JP2006293382A - Device and method for providing map information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide or use searched route information in an easy-to-understand manner, even without having to install the same software in a personal computer or having a navigation device of the same manufacturer or a mobile personal computer. <P>SOLUTION: A map information providing device has a route calculation module 4, which extracts at least intersection information on a map, a navigation guidance generation module 6 which generates an image of the vicinity of the extracted intersection, and a rally map generation module 8 which arrays generated interference vicinity images in prescribed sequence, and provides intersection images arrayed in the prescribed sequences. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information providing apparatus and method for providing map information to a user by printing out or displaying the map information on a display device.

  Conventionally, for example, a route search is performed on a personal computer equipped with map display and route search software, or a so-called navigation device (including not only a car navigation device but also a portable navigation device), and the searched route is provided to others. In this case, the route data obtained by the above search is recorded on a medium such as a memory card or a flexible disk, and a personal computer having the same software or a navigation device (compatible device) having the same software via these media. ) Is being carried out.

JP-A-4-314085

  However, route data obtained by the search can be exchanged only with a personal computer having the same software or a navigation device of the same manufacturer. For this reason, the searched route data cannot be used in a personal computer that does not include these software or a navigation device that is not compatible with other manufacturers. Of course, it goes without saying that the searched route data cannot be provided to others who have neither a personal computer nor a navigation device.

  Even if the navigation device is not provided, for example, if a portable personal computer having the same software is provided, it is possible to receive the searched route. However, in the case where the portable personal computer is not provided, it is impossible to receive the searched route as described above. This is the same not only when providing the searched route to others but also when trying to use it on its own. In other words, if the user has only a so-called desktop personal computer but does not have a portable personal computer, the searched route cannot be used by himself.

  On the other hand, some types of map display and route search software of a personal computer can express the searched route data in a sentence as route guidance information and print out the route guidance information of the sentence. If the route guidance information can be printed out in this way, the above-mentioned other information can be used without having a personal computer having the same software or a navigation device of the same manufacturer as described above, or having a portable personal computer. The person or himself / herself can be provided with the searched route. However, in this case, route guidance information composed of the above sentences is difficult to understand intuitively and is desired to be easier to understand.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even if a personal computer is not equipped with the same software, and is searched without having a navigation device or a portable personal computer of the same manufacturer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map information providing apparatus and method capable of providing or using easy route information.

  The map information providing apparatus and method of the present invention extract via-point information from a route between at least two points on map data, generate image data in the vicinity of the via-point based on the extracted via-point information, The above-described problem is solved by creating a map image in which the generated image data in the vicinity of the waypoint is arranged in the order based on the path between the two points, and performing control to output the created map image.

  Here, in the map information providing apparatus and method of the present invention, it is based on the shortest distance path calculation between at least two points on the map data, or based on the shortest required time path calculation between at least two points on the map data. For example, intersection information is extracted as the waypoint information existing on the route. Further, in the map information providing apparatus and method of the present invention, image data in which route information is added to image data in the vicinity of a via point is generated based on the extracted via point information. Furthermore, in the map information providing apparatus and method of the present invention, a map image is created by arranging the image data in the vicinity of the waypoints in the order along the path between at least two points on the map data. At this time, a map image can be created by arranging image data in the vicinity of the via point selected by the user from a plurality of image data in the vicinity of the via point.

  In the present invention, a map image arranged in a predetermined order in the vicinity of the waypoint on the searched route is created, and the map image is printed or the like, so that the same software can be used even if the personal computer does not have the same software. Even without a manufacturer's navigation device or a portable personal computer, the searched route information can be provided or used easily.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 1, the structure of one Example of the map information provision apparatus of this invention is shown.

  In FIG. 1, each component is connected to a controller 1 including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) via a main bus. Hereinafter, the controller 1 and each component will be described in order.

  The controller 1 operates in accordance with, for example, an OS (operating system) and application software stored in the hard disk 3 and various programs stored in the ROM 5, and controls the operation of each component connected via the main bus. Etc.

  The hard disk 3 stores the OS and application software, and is provided for recording and reproducing text data, image data, audio data, and other various file data. In the map information providing apparatus of the present embodiment, it is also used when recording and reproducing image data having a large amount of data such as a map.

  The RAM 7 is a work RAM that temporarily stores the data mainly during data processing in the controller 1, and also temporarily uses data used in each unit such as a path calculation module described later as needed. To store.

  The input device 2 includes a so-called mouse, keyboard, touch switch, pen input device, or the like, and converts input from a user into data usable in the device. In the map information providing apparatus according to the present embodiment, setting information of designated points such as a starting point, a destination, a waypoint, and the like necessary for an automatic route search, which will be described later, from the input device 2, and the automatic route search. It is used to input setting information for calculation conditions such as distance priority or time priority. Note that distance priority refers to searching for a route with the shortest distance, for example, during the automatic route search, and time priority refers to searching for a route with the shortest time, for example, during the automatic route search.

  The disk drive device 9 drives a disk-shaped recording medium such as a so-called CD-ROM disk or a flexible disk, reads data recorded on the disk-shaped recording medium, and can record the disk-shaped recording medium. If it is, data is written. In this embodiment, a CD-ROM disc (hereinafter referred to as map disc 30) on which digital map data is recorded as the disc-shaped recording medium is loaded into the disc drive device 9 and recorded on the map disc 30. The digital map data is read. The map disk 30 includes not only map image data, but also information such as distances on the map, legal speed limits of roads, the number of traffic lights on the road, the number of traffic lanes, a list of intersections, etc. All information recorded on a navigation disk in recent years is recorded, such as guide information, guide information for shopping, voice information for route guidance, other sound information, text information of characters, and the like. The disc-shaped recording medium includes an optical disc such as a so-called DVD (digital video disc) which has recently been put into practical use in addition to the above-mentioned CD-ROM.

  The data input / output port 12 includes not only a terminal for inputting / outputting digital data, but also an insertion portion into which a semiconductor memory element such as a so-called memory card is inserted. In the present embodiment, the data input / output port 12 allows the input / output of data via the data input / output terminal or the memory card, data input / output to a so-called portable electronic tool with a display, etc. I do. The digital map data may be supplied not only from the map disk 30 but also through the data input / output port 12, for example, by communication.

  The display device 11 is one to which any of various display means such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), a liquid crystal display, a plasma display or the like is applied, and is based on image data and text data generated as described later. An image signal is generated, and an image, a character, or the like corresponding to the image signal is displayed. On the display screen of the display device 11 of the map information providing device of this embodiment, map images, characters, etc. are mainly displayed.

  The map viewing module 14 displays a wide area map on the display screen of the display device 11 as a basic screen of the map display software used in this embodiment. That is, the wide area map data is read from the map disk 30 and displayed on the display device 11. Hereinafter, the screen on which the wide area map is displayed is referred to as a guidance window. On the guidance window, information such as the starting point and destination can be set, the map can be scrolled, and zoomed (enlarged / reduced) with the mouse of the input device 2, for example.

  In the sound generation device 13, for example, an analog sound signal is generated from sound data generated by the controller 1, and is generated from a speaker.

  The route calculation module 4 refers to various parameters such as the distance information, the legal speed limit, the number of traffic lights, the number of lanes, one-way traffic and intrusion prohibition information read from the map disk 30 and inputs the above information in automatic route search. An optimum route is calculated based on the calculation condition parameter of either time priority or distance priority input from the device 2. Of course, it is possible to calculate not only such a route for automobiles but also an optimum route for walking humans and traveling bicycles. In this case, parameters such as a human walking speed and a bicycle traveling speed are referred to from the map disk 30. In addition, when obtaining a route for humans or bicycles, it is possible to obtain a route through which the automobile cannot pass.

  The navigation guidance generation module 6 generates all information necessary for navigation guidance of the route based on the route data calculated by the route calculation module 4. More specifically, the navigation guidance generation module 6 refers to the map data recorded in the map disc 30 and the like based on the route data calculated by the route calculation module 4. Enlarged view of each intersection necessary for navigation guidance (intersection shape, etc.), landmarks to be used as landmarks, traffic lights, arrows indicating the direction of travel, road signs such as intrusion prohibitions, etc., and guidance necessary for route guidance And information. Further, the navigation guidance generation module 6 forms an enlarged map display window (hereinafter referred to as a navigation window) of an intersection to be popped up on the guidance window on which the wide area map is displayed, and displays the above on the display screen. Generate information for display on That is, the navigation guidance generation module 6 at this time displays the above-mentioned enlarged map of each intersection, the drawing data such as landmarks and the above guidance information and the navigation window for each intersection appearing in the order of the route. Configure information for The guidance information includes, for example, intersection position information (approximate position), intersection names, distances between intersections, road names, directions to travel at each branch point, and landmarks displayed on the map. It consists of text information such as characters to be represented, synthesized voice information in the case of providing guidance by voice. Drawing data such as an enlarged map of each intersection and guidance information are temporarily stored in the RAM 7 or the hard disk 3.

  The rally map generation module 8 pops up and displays the navigation window on the guidance window on which the wide area map is displayed based on the information supplied from the navigation guidance generation module 6, and also shows an enlarged view of each intersection. Etc., information for displaying an icon used when selecting whether or not the route navigation is necessary is also generated and displayed. Further, the rally map generating module 8 generates an image in which an enlarged view of each intersection selected as necessary for the route navigation by the icon and a character string necessary for the route guidance are laid out for easy viewing. At the same time, text information such as the location name of each intersection appearing in the order of the route and the name of the previous intersection is generated as additional information particularly necessary for the guidance of each intersection. Here, an enlarged map of each intersection and an image in which character strings necessary for guidance are laid out are an easy-to-see enlarged map of each intersection selected as necessary to reach the destination in the order of the route. And a character string such as the additional information for guidance corresponding to each intersection. Hereinafter, an image laid out in this way will be referred to as a rally map. This rally map is created on the assumption that, for example, A4 size, which is a paper size standard of Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS), is printed in the vertical direction.

  The print module 10 generates print data for printing the rally map on, for example, the A4 size paper in the vertical direction from the rally map data generated by the rally map generating module 8.

  The printer 20 prints the rally map in the vertical direction on the A4 size paper 21 based on the print data supplied from the printing module 10.

  Next, in the map information providing apparatus having the configuration of FIG. 1 described above, the operations from the automatic route search to the generation and printing of the rally map are realized along the flow of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, in step ST <b> 1, the map viewing module 14 displays the wide area map on the display device 2.

  In the next step ST2, a wide area map displayed as the guidance window is used to input setting of calculation conditions such as the distance priority or the time priority from the input device 2, and the necessary for automatic route search. Set and input specified points such as departure point, destination, and waypoint.

  In step ST3, the calculation condition is sent to the route calculation module 4 as a calculation condition parameter, and the designated point is sent as latitude / longitude data.

  In step ST4, the route calculation module 4 extracts optimum route data (route data) using the calculation condition parameter and latitude / longitude data. The route data used here is specifically composed of a list of intersections on the route (route).

  In step ST5, the extracted optimum route data (that is, list data of each intersection on the route) is transferred to the navigation guidance generation module 6.

  In step ST6, the navigation guidance generation module 6 generates all information necessary for navigation of the route based on the optimum route data calculated by the route calculation module 4. That is, the navigation guidance generation module 6 refers to the map data and the like recorded in the map disc 30, and the navigation guidance is particularly selected from the list of the intersections of the optimum route obtained from the route calculation module 4. Necessary intersections are selected and enlarged data of each selected intersection, landmarks to be used as landmarks, traffic lights, arrows indicating the direction of travel, road signs such as intrusion prohibitions, etc., and necessary for route guidance The guidance information is extracted. In step ST6, the navigation guidance generating module 6 also generates information for displaying the navigation window.

  In step ST7, the intersection list data selected by the navigation window generation module 6, the data necessary for the guidance, the navigation window display data, and the like are transferred to the rally map generation module 8.

  In step ST8, in the rally map generation module 8, the addition necessary for the guidance for each intersection appearing in the route order according to the list data of each intersection selected as necessary for the navigation and the guidance information necessary for the guidance Collect information.

  In step ST9, the navigation window is displayed on the guidance window.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the guidance window 101 and the navigation window 102 are displayed on the display screen 100 of the display device 11. That is, in FIG. 3, for example, the guidance window 101 is popped up on the display screen 100, and the guidance window 101 displays a numerical string 120 indicating the wide area map and the latitude and longitude to the destination. ing. The navigation window 102 is further popped up on the guidance window 101, and in this navigation window 102, an enlarged map 106 of one intersection among the intersections represented in the order of the route is displayed. . Further, in the enlarged map 106 at the intersection of the navigation window 102, for example, a landmark 108 is displayed, and the name of the road (in this example, the character string 112 of “National road 1”) and the entry prohibition are displayed. A road sign mark 109 and an arrow mark 110 indicating the traveling direction are also displayed. Outside the enlarged map 106, information on the distance from the intersection to the next intersection, such as “500m to the industrial road entrance”, is displayed as information up to the next intersection, and the name of the road is, for example, “National road 1”. Is displayed, and the name of the intersection (in the example of FIG. 3, there is no name for the intersection is “no name”) is displayed, and the distance to the destination is, for example, “0.6 km” Is displayed.

  Also, in this navigation window 102, it is instructed whether or not to select the enlarged map 106 at the intersection as the icon used when selecting whether or not an enlarged view of the intersection is necessary for route navigation. An icon 105 for instructing to proceed to the display of the navigation window corresponding to the next intersection, and an icon 103 for instructing to return to the display of the navigation window corresponding to the previous intersection are also displayed. For example, when the mouse cursor is moved and clicked on these icons 103, 104, and 105, an instruction corresponding to each icon is performed.

  That is, in step ST10 of FIG. 2, operation information is supplied from the input device 2 operated by the user of the map information providing device, and the rally map generation module 8 sequentially performs the navigation windows in the order of routes as described above. With respect to the enlarged image of each intersection displayed within, the selection of whether or not the enlarged image data and guidance information of each intersection are necessary for knowing the route to reach the destination and the selected Intersection registration is performed. Therefore, the intersection is not registered when it is not necessary. Details of the intersection selection process in step ST10 will be described later. In step ST10, when an enlarged image of each intersection displayed in the order of the route is selected, the rally map generation module 8 lays out an enlarged view of each intersection, a character string necessary for guidance, and the like. Generate a rally map. In addition, although the image of a rally map may be displayed on the said display screen, it does not necessarily need to be displayed.

  In the next step ST11, it is determined whether to print the rally map image or to output the rally map image data to, for example, a portable electronic tool with a display.

  Here, when an input indicating that printing is to be performed is made from the input device 2, the image data of the rally map is sent to the printing module 10 in step ST12, where print data is generated.

  In step ST13, the print data is transferred to the printer 20.

  In step ST14, printing according to the print data is performed by the printer 20, and printed on the A4 size paper 21 as a rally map.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step ST11 that data output is to be performed, the image data of the rally map is transferred to the data input / output port 12 in step ST15.

  In step ST16, the image data of the rally map is output from the data input / output port and transferred to, for example, a portable electronic tool with a display.

  Thereby, as shown in step ST17, it becomes possible to display the rally map on the display of the portable electronic tool.

  Here, the selection process in step ST10 of the flowchart of FIG. 2 is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, a variable N is set as the number of intersections in step ST20, and a count value C is initialized to 1 in step ST21.

  In step ST22, it is determined whether or not the count value C is larger than the variable N of the number of intersections. If it is determined no in step ST22, the process proceeds to step ST23.

  In step ST23, based on the intersection list data and the guidance information, the enlarged image data and guidance information of the intersection corresponding to the count value C, that is, the enlarged image data and guidance information of the C-th intersection counted from the beginning are obtained. , Read from the RAM 7 or the hard disk 3.

  In step S24, based on the input from the input device 2, whether or not the enlarged image data and guidance information of the C-th intersection is necessary to know the route to the destination. A selection is made.

  If it is determined NO in step ST24, the process proceeds to step ST26. In step ST26, the count value C is incremented (incremented) by 1, and the process returns to step ST22. The process proceeds to data processing for the next intersection.

  On the other hand, if it is determined as YES in step ST24, the process proceeds to step ST25, where data regarding the intersection is registered as necessary for the rally map. The registration of the rally map data is specifically performed by storing it in the RAM 7 or the hard disk 3. Thereafter, the process returns to step ST22.

  When the processing as described above is performed and it is finally determined as YES in step ST22, the process proceeds to step ST11 of the flowchart of FIG.

  An example of the rally map printed on the paper 21 or the rally map displayed on the display of the portable electronic tool is as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the rally map 200 includes enlarged images 201 to 206 of the selected six intersections, for example, in the route order. Each enlarged image has a number (guide point number: Guide POINT NO.) Indicating the order in which the intersection appears on the route, a character string indicating the name of the intersection, a distance from the departure point, or the previous one. A number indicating the distance from the intersection and an arrow mark indicating the traveling direction are drawn, and a landmark, a traffic light mark, a road name, and the like are further drawn as necessary.

  This will be described more specifically with reference to FIG. For example, in the case of Guide Point No. 1 (Guide POINT NO.1), the enlarged map of the intersection at the guide point No. 1 is an intersection whose name is “Shimonagaya” at 4 km from the departure point. At this intersection there is a traffic light and a post office as a landmark. Further, it is shown that the intersection should proceed from the lower direction in the figure and change the course to the right at the intersection.

  The next intersection is placed as a guide point number 2 (Guide POINT NO.2), for example, below the guide point number 1 figure, and the enlarged map of the intersection is the previous intersection (ie, the above point) This is an intersection called “Hirado”, which is 3.4 km from the intersection of guide point number 1). There is only a traffic light at this intersection. It shows that you should go straight.

  The next intersection is placed as guide point number 3 (Guide POINT NO.3), for example, below the figure of guide point number 2, and the enlarged map of the intersection is the previous intersection (the guide point above)・ It is an intersection called “Higashi Totsuka Entrance”, 5km from the intersection of point number 2. There is only a traffic light at this intersection, and if you proceed from the lower direction in the figure and change the course to the right at the intersection, you should go on a road called `` Nakahara Kaido '' where a gas station exists as a landmark It is represented.

  Furthermore, the next intersection is arranged as guide point number 4 (Guide POINT NO.4), for example, on the right side of the figure of guide point number 1. The enlarged map of the intersection is the previous intersection (above) This is an intersection located 15 km from the intersection of guide point number 3), and the right road of the crossroad is arranged obliquely upward with respect to the traveling direction from bottom to top in the figure. This intersection is called “Kawakami Elementary School”. There is only a traffic light at the intersection. From the lower direction in the figure, go up the road called “Nakahara Kaido”. It is shown that the road called “National highway No. 1” should be changed.

  The next intersection is placed as a guide point number 5 (Guide POINT NO.5), for example, below the figure of the guide point number 4, and the enlarged map of the intersection is the previous intersection (the guide point above)・ It is 20km from the intersection of point number 4), and this intersection has no name. There is a “koban” as a landmark at the intersection, and the left side of the intersection is prohibited from entering. The road is called “National Highway 1”. It is shown that the course should be changed to the right direction at the intersection.

  The next intersection is placed as guide point number 6 (Guide POINT NO.6), for example, below the guide point number 5 figure. The enlarged map of the intersection is the previous intersection (the guide point above). -0.5 km from the intersection of point number 5), this intersection is a T-junction intersection called "industrial road entrance". This enlarged map shows that the destination exists from the lower direction to the upper direction in the figure and past the intersection.

  In addition, the date of creation of the rally map, the name of the departure place, and the name of the destination are also entered in the rally map.

  The enlarged map of the intersection displayed on the navigation window 102 in FIG. 3 shows an example in which the enlarged intersection image 205 in FIG. 5 is displayed.

  As described above, in the map information providing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, an enlarged map and guidance information of each intersection necessary for route navigation are printed out on a paper or a rally map laid out in order of the route, or a portable electronic tool is used. It is displayed on the display. Therefore, even in an environment that does not have the same map display and search software, the user can move to the destination by carrying the above rally map (printed material, etc.), greatly expanding the range of use. Therefore, it is possible to realize functions unique to a personal computer application that are impossible with a conventional car navigation system. In addition, since the rally map is mainly composed of the enlarged map of the intersection, the information can be provided to the user more intuitively than the text information alone.

  It should be noted that the above-described rally map is an example, and it is of course possible to use a layout other than that shown in FIG. Further, the wide area map displayed in the guidance window and the enlarged map of the intersection drawn on the navigation window and the rally map can also be used other than the above-described examples, for example, from a diagonally upper side as in a so-called bird's-eye view. It can also be expressed as if looking down. Further, the displayed or drawn map can be a map made of a stereoscopic image that is closer to the real object.

It is a block circuit diagram which shows the whole structure of the map information provision apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the map information provision apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example in which the guidance window and the navigation window were displayed on the display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an intersection selection process. It is a figure which shows an example of a rally map.

Explanation of symbols

1 controller, 2 input device, 3 hard disk, 4 route calculation module, 5 ROM, 6 navigation guidance generation module, 7 RAM, 8 rally map generation module, 9 disk drive device, 10 printing module, 11 display device, 12 data input / output Port, 13 sound generator, 20 printer, 21 paper with rally map printed, 30 map disc

Claims (18)

Information extracting means for extracting waypoint information from a route between at least two points on the map data;
Image generating means for generating image data near the waypoint based on the waypoint information taken out by the information takeout means;
Map image creating means for creating a map image in which image data in the vicinity of the via point generated by the image generating means is arranged in an order based on the path between the two points;
A map information providing apparatus comprising: output control means for performing control to output a map image created by the map image creating means.   The map information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information extracting unit extracts intersection information as the waypoint information.   2. The map information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the map image creating means creates a map image by arranging image data in the vicinity of a via point in an order along a route between at least two points on the map data.   4. The map information providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information extracting means extracts via-point information existing on a route based on a shortest distance route calculation between at least two points on the map data.   4. The map information providing device according to claim 3, wherein the information extracting means extracts via-point information existing on a route based on a shortest required time route calculation between at least two points on the map data.   2. The map image creating means creates a map image by arranging image data in the vicinity of a via point selected by a user from a plurality of image data in the vicinity of a via point generated by the image generating means. Map information providing device.   The map information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit generates image data in which route information is added to image data in the vicinity of a via point.   The map information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output control for printing the map image on paper.   The map information providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control means performs output control for transferring the map image to another terminal apparatus. A map information providing method for providing map information by a map information providing apparatus comprising an information extracting means, an image generating means, a map image creating means, and an output control means,
An information extracting step in which the information extracting means extracts the waypoint information from a path between at least two points on the map data;
An image generating step in which the image generating means generates image data in the vicinity of the waypoint based on the waypoint information taken out by the information takeout step;
A map image creating step in which the map image creating means creates a map image in which the image data in the vicinity of the via point generated by the image generating step is arranged in an order based on the path between the two points;
A map information providing method comprising: an output control step in which the output control means performs control to output the map image created in the map image creation step. The map information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the information extracting means extracts intersection information as the waypoint information in the information extracting step. 11. The map image creating means creates the map image in the map image creating step by arranging image data in the vicinity of via points in an order along a route between at least two points on the map data. Map information provision method. 13. The map information providing method according to claim 12, wherein the information extracting means extracts in the information extracting step, via point information existing on a route based on a shortest distance route calculation between at least two points on the map data. 13. The map information providing method according to claim 12, wherein the information extracting means extracts the waypoint information existing on the route based on the shortest required time route calculation between at least two points on the map data in the information extracting step. The map image creating means arranges the map image in the map image creating step by arranging the image data in the vicinity of the via points selected by the user from the plurality of image data in the vicinity of the via points generated in the image generating step. The map information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the map information is created. The map information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the image generating means generates image data in which route information is added to image data in the vicinity of a via point in the image generating step. The map information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the output control means performs output control for printing the map image on paper in the output control step. The map information providing method according to claim 10, wherein the output control means performs output control for transferring the map image to another terminal device in the output control step.

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