0034]
In the present invention, an operation mode called a search mode is prepared, and a search range in which the dashed circle 31 and the center of the circle are indicated by crosses 32 on the map displayed on the display means 7 is displayed in the four directions of the key operation unit 14. The key 14a can be moved up, down, left and right. Then, for a search range whose position is specified on the displayed map, guide information within the search range can be obtained from the map information distribution server 2.
[0035]
With the obtained map information displayed on the display means 7, the search mode is operated, and the center 32 of the dashed circle 31 indicating the search range is moved up, down, left and right with the four-way key 14a for positioning. Then, the control means (not shown) of the communication terminal device 6 reads, as data, the coordinates and radius of the center 32 of the dashed circle 31 indicating the search range on the displayed map, and transmits the search range to the map information distribution server 2. Process to specific data. When the search range specifying data and the map information request signal are transmitted from the communication terminal device 6 to the map information distribution server 2, the map information distribution server 2 searches the road map information database 21 and extracts area information within the search range. Then, the data is transmitted to the communication terminal device 6. In the communication terminal device 6, as shown in FIG. 8, area information such as a dashed circle 31 of the search range and names of main sightseeing spots in the circle 31 is displayed.
[0036]
The user of the communication terminal device 6 can select a destination from the displayed area information. Here, it is assumed that Heian Shrine has been selected as a new destination. Since the present location is Chion-in, the control means of the communication terminal device 6 processes the coordinates of Chion-in as the start point and the coordinates of Heian Jingu as the destination as data to be transmitted to the map information distribution bar 2. When the information of the new start point and the destination and the map information request signal are transmitted to the map information distribution server 2, the map information distribution server 2 transmits the new travel route, the area information around the travel route and the destination. The described guide information is transmitted to the communication terminal device 6 as new map information.
[0037]
Since a new map is displayed on the communication terminal device 6 as shown in FIG. 9, the user of the communication terminal device 6 can move as a signpost on a new movement route. Similarly, when the user arrives at the destination, the user repeatedly specifies the search range, obtains area information, selects a new destination, and obtains map information. By getting area information and destination guide information, you can proceed without getting lost.
[0038]
In FIGS. 7 and 8, an example is described in which the dashed circle 31 and the cross 32 indicating the center of the circle are used to specify the search range. The direction of a predetermined range from the position may be specified by the lines 33 and 34. If you are unsure of which direction to go, you can get area information about what sights are in the direction you want to know, so you can conveniently select a new destination.
[0039]
Furthermore, by installing a sensor such as an azimuth sensor in the communication terminal device 6 that can recognize the direction in which the user is facing, a new destination may be selected simply by pointing in the direction desired by the user. .
[0040]
Further, the communication terminal device 6 is further equipped with a sensor capable of recognizing the direction in which the user is facing. The user holding the communication terminal device 6 recognizes which direction the user is facing, and The area information of the direction (destination direction) where the user is may be automatically displayed.
[0041]
(Embodiment 3)
Next, a map information distribution system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the map information distribution systems according to the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the communication terminal device 6 is a mobile phone device having an Internet connection function. However, the map information distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is described. In the information distribution system, as shown in FIG. 11, map information is obtained by a personal computer 61 connected to the Internet 1. If a small notebook personal computer is used as the personal computer 61, the map information distribution server 2 is directly accessed from the Internet 1 to obtain map information, and then the small notebook personal computer 61 is separated from the Internet 1 and traveled. can do.
[0042]
Also, after a detachable card type memory 62 is attached to a personal computer 61 connected to the Internet 1 and map information is stored in the card type memory 62, the card type memory 62 is inserted into the communication terminal device 6 for use. You may.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, information of a start point and one or more destinations can be transmitted from a communication terminal device, and only the information required by the user can be received as one piece of map information. In particular, since the travel route, area information, and destination are displayed as guide-like map information, and the guide information of the destination is stored in the storage means and is displayed when approaching the destination, Unnecessary information is not displayed, the data amount of map information is small, transmission / reception is short, and storage capacity is small.
[0044]
In addition, according to the present invention, the map information received from the map information distribution server 2 is displayed on the communication terminal device 6 so that the information of the current position on the moving route can be input. By inputting the position, the user can view the information as a travel navigation map without transmitting information on the current position from the base station. Further, since guide information is output when approaching the destination, there is an advantage that a notice and information of approaching the destination can be obtained with good timing.
[0045]
And once you get the map information, you can use the map to search nearby places on the map to find nearby sightseeing spots, etc., or enter a new start point and destination on the map, New map information can also be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a map information distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a transition diagram of a display screen of a communication terminal device of the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a communication terminal of the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Transition diagram of the display screen of the device FIG. 5 is an external view of the communication terminal device of the map information distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention in use state. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. Transition diagram of the display screen of the communication terminal of the map information distribution system [FIG. 7] Transition diagram of the display screen of the communication terminal of the map information distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 8] According to the second embodiment Transition diagram of the display screen of the communication terminal of the map information distribution system [FIG. 9] Transition diagram of the display screen of the communication terminal of the map information distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention [FIG. 10] Transition diagram of the display screen of the communication terminal of the map information distribution system according to the embodiment [FIG. 11] System configuration diagram of the map information distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention [Description of reference numerals]
1 Internet 2 Map information distribution server 3 Gateway 4 Mobile phone network 5 Base station 6 Communication terminal 7 Display means 10 Start point 11 Destination 12 Travel route 14 Key operation unit 14a Four-way key 21 Road map database 22 Guide information database 23 Search Means 24 Information transmitting / receiving means 61 Personal computer 62 Card type memory

Claims (4)

A map information distribution server having a road map database storing guide information and area information, a guide information database, a search unit, a control unit, and an information transmitting / receiving unit;
Input means for inputting at least a start point and one or more destinations, transmitting / receiving means for transmitting a start point, a destination, a map information request signal and receiving map information, storage means and display means, and storing the stored map information. A communication terminal device that is read from the storage unit and displayed on the display unit,
Connecting the map information distribution server and the communication terminal device via the Internet,
When the map information distribution server receives a start point, a destination, and a map information request signal from the communication terminal device, the search means of the map information distribution server reads one or more destinations from the start point from the road map database. A search is made for a travel route leading to the destination, and a guide information of the destination is searched from the guide information database of the map information distribution server, and the searched travel route, the area information around the travel route, and the guide information of the destination are map information. A map information distribution system configured to transmit to the communication terminal device. The communication terminal device is provided with a current position information input unit for inputting information on a current position while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server, and when the current position approaches the vicinity of the destination, the user approaches. The map information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein guide information of the destination is displayed. A means for inputting a search range is provided in the communication terminal device, the search range is input while the map information received from the map information distribution server is displayed, and the search range and the map information request signal are transmitted to the map information distribution server. Make up,
When the map information distribution server receives a search range and a map information request signal from the communication terminal device, the search means of the map information distribution server searches the road map database for area information in the search range, and performs a search. 2. The map information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said area information is transmitted to said communication terminal device as map information. Input means for inputting a new start point and a destination on the map while displaying the map information received from the map information distribution server on the communication terminal device; and a map of the start point and the destination input on the map. A coordinate calculating means for calculating the above coordinates, inputting a new start point and a destination on the map, and sending a new start point and a destination coordinate on the map to the map information distribution server and a map information request signal; The map information distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the map information distribution system is configured to transmit the map information.

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