JP2007257080A - Spot information retrieval device, spot information retrieval method and program for retrieving spot information and program for updating spot information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a spot information retrieval device for surely and more quickly performing the retrieval and update of spot information. <P>SOLUTION: This navigation device 1 is provided with a POI database 17 for storing spot information at a plurality of spots, and retrieves spot information in a POI database 17. Each spot information to be used for retrieving spots in executing navigation is stored so as to be divided into a plurality of PIO files to be classified by using two or more predetermined retrieval keys, and this navigation device 1 is also provided with an operation part 15 to be used for inputting each of two or more retrieval keys and a CPU 19 for retrieving spot information by using each input retrieval key. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present application belongs to the technical field of a spot information search device, a spot information search method, a spot information search program, and a spot information marching program, and more specifically, a spot information search device for searching spot information corresponding to a map. And the spot information search method, the spot information search program, and the update program for the spot information.

  In recent years, car navigation systems that are mounted on vehicles and guide the movement of the vehicles have become widespread.

  In the car navigation system, a display device such as a liquid crystal display is generally provided in the vehicle, and a map is electronically displayed on the display device to perform the guidance.

  On the other hand, when guiding using a map in a conventional car navigation system, instead of displaying only the map, it is necessary to display various points included in the map as destination points or nearest target points, As information for this, point information indicating the contents of the points on the map is usually used together with map data for displaying roads, houses, etc. as graphics on the map.

  At this time, the point information needs to be stored as a database that can be searched for each piece of point information. Conventionally, it corresponds to all points included in a map that can be displayed in the car navigation system. In general, the database is constructed as one group (one search target) including all the spot information to be performed.

  However, in such a database, since the entire database is a single group, even when searching for one piece of point information, other irrelevant point information is included in the search target. There was a problem that the search took a very long time. This problem is an important problem particularly in a car navigation system that requires a search speed.

Therefore, conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1 or 2 below, for example, the database is classified (divided) using only one search key to improve the search speed.
JP-A-9-97007 (Patent No. 3330795) JP 2004-139332 A

  However, in the conventional configuration described in each of the above-mentioned patent documents, there is only one search key used when classifying (dividing) the database, so that it is included in each database after being divided accordingly. There has been a problem that the search speed is still not sufficiently high due to the fact that the number of point information is not sufficiently reduced and the map data has been enlarged in recent years.

  In addition, when a new road or new facility is constructed, when the location information needs to be updated, the update becomes an update for each database. There was a problem to say. The problem is that, in the case of a communication-type car navigation system that has been put into practical use in recent years, the amount of data to be updated becomes enormous and the necessary communication time and communication fee also become enormous. It becomes a serious problem.

  Therefore, the present application has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the problem is that a point information search device, a point information search method, and a point that can perform search or update of point information reliably and more quickly. The object is to provide an information search program and a program for updating the point information.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is the point information corresponding to the map, and the point information used when executing the guidance processing of the moving body using the map is a plurality of points. In a point information search apparatus that includes a storage means such as a POI database for accumulating and storing, and searches for the point information in the storage means, the point information indicates the contents of one of the points or areas in the map. And either one of the point information associated with one of the ones or the point information indicating the contents of the object located in one of the ones and associated one-to-one with the one of the ones. Further, each of the spot information is obtained by using two or more search key information set in advance as those used when searching for the spot information at the time of executing the guidance process. It is classified into a plurality of point information groups such as POI files, and is stored in the storage means with each point information group as a unit, and is used for inputting the two or more search key information respectively. Input means such as an operation unit, and search means such as a CPU for searching for the spot information in the storage means using the search key information respectively input.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 11 is the point information corresponding to the map, and the point information used when executing the guidance processing of the mobile object using the map is a plurality of points. A point information search method that is executed in a point information search device that includes a storage unit such as a POI database that accumulates and stores and stores the point information in the storage unit, wherein the point information is a point in the map Or the contents of any one of the areas and the point information associated one-to-one with the one or the contents of the feature located in one of the areas and the one-to-one corresponding to the one Any one of the attached spot information, and each spot information is set in advance as one used when searching for the spot information when the guidance process is executed. Are classified into a plurality of point information groups using the two or more search key information, and are stored in the storage means with each of the point information groups as a unit, and the two or more search key information And a search step of searching for the point information in the storage means using the input search key information.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 12 causes a computer included in the point information search apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to function as the search unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention described in claim 13 causes a computer included in the point information search apparatus described in claim 10 to function as the acquisition unit and the update unit.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. The embodiment described below is implemented when the present application is applied to a search process of point information in a navigation system that is mounted on a vehicle as a moving body and that guides the movement of the vehicle by a map display, voice, or the like. It is a form.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system according to the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a data structure in a database in the navigation system, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are related to the embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the flow of a search of point information, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart which shows the update procedure of the point information which concerns on embodiment.
(I) Overall Configuration First, a schematic configuration of the navigation system according to the embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a navigation system S according to an embodiment includes a plurality of vehicle distribution servers in which a navigation device 1 mounted on each vehicle is installed on a vehicle 2 via a network 2 such as the Internet or a dedicated line. The distribution server 3 includes a map data server 4 in which a master map database 40 is built in, and a POI data server in which a master POI (Point Of Interest) database 50 is built in. 5 are connected.

  In this configuration, the master map database 40 includes, for example, so-called road data and boundary data indicating boundaries of administrative divisions, or rivers necessary for displaying a map on the display unit 12 described later in each navigation device 1. Shape data indicating the shape of a plan view of a mountain, a mountain, or a building is accumulated as map data based on the same data structure as the conventional one.

  Then, the distribution server 3 reads the map data as map data information Smap at a later-described timing and distributes the map data to any one of the navigation devices 1 via the network 2.

  On the other hand, in the master POI database 50, point information indicating the contents of points on the map used when the map is displayed on the display unit 12 to guide the movement of the vehicle is data according to an embodiment described later. Depending on the structure, only the points included in the map displayed using the map data stored in the master map database 40 are included.

  Here, the point information according to the present application will be specifically described.

The point information according to the present application includes any one of a point in the map (one point on the map) or a region (a certain administrative division or a predetermined division or range on the map other than the administrative division). Point information indicating the contents and one-to-one correspondence with one of the items, and objects (artificial facilities (including underground facilities) and natural sites) located at one of the points or areas in the map The contents of the object (including mountains, rivers, forests, etc.) and the point information associated one-to-one with either of them. That is, more specifically, as the point information according to the present application,
(A) Point information indicating the contents of a point or area where there is no feature or facility, such as vacant land or vacant land, and point information associated with the point one-to-one (a) School, private store When there is only one feature or facility in a point or area on a map, such as a private home, this is point information that shows the contents of the feature or facility. Corresponding point information (c) When there are multiple features or facilities within a single map point or area, such as a department store, a store in a building, or a company, the feature or facility Indicates the contents of each feature or facility, and further includes point information associated with the point.

  And, as an item included in each point information, generally and specifically, for example, a number (POI number) as the point information of the point or region corresponding to the point information, the name of the point or region, Reading the name, the coordinates of the point or area (the coordinates of the point or area indicated by latitude and longitude (or altitude)), the telephone number of the facility at the point or area, the postal code of the facility and the point A corresponding address or the like is included as text data, for example. At this time, in the case of the point information (a), only the coordinates and address of the point or area are included as specific contents.

  Moreover, in the following description, what includes a plurality of point information as described above is referred to as POI data.

  Then, the distribution server 3 reads the point information from the master POI database 50 as the point information Spoi at a later-described timing, and distributes the information to any of the navigation devices 1 via the network 2.

  The contents of the master map database 40 and the master POI database 50 are always updated and stored by an administrator who manages the databases. And it is used for the update of the map data in the map database 16 mentioned later in each navigation apparatus 1, and the point information in the POI database 17.

  On the other hand, each navigation device 1 that receives the distribution of the map data information Smap and the spot information Spoi from the distribution server 3 has the same configuration as each other. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Interface 10, an audio output unit 11 including a speaker, a display unit 12 including a liquid crystal display, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiving unit (not shown), a speed sensor, a distance sensor, an acceleration sensor, a current position calculation unit, and the like The navigation processing unit 13 including the optical disk DK, the disk drive 14 configured to be loaded with the optical disk DK, the operation unit 15 as an input means including operation buttons or a remote control device, and the master map database 40. Map database 16 for storing map data information Smap and master POI data It is composed of a POI database 17 for accumulating point information Spoi distributed from the base 17 and a CPU 19 as search means and update means. The interface 10, audio output unit 11, display unit 12, navigation processing unit 13, disk drive 14, operation unit 15, map database 16, POI database 17, and CPU 19 can exchange data with each other via a bus 18. It is configured.

  In this configuration, the map data information Smap and the spot information Spoi distributed via the distribution server 3 are stored in the map database 16 and the POI database 17 via the interface 10 and the bus 18, respectively. The map data and the point information in the POI database are updated.

  The navigation processing unit 13 uses the information obtained from the GPS receiving unit and each sensor to cause the navigation device 1 to perform a guidance operation corresponding to the operation performed by the user in the operation unit 15. The position calculation unit calculates the current position of the vehicle on which the navigation device 1 is mounted, and performs processing for executing an actual guidance operation using the calculation result. This processing result is output to the audio output unit 11 and the display unit 12 as image data including audio data and a map, respectively.

  At this time, the map search processing, the point search processing, or the map generation processing for display necessary for the guidance operation is stored in the map data information Smap stored in the map database 16 or the POI database 17. The CPU 19 mainly executes the CPU 19 by reading out and utilizing one or both of the point information Spoi. At this time, in particular, a utilization aspect according to the embodiment of the point information Spoi will be described in detail later.

  As a result, the voice output unit 11 synthesizes a voice (so-called guidance voice) necessary for the guidance operation using the voice data, and emits the sound from a speaker (not shown) while being updated as the vehicle moves, for example. In addition, the display unit 12 displays a map, a symbol of a spot, and the like corresponding to the image data while being updated in accordance with the movement of the vehicle, for example.

  In parallel with these processes, the CPU 19 performs overall control of the entire actual guidance operation including the above-described map search process, spot search process, or map generation process for display.

Note that the map data information Smap, the spot information Spoi, and the like necessary for the processing in the navigation processing unit 13 are read out by the disk drive 14 as they are and recorded in advance on the optical disc DK. You may use for a process.
(II) Embodiment of POI Database Configuration Next, the data structure of the point information Spoi stored in the master POI database 50 and the POI database 17 in each database will be specifically described with reference to FIG. To do. As described above, the master POI database 50 and the POI database 17 have the same data structure. Therefore, in FIG. 2, the data structure in the POI database 17 is specifically shown as a representative. explain.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the POI database 17 according to the embodiment includes a POI file group PFG that includes the number of points corresponding to the point information associated with the points or regions one by one, and the points. Index file group IFG including one or more hierarchies of index file IF used when searching for information, and genre index file JF and area index file used when searching for each point information by a method different from index file IF A genre / area index file group JAIG including AF for one or more layers.

  The POI file group PFG includes an area on the map (hereinafter, the area is simply referred to as “area”) and an attribute (hereinafter, the attribute) that each point or area or a facility located at the point or area has. POI files as POI data groups each including POI data PD each including a plurality of pieces of point information obtained by classifying both as indices (classification keys). A plurality of PFs are included.

  At this time, specifically, the POI file PF-1A illustrated in FIG. 2 is located in “Hokkaido” as an area and “ It is a POI file including only POI data PD including a plurality of pieces of point information corresponding one-to-one to points or areas belonging to “transportation”.

  Similarly, the POI file PF-1B is in “Hokkaido” as the same area as the POI file PF-1A, and includes a plurality of pieces of point information corresponding to the points or areas belonging to the “public facilities” as the genre. It is a POI file containing only POI data PD.

  Furthermore, the POI file PF-2A is also in “Aomori Prefecture” as an area, and a plurality of pieces of point information corresponding to points or areas belonging to “transportation” as the same genre as the POI file PF-1A It is a POI file including only the included POI data PD.

  Furthermore, the POI file PF-2B is also located in “Aomori Prefecture” as the same area as the POI file PF-2A, and is paired with a point or area belonging to “public facilities” as the same genre as the POI file PF-1B. It is a POI file including only POI data PD including a plurality of point information corresponding to one.

  Similarly, the POI file PF is obtained by classifying point information using both the area and the genre as an index. Areas other than those described above include so-called administrative divisions such as municipalities in addition to prefectures. And the point information included in the POI file PF are classified as one area corresponding to each of the preset areas on the map. Similarly, genres other than those described above include, for example, “financial institutions”, “accommodation facilities”, “gourmet spots”, “play spots”, “sport spots”, “culture spots”, “car related facilities”, “Retail stores”, “Hospitals”, “Education facilities”, “Others”, “Seasonal seasonal sights”, “National pilgrimage tours”, “Exploring the taste of spring”, “Exploring the taste of summer”, “Exploring the taste of autumn” The point information included in the POI file PF is classified as one corresponding to one genre, such as “Search” and “Search for the taste of winter”.

  Next, specifically, each POI file PF has a one-to-one correspondence with all points or areas corresponding to areas and genres that are classification indices corresponding to the POI file PF as a configuration of each POI file PF. POI data PD including all point information and management data GD including attribute information of the POI data PD itself (that is, information such as update history (version information) of the POI data PD) are included. .

  On the other hand, the genre / area index file group JAIG includes a plurality of index files that are used when searching for point information corresponding to each of the POI files PF by designating an area and genre corresponding to the classification index. ing.

  More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the genre / area index file group JAIG includes genre index files JF-1 to JF-3 hierarchized in three levels and a single hierarchy area index file AF. And is constituted by. The specific contents of each genre index file JF were subdivided in stages from the first genre index file JF-1 through the third genre index file JF-3 to the area index file AF. The genre is defined.

  That is, for example, the first genre index file JF-1 is configured by describing a plurality of pieces of information indicating major categories such as “transportation”, “public facilities”, and “financial institutions”.

  Next, the second genre index file JF-2 is configured by describing a plurality of pieces of information indicating medium categories such as “city bank”, “regional bank”, and “second region bank”. The information in the first genre index file JF-1 and the information in the second genre index file JF-2 are associated with each other in the first genre index file JF-1 and the second genre index file JF-2. Is stored in the POI database 17 as association information JL.

  Further, the third genre index file JF-3 is configured by describing a plurality of pieces of information indicating subcategories of genres such as “XX bank”, “XX bank”, and “ΔΔ bank”. The information in the second genre index file JF-2 and the information in the third genre index file JF-3 are associated with each other in the second genre index file JF-2 and the third genre index file JF-3. Is stored in the POI database 17 as association information JL.

  Finally, the area index file AF is configured by describing a plurality of pieces of information indicating subcategories of genres such as “XX bank”, “XX bank”, and “ΔΔ bank”. The association between the information in the third genre index file JF-3 and each information in the area index file AF is the POI as the association information JL between the third genre index file JF-3 and the area index file AF. It is stored in the database 17.

  Then, the search link information JAL indicating the POI file PF including the POI data PD to which the point information corresponding to the genre and area determined in stages is reached from the corresponding area index file AF to the POI file PF. It is configured and stored in the POI database 17.

  In contrast to the genre / area index file group JAIG having such a configuration, the index file group IFG is hierarchically described and is an area and genre used as an index for classification of point information included in the POI file PF. The index file IF is used to search for point information in each POI file PF using different search keys (for example, point names) and includes a plurality of hierarchies.

  More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the index file group IFG includes, for example, index files IF-1 to IF-3 hierarchized in three stages. As for the specific contents of each index file IF, as will be described later, for example, in the case of an index file IF using a spot name as a search key, the first index file IF-1 is two characters from the head of the spot name. A plurality of character strings that can be minutes are described in the order of the Japanese syllabary.

  Next, in the second index file IF-2, a character string that can be a part of a point name following the character string of two characters described in the first index file IF-1 is the first index file IF-2. For each character string described as IF-1, one or a plurality of character strings are described in alphabetical order. At this time, the association between each character string in the first index file IF-1 and each character string in the second index file IF-2 corresponding to each character string is the same as the first index file IF-1. It is stored in the POI database 17 as association information PL with the second index file IF-2.

  Finally, the third index file IF-3 further includes a character string formed by a sequence of the character string of the first index file IF-1 and the corresponding character string of the second index file IF-2. Subsequently, one or a plurality of character strings that can be a part of the location name are described in the order of the Japanese syllabary for each character string described as the second index file IF-2. At this time, the association between each character string in the second index file IF-2 and each character string in the third index file IF-3 corresponding to each character string is also the first index file IF-1. Similar to the association between the second index file IF-2 and the second index file IF-2, it is stored in the POI database 17 as the association information PL between the second index file IF-2 and the third index file IF-3. .

  Then, the search link information IL indicating the POI file PF including the point information having the point name whose reading is the character string itself included in each index file IF is obtained from the index file IF at the stage where the formation of the character string is completed. The POI file PF is configured to reach the POI file PF and stored in the POI database 17.

More specifically, for example, a point name that reads the character string itself formed by reaching the third index file IF-3 from the first index file IF-1 through the second index file IF-2. In the POI database 17, the search link information IL indicating the POI file PF including the point information having the point information is configured to reach the POI file PF from the third index file IF-3 including the formed character string. It is remembered.
(III) Embodiment of Search Processing (A) Search Processing Using Genre / Area Index File Group Next, one point information from the genre and area is obtained using each index file in the genre / area index file group JAIG. The flow of the search process will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the information designated by the user is hatched in each index file in the genre / area index file group JAIG.

  That is, when a search for spot information using a genre and an area is designated by “genre” using the display unit 12 and the operation unit 15 (see the first column from the left in FIG. 3), then the first genre index file A display corresponding to information described in JF-1 is executed on the display unit 12.

  If, for example, “financial institution” is designated during the display of the information described in the first genre index file JF-1 (see the second column from the left in FIG. 3), then the second genre is displayed. Display corresponding to information described in the index file JF-2 is executed on the display unit 12.

  Further, when “city bank” is specified in the display of the information described in the second genre index file JF-2 (see the third column from the left in FIG. 3), then the third genre is displayed. Display corresponding to information described in the index file JF-3 is executed on the display unit 12.

  If, for example, “ΔΔ bank” is specified during display of the information described in the third genre index file JF-3 (see the third column from the right in FIG. 3), it is searched at this time. Since the genre to be determined is determined, next, display corresponding to the information described in the area index file AF is executed on the display unit 12.

  Finally, when “Hokkaido” is specified in the display of the information described in the area index file AF (see the second column from the right in FIG. 3), the area to be searched at this time is fixed. As a result, “Δ △ bank” in “Hokkaido” is finally designated by a series of processes, and the POI file PF corresponding to the Δ △ bank in the Hokkaido is searched, and the Display corresponding to information described in the retrieved POI file PF is executed on the display unit 12.

Then, for example, when “Sapporo station square branch” is designated during the display of the information described in the POI file PF (see the first column from the right in FIG. 3), the “Sapporo station square branch” is finally stored in the POI database. 17, the point display corresponding to the “Sapporo station square branch” is executed on the display unit 12.
(B) Retrieval process using index file group Next, the flow of a process for retrieving one point information using, for example, a point name using each index file IF in the index file group IFG is specifically illustrated. 4 will be described. 4A is a flowchart specifically showing the search process, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the search process.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when searching for point information using the index file IF, first, the first index file IF (first index file IF-1 in the case of FIG. 4) is referred to. The first two characters of the point name to be searched are selected (step S15).

  Next, after the character string is selected, it is confirmed whether or not the index file IF next to the index file IF referred to in step S15 is the index file IF in the last hierarchy as the index file group IFG (step S16). If the index file IF is not the final stage (step S16; NO), the index file IF in the next hierarchy (the second index file IF-2 in the case of FIG. 4) is referred to, and the above step S15 is performed. The character string of the point name following the character string selected in is selected (step S17). When the selection of the character string is completed, the process returns to step S16 to select the character string stepwise along the hierarchy of the index file IF in the index file group IFG.

  On the other hand, when the point names are narrowed down to the index file IF (the third index file IF-3 in the case of FIG. 4) in the determination in step S16 (step S16; YES), the search is finally performed. The character string corresponding to the point name to be determined is confirmed, and the POI file corresponding to the search link information IL as a clue from the index file IF including the finally confirmed character string (point name). With reference to the PF (step S18), a spot display corresponding to the spot information having the spot name is executed on the display unit 12.

  Next, a point name search using the index file IF according to the embodiment using a specific character string will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4B.

  As shown in the first column from the left in FIG. 4B, the first index file IF-1 according to the embodiment includes, for example, character strings “AA”, “AI”, “OUT”, which are composed of two or less characters. …It is included. Each character string included in the first index file IF-1 includes a character string “AARII” that includes the character string and further includes, for example, two or less character strings following the character string. ,..., “Aikawa”, “Aizawa”, “Aisin”,... Are associated as character strings included in the second index file IF-2.

  On the other hand, each character string included in the second index file IF-2 includes character strings “Aikawa Koumten” and “Aikawa Kogyo” that each include the character string and further include a character string that follows the character string. ”,“ Aikawa Byouin ”, and“ Aikawaichiba ”are associated as character strings included in the third index file IF-3.

  At this time, the correspondence between the character string included in the first index file IF-1 and the character string included in the second index file IF-2, and the second index file IF-2 Each of the correspondences between the included character string and the character string included in the third index file IF-3 is the POI database 17 as the association information PL specifically indicating the corresponding relationship. Is recorded in. Then, for a character string in which the association information PL exists, an index file IF in a lower hierarchy associated with the association information PL exists.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, if the index file IF constituting the index file group IFG is for three layers, if the formation of the character string as the point name is completed at the stage of any index file IF Thereafter, the point information in the POI file PF corresponding to the character string is searched by following the search link information IL associated with the character string of the index file IF in the final stage.

At this time, in the case illustrated in FIG. 4B, for the character string “AARII”, the formation of the character string is completed at the stage of the second index file IF-2 (see step S16 in FIG. 4A; YES). Therefore, the target point information can be searched by directly following the search link information IL. For the character string “Aikawa”, the formation of the character string is completed at the stage of the third index file IF-3 through the second index file IF-2 (see step S16; NO in FIG. 4A) (FIG. 4). 4 (a) Step S16; see YES), the target point information can be searched by directly following the search link information IL.
(IV) Embodiment of Update Processing Finally, update processing for each POI file PF unit stored in the POI database 17 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the POI file PF unit update process according to the embodiment, each POI file PF in the POI database 17 in each navigation device 1 between the POI data server 5 and each navigation device 1. Information indicating each update state (specifically, for example, version information of each POI file PF, latest update date information, etc.) is exchanged for each navigation device 1 via the distribution server 3, The current update state in the POI database 17 is confirmed for each POI file PF included in the POI database 17 in each navigation device 1 (steps S1 and S10). About this confirmation process, it is preferable to be started, for example for every preset fixed period or by the request | requirement from the navigation apparatus 1 side.

  Whether there is update point information in the master POI database 50 that can update the point information in one of the POI files PF based on the information indicating the update state acquired in the processes of steps S1 and S10. It is confirmed whether or not (steps S2 and S3).

  As a result, when there is no update point information for updating the POI file PF that is the target at that time (step S3; NO), the process proceeds to step S6, which will be described later, while the update point information. Is present (step S3; YES), next, for example, if necessary, update point information used for updating the corresponding point information in the POI file PF is included in the update point information. Sorting (step S4), and sending the sorted update point information to the navigation apparatus 1 including the POI database 17 including the POI file PF to be updated as the point information Spoi (step S5). It is confirmed whether there is a POI file PF to be updated (step S6).

  And when transmission of the said point information for an update is completed about all the POI files PF which should be updated (step S6; NO), the update process as the POI data server 5 which concerns on embodiment is complete | finished, When there is another POI file PF to be updated (step S6; YES), the process returns to step S2, and the navigation device 1 including the POI database 17 including the other POI file PF to be updated has the above steps S2 to S5. Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, in the navigation device 1 that has acquired the update point information from the POI data server 5 by the process of step S5 (step S11), the acquired update point information is used to store the update point information in the POI database 17 provided therein. The POI file PF is updated (step S12), and the update process as the navigation device 1 according to the embodiment is terminated.

  Note that the update point information selection process in step S4 is updated, for example, in order to reduce the data amount of the point information Spoi itself transmitted from the distribution server 3 to the navigation device 1 and speed up the transmission process. Information on the action range of the user who uses the navigation apparatus 1 having the POI database 17 in which the POI file PF is stored, and information such as the genre frequently used in the search process are stored in the POI data server in step S10. 5 is transmitted together with the information indicating the update state, and as a process of step S4, only the update point information for updating the POI file PF corresponding to the transmitted action range and genre is navigationed. This is a sorting process for transmission to the device 1. For this reason, the process of step S4 is skipped when all the POI files PF in one navigation device 1 are updated at a time.

  As described above, according to the operation of the navigation system S according to the first embodiment, the point information in the POI database 17 is classified using two or more search keys used for the search process when the guidance process is executed. Since it is classified into a plurality of POI files PF, it is not necessary to search all the point information in the POI database 17 when searching for the point information using the search key, and the search process is performed. The speed can be increased.

  Further, since the classification search key (classification key) is a genre search key and an area search key, the point information is stored in the POI file PF in the POI file PF using the search key that is most frequently used in the guidance process. By being classified as data PD, it is possible to execute search processing quickly by adapting to actual guidance processing.

  Furthermore, since the POI file PF is classified using the administrative divisions and the genre of the facility, the POI file PF is divided in division divisions more compliant with the actual guidance processing, and the point is more quickly and accurately. Information can be searched.

  Furthermore, since the point information is searched step by step using the input genre search key and area search key one by one, the desired point information can be searched quickly.

  Further, an index file IF for searching for point information using a search key other than the search key used for dividing the POI file PF is stored in the POI database 17 separately from the POI file PF. Therefore, even when the point information is searched using the other search key, other unnecessary POI file PF is not referred to, and the desired point information can be searched quickly.

  Furthermore, the index file group IFG is divided into hierarchical index file IFs, and the POI file PF and point information are searched through each index file IF in a hierarchical manner, so when searching using other search keys Search speed can be improved.

  Furthermore, even when the other search key is a name search key and the search keys used for classification of the POI file PF are an area search key and a genre search key, the desired point information is searched quickly and accurately. be able to.

  Further, since the update point information is acquired for each POI file PF, and updated for each POI file PF using the acquired update point information, the update can be performed for each POI file PF. The update point information used for the update can be minimized and the update process can be executed at high speed.

  The index file IF in the above-described embodiment has a one-to-one correspondence between character strings and point information in the last-stage index file IF (the third index file IF-3 in the case illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4). However, in addition to this, a plurality of different character strings in the index file IF in the final stage can be associated with one POI file P or one point information. .

  In this case, since two or more other search keys are associated with one POI file PF or the like, for example, two telephone numbers or two names (also referred to as a main name) are included for each point information. Even in the case of association, desired point information can be searched quickly and accurately.

  Also, the programs corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4A and 5 are recorded on an information recording medium such as a flexible disk or a hard disk, or acquired and recorded via the Internet or the like. The computer can be used as the CPU 19 according to the embodiment by being read and executed by a general-purpose computer.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a navigation system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the data structure in the POI database in the navigation system which concerns on embodiment. It is figure (I) which illustrates the flow of a search of point information concerning an embodiment. It is figure (II) which illustrates the flow of search of the point information which concerns on embodiment, (a) is a flowchart which shows the said search process, (b) is a figure which shows the specific example of the said search process. It is a flowchart which shows the update procedure of the point information which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 2 Network 3 Distribution server 4 Map data server 5 POI data server 10 Interface 11 Voice output part 12 Display part 13 Navigation processing part 14 Disk drive 15 Operation part 16 Map database 17 POI database 18 Bus 19 CPU
40 Master map database 50 Master POI database S Navigation system DK Optical disc PF POI file PD POI data

Claims (13)

A storage means for storing and storing a plurality of spot information corresponding to a map, the spot information used when executing the guidance process of the mobile object using the map, and storing the spot information in the storage means In the point information search device to search,
The point information indicates the content of any one of the points or areas in the map and is point-to-one associated with one of the points, or the content of an object located in either one of the above and Any one of the point information associated with one of the one-to-one,
Further, each of the spot information is classified into a plurality of spot information groups using two or more search key information preset as used when searching for the spot information at the time of performing the guidance process, and Each point information group is stored in the storage means as a unit,
An input means used for inputting the two or more search key information respectively;
Search means for searching for the spot information in the storage means using the search key information respectively input;
A point information retrieval apparatus comprising: In the point information search device according to claim 1,
The search key information includes two areas: area search key information indicating the area, and attribute search key information indicating an attribute of the point, the area, or the object.
The search means searches for the spot information in the storage means by using both the area search key information and the attribute search key information that have been input. In the point information search device according to claim 2,
The point information retrieval apparatus, wherein the region is a region corresponding to an administrative division, and the attribute is the attribute as a facility. In the point information search device according to claim 2,
The point information retrieval apparatus, wherein the region is a region corresponding to a preset section in the map, and the attribute is the attribute as a facility. In the point information search device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The search means searches the spot information step by step in the storage means by using the inputted area search key information and the attribute search key information one by one sequentially. apparatus. In the point information search device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Search information for searching for the point information using other search key information excluding the search key information used for classifying the point information into the point information group, and the other search key information Search information for associating each point information group is stored in the storage means separately from the point information group,
The search means searches for the spot information group and the spot information via the search information when searching for the spot information in the storage means using the other search key information. Information retrieval device. In the point information search device according to claim 6,
The search information is two or more other search key information to be associated with the same point information group, and the search information associating the other search key information different from each other with the same point information group A point information retrieval apparatus characterized by being. In the point information search device according to claim 6 or 7,
The search information is hierarchically divided into corresponding sub search information for each divided search key information obtained by dividing the other search key information,
When the search means searches for the spot information in the storage means using the other search key information, the search means searches for the spot information group and the spot information through the sub search information hierarchically. A point information retrieval apparatus characterized by In the point information search device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The other search key information is name search key information indicating the name of the point, the region, or the object,
The search key information used for classifying each piece of point information into the point information group includes region search key information indicating the region, and an attribute search key indicating any attribute of the point, the region, or the object. A point information retrieval apparatus characterized by being two types of information. In the point information search device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Acquisition means for acquiring update information for updating the spot information included in each spot information group from the outside in units of the spot information group;
Update means for updating the spot information included in the spot information group corresponding to the update information using the acquired update information;
A point information retrieval apparatus comprising: A storage means for storing and storing a plurality of spot information corresponding to a map, the spot information used when executing the guidance process of the mobile object using the map, and storing the spot information in the storage means A point information search method executed in a point information search device to search,
The point information indicates the content of any one of the points or regions in the map and indicates the point information associated one-to-one with the one or the content of the feature located in either one of the points. And any one of the point information associated with one of the one-to-one,
Further, each of the spot information is classified into a plurality of spot information groups using two or more search key information preset as used when searching for the spot information at the time of performing the guidance process, and Each point information group is stored in the storage means as a unit,
An input step of inputting the two or more search key information respectively;
A search step of searching for the point information in the storage means using the search key information respectively input;
The point information search method characterized by including.   A program for searching for point information, which causes a computer included in the point information searching apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to function as the search unit. A computer included in the point information search device according to claim 10,
The acquisition means; and
The updating means,
A program for updating point information, characterized by functioning as

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