JP2007226688A - Position search apparatus, position search method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a position search apparatus that enables a user to easily identify candidates and easily select a target even if candidates are distributed widely. <P>SOLUTION: An address search means 14 searches an address DB 12 for address notation information matching a search key. A geographic feature information extraction means 15 extracts geographic feature information about the extracted address notation information from a map DB 13. A list display means 16 lists the extracted address notation information and geographic feature information on a display means 11. A selection means 17 selects some extracted address notation information from the list. A position extraction means 18 extracts map data corresponding to the selected extracted address notation information from the map DB 13. The user can thus easily identify and select the extracted address notation information by reference to the added geographic feature information. No separate database of information for address notation identification is necessary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a position search technique for searching for the position (position on a map) of an object from the name and address of an object input as a search key, and in particular, there are a plurality of candidates for the input object name and address. The present invention relates to a position search technique that can easily identify and extract the position of a target object even in the case of performing a search.

  In a car navigation apparatus or a map search system on the Internet, an operation of searching for and extracting a position of an object or a map around it is often performed by inputting the name and address of the object as a search key. In such a search / extraction operation, a plurality of candidates are often extracted as a result of searching the search key.

  For example, when a search key “XX building” is input as the name of an object, a plurality of candidates are extracted when there are a plurality of buildings with the name “XX building” in the database. In addition, a plurality of candidates corresponding to the search key are also extracted when a search is performed by multiplying a part of the name of the place and the name of the object such as “XX city” × “post office” as a search key. There is a case.

  When a plurality of candidates are extracted in this way, it is finally necessary for the user to select a true object from the candidates. When the user selects an object from a plurality of candidates, it is common to display a list of extracted candidates and allow the user to select an object from the list. In that case, the names of candidates and their addresses are displayed as a list so that each candidate can be identified. The user identifies each candidate with reference to the name and address of the object, and selects the object (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, a method of displaying a map together with candidate names and causing the user to select an object while referring to the map is also known (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
Japanese Patent No. 3235529 JP 2004-144484 A JP 2002-245049 A

  However, when a method is used in which a map is displayed with candidate names and addresses, and the user selects an object, the geographical range of the candidates that can be displayed is constant due to restrictions on the size of the screen on which the map or list is displayed. Limited to range. That is, there is a limit to increasing the scale of the map displayed on the screen in order to display the candidate positions so that they can be identified. Therefore, the range of candidates that can be displayed on one map is limited by the size of the screen. When trying to select other candidates that do not fit in the map on the screen, it is necessary to scroll the map and check the positions of the other candidates. Therefore, there is a problem that the object cannot be selected quickly.

  On the other hand, according to the method of displaying a list of candidate names and their addresses as a pair and allowing the user to select an object, the object can be selected with relatively few operations regardless of the range of the candidate geographical distribution. Can do.

  However, usually, there are few cases where the user accurately stores the address of the object to be searched. Usually, the approximate position of the object is stored, and a search is often performed based on the stored position. Therefore, it is difficult to select an object by referring to only candidate addresses, which is not convenient.

  Further, for example, “Fukuoka □□ city large letter △△ town XX number” and “Fukuoka prefecture □□ city large letter △ Δ town Tsukada housing complex XX number” may exist as addresses. In this case, the former “XX number” represents an address (block code), and the latter “XX number” represents a residence number. However, there are cases where both are registered in the database as “Fukuoka Prefecture □□ City Large Letter △△ Town XX Number”. In such a case, when “Fukuoka Prefecture □□ City Large △△ Town XX No.” is input as the address of the target object, a plurality of candidates are extracted. In this case, it is impossible to identify candidates only by referring to the extracted address, and the user cannot correctly select an object.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a position search technique that can present geographical feature information and make it easy for a user to confirm and select an object.

  A first configuration of the position search apparatus according to the present invention is a search database in which an index word for searching for an object and position information representing the position of the object corresponding to the index word are stored in association with each other; A map database storing map data composed of map graphic data used for graphic display and map character data used for character display on the map; search key input means for inputting a search key for designating the address of the object; Object search means for searching an index word including at least a part of the key from the search database and extracting the index word and position information corresponding to the index word; position information extracted by the object search means (hereinafter, “extraction position information”) The information indicating the geographical feature (hereinafter referred to as “geographic feature information”) is extracted from the map database. And extracted information presenting means for presenting index words (hereinafter referred to as “extracted words”) or extracted position information extracted by the object searching means and the corresponding geographical feature information to a presentation device. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, the geographic feature information acquisition unit extracts geographic feature information from the map database for each extracted position information. And extraction information presentation means adds geographical feature information to an extraction word or extraction position information, and presents it to a presentation device. Thereby, the user can easily identify and select each piece of extracted position information with reference to the added geographical feature information. Further, since the geographical feature information acquisition means extracts the geographical feature information from the map database, it is not necessary to prepare a separate database of information for identifying the address notation. Therefore, database creation, maintenance and management are facilitated.

  Furthermore, for example, when a user asks the route to the target object, the user may want to know the geographical characteristics of the target object. In such a case, if the geographical feature information that serves as a mark for the target object is known, the route can be easily transmitted to others. In such a case, by using the position search apparatus according to the present invention, the user can easily search and acquire the geographical feature information of the object.

  Here, the “index word” means a word for searching for a target object. For example, an address, a telephone number, a postal code, a feature name, and attribute information of a feature (a restaurant / amusement park / Classification of factories, color of features, number of floors, area, etc.), residence notation (name, etc.). “Geographic feature information” refers to information representing geographical features, that is, information that geographically characterizes an object. "Geographically characterize" means that a point that is a geographical landmark or a landscape element is used as a reference position, and the point is identified by showing the relative position from the reference position, or the common name of the point Characterizing a point in an identifiable manner by another name such as a name. Geographic feature information includes, for example, azimuth and distance information from specific intersections and landmarks, information on relative positions with respect to specific roads and intersections such as national and prefectural roads, common names of the points, and names of housing estates , Facility name, building name, shop name, etc.

  The “presentation device” is a device for presenting information, and a display device such as a display or a sound output device such as a speaker can be used.

  As a method of presentation by the extraction information presenting means, for example, a method of displaying the extracted position information and corresponding geographical feature information as text (character string) on a display device, a method of actually displaying on a map, a map A method of displaying in multiple windows only in the vicinity of the object, a method of displaying on a simplified map, a method of visually displaying only the object and geographical feature information using graphics such as icons and arrows And a method of reading out geographical feature information by voice using a voice output device.

  Further, when the extracted information presenting means presents the extracted word and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word, both may be presented as they are, or both may be presented in a synthesized or partially omitted form. For example, if the extracted word is “3-5-11 Zengoku, Ogura-minami-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka” and the geographical feature information is “Beside the intersection in front of Zengoku Station”, then “5-c May be presented as “No. (in front of the intersection in front of Yoshinori Station)”, but “11 (in front of the intersection in front of Yoshinori Station)” is known to be known up to “3-5, Zenkoku, Ogura Minami-ku, Fukuoka Prefecture” May be presented.

  According to a second configuration of the position search device of the present invention, in the first configuration, the extracted information presentation unit presents the extracted word and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word as text (character string). It is characterized by displaying.

  Thereby, the user can visually recognize the extracted word of the object and the geographical feature information as characters. Then, it is possible to recognize where the object is located by referring to these pieces of information.

  According to a third configuration of the position search device according to the present invention, in the first configuration, the extraction information presentation unit displays a map on the presentation device, and the extraction position information and the corresponding information on the map are displayed on the map. Geographic feature information is displayed.

  Thereby, the user can visually recognize the extraction position information and geographical feature information of the object on the map. Then, it is possible to easily and quickly recognize where the object is located with reference to this information.

  Here, as a display method of the extracted position information, for example, a method of displaying a mark (icon, point, arrow, balloon, etc.) indicating the extracted position information on a map can be employed. Furthermore, for example, the extracted words may be displayed together with the extracted position information so that the extracted position information is displayed by a balloon and the extracted words are displayed in the balloon.

  According to a fourth configuration of the position search apparatus of the present invention, in the third configuration, the extraction information presenting means displays the extracted position information and the corresponding geographical feature information by icons, arrows, and other figures. It is displayed on the map.

  Thus, by displaying the extracted position information and geographical feature information with icons, arrows, and other figures, the visibility is improved, and the user can recognize the position of the object more easily and quickly. Become.

  According to a fifth configuration of the position search apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth configurations, the target object search means is position information corresponding to an index word including at least a part of the search key. When there are a plurality of items, the position information is extracted from the search database together with the index word, and the extraction information presenting means has a plurality of the extracted position information for the extracted index word. In this case, the extracted word and each geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word are presented to a presentation device.

  In this way, by displaying a plurality of extracted words and geographical feature information for an index word that has been extracted, the user can more easily and easily find out where the object is by referring to the information. It becomes possible to recognize quickly.

  According to a sixth configuration of the position search apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth configurations, the position data on the map corresponding to the extracted position information or a predetermined range centered on the position is used. A position extracting means for extracting map data from the map database is provided.

  Thus, the user can easily identify and select each piece of extracted position information with reference to the added geographical feature information, and can also refer to the map data extracted by the position extracting means on the map. Can also be obtained, and a map around the destination can be obtained.

  According to a seventh configuration of the position search apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to sixth configurations, the object search means includes a plurality of index terms including at least a part of the search key. Is to extract all of these index words and corresponding position information from the search database, and the geographical feature information acquisition means is a case where a plurality of extracted position information is extracted by the object search means In addition, when the extracted feature information includes a plurality of extracted words, the extracted information presenting means extracts the geographical feature information about each extracted position information from the map database. The feature information is presented on a presentation device.

  Thereby, the user can acquire position information and geographical feature information of all objects corresponding to the search key, and convenience is improved.

  An eighth configuration of the position search apparatus according to the present invention is that, in the seventh configuration, the extracted information presenting means, when there are a plurality of pairs of the extracted word and the geographical feature information, The feature position information pair or the extracted position information corresponding to the extracted words is presented as a list or the like by the presentation device, and the pair of the extracted word and the geographical feature information is selected from the list or the like based on a user instruction. Or selection means for selecting extraction position information corresponding to the extracted word.

  When there is one pair of (extraction word, geographical feature information), the target object is specified as one without needing to extract the geographical feature information. When there are a plurality of pairs of (extracted words, geographical feature information), the target object cannot be specified as one, so that the geographical feature information acquisition means has (extracted words, geographical feature information). Geographic feature information is extracted for each pair. The user can specify the target object with reference to the geographical feature information and the extracted position information presented by the presentation device. In this way, the search speed can be increased by performing the search for the geographical feature information only when necessary.

  Here, “presentation as a list or the like by the presentation device” means that if the presentation device is a display device such as a display, a list of index words of geographical feature information is displayed on the display device, and is actually displayed on the map To display the map in multiple windows only in the vicinity of the object, to display it on a simplified map, or to display only the object and geographical feature information using icons, arrows, etc. This means visual display. When the presentation device is an audio output device, it means that each geographical feature information is read out and presented to the user. Therefore, “lists, etc.” means a list of (extracted words, geographical feature information) and a list of extracted position information, a plurality of pairs (extracted words, geographical feature information) and extracted position information are strings, icons, Multiple (extracted words, geographies) such as a map displayed by an arrow or a simplified map, a set of map windows displaying extracted position information and geographical feature information, and a reading list of extracted words and geographical feature information The extracted position information corresponding to the extracted feature information pair or the extracted word is presented.

  The “selection means” may be any device that can specify specific extraction position information in the list, and a combination of a keyboard, a mouse, an operation button, etc., and its control circuit or control program may be used. it can.

  According to a ninth configuration of the position search apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth configurations, the geographical feature information acquisition unit refers to the map data, and extracts each piece of extracted position information. Names other than the official names (hereinafter referred to as “common names etc.”) such as the address, common name, housing complex name, facility name, building name, or name of the shop are extracted, and the common name is geographically extracted. It is characterized by having a common name extracting means for outputting as characteristic information.

  As a result, the user can identify the target object by referring to each extracted position information and the corresponding common name or the like.

  Here, the “common name” refers to an area (town area) name conventionally used in the area other than the official address display such as large letters and small letters. For example, the address of the Suzaka City Hall in Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture is officially written as “1 of 1528 Suzaka, Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture”. 1 ”. In this case, “Toyoko Town” is a common name. In addition, for example, a street of about 400 m in Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka is called “Family high street”, but the common name of such street is also included in the common name.

  According to a tenth configuration of the position search apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth configurations, the geographical feature information acquisition unit refers to the map data and is specified by the extracted position information. Landmarks of parks, buildings, facilities, etc. closest to the location (hereinafter referred to as “extraction location”), or named landmarks on roads such as intersections, railroad crossings, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, underpasses, and gates ( Landmark etc. extracting means for extracting the name of “landmark etc.” from the map character data; orientation and distance of the extraction position viewed from the landmark etc. extracted by the landmark etc. extracting means (hereinafter “ Relative position determination means for calculating the relative position;) the name of the landmark or the like and the information on the relative position calculated by the orientation determination means are combined, Characterized in that it comprises a; relative position representation synthesizing means for generating a geographic feature information relative positional notation information of the serial extraction position.

  With this configuration, relative positions from landmarks or the like in the vicinity of the extraction position are added as geographical feature information to each extraction position information and displayed in a list. Thereby, the user can easily identify each extraction position information by a relative position from a landmark or the like.

  Here, the “landmark” means a feature such as a building, a public facility, a monument, a chimney, a historic site, a bus stop, a pedestrian bridge, and the like.

  Further, “relative position notation information of the extraction position with respect to the landmark etc.” refers to information relating to the position notation represented by a set of the name of the landmark etc. and the relative position of the extraction position with respect to the landmark etc. . For example, when the extracted landmark is “bus stop A” and the relative position of the extracted position viewed from “bus stop A” is “20 m northeast”, the position notation information is “20 m northeast from bus stop A”.

  According to an eleventh configuration of the position search apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth configurations, the geographical feature information acquisition unit refers to the map data and is specified by the extracted position information. (Hereinafter referred to as “extracted position”), a national road, a prefectural road, a road with a road name or street name (hereinafter referred to as “index road”) within a predetermined distance from the extracted position. Index road extracting means for extracting)), referring to the map data, among the intersections, parks, facilities, and other features (hereinafter referred to as “landmarks”) existing along the index road, the extraction position Landmark etc. extracting means for extracting the name of the landmark nearest to the map character data; the orientation of the extraction position as seen from the landmark etc. extracted by the landmark etc. extracting means and the above Relative position determining means for calculating the distance along the target road and the side on which the extracted position with respect to the index road exists (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”); the name of the landmark, etc. and the direction determining means Relative position notation combining means for combining relative positions and generating relative position notation information of the extracted position with respect to the landmark or the like as geographical feature information.

  With this configuration, relative positions based on the index road are added to each extracted position information from landmarks near the extracted position as geographical feature information, and are displayed in a list. Thereby, the user can easily identify each extracted position information by the relative position from the landmark and the index road.

  Here, “the side where the extraction position for the index road exists” means either the left or right side where the extraction position can be seen from the index road when proceeding along the index road from the reference landmark or the like toward the extraction position Beside the side. For example, when starting from a reference landmark (bus stop A) and proceeding along the index road (National Route XX) to the nearest position of the extraction position, the extraction position can be seen on the right side of the index road. In this case, “the side where the extraction position for the index road exists” is “the right side”. In this case, the relative position of the extraction position with respect to the bus stop A is “Right along XXm along National Highway XX”. Further, the “position notation information” is “from the bus stop A along the national highway XX line, going xxm to the right”.

  According to a twelfth configuration of the position search apparatus according to the present invention, in any one of the first to eighth configurations, the geographical feature information acquisition unit refers to the map data and is specified by the extracted position information. A section section determining means for determining whether or not the position (hereinafter referred to as “extracted position”) is within the area where the section system or a section conforming thereto (hereinafter referred to as “section section”) is made; Index road extraction means for extracting the name of the road closest to the extraction position (hereinafter referred to as “index road”) from the map data when the extraction position is determined to be within the territory; see the map data Index cross road extraction means for extracting the name of the road closest to the extraction position (hereinafter referred to as “index cross road”) from the map character data among the roads crossing the index road; the index road and the index Exchange A relative position determining means for calculating an orientation of the extracted position viewed from an intersection of a road, a distance along the index road, and a side where the extracted position with respect to the index road exists (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”); The name of the index road and the index crossing road and the relative position calculated by the direction determining means are combined, and the relative position notation information of the extracted position with respect to the intersection of the index road and the index crossing road is used as geographical feature information Relative position notation combining means for generating.

  With this configuration, relative positions based on the index road and the index crossing road near the extraction position are added to each extracted position information as geographical feature information and displayed in a list. Thereby, the user can easily identify each extracted position information by the relative position from the index road and the index intersection road.

  As used herein, the “district system or parcels (ordinance parcels)” is a parcel formed by roads laid out in a grid pattern, such as Kyoto City and Obihiro City, in the vertical and horizontal directions. The road name is attached to each road. In the case of a rule section, if the street name in the vertical direction and the street name in the horizontal direction are specified, the position of the intersection is uniquely determined. For example, in the case of Kyoto, roads are laid out in a grid pattern in the east-west direction and in the direction of the year, and the main streets in the east-west direction are "Ichijo-dori", "Nijo-dori", "Sanjo-dori", "Shijo-dori", ... Street names are named as follows: “Ashiyamachi Street”, “Teramachi Street”, “Kawaramachi Street”, “Kiyamachi Street”, and so on. In this case, if the street name in the east-west direction and the street name in the north-south direction are designated as "Shijo Kiyamachi Dori" or "Sanjo Kiyamachi Dori", the position of the intersection is uniquely determined.

  As the “location notation information”, for example, in the case of Kyoto City, “Shijo Kiyamachi Toru Leu”, “Sanjo Kiyacho Tomo Shiru first entry east entrance le south side”, etc. are used.

  The position search method according to the present invention is a search database in which an index word for searching for an object and position information indicating the position of the object corresponding to the index word are stored in association with each other; used for graphic display of a map Map database storing map data consisting of map graphic data and map character data used for displaying characters on the map; search key input means for inputting a search key for specifying an object; and presentation for displaying information A position search method for searching for a point corresponding to the search key input from the search key input means, wherein an index word including at least a part of the search key is retrieved from the search database. An object search step for searching and extracting the index word and corresponding position information; the position information extracted in the object search step; (Hereinafter referred to as “extracted position information”) information representing a geographical feature (hereinafter referred to as “geographic feature information”) is extracted from the map database, and the object search step. An extracted information presentation step of presenting the extracted index word and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted index word to a presentation device.

  The program according to the present invention is read and executed by a computer, thereby causing the computer to function as the position search device having any one of the first to twelfth configurations.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by adding the geographical feature information to the extracted word or the extracted position information and presenting the list, the user can combine the address notation and the geographical feature information together. By recognizing, it becomes possible to easily identify a target object. Further, since the geographical feature information is extracted from the map database, it is not necessary to separately prepare identification information in the search database. Therefore, database creation, maintenance and management are facilitated.

  In addition, for example, when the route to the target object is asked by another person, the user can easily search and acquire the geographical feature information of the target object by using the position search device according to the present invention. It becomes.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a position search apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an example in which the position search apparatus 1 is configured by a client / server system connected by a communication line 5 such as the Internet is shown.

  The position search apparatus 1 includes a main server 2, a database server 3, and a plurality of clients 4. The main server 2 and the database server 3 are connected via a LAN line, and the main server 2 and each client 4 are connected via a communication line 5 such as the Internet, LAN, telephone line, and radio. .

  The main server 2 executes information processing of the position search process of the present invention. The database server 3 stores a database used for position search, and is responsible for data input / output control to the database. Each client 4 accepts an input of a search key or the like by the user and transmits it to the main server 2, and displays various information transmitted from the main server 2 on a display or outputs it by voice. Responsible for terminal functions. Specifically, the client 4 is a personal computer (PC), a car navigation device, a mobile phone, a voice guidance device, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the position search apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the position search apparatus 1 is divided into three parts: a main server 2, a database server 3, and a client 4.

  The client 4 includes an input unit 10 and a presentation device 11. The input means 10 is a part where the user inputs a search key and other instructions to the position search device 1, and is configured by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The search key is a key such as a character string that designates an object. The presentation device 11 is a portion that displays a graphical user interface (GUI) such as a search screen or a map, and is configured by a display or the like. As the presentation device 11, an audio output device may be used in addition to a display device such as a display.

The database server 3 includes a search database (hereinafter referred to as “search DB”) 12 and a map database (hereinafter referred to as “map DB”) 13.
In the search DB 12, an index word for searching for an object and position information indicating the position of the object corresponding to the index word are stored in association with each other. The map DB 13 stores map data including map graphic data used for map graphic display and map character data used for character display on the map.

  The main server 2 includes an object search unit 14, a geographical feature information acquisition unit 15, an extraction information presentation unit 16, a selection unit 17, and a position extraction unit 18.

  The object search means 14 searches the search DB 12 for an index word corresponding to the search key input from the input means 10 and extracts the index word and position information corresponding to the index word. In the present embodiment, the index words are “XX prefecture”, “XXX city”, “Large letter XX”, “XX chome”, “XX address”, “XX number”, “XX”. This is character information used for the address notation of the object such as “Building XX floor”.

  The geographic feature information acquisition means 15 extracts information (geographic feature information) representing the geographic features for each extracted location information (extracted location information) from the map DB 13. Here, the “geographic feature information” refers to information that makes it possible to identify a point by indicating a relative position from the reference position, with a geographical mark or a landscape element as a reference position. Geographic feature information includes, for example, geographical landmarks or landscape elements (landmarks, intersections, etc.) as the reference position, the relative position of the object from the reference position, and the common name of the point where the object exists And other names.

  The extracted information presenting means 16 displays a list of pairs of index words (hereinafter referred to as “extracted words”) extracted by the object searching means and the corresponding geographical feature information on the presentation device 11.

  The selection unit 17 selects a (extracted word, geographical feature information) pair from a list displayed on the presentation device 11 based on a user instruction input from the input unit 10.

  Based on the extracted position information corresponding to the (extracted word, geographical feature information) pair selected by the selecting means 17, the position extracting means 18 is centered on the position data on the map represented by the extracted position information and its position. A predetermined range of map data is extracted from the map DB 13. Then, the extracted map data and target object position data are displayed on the presentation device 11.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the search DB 12. The search DB 12 in this embodiment is configured by a relational database. FIG. 3A shows the relation of each table constituting the search DB 12. FIG. 3B shows an example of specific contents of each table.

  The search DB 12 includes an area name table 20, a prefecture name table 21, an administrative district name table 22, a large name table 23, a letter / chome name table 24, an address table 25, and a branch number table 26. In FIG. 3A, the cells constituting each table represent columns (also referred to as “fields”), and the characters described in each cell represent attribute names (column names). ing. In FIG. 3A, the symbol (equation 1) that connects two columns between two tables indicates that there is a one-to-many relationship between the columns.

  The region name table 20 is a table that stores region names such as “Hokkaido”, “Tohoku”, and “Kanto”, and includes “region ID” and “region name” columns.

  The prefectural name table 21 is a table for storing prefectural names, and includes columns of “prefecture ID”, “region ID”, and “prefecture name”. The administrative district name table 22 stores administrative district names such as “Yukuhashi City”, “Hachimanishi Ward in Kitakyushu City”, and “Ogaki Town in Onga-gun”. It consists of each column of “Prefectural ID” and “Administrative District Name”. The large name table 23 is a table for storing large names, and is composed of columns of “large character ID”, “administrative district ID”, and “large character name”. The character / chome name table 24 is a table for storing character names or names, and is composed of columns of “character / chome ID”, “large character ID”, and “character / chome name”. The address table 25 is a table for storing addresses (city block codes), and is composed of columns of “address ID”, “character / chome ID”, and “address”. The branch number table 26 is a table for storing branch numbers (residential numbers), and is composed of columns of “Branch ID”, “Address ID”, “Branch”, and “Position coordinates”. The “positional coordinates” column stores the background coordinates of the point specified by the branch name.

  Here, the region name, prefecture name, administrative district name, large name, character / chome name, street address, and branch number correspond to the search key. Further, the position coordinates stored in the branch number table 26 correspond to the position information.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the map DB 13. The map DB 13 is a database having a layer structure composed of a plurality of layers. As shown in FIG. 4, the layers constituting the map DB 13 include a road network layer 31, a railway network layer 32, a feature layer 33, a terrain layer 34, an administrative boundary layer 35, a character layer 36, and the like.

  The road network layer 31 and the railway network layer 32 are layers in which the position, shape, connection relationship, attributes, and the like of the road network and the railway network are stored as graph structure data, respectively. The feature layer 33 is a layer in which attributes, positions, and the like of features such as buildings, facilities, monuments, shrines, triangle points, and watermarks displayed on the map are stored. The terrain layer 34 is a layer in which information such as position, shape, and the like regarding terrain such as contour lines, coastlines, lake shorelines, and river boundary lines is stored as graph structure data. The administrative boundary layer 35 is a layer in which information such as positions, shapes, and the like regarding administrative boundaries such as prefectural boundaries, municipalities boundaries, ward boundaries, and large character boundaries are stored as graph structure data.

  The character layer 36 is a layer that stores information such as the position, content, character attributes (font, color, etc.) of the character string displayed on the map. The character layer 36 basically has a table structure composed of columns such as “character data ID”, “content”, “position coordinates”, and “character attribute”.

  The character layer 36 is configured by a set of lower layers (landmark 1 class layer 41_1, landmark 1 class layer 41_2,..., Landmark 1 class layer 41_n, regional name layer 42, etc.).

  The landmark i type layer 41_i (i = 1, 2,..., N) stores information on names of various landmarks. Each landmark is stored in a different layer (lower layer of the character layer 36) for each type. The “type” of the landmark refers to a distinction classified by the type of landmark such as a post office, a bank, a police station, a convenience store, a department store, a river name, and a street name. FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the landmark i type layer 41_i. FIG. 5A shows columns constituting the table and their attribute names, and FIG. 5B shows a specific example of the table.

  The regional common name layer 42 stores information related to the regional common name. The “common name” refers to the name of an area (town area) that has been used in the area in addition to the official name such as large letters and small letters. FIG. 6 shows an example of the data structure of the regional common name layer 42. FIG. 6A shows the columns constituting the table and their attribute names, and FIG. 6B shows a specific example of the table.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the data structure of the road network layer 31. As described above, the road network layer 31 is graph structure data and is represented by a relational database structure in which a plurality of tables are related. FIG. 7A shows the columns constituting each table and their attribute names, and FIG. 7B shows a specific example of each table. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the road network layer 31 includes an intersection table 51, a road table 52, a connection road table 53, and a road shape table 54.

  The intersection table 51 is a table that stores information on the position of the intersection and the name of the intersection, and is constituted by columns of “intersection ID”, “intersection name”, and “intersection coordinates”. The road table 52 is a table that stores information on road attributes and road names, and is composed of columns of “road ID”, “road attribute”, and “road name”. The connection road table 53 is a table that stores information on roads connected to each intersection, and includes columns of “connection road ID”, “intersection ID”, and “road ID”. The road shape table 54 is a table for storing information related to the shape of each road, and is composed of “road shape ID”, “configuration point coordinates”, and “road ID”.

FIG. 8 shows road layer data displayed on the map. In FIG. 8, points N ₁ , N ₂ , and N ₃ represented by “●” are intersections. Further, the lines connecting the intersections are road links L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃ ,. Like the road link L _3, a road link is the curve rather than a straight line, the shape of the road link is designated by the configuration point represented by "△". The “configuration point coordinates” column of the road shape table 54 stores the start and end points of each link and the position coordinates of each configuration point.

  The operation of the position search apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the position search method according to the first embodiment.

  First, in steps S1 and S2, the user inputs a search key for displaying the address of the target object from the input unit 10 while looking at the search input screen displayed on the presentation device 11, and the target object search unit 14 is input. Based on the search key, an index word corresponding to the search key and position information corresponding thereto are extracted from the search DB 12.

  To explain with a specific example, first, the object search means 14 first displays a search key input form for selecting a region name as shown in FIG. 10A on the screen of the presentation device 11. . The user selects a region name displayed in the list box of this input form with the mouse and double-clicks to select it. The region name displayed in the list box is a search key.

  Next, the object search means 14 extracts the prefecture name corresponding to the area ID of the area name selected from the prefecture name table 21 of the search DB 12. Then, a search key input form for selecting a prefecture name as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed on the screen of the presentation device 11. The user selects a prefecture name displayed in the list box of this input form with a mouse and double-clicks it.

  Next, the object search means 14 extracts the administrative district name corresponding to the prefecture ID of the prefecture name selected from the administrative district name table 22 of the search DB 12. Then, the search key input form for selecting the administrative district name as shown in FIG. 10C is displayed on the screen of the presentation device 11. At this time, in the text box at the top of the input form, the search key determined so far (in this case, the prefecture name) is displayed. The user selects the administrative district name displayed in the list box of this input form with the mouse and double-clicks to select it.

  Similarly, while displaying the search key input form in the order of FIG. 10 (d), FIG. 11 (e), FIG. 11 (f), and FIG. 11 (g), Confirm by selecting the search key in the order of issue. When the search key up to the branch name is confirmed, the search keys for all address notations are confirmed.

  Returning to FIG. 9, next, in step S <b> 3, when the search key up to the branch name is determined, the object search means 14 searches the search DB 12, and as a result, a plurality of address notations (index words) and position information pairs. It is determined whether or not has been extracted. If only one (index word, position information) pair is extracted, the process proceeds to step S7. When a plurality of (index word, position information) pairs are extracted, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  Here, if the search key is confirmed up to the branch name, the (index word, position information) pair should be determined to be unique. However, in the actual search DB 12, the same address notation (index word) may be registered repeatedly. For example, in addition to the official residence indication for the index word “3-11, Ogura Minami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture”, in addition to the official residence indication, “ 5-11 ", where there is no block code and the house number is composed of the building number and the number of each house, the building number is the block code (address) and the number of each house is the house number (branch number) There are cases where the same index word is registered incorrectly. In addition, an address notation in which the house number is composed of a floor number and a room number, such as “3-5 Yoshinori Ogura Minami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture”, the floor number is the block code (address), the room The number may be registered incorrectly as the residence number (branch number) using the same index word. In such a case, a plurality of (index word, position information) pairs are extracted with respect to a search key of “3-5-11, Zenkoku, Kokura-minami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture”.

  In step S4, the object search means 14 extracts, for each extracted index word (extracted word), the position coordinate (extracted position) corresponding to the extracted word from the “position coordinate” column of the branch table 26 of the search DB 12. Information). Then, the geographical feature information acquisition means 15 refers to the map DB 13 and extracts and creates the geographical feature information of each extracted position information point. The details of the extraction method of geographical feature information will be described later. As a result of this processing, the geographical feature information such as “in front of the good neighbor station intersection”, “△△ Teramae”, “XX housing complex” Common names are extracted and created.

  Next, in step S5, the extraction information presentation unit 16 combines the geographical feature information (region common name) extracted in step S4 and each extracted word, and displays a list on the presentation device 11 as candidates.

  Specifically, for example, an input form for candidate selection as shown in FIG. At this time, a search key is displayed in the text box at the top of the candidate selection input form. In addition, a candidate character string synthesized from the extracted word and the geographical feature information is displayed in the list box at the bottom of the candidate selection input form. As a display method of the candidate character string, for example, “11 (in front of the good neighbor station intersection)”, “11 (△△ Teramae)”, “11 (XX housing complex)”, and the common name after the branch name Append and display.

  As a result, the user can identify the destination to be searched by referring to the regional common name even if the address is represented by the same lot number.

  Next, in step S6, the selection unit 17 waits until one candidate character string is selected from the candidate character strings displayed in a list by the user. The user selects a candidate character string displayed in the list box with a mouse and double-clicks to select a candidate.

  Next, in step S7, the position extraction unit 18 acquires position coordinates corresponding to the candidate character string selected by the user, and determines the position of the destination. Then, map data in a predetermined range centered on the determined position is retrieved and extracted from the map DB 13.

  Finally, in step S8, the position extraction means 18 displays the extracted map data on the screen of the presentation device 11, displays a mark indicating the determined position on the map, and ends the position search process. To do.

  FIG. 12 shows a display example of the map displayed on the screen of the presentation device 11 and the searched position. In FIG. 12, the position indicated by (Expression 2) is a mark indicating the searched position.

  Finally, details of the geographical feature information extraction processing in step S4 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the geographical feature information extraction process according to the first embodiment.

  First, in step S11, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 initializes the candidate number i, which is an internal variable, to 1.

Next, in step S12, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 refers to the branch table 26 of the search DB 12, and acquires the position coordinates (background coordinates) (X _i , Y _i ) of the i th candidate.

Next, in step S13, the geographical feature information acquisition means 15 searches the regional common name layer 42 of the map DB 13 and extracts the regional common name of the i-th candidate point P _i (X _i , Y _i ). . If the local common name of the i-th candidate point P _i (X _i , Y _i ) does not exist, the local common name that is within a predetermined distance from the point P _i and that is closest to the point is Search for the attached point and extract the local common name. The extracted regional common name is stored in the geographical feature information s (i).

  Next, in step S14, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 increments the candidate number i.

  Next, in step S15, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 determines whether the candidate number i is larger than the total number of candidates N. If i ≦ N, the process returns to step S12. If i> N, the extracted geographic feature information {s (i) | i = 1, 2,..., N} is output, and the geographic feature information extraction process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of address display information is extracted for one search key as a result of searching the search DB 12 using a search key for specifying address display, geographical feature information acquisition is performed. The means 15 searches the map DB 13 to extract the common name of the area at that point as geographical feature information for each address display information. Then, by displaying the list on the screen of the presentation device 11, the user can identify each geographical feature information.

  Further, the geographical feature information is not stored in advance as a table, but is created by extracting necessary information from the map DB 13 as necessary. Therefore, since it is not necessary to manage geographical feature information as a database, maintenance management of each database is simplified. In addition, since it is not necessary to register the geographical feature information in the database in advance, the user can display the geographical feature information for any valid search key (search key for specifying an actual address) and display the user. It is possible to ensure the identifiability of

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the geographical feature information extraction process according to the second embodiment. The position search apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the portions other than the geographical feature information extraction processing by the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 are the same as those in the embodiment. Suppose that it is the same as 1.

First, in step S11, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 initializes the candidate number i, which is an internal variable, to 1. Next, in step S12, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 refers to the branch table 26 of the search DB 12, and acquires the position coordinates (background coordinates) (X _i , Y _i ) of the i th candidate. Up to this point, the process is the same as in FIG.

Next, in step S21, the geographical feature information acquisition means 15 searches the landmark 1 class layer 41_1 to the landmark n class layer 41_n in the map DB 13, and the i th candidate point P _i (X _i , Y _i). ) Landmarks of parks, buildings, facilities, etc. closest to or named road markings such as intersections, railroad crossings, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, underpasses, and gates (hereinafter referred to as “landmarks”) Q _i And the position (ξ _i , η _i ) and the name NAME _i are extracted.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when P ₁ , P ₂ , and P ₃ are extracted as candidate points, the nearest landmark Q ₁ such as the candidate point P ₁ has “Zenri Clinic”, candidate points “Zenneji” is extracted from the nearest landmark of P ₂ , etc. Q ₂ , and “Zenji” is extracted from the nearest landmark, etc. Q ₃ of candidate point P ₃ .

Next, in step S22, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 calculates the azimuth θ _i and the distance d _i (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”) of the candidate point P _i viewed from the landmark Q _i or the like. Here, the azimuth θ _i (rad) and the distance d _i (m) are calculated as follows.

Next, in step S23, the geographic characteristic information obtaining unit 15, the name NAME _i information and the landmark, etc. _{Q i} on the relative position of the candidate point _{P i} as seen from the landmark, etc. _{Q i,} the direction guidance string It is created and stored in the geographical feature information s (i).

Here, the direction guidance character string is created as follows. First, referring to the azimuth θ _i , the direction character string DIR _i is determined as follows.

Then, geographic feature information s (i) is created by s (i) = NAME _i + DIR _i + d _i + (distance unit).

For example, the name NAME _i is "Zenri clinic" in the landmark such as _{Q i, θ i = 3π /} 8 (rad), d i = the case 50 of the (m), geographic features information s (i) is "Zenri clinic north “Northeast 50m”.

  Next, in step S14, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 increments the candidate number i.

  Next, in step S15, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 determines whether the candidate number i is larger than the total number of candidates N. If i ≦ N, the process returns to step S12. If i> N, the extracted geographic feature information {s (i) | i = 1, 2,..., N} is output, and the geographic feature information extraction process is terminated.

  As a result, in step S5 of FIG. 9, a candidate list is displayed on the candidate selection input form as shown in FIG. Thus, the user can grasp the approximate position of each candidate with reference to the name of a landmark or the like and the relative positional relationship, and can easily identify each candidate.

  In the third embodiment, an example of position search using a combination of an address and a keyword is shown. The configuration of the position search apparatus 1 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the search key input form includes a keyword input box 61, a location input box 62, and a candidate display list box 63, as shown in FIG. When performing a position search, the user inputs a keyword of the target object in the keyword input box 61 and inputs a part or all of the address of the target object in the place input box 62. Then, click the search button with a mouse or the like. In this case, the search key is a combination of the keyword of the target object and a part of the address of the target object.

  For example, when searching for the location of “Murayama” 's home in “Fukuoka Prefecture Eyeglass Bridge City”, as shown in FIG. Enter "Meganebashi City" (or "Meganebashi City").

  The object search means 14 first refers to the search DB 12 and extracts all addresses including a part of the address of the object of the search key to the level of the large name or the letter / chome name. Next, the object search means 14 refers to the character layer 36 of the map DB 13 and determines, for each extracted address, whether a character string corresponding to the keyword of the object exists in the address area. judge. If it does not exist, the address is discarded.

  As a result of sorting the addresses in this way, a list of remaining addresses is displayed in the candidate display list box 63. An example is shown in FIG.

  The user selects an address corresponding to the point where the target object exists from the addresses displayed in the candidate display list box 63. The address is selected by clicking one address displayed in the candidate display list box 63 with a mouse or the like, as in the first embodiment.

  When the address is selected, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 refers to the character layer 36 of the map DB 13 and matches the keyword of the target object input as the search key in the character data in the area indicated by the address. A thing or a thing including the keyword is extracted as a candidate, and the position coordinates of each candidate point are extracted. Then, geographical feature information is created for each candidate point by the same method as in the first or second embodiment.

  When the geographical feature information of each candidate is created, the extraction information presenting means 16 combines the address / branch of each candidate and the geographical feature information as shown in FIG. A list is displayed in the list box 63. The user selects an object from the list in the candidate display list box 63.

  When an object is selected, the position extraction unit 18 extracts position data on the map corresponding to the selected candidate and a predetermined range of map data centered on the position from the map DB 13. Then, the extracted map data and target object position data are displayed on the presentation device 11. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen of map data and target position data displayed when a candidate “8 (XX housing complex)” is selected from the candidate display list of FIG. is there.

  As described above, when searching for the position of the target object by combining the keyword of the target object and a part of the address, the user can display the list by adding the geographical feature information to the candidates obtained by the search. It becomes easy to identify whether each candidate matches the object.

  In the fourth embodiment, a method for extracting geographical feature information in an area where a section based on the stipulation system is provided, such as Kyoto, will be described. The configuration of the position search device 1 is the same as in the first and third embodiments.

  In the fourth embodiment, the search key input form includes a keyword input box 61, a location input box 62, and a candidate display list box 63, as shown in FIG. 19A, as in the third embodiment. Yes. When performing a position search, the user inputs a keyword of the target object in the keyword input box 61 and inputs a part or all of the address of the target object in the place input box 62. Then, click the search button with a mouse or the like. In this case, the search key is a combination of the keyword of the target object and a part of the address of the target object.

  In the example of FIG. 19A, “sushi” is input as the keyword of the target object, and “Kento-ku, Kyoto city” is input as the target object location.

  The object search means 14 first refers to the search DB 12 and extracts all addresses including a part of the address of the object of the search key to the level of the large name or the letter / chome name. Next, the object search means 14 refers to the character layer 36 of the map DB 13 and determines, for each extracted address, whether a character string corresponding to the keyword of the object exists in the address area. judge. If it does not exist, the address is discarded. As a result of sorting the addresses in this way, a list of remaining addresses is displayed in the candidate display list box 63. An example is shown in FIG.

  The user selects an address corresponding to the point where the target object exists from the addresses displayed in the candidate display list box 63. The address is selected by clicking one address displayed in the candidate display list box 63 with a mouse or the like, as in the first embodiment.

  When the address is selected, the geographical feature information acquisition unit 15 refers to the character layer 36 of the map DB 13 and matches the keyword of the target object input as the search key in the character data in the area indicated by the address. A thing or a thing including the keyword is extracted as a candidate, and the position coordinates of each candidate point are extracted. Then, geographical feature information is created for each candidate point.

Here, in the fourth embodiment, geographical feature information is created as follows. First, the geographic characteristic information obtaining means 15, among the intersections of roads between the street is attached intersect, it extracts those closest relative point P _i of each candidate. Hereinafter, the extracted intersection is referred to as a reference intersection O. Here, for example, in the case of Kyoto City, the “road with a street name” means a road with a street name in the east-west direction such as “Sanjo Street” or “Nanajo Street”, or “Kiya” Roads with street names attached, such as “Machi-dori” and “Kawaramachi-dori”.

Next, the geographic characteristic information obtaining unit 15, the path from the reference intersection O to the candidate point P _i (hereinafter referred to as "guided route".) To explore. The search for the guide route starts from the reference intersection O along the street in the north-south direction, then goes along the street in the east-west direction, and searches for a route that forms a broken line that advances alternately in the north-south direction and the east-west direction. To do.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 20, with respect to the candidate point P _1, reference intersection O is set to the intersection with the "Shichijo Road" and "Good Neighbor town street" intersect. Then, a route L ₁ is extracted as a guide route from the reference intersection O to the candidate point P ₁ .

In addition, even for a candidate point P _2, reference intersection O is set to the intersection with the "seven Article Street" and "good-neighborly town street" intersect. Then, as the guide route from the reference intersection O to the candidate point P _2, the path L ₂ are extracted.

Next, the geographical feature information acquisition means 15 synthesizes a guide character string from the extracted street name and guide route. For example, in the case of the candidate point P _{1 in} the example of FIG. 20, the street names intersecting at the reference intersection O are “Nanajo Street” and “Zennemachi Street”, and the guidance route is the route L ₁ . Path L ₁ is, has advanced to the west to after traveling to the only ray of minutes north from the reference intersection O. In Kyoto City, going north is called “upper” and going south is called “lower”. Thus, the guide string representing the guide route L ₁ is "Agaru earnest eyes Nishiiri le". In addition, since the reference intersection O is an intersection between “Zenjyomachi-dori” and “Nanajo-dori”, the guide character string is synthesized as “Zenjyori-cho, Shichijo-kami, Ichime-me Nishiiri”.

Similarly, in the case of the candidate point P _2, guide strings are synthesized as "good-neighborly town through seven under article le devoted eyes Nishiiri Le".

  When the guide character string is created as described above, the geographic feature information acquisition means 15 outputs this as geographic feature information.

  When the geographical feature information of each candidate is created, the extraction information presenting means 16 combines the address / branch of each candidate and the geographical feature information as shown in FIG. A list is displayed in the list box 63. The user selects an object from the list in the candidate display list box 63.

  When an object is selected, the position extraction unit 18 extracts position data on the map corresponding to the selected candidate and a predetermined range of map data centered on the position from the map DB 13. Then, the extracted map data and target object position data are displayed on the presentation device 11. FIG. 21 shows map data and target object position data that are displayed when a candidate of “XX address (Zennecho-Dori Shijo Shimoshita Nishi Iru)” is selected from the candidate display list of FIG. 19B. It is a figure showing the example of these display screens.

It is a figure showing the system configuration | structure of the position search apparatus 1 which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram showing the function structure of the position search apparatus 1 which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure showing the data structure of search DB12. It is a figure showing the data structure of map DB13. It is a figure showing the example of the data structure of landmark i kind layer 41_i. It is a figure showing the example of the data structure of the regional common name layer 42. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a road network layer 31. FIG. It is a figure showing the data of the road layer displayed on a map. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a position search method according to the first embodiment. It is a figure showing the example of a search key input form. It is a figure showing the example of a search key input form and a candidate selection input form. It is a figure showing the example of a display of the map displayed on the screen of the presentation apparatus 11, and the searched position. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of geographic feature information extraction processing according to the first embodiment. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of geographic feature information extraction processing according to the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of extraction of a landmark etc. It is a figure showing the example of the candidate selection input form in Example 2. FIG. It is a figure showing the example of the search key input form in Example 3, and a candidate selection input form. It is a figure showing the example of the display screen of the map data displayed when the candidate of "8 (XX housing complex)" is selected from the candidate display list | wrist of FIG.17 (b), and the position data of a target object. It is a figure showing the example of the search key input form in Example 4, and a candidate selection input form. It is a figure showing the example of the route setting from a reference | standard intersection to a candidate point. The map data displayed when the candidate “xx address (Kiyamachi-Dori Shijo-shita Ishime Nishi-Iru)” is selected from the candidate display list of FIG. 19B and the position data of the target object. It is a figure showing an example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Position search apparatus 2 Main server 3 Database server 4 Client 5 Communication line 10 Input means 11 Presentation apparatus 12 Search database (search DB)
13 Map database (Map DB)
14 Object search means 15 Geographic feature information acquisition means 16 Extraction information presentation means 17 Selection means 18 Location extraction means 20 Region name table 21 Prefecture name table 22 Administrative district name table 23 Large name table 24 Character / chome name table 25 Address Table 26 Branch number table 31 Road network layer 32 Railway network layer 33 Feature layer 34 Terrain layer 35 Administrative boundary layer 36 Character layer 41_1 Landmark class 1 layer 41_2 Landmark class 1 layer 41_n Landmark class 1 layer 42 Regional common name layer 51 intersection table 52 road table 53 connected road table 54 road shape table 61 keyword input box 62 place input box 63 candidate display list box

Claims (14)

A search database in which an index word for searching for an object and position information indicating the position of the object corresponding to the index word are stored in association with each other;
A map database storing map data consisting of map graphic data used for map graphic display and map character data used for character display on the map;
Search key input means for inputting a search key for specifying an object;
Object search means for searching an index word including at least a part of the search key from the search database, and extracting the index word and position information corresponding to the index word;
Geographic feature information for extracting information (hereinafter referred to as “geographic feature information”) representing the geographic features of the location information (hereinafter referred to as “extracted location information”) extracted by the object search means from the map database. Acquisition means;
And extracted information presenting means for presenting index words (hereinafter referred to as “extracted words”) or extracted position information extracted by the object searching means and the corresponding geographical feature information to a presentation device;
A position search device comprising:   2. The position search device according to claim 1, wherein the extracted information presenting means displays the extracted word and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word as text (character string) on the presenting device.   2. The position search apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extracted information presenting means displays a map on the presenting apparatus and displays the extracted position information and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted position information on the map.   4. The position search apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the extracted information presenting means displays the extracted position information and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted position information on the map by an icon, an arrow, and other figures. When there are a plurality of pieces of position information corresponding to an index word including at least a part of the search key, the object search means extracts the position information together with the index word from the search database.
The extracted information presenting means, when there are a plurality of the extracted position information for the extracted word, presents the extracted word and each of the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word to a presentation device. The position search device according to any one of 4.   The position according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising position extraction means for extracting, from the map database, position data on a map corresponding to the extracted position information or map data in a predetermined range centered on the position. Search device. When there are a plurality of index words including at least a part of the search key, the object search means extracts all index words and corresponding position information from the search database.
The geographical feature information acquisition means is for extracting, from the map database, geographical feature information for each extracted position information when a plurality of the extracted position information is extracted by the object search means.
7. The extracted information presenting means, when there are a plurality of extracted words, presents each extracted word and the geographical feature information corresponding to the extracted word to a presentation device. Location search device. When there are a plurality of pairs of the extracted word and the geographical feature information, the extracted information presenting means provides the extracted position information corresponding to the extracted word and the geographical feature information, or the extracted position information corresponding to the extracted words by the presentation device. It is presented as a list etc.
The position according to claim 7, further comprising selection means for selecting a pair of the extracted word and the geographical feature information from the list or the like based on a user instruction, or extracted position information corresponding to the extracted word. Search device.   The geographical feature information acquisition means refers to the map data, and other than the official name such as an address, a common name, an apartment name, a facility name, a building name, or a shop name specified by the extracted position information. 9. A name or the like extraction unit for extracting a name (hereinafter referred to as “common name or the like”) and outputting the common name or the like as geographical feature information is provided. The described position search device. The geographical feature information acquisition means includes:
Referring to the map data, landmarks such as parks, buildings, and facilities closest to the position specified by the extracted position information (hereinafter referred to as “extracted position”), or intersections, railroad crossings, bridges, overpasses, tunnels, Landmark extraction means for extracting the names of designated landmarks (hereinafter referred to as “landmarks”) on roads such as underpasses and caves from the map character data;
Relative position determining means for calculating the orientation and distance (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”) of the extracted position as viewed from the landmarks extracted by the landmark etc. extracting means;
Relative position notation composition that combines the name of the landmark etc. and the information of the relative position calculated by the azimuth determining means, and generates relative position notation information of the extracted position with respect to the landmark etc. as geographical feature information means;
The position search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The geographical feature information acquisition means includes:
With reference to the map data, national roads, prefectural roads, roads with road names or street names within a predetermined distance from the position specified by the extracted position information (hereinafter referred to as “extracted position”) ( Hereinafter referred to as “index road”) index road extraction means for extracting;
Of the intersections, parks, facilities, and other features (hereinafter referred to as “landmarks”) existing along the indicator road with reference to the map data, the names of the landmarks closest to the extraction position A landmark etc. extracting means for extracting the map character data from
The direction of the extracted position viewed from the landmarks extracted by the landmark extracting means, the distance along the index road, and the side where the extracted position with respect to the index road exists (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”). Relative position determining means for calculating
Relative position notation combining means for combining the name of the landmark or the like and the relative position calculated by the orientation determining means and generating relative position notation information of the extraction position with respect to the landmark or the like as geographical feature information;
The position search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The geographical feature information acquisition means includes:
Referring to the map data, the location specified by the extracted position information (hereinafter referred to as “extracted position”) is within the area where the stipulation system or a section equivalent thereto (hereinafter referred to as “sato territory”) is made. Article zone determination means for determining whether or not
Index road extraction means for extracting, from the map data, the name of the road closest to the extraction position (hereinafter referred to as “index road”) when the extraction position is determined to be within the territory;
Index crossing road extraction means for referring to the map data and extracting the name of the road closest to the extraction position (hereinafter referred to as “index crossing road”) from the map character data among roads crossing the index road;
The direction of the extracted position viewed from the intersection of the index road and the index intersection road, the distance along the index road, and the side where the extracted position with respect to the index road exists (hereinafter referred to as “relative position”) are calculated. Means for determining relative position;
The name of the index road and the index intersection road and the relative position calculated by the direction determining means are synthesized, and the relative position notation information of the extracted position with respect to the intersection of the index road and the index intersection road is geographical feature information. Relative position notation combining means generated as:
The position search apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A search database in which an index word for searching for an object and position information indicating the position of the object corresponding to the index word are stored in association with each other;
A map database storing map data consisting of map graphic data used for map graphic display and map character data used for character display on the map;
Search key input means for inputting a search key for specifying an object;
And a presentation device for presenting information;
A position search method for searching for a spot corresponding to the search key input from the search key input means,
An object search step of searching the search database for an index word including at least a part of the search key and extracting the index word and position information corresponding to the index word;
Geographic features for extracting information (hereinafter referred to as “geographic feature information”) representing the geographical features of the location information (hereinafter referred to as “extracted location information”) extracted in the object search step from the map database. Information acquisition step;
And an extracted information presentation step for presenting the index word extracted in the object search step and the geographical feature information corresponding to the index word to a presentation device;
Location search method with A program that causes a computer to function as the position search device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 by being read and executed by a computer.

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