JP2008241800A - Map display system, device, and method, and information distribution server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map display system wherein a map is displayed in a plurality of display areas and, when the scale of one map is changed, the other maps are displayed with the same scale associatively with the change. <P>SOLUTION: The map display system includes: a map data storage means 33 storing map data for each area within the range of a prescribed latitude and an altitude; and a map display device displaying maps of each different area in a plurality of map display areas. The map display system comprises a map scale change detecting means 36, a map scale linking means 37, and a display control means 35. The display control means 35 changes, in accordance with the specified scale, the map displayed in one display area and displays it. When the map scale change detecting means 36 detects the change of the scale of the amp displayed in the one display area, the map scale linking means 37 changes the scale of the maps displayed in the other display areas in accordance with the changed scale of the map, and the display control means 35 displays the maps with changed scale in the other display areas. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display device and a map display method for displaying a map in a route search system or the like, and in particular, a map display comprising a map display device having a plurality of map display means and a map display screen, and an information distribution server. The present invention relates to a map display system, an information distribution server, a map display device, and a map display method that display a map of the same scale on each display means and a map display screen.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a navigation device and a navigation system that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure place to a destination using map data and road data are known.
As such a navigation device and navigation system, a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a mobile phone is used as a navigation terminal, a route search request is sent to the route search server, and the result is received. Communication-type navigation systems that receive route guidance have been put into practical use.

  The car navigation device uses a GPS (Global Positioning System), receives GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites orbiting the earth with a GPS antenna, The position is specified by analyzing the satellite position and clock information included in the signal. At least four GPS satellites are required.

  The single positioning accuracy of GPS is generally over 10 m, but it is improved to 5 m or less by adopting DGPS (Differential GPS). In particular, a positioning unit that is currently installed only in some mobile phones, for example, a GPS receiver that receives a signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and performs positioning, is called the third generation. Mobile phones tend to apply to all models.

  In recent years, the performance of mobile communication terminal devices such as mobile phones and PHSs has improved dramatically, and the number of functions has been increasing. In particular, the data communication function is strengthened in addition to the call function, and various data communication services are provided to users via the Internet. Mobile phones with a positioning function have also been realized, and as a technology for use, the in-vehicle navigation device (car navigation system) has been developed, and the communication type for pedestrians that delivers map / route information from the route search server using the mobile phone as a terminal Navigation systems have also been put into practical use.

  The pedestrian navigation system is a system that uses a mobile phone, a music player such as a headphone stereo, a portable game console, a portable terminal such as a PDA as a navigation terminal, and has a route guidance function including transportation. Preferably, the route search server stores the route of the transportation facility and the operation time data as the traffic network data in addition to the road network data for the walking route search.

  Such a pedestrian navigation system is generally based on route search conditions such as departure date and time, departure place, destination and arrival time specified by the user, such as transportation means such as aircraft, trains, trains and buses. The route from the starting point to the destination is searched and guided using.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  Of the routes from the starting point to the destination obtained by the route search, the route with the minimum accumulated cost (distance or time) of the route is determined as the optimum guide route, and guide route data is created. The guide route data includes map data and guidance data in addition to the data of the optimum route, and the guide route data is read from the guide data storage unit as necessary and displayed on the display unit. In general, a guide route and a mark indicating the current position of the navigation device are superimposed on a map of a certain scale and range including the current position of the navigation device measured using the GPS receiver of the navigation device. The current position mark is displayed at the center of the display screen.

  As described above, in a general navigation system, each traffic that can be used to connect a departure point and a destination including a connection is referred to by referring to the traffic network data in which the route data and operation time data of each transportation system are databased. The means are sequentially traced as a route, and one or a plurality of guide route candidates (transportation means such as trains) that match the route search condition are presented. As route search conditions, it is generally possible to specify conditions such as required time, number of transfers, and fares.

  In particular, in a recent navigation system, the monitor screen including a mobile phone as a terminal is enlarged and widened. Therefore, one monitor screen is divided into two or more screens, and the first screen on one side has a departure place or Various information can be displayed on a plurality of screens in various modes, such as displaying a detailed map around the current location and displaying a wide area map around the destination on the second screen on the other side. .

From such a technical background, a technique for automatically displaying an appropriate map screen when displaying a map on a two-screen display is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-321268 as a “navigation device”. It is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 describes a technique for displaying a map that has been displayed on two screens when a vehicle or the like approaches a destination as a one-screen map that includes the current location and the destination. Thereby, an appropriate map display can be performed without performing a meaningless two-screen display.

JP 2001-165681 A JP 2005-321268 A

  By the way, when you set a search condition and perform a route search, a surrounding map that displays the starting point and destination including the walking route is output on each screen, and when route search results such as guidance for transfer are output In some cases, the map around the starting point and the destination that are output as a normal search result is displayed separately with different scales depending on the distance of the walking route.

  Even if the map looks the same when displayed on the same size display screen, the distance required for walking will be different if the scale is different, so if you lose your actual distance and actually walk, Even if the time is displayed, there is a problem that an impression different from the sense of distance seen on the map may be received.

  Moreover, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, the scale of the map displayed on the two screens cannot be changed in conjunction with each other, and the routes are displayed by displaying the map on two or more screens. There is a problem that the above-mentioned problems cannot be solved.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, when the scale of one of the surrounding maps on which the starting point and the destination are displayed is changed, the other screen is also linked. The present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above problem can be solved by changing the scale in the same manner.

  That is, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in a map display system that displays a map on two or more screens, the map is displayed by changing the scale of those maps in conjunction with each other. An object of the present invention is to provide a display system, an information distribution server, a map display device, and a map display method.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of the map display system according to claim 1 of the present application is as follows.
In a map display system comprising map data storage means that accumulates map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and a map display device that displays maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display system includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means, and the display control means changes a map displayed in one display area according to a designated scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. The scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the changed scale map in the other display area.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
The map display system further includes positioning means for positioning the current position of the map display device, and route search means for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to perform control to display a current position mark indicating the current position measured by the positioning means on the map. It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. It is characterized by displaying.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1,
The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area In this case, map data of a corresponding scale is read out from map data of different scales stored in the map data storage means and displayed.

The invention of the information distribution server according to claim 5 of the present application is as follows:
A map requested by the map display device is provided in a map display device that includes map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and displays a map of a different area in each of a plurality of map display areas. In an information distribution server that provides data,
The information distribution server includes a map scale change detecting unit, a map scale interlocking unit, and a display control unit, and the display control unit changes a map displayed in one display area according to a specified scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. The scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the changed scale map in the other display area.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the information distribution server according to claim 5,
The information delivery server further comprises route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to control to display a current position mark indicating the current position of the map display device on the map. Features.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the information delivery server according to claim 5,
When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. It is characterized by displaying.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the information distribution server according to claim 5,
The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area In this case, map data of a corresponding scale is read out from map data of different scales stored in the map data storage means and displayed.

The invention of the map display device according to claim 9 of the present application is as follows:
A map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, connected to an information distribution server for providing map data requested by the map display device to the map display device via a network; In a map display device that displays maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display device includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means, and the display control means changes a map displayed in one display area according to a designated scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. The scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the changed scale map in the other display area.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 9,
The information delivery server further comprises route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to control to display a current position mark indicating the current position of the map display device on the map. Features.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 9,
When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. It is characterized by displaying.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 9,
The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area In this case, map data of a corresponding scale is read out from map data of different scales stored in the map data storage means and displayed.

The invention of the map display method according to claim 13 of the present application is as follows:
In a map display method in a map display system comprising map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and a map display device for displaying maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display system includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means,
The display control means changes and displays the map displayed in one display area according to a specified scale, and the map scale change detection means changes the scale of the map displayed in the one display area. And when it is detected that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another display based on the changed map scale. The step of changing the scale of the map displayed in the area and the step of the display control means displaying the map of the scale reduced in the other display area are characterized.

The invention according to claim 1 includes map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and a map display device for displaying maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas. In the map display system,
The map display system includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means, and the display control means changes a map displayed in one display area according to a designated scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. The scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the changed scale map in the other display area.

  According to such a configuration, when a map of a different area is displayed in a plurality of map display areas, if the scale of the map displayed on one side is changed, the scale of the map displayed on the other side is also interlocked and the same It will be possible to change the display to scale. This makes it possible to compare walking routes on the same scale map.

  In the invention according to claim 2, in the map display system according to claim 1, the map display system further includes positioning means for positioning the current position of the map display device, and the destination from the destination based on the route search condition. Route search means for searching for a route up to, and the display control means displays a map including the guide route searched for by the route search means and a current position mark indicating the current position measured by the positioning means Is displayed on the map.

  According to such a configuration, when a map of a different area is displayed in each of a plurality of map display areas, a map including the guide route searched by the route search can be displayed together with the current position mark. If the scale of the displayed map is changed, the scale of the map displayed on the other side can also be changed to the same scale and displayed. This makes it possible to compare walking routes on the same scale map.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the map display system according to the first aspect, when the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any one of the display areas, the display control means Based on the map data of the displayed map, the map is enlarged or reduced and displayed.

  According to such a configuration, the map data stored in the map data storage means is displayed in an enlarged or reduced manner based on the scale designated to be changed, so that the amount of map data stored can be suppressed.

  In the invention according to claim 4, in the map display system according to claim 1, the map data storage unit stores map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control unit includes: When there is an instruction to change the scale of the map displayed in any one of the display areas, the map data of the corresponding scale is read out from the map data of different scales stored in the map data storage means and displayed.

  According to such a configuration, since map data having different scales are used, a map having an appropriate amount of information corresponding to the scale can be displayed.

  Moreover, in the invention concerning Claim 5-Claim 8, the information delivery server which comprises the map display system concerning Claims 1-4 can be provided, respectively, According to Claims 9-12 In invention, the map display apparatus which comprises the map display system concerning Claims 1-4 respectively can be provided now. Moreover, in the invention concerning Claim 13, the map display method which implement | achieves the map display system concerning Claim 1 can be provided now.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a map display system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to identify the present invention as this map display system. The present invention is equally applicable to the map display systems of other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a route search system 10 constituting a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A route search system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a user terminal device 20 connected via a communication line 12 such as the Internet and a route search server 30 that provides various information. The user terminal device 20 is, for example, a personal computer (PC) 20-1, a notebook PC 20-2, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) terminal 20-3, a mobile phone terminal 20-4, a mobile game terminal, or a mobile music terminal. A mobile terminal such as can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the route search system 10 is configured as a communication type route search system in which a user terminal device 20 and a route search server 30 are connected via a communication line 12. In this embodiment, a case where the route search server 30 is a server having a navigation function will be described. However, the server provides services such as a general map search, a route search for public transportation, and a place of interest (POI) search. It may be an information distribution server that provides search results and map data to a terminal device while providing it.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the user terminal device 20 and the route search server 30 which are map display devices in the present embodiment. For example, a mobile phone having a function as a navigation terminal can be used as the user terminal device 20. The user terminal device 20 is not limited to a mobile phone, and a music player, a game device, a mobile device such as a PDA, a personal computer (PC), or the like can be used.

  The user terminal device 20 is carried by a pedestrian, communicates with a base station wirelessly, establishes a connection relationship with the route search server 30 via the communication line 12 such as the Internet via the base station, Or a current position or a desired departure place and destination are set as route search conditions, and a route search request is transmitted to the route search server 30. The route search server 30 searches the optimum route by referring to the road network data according to the route search condition, edits the optimum route into guide route data (map information, route search result, etc.), and distributes it to the user terminal device 20. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal device 20 includes a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a positioning unit 23, an Internet browser unit 24, a data storage unit 25, an input unit 26, a display unit 27, and the like. When the user tries to request a route search to the route search server 30 in the user terminal device 20, the user operates the input means 26 to activate the Internet browser means 24, and displays a service menu screen or a predetermined input screen on the display means 27. indicate.

  The user can use the service menu screen to enter the departure point, destination, transportation means (walking, walking and transportation combined use, car, etc.), departure point to enter the route search conditions such as scheduled departure time and desired arrival time. When the current position is selected, the current position acquired by the positioning means 23 is used as the departure place. Further, the guidance route and map data received from the route search server 30 are temporarily stored in the user terminal device 20, and the guidance route data and map data are displayed on the display means 27.

The control means 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor, and includes a RAM and a ROM as in a general computer device, and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM.
The communication means 22 is an interface for connecting to the Internet via the communication line 12 and communicating with the route search server 30. The communication means 22 includes a wireless communication unit, and in addition to packet communication via the Internet network, The wireless communication is also performed.

  The positioning means 23 includes a GPS receiver, receives and processes GPS satellite signals, and measures the current position (latitude / longitude) of the user terminal device 20. The current position information of the user terminal device 20 measured by the positioning means 23 is sent to the route search server 30 via the communication means 22. The GPS receiver constituting the positioning means 23 may be any of Autonomous, MS-Based, or A-GPS. In the case of A-GPS, since positioning can be stopped when it stops, an effect of reducing communication traffic with the route search server 30 can also be obtained.

  The internet browser means 24 is software for browsing the internet site, and is composed of a plurality of interface screen images such as a map guidance site screen, a route search condition input screen, and a route search result screen. For example, route search conditions such as a departure point, a destination, and a moving means that are input from the route search condition input screen using the input unit 26 are sent to the route search server 30 to request a route search.

  The starting point and destination are generally specified by latitude and longitude. However, a method of inputting an address or telephone number and converting it into latitude and longitude information in the database of the route search server 30 or the user terminal device 20 A method may be used in which a point is designated on the map displayed in, and converted into latitude and longitude information. As the departure point information, the latitude and longitude information of the positioning point can be used with the current position of the user terminal device 20 measured by the positioning means 23 as the departure point. The moving means is, for example, walking, a car, or a combination of walking and transportation.

  The data storage means 25 stores distribution data such as guidance route data, map data, and guidance data, which are route search results distributed from the route search server 30, and these data are stored in the data storage means as necessary. 25, and is displayed on the display means 27. In general, a guide route and a mark indicating the current position of the user terminal device 20 are superimposed on a map of a certain scale and a certain range including the current position of the user terminal device 20 measured by the positioning means 23. The current position mark is displayed at the center of the display screen.

  Since the measured position information includes an error, route matching processing is performed to correct the current position on the guide route when the current position is deviated from the guide route. Further, when voice guide data is added to the guidance route data distributed from the route search server 30, for example, when the user terminal device 20 approaches an intersection or a branch point (guidance point), A voice message such as “Turn left at 300m intersection. Please turn left” is output through the speaker to guide the user.

  The input means 26 includes numeric keys, alphabet keys, other function keys, selection keys, scroll keys, and the like, and selects a desired menu from a menu screen displayed on the display means 27 or operates numbers and alphabet keys. Then, various route search conditions such as information on the departure place and destination are input.

  The display unit 27 includes a display, a liquid crystal display device, and the like, and can display two or more screens. The display unit 27 is set in the map data or the guidance route data according to the guidance route data received from the route search server 30. A guide (guide) is displayed, a voice guide is displayed, and an icon is displayed at a node of a guide point.

As shown in FIG. 2, the route search server 30 includes control means 31, route search means 32, map data storage means 33, communication means 34, display control means 35, map scale change detection means 36, and map scale interlocking means 37. It is prepared for.
The control means 31 is mainly composed of a microprocessor, and includes a RAM and a ROM as in a general computer device, and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM.

  The route search means 32 refers to the map data storage means 33 on the basis of the route search conditions such as the departure place and destination and the current position information transmitted from the user terminal device 20, and from the departure place to the destination. Route search is performed. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Such a configuration is the same as that of a general navigation system.

  The map data storage means 33 stores map image data. The map image data stored in the map data storage means 33 is map data created in a vector format, and has a high density from A to D four layers (layers), that is, a wide area map which is a low-density map. It is map data composed of different information up to a city map which is a type of map.

  The communication unit 34 is an interface for communicating with the user terminal device 20 via the communication line 12, receives a route search condition from the user terminal device 20, and performs an optimal route search searched by the route search unit 32. This is for delivering to the user terminal device 20 data required for the user terminal device 20 such as guidance route data, map data, and guidance data as a result, and guidance route data necessary for the service.

  The guide route data is distributed by adding map data to the guide route created as vector data, and guides such as a departure point on the guide route searched by the route search means 32, a turning point of the route, an intersection, and a destination. Points are set, and the position coordinates (latitude / longitude) of the guide points and guidance information related to each guidance point (guidance information for going straight or turning left and right) are included. The user terminal device 20 receives the distributed map data and the guide route data, displays the map and the guide route, and outputs or outputs a predetermined guide by voice when it arrives at the guidance point.

The display control means 35 embeds the guide route data searched by the route search means 32 in the map data including the current position read from the map data storage means 33, and distributes it to the user terminal device 20 via the communication means 34. Control to display a plurality of map screens on the display means 27 is performed.
The map scale change detection means 36 detects that the map scale has been changed by detecting a control signal output in response to the selection of a map of a desired scale by an input operation from the user terminal device 20. To do.

  The map scale interlocking means 37 has a map data enlargement / reduction processing function, and reads map data of the same hierarchy as map data displayed on each display screen from the map data storage means 33 based on the detection result of the map scale change detection means 36. The scale of the map is changed in conjunction with the enlargement / reduction process at the same magnification.

  Map data stored in the map data storage means 33 is created in a vector format. In general, map data may be created in a bitmap format or a vector format. If the map data content is the same and the map is simply reduced or enlarged, the map data created in the bitmap format must be created in advance with the desired reduction ratio, bitmap data reduced and enlarged at the enlargement ratio. It is necessary to keep.

  For this reason, in addition to the map data of each layer, map data that has been reduced and enlarged is created in advance. On the other hand, the map data created in the vector format can be easily scaled by calculating the desired length of each element vector constituting the map by the reduction ratio and the enlargement ratio. Based on map data of a certain hierarchy, map data scaled to different reduction ratios and enlargement ratios can be obtained.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a map data management table that stores the correspondence between map types and map data accumulation ranges. This map data management table is a wide area map 1? For the four-level map data of the city map 1 that is a high-density map, the map scale interlocking means 37 performs the enlargement / reduction processing to determine which type of map data the map data storage means 33 accumulates. The type of map data to be performed is stored.

  As shown in the map data management table of FIG. 3, the map data storage means 33 has different amounts of information in the map data as shown in the wide area map 1, the intermediate map 1, the detailed map 1, and the city map 1. In this way, map data of four different layers (A to D) of different types is stored, and the map scale interlocking means 37 performs a reduction / enlargement calculation at a predetermined ratio from the map data read out from the map data storage means 33. By doing so, it is possible to easily generate enlarged or reduced map data.

  That is, map data enlarged and reduced at a predetermined ratio from map data in a certain hierarchy can be easily created. For example, the map data of the wide area map 2 and the wide area map 3 enlarged at a predetermined ratio from the map data of the wide area map 1 of the hierarchy A can be created. The same applies to map data at other levels.

  Next, the operation procedure of the map display method of the user terminal device 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the user terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the control means 21 of the user terminal device 20 executing a control program stored in the ROM.
First, in the process of step S41, when the route search / map guidance site is accessed by connecting to the Internet, a map guidance site screen is displayed on the display means 27 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a map guidance site screen displayed on the display means 27 during the route search site selection process in step 41. In the center of the display screen 50, there is provided a map display area 51 in which map data can be displayed in a scrollable manner, and a desired scale can be obtained by operating the scale change tool icon 52 provided in the upper right corner thereof. You can select a map.

  The scale change tool icon 52 includes a zoom-in button “+” and a zoom-out button “?” For manually zooming in (enlarging) and zooming out (reducing) the map displayed on the display screen 50, and a wide area map. 1. A selection button for selecting a map of a desired scale up to the city map 3 is displayed, and a map of a desired scale can be selected by operating a zoom-in button, a zoom-out button, and a selection button.

  Further, on the left side of the display screen 50, a search condition input field 53 for inputting a search condition such as an address for searching a map displayed in the map display area 51, and transmission of the search condition to the route search server 30 are executed. Search condition transmission icon 54 for performing a search, menu icon 55 for shifting to a menu screen of a route search / map guidance site, a route search icon 56 for shifting to a route search condition input screen for performing a route search, and a map A peripheral information icon 57 for displaying a place of interest (POI) information such as a store existing in the map displayed in the display area 51 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when there is a selection input of the route search icon 56 in the process of step S41, the selected route search condition input screen is displayed on the display means 27 in the process of step S42 as shown in FIG. Is done.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a route search condition input screen displayed on the display means 27 during the route search condition input process in step S42. The display screen 60 includes a departure point input field 61 for inputting a departure point, a destination input field 62 for inputting a destination, a route point input field 63 for inputting a route point, and a departure date and time for route guidance. A date and time designation field 64 for inputting the date and time of arrival, a transportation means input field 65 for inputting a transportation means used at the time of route guidance, and a display order input field for designating the display order of the route search results at the time of route guidance. 66, a used route input field 67 for inputting a route to be used at the time of route guidance, and a search start icon 68 for executing transmission of search conditions to the route search server 30 are displayed.

  In the process of step S42, the starting point and destination are entered as essential items, and if there is a waypoint, the waypoint is entered, and the route search including the date and means of transportation, the display order of the route search results, the route used, etc. When a route search is requested by selecting and inputting conditions and selecting the search start icon 68, guide route data or the like is received from the route search server 30 via the communication means 22 in the process of step S43, and is shown in FIG. As described above, the search result is displayed on the display means 27 in accordance with the guide route data.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a route search result screen displayed on the display means 27 during the route search result display process in step S43. The display screen 70 is provided with a first map display area 71 and a second map display area 72 that can display map data in a scrollable manner. A map around the departure point is displayed in the first map display area 71, and a route line from the departure point to the nearest station is drawn in a visible manner.

  A map around the destination is displayed in the second map display area 72, and a route line from the nearest station to the destination is drawn in a visible manner. At the bottom of the display screen, a list of route candidates 75 is displayed as search results up to the third candidate.

In addition, a map with a desired scale can be selected by operating scale change tool icons 73 and 74 provided in the upper right corner of each map display area.
In the process of step S44, it is determined whether or not the map scale change detecting means 36 has detected an operation of the scale change tool icon 73 or 74.

  If the operation of the scale change tool icon 73 or 74 is not detected in the determination process of step S44, the process returns to the process of step S43. On the other hand, the map scale change detection means 36 uses either the first or second map. When an operation of the scale changing tool icon 73 or 74 for changing the scale of the map displayed in the display area is detected, the map scale interlocking means 37 displays the operation in the other display area in the process of step S45. The scale of the map is also changed in conjunction with it, and the process is terminated. As a result, the maps displayed in the first and second map display areas always have the same scale.

Transitions of screens displayed in the first and second map display areas during the processing steps from step S43 to step S45 are shown in FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed in the first map display area, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed in the second map display area.

  In the processing of step S43, the first map display area 71 is in the display state of the detailed view 2 shown in the screen 1 of FIG. 8, and the second map display area 72 is the display of the detailed view 2 shown in the screen 1 of FIG. It is assumed that it is in a state. When the scale change tool icon 73 is operated in the process of step S44 in this state, the first map display area 71 is changed to the display state of the city map 2 shown in the screen 2 of FIG. 8 in the process of step S45. At the same time, the second map display area 72 is changed to the display state of the city map 2 shown in the screen 2 of FIG.

Note that, when a transit point is input and set on the route search condition input screen of FIG. 6, a route map may be displayed as the third map display area on the route search result screen of FIG. In this case, if a plurality of waypoints are set, the set number of map display areas are displayed.
Even when the waypoint is not set, a transfer station on the way may be displayed. A plurality of map display areas are similarly displayed when there are not only one transfer station but also a plurality of transfer stations.
The scales of the maps displayed in the third and subsequent map display areas are also changed in conjunction with the maps displayed in the first and second map display areas.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the route search result screen displayed on the display means 27 during the route search result display processing in step 43. The display screen 100 includes a first map display area 101 that can display map data around the departure place, a second map display area 102 that can display map data around the destination, and a via route. A third map display area 103 capable of displaying map data around the ground and a fourth map display area 104 capable of displaying map data around the transfer station are formed.

  The map data displayed in these display areas can be displayed in a scrollable manner, and a map of a desired scale can be obtained by operating the scale change tool icons 105, 106, 107, 108 provided in the upper right corner of each display area. Can be selected.

When the scale of any one of these map display areas is changed, all the other map display areas are changed to the same scale in conjunction with each other.
Furthermore, in addition to interlocking with the scale of the map, for example, when the map can be rotated, the rotation of a plurality of maps may be interlocked.

  In the above embodiment, the map data storage means 33 of the route search server 30 has four types (AD) of different types of maps such as the wide area map 1, the middle area map 1, the detailed map 1, and the city map 1. A configuration has been described in which data is stored and the map scale interlocking means 37 performs a reduction / enlargement operation at a predetermined ratio from the map data read from the map data storage means 33.

  However, the present invention is not based on such a configuration, and the map data storage means 33 stores four types of map data of different types (A to D), and map data having different levels is required. Thus, the map data may be distributed from the route search server 30 to the user portable terminal device 20. Then, the user terminal device 20 may be configured to generate map data that is easily enlarged or reduced by performing reduction and enlargement calculations from the distributed map data at a predetermined ratio.

  With such a configuration, map data communication between the route search server 30 and the mobile terminal device 20 only needs to be performed when a map having a different hierarchy is required, and the communication load of the map data is reduced. Can be reduced.

  As described above in detail, according to the route search system of the present invention, the first display screen on which the departure place is displayed, the second display screen on which the destination is displayed, and the waypoint or transfer point. 3rd or more display screens with points displayed, and changing the scale of the map displayed on one display screen will change the scale of the map displayed on the other display screen to the same Therefore, it is possible to provide a route search system that enables the walking route to be viewed at the same scale to be visually recognized by interlocking the scales of the maps displayed on the plurality of display screens.

  When the map is displayed at different scales, it may not be possible to grasp the sense of distance because the walking route line is always displayed (drawn) on the map, but the map is displayed at the same scale as in the present invention. If it is done, it becomes easy to determine in advance how much you should walk, so the convenience of the route search system according to the present invention can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the communication type route search system including the user terminal device and the route search server has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the communication type route search system, and update of map data can be managed. If so, the present invention may be applied when data is downloaded to a portable information device that operates in a stand-alone manner, in which a user terminal device and a route search server are integrated, and route guidance is performed by the portable information terminal alone.

  Further, the route search system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone or a PDA as a user terminal device, and the route search server is a navigation system for pedestrians. A server having a navigation function for automobiles in addition to the function may be used. Furthermore, the system may not have a navigation function, or may be a mobile phone that does not support navigation services or a mobile phone that does not have GPS positioning means. In the case of a mobile phone that does not have GPS positioning means, the location information of the communication area is acquired by location registration with respect to the base station, and the route search server may receive this location information from the mobile phone and determine the location.

  The map display system according to the present invention may be implemented by a map display application installed in a mobile phone, or may be implemented as a map site that provides a map display service to a personal computer (PC).

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a route search system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the user terminal device 20 and the route search server 30 in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the map data management table which memorize | stored the correspondence of the classification of a map, and the accumulation range of map data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the user terminal device concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the map guidance site screen concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the route search condition input screen concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the route search result screen concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows one example of the transition of the screen displayed on the 1st map display area concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows one example of the transition of the screen displayed on the 2nd map display area concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the route search result screen concerning the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Route search system 12 ... Communication line 20 ... User terminal device 21 ... Control means 22 ... Communication means 23 ... Positioning means 24 ... Internet Browser means 25 ... Data storage means 26 ... Input means 27 ... Display means 30 ... Route search server 31 ... Control means 32 ... Route search means 33 ... ..Map data means 34 ... Communication means 35 ... Display control means 36 ... Map scale change detection means 37 ... Map scale interlocking means

Claims (13)

In a map display system comprising map data storage means that accumulates map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and a map display device that displays maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display system includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means, and the display control means changes a map displayed in one display area according to a designated scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. A map display system, wherein the scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the map of the scale reduced in the other display area. The map display system further includes positioning means for positioning the current position of the map display device, and route search means for searching for a route from the departure point to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to perform control to display a current position mark indicating the current position measured by the positioning means on the map. The map display system according to claim 1.   When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein the map display system displays the map.   The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area 2. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein map data of a corresponding scale is read out from the map data of different scales stored in the map data storage means and displayed. A map requested by the map display device is provided in a map display device that includes map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and displays a map of a different area in each of a plurality of map display areas. In an information distribution server that provides data,
The information distribution server includes a map scale change detecting unit, a map scale interlocking unit, and a display control unit, and the display control unit changes a map displayed in one display area according to a specified scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. The scale of the map displayed on the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the changed scale map on the other display area. The information delivery server further comprises route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to control to display a current position mark indicating the current position of the map display device on the map. 6. The information delivery server according to claim 5, wherein   When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. 6. The information distribution server according to claim 5, wherein the information distribution server is displayed.   The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area 6. The information distribution server according to claim 5, wherein map data of a corresponding scale is read out from map data of a different scale accumulated in the map data storage means and displayed. A map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, connected to an information distribution server for providing map data requested by the map display device to the map display device via a network; In a map display device that displays maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display device includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means, and the display control means changes a map displayed in one display area according to a designated scale. And when the map scale change detecting means detects that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another operation based on the changed map scale. A map display apparatus, wherein the scale of the map displayed in the display area is changed, and the display control means displays the map of the scale reduced in the other display area. The information delivery server further comprises route search means for searching for a route from the departure place to the destination based on route search conditions,
The display control means is configured to display a map including the guide route searched by the route search means, and to control to display a current position mark indicating the current position of the map display device on the map. 10. The map display device according to claim 9, wherein   When there is a designation to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area, the display control means enlarges or reduces the map based on the map data of the map displayed in the display area. The map display device according to claim 9, wherein the map display device displays the map.   The map data storage means accumulates map data of different scales for each area of latitude and longitude ranges, and the display control means is designated to change the scale of the map displayed in any display area The map display device according to claim 9, wherein map data of a corresponding scale is read out from map data of a different scale accumulated in the map data storage means and displayed. In a map display method in a map display system comprising map data storage means for storing map data for each area of a predetermined latitude and longitude range, and a map display device for displaying maps of different areas in a plurality of map display areas,
The map display system includes a map scale change detecting means, a map scale interlocking means, and a display control means,
The display control means changes and displays the map displayed in one display area according to a specified scale, and the map scale change detection means changes the scale of the map displayed in the one display area. And when it is detected that the scale of the map displayed in the one display area has been changed, the map scale interlocking means performs another display based on the changed map scale. A map display method comprising the steps of: changing a scale of a map displayed in an area; and displaying the map of the scale reduced in the other display area by the display control means.

Images