JP2007166161A - Device, system, and method for updating map information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map information updating device for timely updating map information to be distributed via the Internet, etc., based on information from users, and to provide a map information updating system, and a map information updating method. <P>SOLUTION: Updating information relative to the existing map information and posting information concerning the authenticity of the updating information are received from user terminals. Then, the existing map information is distributed to the user terminals by adding at least the received updating information and posting information and a picture having an icon to select the authenticity of the updating information by an alternative system. The posting information from the user terminals are collected so as to determine the authenticity of the updating information, based on the collected posting information. When it is determined that the updating information is correct, the map information in a map data server is updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information update device, a map information update system, and a map information update method, and in particular, a map information update device and map for updating map information in a map data server storing existing map information with information from a user. The present invention relates to an information update system and a map information update method.

  In recent years, with the advancement of IT (Information Technology) technology, it has become possible to instantly obtain useful information using the Internet and the like, and terminals such as personal computers have become widespread in many homes. is doing. In addition, mobile terminals such as mobile phones are widely used as communication tools, and the Internet using mobile terminals is actively used.

  Under such circumstances, there are abundant contents that can be used via the Internet, but in particular, the frequency of use of contents that provide map information in order to check destination information or to use the so-called navigation function. high.

For this reason, for example, in mobile phones, a technique for improving the convenience of navigation by performing navigation visually or intuitively when performing navigation to a destination is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). reference.).
JP 2004-40321 A

  When aiming for a destination based on the map information described above, the destination is usually based on a building, store, public facility, or the like in the vicinity of the destination. However, especially in the city center, the cityscape changes in a short period of time, and there are no buildings or stores near the destination displayed on the map, or it has become another building or store. Even if the map information distributed from the above is used, the destination may not be accurately reached.

  In addition, for the above problems, it is conceivable that the provider who provides the map information content collects the latest map information independently and updates the information in a timely manner. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to collect even detailed information that covers regional information other than main points such as main roads and in front of the station.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a map information update device, a map information update system, and a map information update system that update map information distributed over the Internet or the like in a timely manner based on information from a user. The purpose is to provide a map information update method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following matters.
The invention according to claim 1 updates the map information stored in the map data server (for example, the map data server 2 of FIG. 1) with the information from the user terminal (for example, the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b of FIG. 1). A map information update device (for example, the map information update device 1 in FIG. 1) that receives update information for existing map information and post information relating to the authenticity of the update information (for example, FIG. 2). The user terminal by adding an information screen provided with an icon for selecting at least the received update information, post information, and authenticity of the update information in an alternative format to the existing map information; Distribution means (for example, the information distribution section 17 in FIG. 2), information collection means (for example, the information collection section 12 in FIG. 2) for collecting the post information received by the reception means, and the collected post Affection A determination means for determining the authenticity of the update information (for example, the determination unit 14 in FIG. 2), and when the determination means determines that the update information is correct information, the map in the map data server A map information updating apparatus is proposed that includes an updating means for updating information (for example, the map information updating unit 15 in FIG. 2).

  The invention according to claim 7 updates the map information stored in the map data server (for example, the map data server 2 of FIG. 1) with the information from the user terminal (for example, the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b of FIG. 1). A first step of receiving update information for existing map information and post information relating to the authenticity of the update information (for example, step S201 in FIG. 5); A second step of adding an information screen provided with an icon for selecting at least the received update information, post information, and authenticity of the update information in an alternative format and distributing it to the user terminal (for example, FIG. 5 (steps S205 and S206), a third step (for example, step S207 in FIG. 5) for collecting the post information received in the first step, and the third step. In the fourth step (for example, steps S208 and S210 in FIG. 5) for determining the authenticity of the update information from the posted information collected in the step, the update information is determined to be correct information in the fourth step. A map information update method characterized by comprising a fifth step (for example, step S209 in FIG. 5) for updating the map information in the map data server.

  According to these inventions, first, update information for existing map information and post information relating to the authenticity of the update information are received from the user terminal. Next, an information screen provided with an icon for selecting at least the received update information, the posted information, and the authenticity of the update information in an alternative format is added to the existing map information and distributed to the user terminal. Then, the posting information from the user terminal is collected, the authenticity of the update information is determined from the collected posting information, and when the update information is determined to be correct information, the map information in the map data server is updated. Therefore, update information related to the map is widely collected from users, and the authenticity of this update information is determined by an alternative form of voting, and the existing map information is updated. Accurate information can be provided without taking time and effort for not only information on areas that frequently use map information but also other area information. In the present invention, “update information” is information relating to the update of map information that is initially provided for existing map information, and “post information” is the authenticity of update information. Information from other users about. Further, although the icon added to the information screen is “an icon for selecting whether the update information is true or false”, the present invention is not limited to this, and a rating such as a star may be used.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the map information updating apparatus according to claim 1, a comment entry field (for example, a comment field in FIG. 6) is provided on the information screen distributed by the distribution means. A map information update device is proposed.

  According to this invention, a user who posts information with respect to update information can transmit detailed information as text information. Therefore, a user who posts information later can vote more accurately for the update information while referring to the text information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the map information updating apparatus according to the second aspect, an icon for attaching image information related to the posted information to an information screen distributed by the distribution means (for example, an “image” icon in FIG. 6) The map information update device characterized by being provided is proposed.

  According to the present invention, post data can be attached with image data such as, for example, a photograph of the situation of an intersection or CG (Computer Graphics). Therefore, if such information is attached to the map information, for example, in navigation on a mobile phone, image information such as an intersection designated by the user can be provided, and the user can be accurately guided to the destination.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the map information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the post information collected by the information collecting means includes a plurality of pieces of post information by the same user for the same update information. A map information updating device is further provided, which further comprises a duplicate post information exclusion means (for example, a duplicate post information exclusion unit in FIG. 2) for deleting duplicate post information when detected.

  According to this invention, when the duplicate information exclusion unit detects a plurality of pieces of post information by the same user from the collected post information, the duplicate post information is deleted. In other words, even if the same user sends a plurality of pieces of post information to vote for erroneous update information intentionally sent by a specific user, this post information is as if it is true information. It is possible to prevent an erroneous determination such as. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of information determined by voting.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the map information updating apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the map information distributed by the distribution means includes past update information corresponding to the distributed map information and the update. A map information updating apparatus characterized by a post information list attached to information has been proposed.

  According to this invention, since the past update information corresponding to this and the list of post information corresponding to this update information are attached to the distributed map, what kind of update information and post information is transmitted by this list. You can easily grasp what is being done. Also, by attaching such a list, provision of new update information and provision of new post information for the update information can be promoted.

  The invention according to claim 6 is a map information update comprising a user terminal, a map data server for storing map information, and the map information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A system is proposed.

  According to this invention, a user terminal that transmits update information or posted information and a map data server that stores map information are added to the map information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and these Can be constructed via a network to construct a map information update system.

Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the present invention, there is an effect that existing map information can be updated to accurate map information in a timely manner without taking time and effort by using update information from the user for existing map information and post information corresponding thereto. is there.
Further, according to the present invention, the update of the existing map information is performed by voting based on the posted information from the user, and in particular, regarding store information such as a convenience store, an advertisement to other users by posting information Since the advertising effect can be expected, it is possible to provide more accurate and detailed map information by encouraging the posting of more information.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the constituent elements in the present embodiment can be appropriately replaced with existing constituent elements and the like, and various variations including combinations with other existing constituent elements are possible. Therefore, the description of the present embodiment does not limit the contents of the invention described in the claims.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the map information update system according to the present embodiment includes a map information update device 1, a map data server 2, a network 3, a user terminal 4a, and a mobile phone 4b. Here, the map information update device 1 stores in the map data server 2 based on information (update information and post information corresponding thereto) related to the update of the existing map information transmitted from the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b. Manage and update the map information. A specific configuration and function will be described later.

  The map data server 2 includes a database that stores map information (not shown), a communication unit that transmits and receives map information to and from the map information update device 1, and a database control unit. In response to the request, the map information in the database is transmitted to the map information update device 1, and the updated map information is received and replaced with the original map information. The database may be a hard disk or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may not be configured by a single piece of hardware, but may be an individual recording unit or a dedicated device.

  The network 3 is, for example, the Internet network, and connects the map information update device 1 to the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b, and exchanges update information of the map information and post information with respect to the update information. As the communication protocol, various communication protocols that realize information communication necessary for implementing the present invention, such as an Internet protocol such as TCP / IP, can be adopted.

  The user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b transmit the update information of the map information to the map information update device 1, or the update information of the map delivered from the map information update device 1 Send post information about authenticity. The user terminal 4a may be a desktop or laptop personal computer, and the mobile phone 4b is not limited to this, and has a communication function such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and an information display function. It may be a portable information terminal.

Next, the configuration of the map information update device will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the map information update device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a reception unit 11, an information collection unit 12, a duplicate post information exclusion unit 13, a determination unit 14, a map information update unit 15, It comprises a control unit 16, an information distribution unit 17, and a distribution information storage unit 18.

  Here, the receiving unit 11 receives post information related to the authenticity of the update information of the map information and the update information of the distributed map transmitted from the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b.

  The information collection unit 12 extracts the update information for the map information and the user identification information such as the user ID added to the post information for the update information, censors the personal information of the user, and the update received by the reception unit 11. Filter information and post information and remove mischief information and garbage information. Then, the filtered update information and post information are transmitted to the control unit 16, and the post information is transmitted to the duplicate post information excluding unit 13.

  The duplicate posting information exclusion unit 13 extracts user identification information such as a user ID added to the posting information, and among the posting information for the updated information of the same map uploaded, a plurality of posting information is transmitted from the same user. If so, delete the duplicate posting information. This is because the map information updating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment determines the credibility of the provided update information by so-called voting based on the posted information from the user. This is to prevent erroneous update information from being erroneously determined as true information if the artificially posted information from the same user as the information is accepted as it is.

  The determination unit 14 determines authenticity of the updated information on the uploaded map based on the collected post information from the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b. Specifically, a timer or a counter (not shown) is provided, for example, a predetermined period has elapsed since the upload of the map, and a predetermined number or more of post information for the update information of each map is collected. When there is a predetermined number or more of post information indicating that the updated map information is true information, the uploaded map update information is determined to be true information. When the determination unit 14 determines that the uploaded map update information is true information, the map information update unit 15 updates the existing map information with the uploaded map update information. Update information is transmitted to the map data server 2.

  The control unit 16 controls the overall operation of the map information update device 1 according to a control program stored in a storage device (not shown). In particular, in the present embodiment, the information transmitted from the information collection unit 12 is updated by comparing the posted information transmitted from the information collection unit 12 with the distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 18 described later. The information is classified into information and post information for the update information. For the update information, the corresponding map information is acquired from the map data server, and the update information is added thereto. In addition, with respect to post information for the updated map update information, the corresponding uploaded map update information is acquired from the distribution information storage unit 18, and the post information is added to this and transmitted to the information distribution unit 17. To do. Further, the update information and post information for the update information are classified and listed for each area of the map information, and this list is added to each map information and transmitted to the information distribution unit 17. Also, at the time of keyword search, update information corresponding to a keyword (for example, “Roppongi 6-chome, Minato-ku”, “Saitama City”, etc.) and a list of post information for this update information may be transmitted to the information distribution unit 17.

  The information distribution unit 17 uploads information obtained by adding update information and post information to the map information received from the control unit 16 on the network 3 toward the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b. The distribution information storage unit 18 is a database that stores distribution information distributed by the information distribution unit 17. The database may be a hard disk or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and may not be configured by a single piece of hardware, but may be an individual recording unit or a dedicated device.

  Next, using FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the update method of the map information in this embodiment is determined based on the update information providing method for the map information and the posting information for the provided update information, The explanation will be divided into the method of updating information.

<Method of providing information on updating map information>
As shown in FIG. 3, the user who provides the update information for the map information first activates a browser from the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b to access the content providing the map information (step S101). When the content providing map information is accessed, a detailed map for displaying an area where update information for the map information is to be provided is displayed on the display screens of the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b (step S102).

  Then, on the display screen of the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b, the position of the map for which information is to be provided is clicked (step S103). When the position of the map for which this information is to be provided is clicked, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. The user inputs the name of the newly found facility (for example, “Convenience Store” in FIG. 4), and clicks the type of facility (for example, “Convenience Store” in FIG. 4). For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the contents of the information are as follows: "The Roppongi Building store in Roppongi Building △△ has opened a convenience store in Roppongi. Fill in specifically as follows.

  Subsequently, the status of finding the updated information is displayed on the screen (for example, in FIG. 4, “location well known near home or work”, “location found by chance”, “other” is displayed) Click and select the location of the facility on the map screen (on the map near Roppongi 6-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo in Fig. 4). Then, by clicking the “post” button icon, the provision of update information is completed (step S104).

<How to post information>
A method of posting information for the updated information of the uploaded map will be described with reference to FIG.
A user who posts information with respect to update information activates a browser from the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b, accesses content that provides map information, and displays an area in which posted information is to be provided. The map is displayed on the display screen of the user terminal 4a and the mobile phone 4b. Then click on any point on the map. If update information and posted information exist at that point, a balloon as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  In this balloon, as update information, as shown in FIG. 6, information “Convenience store newly made here” and post information already sent for this information, for example, “○ correct” or “ × Certainly a little more east ”,“ × The corner of the intersection ”is displayed. In addition, an icon for selecting a contributor's opinion by “◯” and “×” and a comment column for this opinion are provided in the lower row. In addition to text information by comments, icons for attaching image information are also prepared for users who provide image information. In particular, the provision of image information has an advantage that, when the user performs a route search, for example, the image information at the intersection and an arrow indicating the traveling direction are displayed together, whereby the user can be accurately guided to the destination. This is useful information.

  Therefore, the user who submits the information selects the true / false of the updated information “Convenience store is here” with the “○” or “×” icon, and if necessary, the text information and image information. Attach and click the “Post” icon to post information.

  Note that even if the user incorrectly inputs post information, the information once posted cannot be corrected, and it is necessary to newly post correct information. At this time, the previously posted information and the newly posted information are handled in a state where they are not associated with each other. This is because if the modification to the information that has already been posted is approved, it is unclear at what point the posted information from other users is for the updated information or the posted information, and the credibility of the information is accurately determined. This is because it cannot be done.

<How to update map information>
Next, a map information update method will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the receiving unit 11 of the map information updating apparatus 1 receives update information provided for updating the map information and post information corresponding thereto (step S201). The received information is transmitted to the information collecting unit 12 to extract personal information such as the user ID added to the provided update information and post information, the user's name, and information about the user described in the comment column. Then, censoring is performed by removing this (step S202). Next, the information collecting unit 12 performs filtering on the update information and the posted information. As a filtering method, NG words, NG user ID information, and the like are registered in advance, and update information and posted information including the registered information are regarded as mischievous information and garbage information and removed (step S203).

  The information collection unit 12 classifies the filtered update information and post information (step S204). When the information is update information ("No" in step S204), the control unit 16 adds the update information to the corresponding map information. To the network 3 via the information distribution unit 17 (step S205).

  On the other hand, the filtered post information is added to the update information of the map uploaded by the control unit 16 and published on the network 3 via the information distribution unit 17 (step S206). As for the posted information, it is possible to browse a list of update information so far on the screen of desired map information. In addition, when a search is performed by inputting a keyword such as a place name, a list of update information related to the corresponding map information can be browsed.

  The determination unit 14 detects the number of days elapsed from the date of initial release for the updated information on each uploaded map (step S207), and the first determination criterion, for example, for those that have passed a predetermined number of days, for example, A predetermined number or more of posted information is collected for the updated information of a specific map that has been uploaded, and there is a predetermined number or more of the posted information that the updated information of the uploaded map is true information. If it is determined that the utility value is high for many users (step S208), the map information update unit 15 is instructed to update the map information (step S209). Even if the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the map information may be immediately updated for update information that seems to have high accuracy, such as a name change, abolishment of a store, or disappearance of a building. In addition, the voting result by “○” and “×” in the alternative set is converted into points such as 3 points for each “○” and −10 points for each “×”, and the total value of each point It is also possible to adopt information having a score of 10 points or more as correct information.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the update information of the uploaded specific map does not satisfy the first criterion (step S208), the second criterion, for example, the updated information of the uploaded specific map In contrast, a predetermined number or more of post information is collected, and among the post information, there is a predetermined number or more of post information that the updated information of the uploaded map is true information, but there is little access from the user When it is determined that the map information of the area is not recognized as having high utility value for the user (step S210), the map information is stored as POI data (step S211).

  If the second criterion is not satisfied, this information is discarded (step S212). In addition, if the number of posted information does not satisfy the predetermined value, but the ratio of posted information that uses this update information as true information is more than a certain level, take measures such as extending the publication period as waiting information to be confirmed. It may be taken.

  In addition, the user who provided the posting information may add a function for confirming what status the posting information is currently in. Specifically, it is used as POI (Point of Interest) although it cannot be used as a confirmed map information. ”And“ Unfortunately it has not been adopted. ” By adding such a function, it is possible to expect an effect of positively promoting post information from the user. In addition, as a measure for promptly providing information, a point may be added as a privilege to the user who provided the information. POI refers to icon data on a map. In addition, when it is adopted as map information, for example, the point data such as the target building and the name of the building are displayed, but when used as POI data, the building name or the like is obtained only with the point data. Is different in that it is not displayed.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, with respect to the existing map information, the update of the map information is performed by the update information from the user and the posted information for this, so that it does not take time and effort compared to the conventional method. The existing map information can be updated to accurate map information in a timely manner. In addition, since the map information is updated based on the update information from the user and the post information corresponding to the update information, it is possible to collect information on areas that could not be covered conventionally. Moreover, since there is an advertising element in posting information itself, it can be expected to actively collect information from users.

  As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. . For example, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which update information that has received support of a predetermined number or more is updated as true information by voting based on post information from a user. However, comment content (character information) in post information If there are more than a certain number of similar negative comments, the information presented by this negative comment may be true information, or this information may be uploaded as new information, Further, post information may be collected.

It is a block diagram of the map information update system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram of the map information update apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a processing flow in the case of providing the new contribution information regarding the update of map information. It is the figure which showed the display screen of the user terminal in the case of providing the new contribution information regarding the update of map information. It is a processing flow in the case of updating map information with post information from a user. It is the figure which showed the display screen of the user terminal in the case of posting information.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map information update apparatus 2 Map data server 3 Network 4a User terminal 4b Mobile telephone 11 Reception part 12 Information collection part 13 Duplicate contribution information exclusion part 14 Determination part 15 Map information update part 16 Control part 17 Information distribution part 18 Distribution information storage part

Claims (7)

A map information update device for updating map information stored in a map data server with information from a user terminal,
Receiving means for receiving update information for existing map information and post information relating to the authenticity of the update information;
Distribution means for adding to an existing map information an information screen provided with an icon for selecting at least the received update information, post information, and authenticity of the update information in an alternative format, and distributing to the user terminal; ,
Information collecting means for collecting the posted information received by the receiving means;
Determination means for determining the authenticity of the update information from the collected post information;
A map information updating apparatus comprising: an updating unit that updates the map information in the map data server when the determining unit determines that the update information is correct information.   2. The map information updating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a comment entry field is provided on an information screen distributed by the distribution means.   The map information updating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an icon for attaching image information related to the posted information is provided on an information screen distributed by the distribution means.   The post information collected by the information collection means further comprises duplicate post information exclusion means for deleting duplicate post information when a plurality of post information by the same user for the same update information is detected. The map information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   The list of past update information corresponding to the map information to be distributed and posted information for the update information is attached to the map information to be distributed by the distribution means. The map information update device described.   A map information update system comprising: a user terminal; a map data server that stores map information; and the map information update device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A map information update method for updating map information stored in a map data server with information from a user terminal,
A first step of receiving update information for existing map information and post information relating to the authenticity of the update information;
A second information screen provided with an icon for selecting at least the received update information, post information, and authenticity of the update information in an alternative format is added to the existing map information and distributed to the user terminal. Steps,
A third step of collecting the posted information received in the first step;
A fourth step of determining the authenticity of the update information from the posted information collected in the third step;
A map information updating method comprising: a fifth step of updating the map information in the map data server when the update information is determined to be correct information in the fourth step.

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