JP2007199627A - Map information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stepwise map wherein a map user's moving capability is considered. <P>SOLUTION: A walking history administrating section 210 of a map information providing server 200 stores walking history information (moving history information) repeatedly transmitted from mobile terminals 106-108. The walking history information (moving history information) includes transmitter's walking capability level information itself or information (such as ID) enabling identification of the transmitter's walking capability level. A map creating and providing section 220 receives a request for a map for moving from the mobile terminals 106-108, other fixed terminals and mobile terminals, etc., superposes the walking history information (moving history information) matching the walking capacity level on the map information matching the requested map area to create/transmit a map for walking. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information providing method, a map information providing system, an apparatus and a program used therefor, and in particular, a method for providing a map in consideration of the moving ability of a person who uses a map, a map information providing system, and a map information providing system used therefor The present invention relates to an apparatus and a program.

  In recent years, with the spread of mobile phones with GPS functions, the number of users of route guidance for pedestrians (route navigation for pedestrians) has increased. A general route guidance service searches for a route through which a healthy person can pass, and does not provide route guidance that takes into account steps, hills, road widths, and the like that hinder the walking of elderly and disabled people.

  A barrier-free map for wheelchair users is known, but it takes a lot of time and labor to create a truly usable map, so it can be used in limited places such as stations, underground malls, and public facilities. It is the current situation that only has been created. Under such circumstances, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-240592 proposes a method for automatically creating a barrier-free map by using a terminal with a GPS function to draw up the route of a wheelchair and overwrite it on map information. ing.

JP 2003-240592 A

  However, a general barrier-free map including a map created according to Patent Document 1 has a problem that a difference in movement ability of each person is not taken into consideration. For example, it is not always necessary to guide a person who can walk through stairs with a handrail or who can walk with a cane to a distant slope. In addition, even if you say a wheelchair in one bite, there are those that operate the wheel by hand and those that are electric, and you want to move the shortest route with an elevator, or you want to avoid a route that is congested even if you make a slight turn There are various user needs such as users.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a map information providing method, a map that can provide a step-by-step map in consideration of a map user's ability to move. An object is to provide an information providing system, an apparatus used for the information providing system, and a program.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information providing server that creates a moving map using a movement history of a mobile terminal received from a mobile terminal with a GPS function, wherein the map is provided from the mobile terminal with a GPS function. Means for receiving a movement ability level indicating the degree of movement ability of a person who uses the GPS, means for associating the position information received from the mobile terminal with GPS function with the movement ability level, and recording it as movement history information, In response to a request for a map for movement from an arbitrary terminal that specifies the travel capability level and the map range, the travel history information suitable for the travel capability level is superimposed on the map information suitable for the requested map range. In addition, a map information providing server and a program thereof characterized by comprising a means for creating and transmitting a map for movement are also provided.

  Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided means for transmitting to the above-described map information providing server a movement capability level indicating the degree of movement capability of the person using the map and position information. Thus, a portable terminal with a GPS function that can record the movement history information in the above map information providing server and a program thereof are provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a map information providing method using the above-described portable terminal with GPS function and a map information providing server, wherein the portable terminal with GPS function includes the map information. A step of designating a moving ability level indicating a degree of moving ability of a person who uses the map to the providing server, and repeatedly transmitting position information at predetermined time intervals; and Associating the location information received from the mobile terminal with a function with the movement capability level and recording it as movement history information, and for requesting a map for movement from any terminal that specifies at least the movement capability level and the map range In response, the map information providing server creates a moving map by synthesizing the movement history information suitable for the moving ability level and the map information suitable for the map range. And, it includes sending, and the map information feasible map information providing system provides a method and the method of, wherein is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily create a plurality of maps according to the moving ability of the map user. The reason is that the map creator or its collaborators can specify the travel capability level, collect travel history information just by walking with a portable terminal with GPS function, and create a travel map that matches the travel capability level. It is configured so that it can be created and provided.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the outline of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIG. Here, the users are stratified into three levels of walking ability levels of a healthy person, an elderly person, and a wheelchair user, and the healthy person 102, the elderly person 103, and the wheelchair user 104 respectively carry the mobile terminals 106 to 108. It will be explained as a thing.

  The mobile terminals 106 to 108 are terminal devices such as mobile phones having a GPS function for receiving positioning data from the GPS satellite 101. The mobile terminals 106 to 108 can be connected to the map information providing server 200 via the base station 109.

  The map information providing server 200 is an information processing apparatus including a walking history management unit 210 and a map creation providing unit 220. The walking history management unit 210 records walking history information (movement history information) that is repeatedly transmitted from the mobile terminals 106 to 108. The walking history information includes the sender's walking ability level information itself or information (ID or the like) that can specify the walking ability level. The map creation providing unit 220 receives a request for a map for movement from any terminal such as the mobile terminals 106 to 108, other fixed terminals, mobile terminals, etc., and adds the walking ability to the map information suitable for the requested map range. A travel map is created and transmitted by superimposing walking history information (movement history information) that matches the level (movement ability level).

  As described above, in the map information providing server 200, actual walking histories (movement histories) of users having different walking (ability) levels are obtained in real time. Then, by superimposing the walking history (movement history) corresponding to the walking (ability) level requested by the user and general map information, a highly practical moving map can be automatically created and provided.

  Next, a detailed configuration for embodying the gist of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the map information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As for the walking (ability) level of the user, it is possible to perform finer stratification, but hereinafter, as in FIG. 1, the walking (ability) level of the three levels of a healthy person, an elderly person, and a wheelchair user will be described. It is assumed that the user uses this system.

  The mobile terminals 106 to 108 are terminal devices such as mobile phones having a GPS function for receiving positioning data from the GPS satellite 101. For example, by selecting the item “map creation” from the menu screen, the map creation mode is set. Transition to automatic connection to the map information providing server 200. Then, after connecting to the map information providing server 200, the mobile terminals 106 to 108 provide walking history information (registration ID (ID), date and time) to the map information providing server 200 based on the positioning information received from the GPS satellite 101. The information (Time) and the positional information (Point) essential items and any specific facility information (Facility) are repeatedly transmitted.

  The map information providing server 200 includes an information receiving unit 201, a user information managing unit 202, a map request receiving unit 203, a walking history managing unit 210, a specific facility information registering unit 204, a map information managing unit 205, a map And a creation providing unit 220.

  The information receiving unit 201 determines whether a registration ID (user ID) included in the walking history information received from the mobile terminals 106 to 108 is registered in the user information management unit 202, or whether specific facility information is attached. In accordance with the confirmation result, the walking history information is discarded and handed over to the walking history management unit 210 or the specific facility information registration unit 204.

  The user information management unit 202 is means for managing user attribute information and the like including a registration ID (user ID) and a walking (ability) level of each user.

  The map request accepting unit 203 uses a suitable input device or a web site on the Internet, etc. to determine the walking (ability) level, the required map range, the time zone in which the map is used, the necessity of outputting a marker for a specific facility, etc. It is a means for accepting a map creation request specifying a creation condition.

  The walking history management unit 210 includes a position information registration unit 211 that registers position information included in the walking history information, a time information registration unit 212 that registers the transmission date and time of walking history information, and the walking (ability) level of the walking history information sender. Is a means for managing walking history information of a registered user using a registration number n given in common to the walking level information registration unit 213 that registers the walking level information.

  The specific facility information registration unit 204 is a means for accepting registration of locations of “specific facilities” such as multipurpose toilets (barrier-free toilets), elevators, various public facilities, and construction areas from the mobile terminals 106 to 108. On the other hand, the numeric keys of the portable terminals 106 to 108 that are transmitting the walking history information in the map creation mode are assigned to the type of “specific facility”. Therefore, in the mobile terminals 106 to 108, for example, when the numeric key “1” is pressed, the walking history information indicating that the “multipurpose toilet (barrier-free toilet)” corresponding to the numeric key “1” is at the position is displayed. Sent. In this way, it is possible to collect information on the “specific facility” with a small user burden.

  The map information management unit 205 is means for storing general map information (elementary map) created at various scales. By plotting the walking history (movement history) of other users and the location of the specific facility on this general map information (elementary map), the moving map referred to in the present invention is created.

  The map creation providing unit 220 also includes a condition selection unit 221 that searches for walking history information that meets the conditions specified by the map request reception unit 203, and a condition selection unit 221 that maps the map information acquired from the map information management unit 205. The map creation unit 222 for creating a travel map in which the walking history information retrieved in step 1 and the specific facility information acquired from the specific facility information registration unit 204 are superimposed, and the travel map created by the map creation unit 222 It is comprised from the map transmission part 223 to transmit.

  Next, the operation of the map information providing server 200 having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 3 showing the operation of the map information providing system according to the present embodiment, a movement history collection process which is a premise of the moving map will be described.

  The information receiving unit 201 of the map information providing server 200 receives the walking history information from the mobile terminals 106 to 108 operating in the map creation mode (step 301), and compares the information with the registration ID of the user information management unit 202, and the mobile terminal It is confirmed whether the users 106 to 108 are regular registered users (step 302).

  As a result of the confirmation in step 302, if the walking history information is not from a regular registered user, the walking history information is discarded (No in step 302). On the other hand, when the walking history information is from a legitimate registered user (Yes in step 302), the information receiving unit 201 of the map information providing server 200 determines whether or not the specific facility information is attached to the received data. Confirm (step 303).

  As a result of the confirmation in step 303, when the specific facility information is attached to the received data (Yes in step 303), each information included in the walking history information is stored in the specific facility information registration unit 204 as will be described later. It is sent and registered as specific facility information (steps 307 and 308).

  On the other hand, if the specific facility information is not attached to the received data as a result of the confirmation in step 303 (No in step 303), the information reception unit 201 of the map information providing server 200 receives the walking history from the user information management unit 202. The walking (ability) level corresponding to the information ID is read (step 304).

  When the reading of the walking (ability) level is completed, the information receiving unit 201 of the map information providing server 200 is registered in common for the walking (ability) level (Level), the date / time information (Time), and the position information (Point). A number n is generated (step 305).

  When the generation of the registration number n is completed, the walking history information is sent to the walking history management unit 210, and using the registration number n, the walking (ability) level (Level_n), date / time information (Time_n), and position information (Point_n) Thus, they are stored in association with each other (step 306).

  On the other hand, when the specific facility information is attached to the walking history information and registered as the specific facility information, the information receiving unit 201 of the map information providing server 200 displays the date and time information (Time), the position information (Point), and the specific facility information ( A registration number m commonly given to (Facility) is generated (step 307).

  When the generation of the registration number m is completed, the walking history information is sent to the specific facility information registration unit 204, and using the registration number m, date and time information (Time_m), position information (Point_m), and specific facility information (Facility_m) Are stored in association with each other (step 308).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a process for creating a moving map using the walking history information and the specific facility information collected as described above will be described.

  First, the map request receiving unit 203 of the map information providing server 200 receives a map creation condition directly from a person who needs a map or from a terminal operated by the person (step 401). Here, description will be made assuming that the map creation range (Range_x), walking (ability) level (Level_x), required time zone (Time_Zone_x), and output of a specific facility = ON (Facility_x) are specified.

  When a map creation condition is input, the condition selection unit 221 of the map information providing server 200 first reads map information (map_x) corresponding to the map creation range (Range_x) from the map information management unit 205, The data is sent to the map creation unit 222 (step 402).

  Subsequently, the condition selection unit 221 of the map information providing server 200 reads all walking history information having position information (Point) included in the map creation range (Range_x) from the walking history management unit 210 (step 403).

  Subsequently, the condition selection unit 221 of the map information providing server 200 outputs the walking history information that matches the map creation condition to the map creation unit 222 as output point information (Point_y) (step 404). In this example, the map creation range (Range_x), the walking (ability) level (Level_x), and the required time zone (Time_Zone_x) are specified, so the walking (ability) level (Level_n), date / time information (Time_n), position Only the walking history information in which all the information (Point_n) satisfies the map creation condition is output to the moving map.

  The map creation unit 222 performs appropriate image processing such as changing the color of a route that can be passed using the map information (Map_x) output in step 402 and the output point information (Point_y), and generates a map creation request. A moving map (Map_y) suitable for the designated walking (ability) level and time zone is created (step 405).

  Further, the condition selection unit 221 of the map information providing server 200 confirms whether or not the output necessity (Facility_x) of the specific facility is specified in the map creation condition (step 406).

  In this example, since it is designated that the output of the specific facility = necessary, the condition selection unit 221 of the map information providing server 200 reads out the specific facility information belonging to the map creation range (Range_x) from the specific facility information registration unit 204. Then, it is transmitted to the map creation unit 222 (step 407).

  The map creation unit 222 further overwrites the map information (Map_y) created in Step 405 with the specific facility information read out in Step 407, and the moving map (Map_y) in which the location of the specific facility information is plotted. Is created (step 408).

  The moving map (Map_y) created in step 405 or step 408 is saved and can be transmitted from the map transmission unit 223 (step 409).

  As described above, it is possible to provide a map on which an actual movement trajectory of another user having the same walking ability or a map creation collaborator is drawn to a person having the same walking ability. For example, if it is an elderly person who can walk at a level of up to 10 cm, it provides a walking history (movement history) necessary for creating a route map with only a level of up to 10 cm, not a barrier-free map for wheelchair users. In addition, the service itself can be received.

  In this embodiment, since the walking history is searched in consideration of the time zone that requires a map, there is no problem in walking ability, but the route is extremely difficult to pass due to heavy traffic at that time. In addition, there is no lighting at night and no dangerous route is presented, so it is possible to avoid crowds and walking alone at night.

  Furthermore, in the map information providing server, if the terminal density information of portable terminals including portable terminals with a GPS function in each base station can be obtained, the terminal density information of a predetermined partition unit is overlaid on the moving map. It is also effective to combine them. The high terminal density information means that there are many people, and this also makes it possible to avoid crowds and walking alone on the night road.

  In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the specific facility information registered in the original map information, since information on various facilities can be widely collected from the user, other users or cartographers found it while walking It is possible to provide a moving map that reflects the latest information on “specific facilities” such as police, wheelchair toilets, and construction areas.

  In the above-described embodiment, the walking ability level is divided into three levels, that is, a healthy person, an elderly person, and a wheelchair user. However, according to the principle of the present invention, the level may be divided into more levels. Is possible. For example, at the time of user registration, if you are asked to answer a simple questionnaire such as whether you can go up and down stairs, whether you can use escalators, whether long-distance slope movement is difficult, etc. It is also possible to collect walking histories (movement histories) according to levels and provide a moving map according to more detailed movement ability levels. In particular, if you specify multiple movement ability level determination items and collect and register walking history (movement history), you can set map creation conditions by combining multiple movement ability level determination items. Become.

  In the embodiment described above, walking history information having the same walking (ability) level (Level_n) has been described as being output to the map. However, if the walking history of walking (ability) level is not registered, You may enable it to output the walk history information of the step (ability) level of a step. In this way, even if the walking history of the same level (walking ability) level as that of me is not registered, the walking history of the nearest walking (ability) level is referred to and the walking history information is registered. It becomes possible.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the date / time information (Time_n) included in the walking history is used only for matching with a condition (time zone) when creating a map, but the past one week, the past one month, etc. It is also preferable to perform control so as not to display the walking history that has become somewhat old. In this way, it is possible to deal with a case where a road that has been able to pass due to construction or the like cannot be passed.

  In the embodiment described above, the date / time information (Time_n) has been described as included in the walking history information from the mobile terminal side, but may be recorded on the map information providing server 200 side when the walking history information is received. .

  Further, when registering the walking history, the weather information (weather, temperature, etc.) input from the mobile terminal side or the map information providing server side is registered in association with the weather of the requested map range and the weather of the same condition. It is also preferable to construct the map using only the walking history information associated with the information. In this way, roads that have roofs and no puddles are displayed on rainy days, and travel that matches the weather when using the map, such as passing through an air-conditioned building on hot and cold days as much as possible. A map can be obtained.

It is a figure showing the outline | summary of the map information provision system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure showing the detailed structure of the map information provision system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the map information provision system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the map information provision system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 GPS satellite 102 User (Healthy person)
103 users (old people)
104 users (wheelchair users)
106 to 108 Mobile terminal 109 Base station 200 Map information providing server 201 Information receiving unit 202 User information managing unit 203 Map request receiving unit 204 Specific facility information registering unit 205 Map information managing unit 210 Walking history managing unit 211 Location information registering unit 212 Time Information registration unit 213 Walking level information registration unit 220 Map creation providing unit 221 Condition selection unit 222 Map creation unit 223 Map transmission unit

Claims (13)

A map information providing server that creates a map for movement using a movement history of a portable terminal received from a portable terminal with a GPS function,
Means for receiving from the portable terminal with GPS function a mobility level indicating the degree of mobility of a person using the map;
Means for associating the position information received from the mobile terminal with GPS function with the mobility level and recording it as movement history information;
In response to a request for a map for travel from an arbitrary terminal that specifies at least the travel capability level and the map range, travel history information that matches the travel capability level is added to map information that conforms to the requested map range. A means for creating a map for movement by superimposing and transmitting it,
A map information providing server characterized by A map information providing server that creates a map for movement using a movement history of a portable terminal received from a portable terminal with a GPS function,
Means for receiving from the portable terminal with GPS function a mobility level indicating the degree of mobility of a person using the map;
Means for associating the position information received from the portable terminal with GPS function with the movement capability level and the reception time, and recording it as movement history information;
In accordance with a request for a map for movement from any terminal that specifies at least the movement capability level and the map range, the movement capability level and the time zone are adapted to the map information that matches the requested map range. Means for creating and transmitting a map for movement by superimposing history information,
A map information providing server characterized by Furthermore, it has a means for receiving information on the facility at the current location from the mobile terminal with GPS function,
Creating and sending a travel map plotting information about the facility;
The map information providing server according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. When receiving a request for a map for movement specifying the movement capability level and the required map range from the mobile terminal with GPS function,
Creating and transmitting a map for movement using movement history information of the same or nearest movement ability level to the received movement ability level to the mobile terminal with GPS function;
The map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Furthermore, it comprises means for managing terminal density information of mobile terminals including the mobile terminal with GPS function for each area constituting the map for movement,
Creating and transmitting a moving map on which the terminal density information is superimposed;
The map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein Creating the moving map using only the movement history information recorded in the past predetermined period;
The map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein And means for associating and recording the movement history information and the weather information of the map range corresponding to the movement history information;
Creating the moving map using movement history information associated with weather information corresponding to the current weather in the requested map range when receiving the request for the moving map;
The map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A means for transmitting to the map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7 a transmission ability level indicating a degree of movement ability of a person who uses the map, and position information,
A mobile terminal with a GPS function capable of recording the movement history information on the map information providing server. A specific key is assigned the type of facility to be displayed on the map,
By pressing the specific key, information on the facility at the current location can be transmitted to the map information providing server,
The portable terminal with a GPS function according to claim 8.   A map providing system for movement comprising: the map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a mobile terminal group including the mobile terminal with a GPS function according to claims 8 and 9. A map information providing method using a mobile terminal with a GPS function and a map information providing server capable of receiving a movement history of the mobile terminal from the mobile terminal with the GPS function,
A step in which the mobile terminal with GPS function repeatedly transmits position information at predetermined time intervals after designating a mobility level indicating a degree of mobility of a person who uses a map to the map information providing server; When,
The map information providing server associates the position information received from the GPS function mobile terminal with the movement capability level and records it as movement history information;
In response to a request for a map for movement from an arbitrary terminal that specifies at least the movement capability level and the map range, the map information providing server matches the movement history information and the map range to which the movement capability level matches. Synthesizing map information to create and send a map for travel,
Providing map information characterized by A program that is executed by a map information providing server that creates a map for movement using a movement history of a portable terminal received from a portable terminal with a GPS function,
A process of receiving a mobility level indicating the degree of mobility of the person using the map from the mobile terminal with GPS function;
A process of associating position information received from the mobile terminal with GPS function with the movement capability level and recording it as movement history information;
In response to a request for a map for travel from an arbitrary terminal that specifies at least the travel capability level and the map range, travel history information that matches the travel capability level is added to map information that conforms to the requested map range. The program which makes the said map information provision server perform the process which produces the map for movement by superimposing and transmits. Processing for transmitting a travel capability level indicating a degree of travel capability of a person using a map to the map information providing server according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
The program which makes the said portable terminal with a GPS function perform the process which transmits position information repeatedly with respect to the said map information provision server.

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