JP2010032925A - Annotation layout device for map, and control method for annotation layout device for map - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem wherein a device for automatically selecting a character string indicating an annotation does not take the layout when actually arranging the selected character string on a map, although a technique for automatically selecting the "annotation" marked in a store and a facility on the map is provided. <P>SOLUTION: This annotation layout device includes a function for calculating an occupied range on the map of the annotation character sequence, and for imparting flowing-directional weighting of the annotation, not to be overlapped with a road or the like on the map, based on the calculated occupied range, a proper layout is thereby determined, and the annotation is selected based thereon to be arranged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for automatically arranging a note such as a store name displayed on a map so as to increase visibility.

  On the map, for example, so-called “notes” such as store names, restaurant names, and park names are added. And if you don't pay attention to the display layout on the map, such notes may overlap the outlines of facilities and roads, or the notes may overlap, making the map difficult to read. There is sex.

  Therefore, the notes are basically manually arranged, and are manually rearranged as necessary so that the above problems do not occur.

In addition, since manual annotation placement is time-consuming, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a character string information selection device for automatically performing such annotation placement. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for selecting a character string to be displayed as a note using a plurality of selection conditions set in advance in consideration of visibility and the like. Also, it is disclosed that the priority of character strings, the number of characters, and the like are used as the selection condition.
JP 2007-328303 A

However, the character string information selection device only selects a character string to be displayed as a note in accordance with a predetermined selection condition. For this reason, there is a problem that the layout of the selected character string when it is actually arranged on the map is not considered. That is, in the above character string information selection device, for example, if the display direction of one character string is changed from vertical to horizontal, objects such as roads and notes can be arranged without overlapping, such a layout change is performed. There is no consideration. Then, since the number of characters in the note is large, the note may not be displayed on the map.
In addition, the character string information selection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses that the priority order of character strings, the number of characters, and the like are used as annotation selection conditions. However, in such a selection condition, a note is selected with an emphasis on visibility, while a note is selected in consideration of an intention (context) when a user uses a map, for example, “to find a restaurant”. There is also the problem of not being made. That is, although there is a facility or the like that the user would like to know on the map, it does not match the selection condition that places importance on visibility, so there is a possibility that a note regarding the facility will not be displayed on the map.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention calculates the occupation range of the note character string on the map, and weights the direction in which the note flows so as not to overlap the road on the map from the calculated occupation range. Provided with a function is an annotation layout device that can determine an appropriate layout and select and arrange an annotation.

  Specifically, the note layout device according to the present invention is based on a note candidate holding unit that holds note candidates, a placement rule holding unit that holds rules for extracting note candidates to be placed on a map, and held rules. A note candidate extraction unit for extracting note candidates, a bounce calculation processing unit for calculating the occupation range of the extracted notes based on the diagram stored in the map database, and an occupation range calculated with objects such as roads and routes Based on the relationship between the weight and the weight calculation unit that calculates the weight of the direction in which the characters constituting the note flow on the map, and the weight obtained by the calculation from the note candidates extracted by the note candidate extraction unit An annotation layout device comprising: an annotation selection / arrangement unit that selects and arranges.

  Further, in addition to the above configuration, for example, a function of accepting designation of a context indicating the intention of using the map, such as a restaurant map (map for searching for a restaurant) or a cherry-blossom viewing map, and extracting a note suitable for the context An annotation layout device is also provided.

  Specifically, in addition to the above configuration, it further includes a context acquisition unit that acquires the context of the map desired to be displayed by an input or instruction from the user or the map creator, and the note candidate holding unit supports the context. A note holding unit with a context score for associating the score with the score, and the note candidate extracting unit based on the context acquired by the context acquiring unit and the rule stored in the placement rule holding unit A note layout apparatus having context-dependent note extraction means for extracting note candidates from holding means.

  In addition, a note layout device having a function of determining the arrangement of notes according to the acquired context, and a function of calculating the possibility of collision between character strings constituting a note and laying out the notes so as not to overlap each other are provided. An annotation layout device is also provided. Also provided is a method for controlling an annotation layout device having such a function.

According to the present invention configured as described above, the occupancy range on the map of the note character string is calculated, and weighting is performed in the direction in which the note flows from the calculated occupancy range so as not to overlap the road on the map. it can. Therefore, by using the weighted value, it is possible to determine a layout in which the annotation is highly visible without overlapping between objects on the map and other notes, and can be arranged on the map.
In addition, for example, according to the intention (context) when a user uses a map such as “to search for a restaurant”, it is possible to extract a note suitable for the context and arrange it on the map. Therefore, when there are facilities that the user wants to know on the map, notes regarding these facilities can be presented to the user as much as possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the first embodiment, claims 1 and 5 will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, claims 2 and 6 will be mainly described. In the third embodiment, claims 3 and 7 will be mainly described. In the fourth embodiment, claims 4 and 8 will be mainly described.

  Example 1

    <Overview>

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of an automatic note placement process on a map by the note layout device of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), for example, when a note “Ox Electric” is added on a map, if a character is added in the right direction, the character string will overlap the track on the map. Become. Therefore, in the note layout apparatus of the present embodiment, the relationship between the note character string and the object on the map such as a track when the note character string flows in each direction is calculated. Then, as shown in FIG. 1B, as a result of the relationship calculation, the direction in which the two overlap each other is specified (downward in the example in the figure), and the layout of the notes is laid out so that the notes flow in that direction. That is how it is said.

  As described above, in the note layout device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the relationship with the object on the map and to arrange the note on the map so as to increase the visibility in consideration of the direction in which the note character flows. .

    <Functional configuration>

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “note layout device” (0200) of this embodiment includes a “note candidate holding unit” (0201), an “placement rule holding unit” (0202), and a “note candidate extracting unit” ( 0203), “bounce calculation processing unit” (0204), “weighting calculation unit” (0205), and “note selection / arrangement unit” (0206).

  Note that the functional blocks of the note layout apparatus described below can be realized as hardware, software, or both hardware and software. Specifically, if a computer is used, a CPU, a main memory, a bus, or a secondary storage device (a hard disk, a non-volatile memory, a storage medium such as a CD or a DVD, a read drive for the medium, etc.), information Input devices used for input, printing equipment, display devices, other hardware components such as external peripheral devices, interfaces for external peripheral devices, communication interfaces, driver programs for controlling these hardware, Other examples include application programs and user interface applications.

  Then, by CPU processing according to the program developed on the main memory, the data input from the input device or other interface and held in the memory or hard disk is processed and stored, An instruction for controlling the software is generated. The present invention can be realized not only as an apparatus but also as a method. A part of the invention can be configured as software. Furthermore, a software product used for causing a computer to execute such software and a recording medium in which the product is fixed to a recording medium are naturally included in the technical scope of the present invention (the same applies throughout the present specification). Is).

  The “notice candidate holding unit” (0201) has a function of holding note candidates, and can be realized by a secondary recording device such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD (hard disk drive). “Candidate for note” means a candidate for a note to be displayed on a map. “Note” means, for example, a building, a facility, an area, a natural object such as a forest, a forest, a mountain, a river, a road, This refers to the name or description attached to a route such as a track. For example, names such as “Yurakucho Station”, “Ox Electric”, and “National Route 28” can be mentioned. In addition to the names, explanations such as “★★ ☆” (evaluation of dishes) can also be given.

  Note that the note in the present invention particularly indicates that display / non-display is selected according to the scale and context of the map (for example, the purpose of the map such as “cherry blossom viewing” in the cherry blossom map). Accordingly, the display / non-display of the note candidates held in the note candidate holding unit is selected by the following configuration.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of note candidates held in the note candidate holding unit. As shown in this figure, for example, “ID: POI001” is given to the note candidate “Yurakucho Station” in the note candidate holding unit, and “Address: Chiyoda-ku ...” indicating the place, Information such as “latitude: 35.67...”, “Longitude: 139.76...” Is associated and tabulated. In addition, image data (so-called bitmap font) and mathematical formula data (so-called outline font) for drawing the character string of the note are preferably stored in association with the note.

  “Tag: JR (registered trademark) line station” indicating the type, attribute, scale concept, etc. of the note, “score: 250” serving as a display priority index, and the like may also be associated. In addition, a “phone number”, a “placement required flag” indicating whether or not to place a note as a note may be associated, and the “score” is classified by purpose (importance, conspicuousness). Degree, cooking recommendation degree, etc.) It may be a score.

  In addition, this score may be given based on the following criteria, for example. For example, if it is a famous store, place, or representative presence, a high importance score is given. In addition, the importance score may be obtained by, for example, identifying a review site or a blog related to the store or place by sentence analysis, and using the number of posts and post-description words as numerical values.

  Or, in the case of a large building at the corner of an intersection, a large area with high visibility in a wide area, or a design, a high degree of mark value is given as a high mark value. It is. In that case, the latitude and longitude information of a “node” (road intersection, etc.), which will be described later, and the proximity of latitude and longitude information of the building and the area of the building may be calculated as the scores.

  In this way, annotation candidates are managed and retained in association with "address" and "latitude / longitude" information indicating the place to be displayed on the map, or "tags" and "scores", thereby specifying them. The notes to be displayed on the map are extracted according to various conditions.

  The “placement rule holding unit” (0202) has a function of holding a rule for extracting candidate annotations to be placed on a map, and can be realized by a secondary recording device such as a non-volatile memory or an HDD. This rule includes, for example, a rule that defines items to be priorities when extracting note candidates and a rule that defines restrictions such as the number of extractions.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an arrangement rule held in the arrangement rule holding unit. As shown in this figure, for example, a rule identified by “ID: Rule001” defines a rule for “preferentially extracting road names”. Specifically, a rule set so as to preferentially extract a note candidate whose tag is “road” or the like with reference to the “tag” of the note candidate holding unit.

  Other examples include “rules for extracting notes with 6 or fewer characters” and “rules for extracting 10 note candidates to extract”. These rules can be realized by, for example, a program that performs branch processing according to the conditions indicated in the rules.

  For example, if such a rule is associated with the scale size of the map, a rule to be applied according to the scale size of the displayed map is selected. In addition, the selection of other rules to be applied may be realized by various configurations. For example, as will be described later in the second embodiment, the arrangement rule holding unit may hold the rules in association with the context (such as the purpose of the map). In that case, the rule can be specified by designating the context, and a map with notes attached according to the context can be created.

  Or the structure etc. in which the designated rule is selected when a user inputs the selection command which designates a rule directly are also mentioned.

  Then, in accordance with the rule selected in this way, the note candidate is extracted by the next note candidate extraction unit.

  The “note candidate extraction unit” (0203) has a function of extracting note candidates based on the stored rules, and is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a main memory, a note candidate extraction program, or the like. Can do. Specifically, for example, “Rule001” held in the placement rule holding unit is selected as the extraction rule for the note candidate. Then, the CPU interprets the rule defined by “Rule001” and refers to the “tag” of the note held in the note candidate holding unit. Then, note candidates whose “tag” is “road” are identified and extracted. Further, a plurality of rules serving as extraction criteria may be selected. For example, on the condition that the scale is 1 / 700,000 or more, “Rules that do not extract note candidates with a score of 400 or less” and “Rules that extract 20 pieces” are selected, and extraction processing of note candidates that match both rules is selected. Is executed.

  Then, note candidates indicating road names such as “National Route 28” and “Hibiya Street” extracted here are displayed on the map. With respect to these note candidates, the display layout on the map is automatically determined by the following configuration.

  The “bounce calculation processing unit” (0204) has a function of calculating the occupation range of the extracted note based on the diagram stored in the map database. The “scheme” refers to various data necessary for displaying a character string indicating a note on a map. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the number of points indicating the font size of the character string, rotation Parameters for font transformation such as: distance between characters (numbers, symbols), presence / absence of line feed, character and surrounding decorative image data, and the like.

  Also, a scheme that determines the display method of the character string of the note is preferably stored in the “map database” in association with map data of various scales, for example. That is, for example, scale map data of 1 / 200,000 to 1 / 100,000 is associated with a graphic designating a relatively large font size with a small number of displayed notes since it is a rough terrain map size. . On the other hand, in the scale map data of 1 / 10,000 to 1 / 10,000, the topographical map size is fine. Therefore, there is a scheme to specify a relatively small font size so that many notes can be displayed. A graphic designating a font format that increases the visibility even when many notes are arranged is associated.

  The map database includes a “raster map” database that includes image data and prepares map image data for each scale, and a “vector map” database that expresses map data as a collection of coordinates and lines. . However, regardless of the format of the map database, it is preferable that the diagram is determined according to the scale as described above. In this way, there is no need to set the size of the note for each scale of the map to be displayed.

  The function of the bounce calculation processing unit can be realized by, for example, a CPU, a main memory, a bounce calculation processing program, or the like. Specifically, if the diagram as shown in FIG. 5 is held in association with the scale of the map, these diagrams are acquired according to the scale of the displayed map, and the “maximum / minimum points” of the note, Information indicating “distance between characters”, “presence / absence of line feed”, and the like are specified.

  Next, a rectangle of “14 pixels × 120 pixels” is used for the character string data of the note specified by, for example, POIID, using as parameters the size of each character and the distance between characters shown in these diagrams, and a predetermined margin around the character. For example, the occupancy range when displaying a note in the state of space is calculated.

  In addition, regarding the calculation processing of the note occupancy range here, parameters such as the number of font display points and the presence of line breaks, for example, when a map object such as a road outline described later overlaps with the note occupancy range, etc. It is preferable to configure so that the occupation range of the note is recalculated.

  In addition, the diagram stored in the map database may be configured to be managed and held in the map database directly by being set for each scale of the map database as described above. A plurality of note candidate holding units are provided for each scale, and a graphic is set for each note held therein, so that the graphic may be managed and held in association with the note in the note candidate holding unit. Alternatively, a diagram may be set for each placement rule, and the placement rule holding unit may manage and hold the diagram in association with the rule.

  In the following configuration, the relationship between the calculated occupancy range of the note and whether or not the objects such as roads and rivers on the map overlap is determined, and the layout is determined.

  The “weighting calculation unit” (0205) has a function of calculating the weighting of the direction in which the characters constituting the note flow on the map based on the relationship between the calculated occupation range and the object such as a road or a route. It can be realized by a CPU, a main memory, a weighting calculation program, and the like.

  Specifically, for example, regarding the relationship between the object on the map and the occupation range, “It is permitted that the track and the note overlap with 30 pixels or less. However, it is not allowed that the station and the note overlap with 10 pixels or more.” When using the relationship, first, the position on the map where the note candidate is displayed is specified from “latitude and longitude” of the note candidate holding unit shown in FIG. Then, the specified position is, for example, the upper left corner of the occupation range, and the note is temporarily arranged on the map in the horizontal direction (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7).

  Subsequently, by using various table data as shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, outlines of objects such as tracks and roads displayed on the map are specified. Note that “objects” are those displayed on a map that cannot be moved or deformed on a map of the same scale, such as roads and rivers. , Facilities and forests (outline). Further, in the example of FIG. 6, an example is shown in which an object such as a road or a railroad is represented by a combination of the start point / end point and a “node” indicating a branch point (FIG. 6A). Specifically, from the latitude / longitude information of the “node” (FIG. 6B) and the data of the drawing expression (FIG. 6C) of the “Link” connecting the two nodes, the map object That is, the outline is specified. Of course, this is only an example, and the data for specifying the object may be appropriately selected according to the map drawing method or the like.

  Then, it is determined by a calculation process of the CPU whether or not the occupying range of the notes arranged and the outline of the identified object overlap. If it is determined that both have the same position on the map, that is, they overlap, the note is placed in a downward vertical direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7). Temporary rearrangement is executed so that the occupation range changes.

  When the annotation is sent in the A direction, the weighting value is 10, and when the annotation is sent in the B direction, the weighting value is 60. For example, for each direction in which the annotation is flowed in inverse proportion to the number of overlapping pixels. For example, the weight value is calculated.

  Then, by determining the direction in which the note flows using the weighting value calculated in this way, the annotation and the object on the map can be automatically laid out so as to minimize the overlap. .

  Note that a predetermined grace condition may be set with the latitude and longitude as the center point, and a note may be arranged freely to some extent from the center point. In that case, the relationship between the annotation and the object is determined at each of the free arrangement positions, and the position with the smallest overlap is set as the arrangement position of the notes.

  Also, as described above, before deciding the direction in which the notes are to flow, change the parameters for calculating the occupation range such as the point information indicating the font size and the presence / absence of line breaks, and then recalculate the relationship. The determination process of the sex and the determination process of the flowing direction may be performed.

  The “note selection / arrangement unit” (0206) has a function of selecting and arranging a note using a weight obtained by calculation from the note candidates extracted by the note candidate extraction unit. For example, the CPU, main memory, note It can be realized by a selective arrangement program. Specifically, it is determined that a note is made to flow in the direction with the highest weighting value and arranged. Of course, the number of notes to be arranged is not one. Therefore, as will be described later in the fourth embodiment, even when the note and the object do not overlap, a layout in which the note overlaps may be formed. Such a case will be described in detail in Example 4.

  As described above, the note layout apparatus of the present embodiment can extract the note to be displayed and automatically arrange it on the map in consideration of the direction in which the character of the note flows.

  Note that the note layout apparatus having the above configuration can be implemented by being incorporated into various apparatuses. For example, an embodiment that is incorporated locally in a user terminal device and functions in a stand-alone manner can be given. Or the Example integrated in the server apparatus on a network which is integrated in the server apparatus on a network and returns a map according to the request from a user's terminal device is also mentioned. In addition, it is built into a computing device for creating print data for paper media maps and sales package data for digital maps, and automatically adds notes according to the scale and map purpose (such as drive maps) entered by the map creator. An example of creating the arranged map data can also be given.

    <Hardware configuration>

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration in the note layout device when the functional components described above are realized as hardware. The operation of each hardware component in the automatic annotation placement process on the map will be described using this figure.

  As shown in this figure, the note layout device realizes a note candidate extraction unit, a bounce calculation processing unit, a weighting calculation unit, and a note selection / placement unit by interpreting and executing various programs, and performs other various calculation processes. A “CPU” (0801) to execute and a “main memory” (0802) are provided. In addition, an “HDD” (0803) which is a note candidate holding unit and an arrangement rule holding unit, “I / O (input / output)” for inputting and outputting data, and the like are also provided. They are connected to each other via a data communication path such as a “system bus” to transmit / receive information and process information.

  A program is read out to the “main memory”, and the “CPU” executes various arithmetic processes by referring to the read out program. In addition, a plurality of addresses are assigned to each of the “main memory” and “HDD”, and in the arithmetic processing of the “CPU”, the address is specified and the stored data is accessed to access the data. It is possible to perform the arithmetic processing used.

  In response to an instruction input via a UI (user interface) (not shown), the note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a note candidate extraction program, a bounce calculation processing program, a weight calculation program, and a note selection arrangement program in the “main memory”. Read out. First, the CPU extracts the note candidate extraction program, and in accordance with the program, for example, a rule selection instruction (for example, a map scale designation instruction, a context designation instruction, or a rule selection) input via “UI”. The rule selected from the placement rule master stored in the address 2 of “HDD” is specified according to the command or the like, and read out to the address 1 of “main memory”.

  Then, in order to extract the note candidates according to the rules read out to the “main memory”, for example, the tag of the note candidate master as shown in FIG. Identify note candidates associated with “Road”. Then, the specified note candidate is stored at address 2 of “main memory”.

  Subsequently, “CPU” interprets the bounce calculation processing program, and refers to the map database (DB) stored at address 3 of “HDD” according to the program. Then, a diagram as shown in FIG. 5 held in the map DB in association with the displayed map is read out and stored in the address 3 of “main memory”. Then, regarding the note candidate stored at the address 2 of the “main memory”, the occupation range of the note is calculated by arithmetic processing of the CPU using various data shown in the diagram as parameters. The calculation result is stored in address 4 of “main memory”.

  Next, the “CPU” interprets the weighting calculation program and specifies the map object to be displayed according to the program. Specifically, first, latitude / longitude information for displaying a note candidate stored at address 2 of “main memory” is acquired from a note candidate master stored in “HDD”. Subsequently, an object on the map within a predetermined range centered on the latitude / longitude information is specified by a CPU calculation process using the latitude / longitude information of the data table as shown in FIG. Subsequently, latitude / longitude information included in the identified object is calculated. Further, from the occupation range of the note stored at address 4 of the “main memory” and the latitude / longitude information on which the middle period is to be displayed, for example, the latitude / longitude included in the occupation range when the annotation is laid out in the right direction. Calculate information.

  Then, the latitude and longitude information of both is compared, and for example, the number of matching latitude and longitude information is stored in the address 7 of the “main memory” as an index (relationship determination result) indicating the degree of overlap between the two. Then, a predetermined function with the number of matches as a variable is calculated, and the calculation result is stored as a weighting value at address 8 of the “main memory”. Then, this weighting value calculation processing is executed for each of the predetermined four directions and eight directions, and the direction with the highest weighting value is determined as the display direction of the note stored in the address 2 of the “main memory”. To do.

  The same processing is performed for the other extracted annotation candidates, and the layout of each is determined.

    <Process flow>

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing in the note layout device of this embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care.

As shown in this figure, with reference to the table shown in FIG. 3, for example, which is held in advance in the note candidate holding unit based on the rule, a predetermined number of scores are ranked in descending order according to Rule 006 in FIG. Annotation candidates are extracted (step S0901). If there is no note candidate that matches the rule and the note candidate cannot be extracted, for example, the following rule is adopted and the note candidate is extracted again.
Subsequently, based on the diagram stored in the map database or the like, the occupation range is calculated such as “28 × 96” from the extracted note, for example, the font size (step S0902). Then, based on the relationship between the object such as the Yurakucho station and the Yurakucho line track and the calculated note occupation range “28 × 96”, for example, when a note is flowed upward, the note occupation range and the Yurakucho station The number of pixels “1422” in the region where the above overlaps is calculated. Then, the number of overlapping pixels is substituted into a predetermined inverse proportionality formula. For example, the weighting value for flowing upwards is “5”, and the weighting in the direction of flowing the characters constituting the annotation on the map is calculated (step S0903). ). Then, among the annotation candidates extracted in step S0901, the weighting obtained by the calculation in step S0903 is used to select and arrange, for example, a note is flown in the direction of the largest weighting (step S0904).

    <Brief description of effect>

  As described above, the note layout device of the present embodiment extracts the note candidates to be displayed efficiently, and automatically arranges them on the map in consideration of the direction of flowing the note characters so as to improve the visibility. can do.

  << Example 2 >>

    <Overview>

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of automatic placement of a note on a map by the note layout device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10A, for example, when creating a cherry-blossom viewing map, keywords such as “cherry blossom” and “beer” are received by user input. Then, the note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment preferentially extracts notes such as “Imperial Palace”, “Hibiya Park”, “Beer Garden”, etc., where cherry blossoms can be seen, and automatically places them on the map.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, keywords such as “restaurant” and “meal” are accepted when creating a map for the purpose of searching for a restaurant. Then, the note layout apparatus of the present embodiment is a map showing the same place as FIG. 10A, but this time it is possible to eat “Ox Tower”, “Japan Hotel”, “Soba Restaurant XX”. , “△△ restaurant” etc. are preferentially extracted and automatically arranged on the map.

  In this way, the note layout apparatus of the present embodiment has a function of changing the notes that are extracted and automatically arranged according to the purpose of the map, and therefore can provide a highly convenient map.

    <Functional configuration>

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “note layout device” (1100) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and includes “note candidate holding unit” (1101), “placement rule holding unit” (1102), “ An annotation candidate extraction unit ”(1103), a“ bounce calculation processing unit ”(1104), a“ weighting calculation unit ”(1105), and an“ note selection / arrangement unit ”(1106). Since these functional configurations have already been described in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  A feature point of the note layout apparatus according to this embodiment is that it includes a “context acquisition unit” (1107). Further, the note candidate holding unit of the note layout apparatus has a “context scored note holding unit” (1108), and the note candidate extraction unit has a “context-dependent note extraction unit” (1109).

  The “context acquisition unit” (1109) has a function of acquiring a context of a map desired to be displayed by an input or instruction from a user or a map creator. For example, a GUI (graphical user interface) or various input devices Etc. can be realized.

  “Context” refers to the purpose of the map and the classification of notes that are desired to be displayed preferentially, such as “restaurant”, “convenience store”, “transportation”, “tourist attraction”, and the like. Alternatively, when the degree of conspicuousness or importance of a store or facility to which a note is attached is scored, “conspicuousness” and “importance” may be contexts. The note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment extracts notes according to such “context” input via the GUI or the input device with the following configuration.

  The “note holding unit with context score” (1108) has a function of holding a note by associating a score corresponding to the context. For example, the context score is added to the table data of the note candidate holding unit as shown in FIG. This can be realized by adding the item.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of this context scored note holding means. As shown in this figure, for example, a note “Yurakucho” identified by POIID001 is given a context score “500” of “movement (transportation)”. In addition, the context score “400” of “home appliance” is assigned to the note “○ × Denki”, and the context score “500” of “entertainment” is assigned to the note “Nippon Theater”. . Also, a plurality of contexts and context scores may be assigned to one note.

  In this way, the note holding unit with context score of the note candidate holding unit assigns the context score and holds the note, thereby extracting the note according to the context and preferentially extracting according to the score. be able to.

  In addition, this context scored note holding means may be configured to generate table data by adding the context and score to the note in cooperation with other server devices. For example, a review or a score posted on a website for sharing restaurant information or the like, or the number of posted posts is acquired from a server device that manages the site. Then, the score or the number itself is assigned to the note as a score, or the wording in the sentence is converted into a numerical value using a conversion table such as “delicious ⇒ 6 points” and attached to the note. .

  The “context-dependent note extraction unit” (1109) has a function of extracting a note candidate from the context scored note holding unit based on the context acquired by the context acquisition unit and the rule held in the arrangement rule holding unit, For example, it can be realized by a CPU, a main memory, a context-dependent note extraction program, or the like.

  Specifically, using the context acquired by the context acquisition unit as a key, reference is made to the note candidate table data with a context score as shown in FIG. Then, a candidate for a note to which a context having a matching context is added is extracted. Also, if there is the above-mentioned arrangement rule such as extracting the top 50 of the score according to the magnitude of the score, for example, the annotation candidate with the context score is extracted according to the rule. Also good.

  Further, the annotation candidate extraction process according to the context may be configured to refer to, for example, a synonym dictionary held in a storage medium. By referring to the synonym dictionary, for example, regarding the context of “meal”, it is determined that “restaurant”, “food” and the like are contexts having the same meaning, and the above extraction process is performed.

    <Process flow>

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the note layout apparatus of this embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care.

As shown in this figure, first, a map context desired to be displayed by a user or map creator, for example, a keyword such as “meal” is received and acquired via an input device or GUI (step S1301). Subsequently, for example, a note table with a context score as shown in FIG. 12 is searched using a synonym of “meal” specified in the acquired “meal” or a synonym dictionary as a search keyword. For example, Rule003 shown in FIG. Accordingly, note candidates such as “Ito Building” associated with “meal” and having a higher score are extracted (step S1302). Although not shown, if there is no note candidate that matches the rule or context and it is not possible to extract the note candidate, for example, the rule is changed or the user is prompted to enter another context, and the note candidate is again displayed. Should be extracted.
Then, based on the diagram stored in the map database or the like, the occupancy range of the extracted note is calculated as “28 × 96” according to the font or font size of “Ito Building”, for example (step 28). S1303). Next, based on the relationship between the object area such as the Yurakucho Station and the Yurakucho Line tracks and the calculated “Ito Building” occupation range “28 × 96”, for example, when the note “Ito Building” is flowed upward In addition, the number of pixels “1422” in the region where the occupation range of the note overlaps with Yurakucho Station is calculated. Then, the number of overlapping pixels is substituted into a predetermined inverse proportionality formula. For example, the weighting value for flowing upwards is “5”, and the weighting in the direction of flowing the characters constituting the note on the map is calculated (step S1304). ). From the annotation candidates extracted in step S1302, using the weighting obtained in the calculation in step S1304, for example, the annotation is selected and arranged in the direction of the largest weighting (step S1305).

    <Brief description of effect>

  As described above, the note layout apparatus according to the present embodiment can extract note candidates according to the context designated by the user or the map creator. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a map in which notes that match a desired context of the user or the like are automatically arranged so that the visibility is high.

  Example 3

    <Overview>

  In this embodiment, based on the above-described embodiment, the note to be actually displayed is selected according to the score from the extracted note candidates according to the context designated by the user or the map creator. This is a note layout device having a function of arranging only selected notes on a map. By providing a function for selecting and arranging notes according to the context in this way, the note layout device of the present embodiment is a map that has improved visibility while meeting the wishes of map creators and users. Can be provided.

    <Functional configuration>

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the note layout device according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “note layout device” (1400) of the present embodiment is based on the second embodiment and includes “note candidate holding unit” (1401), “placement rule holding unit” (1402), “ Note candidate extraction unit "(1403)," bounce calculation processing unit "(1404)," weighting calculation unit "(1405)," note selection / arrangement unit "(1406), and" context acquisition unit "(1407) And “context scored note holding means” (1408) and “context dependent note extraction means” (1409). Since these functional configurations have already been described in the first and second embodiments, description thereof will be omitted.

  A feature point of the note layout apparatus of this embodiment is that the note selection placement unit further includes “context-dependent note placement means” (1410).

  The “context-dependent note placement unit” (1410) has a function of selecting and placing a note based on the context acquired by the context acquisition unit, and is realized by, for example, a CPU, a main memory, or a context-dependent note placement program. be able to.

  Specifically, note placement processing here refers to, for example, the context and context score added to the extracted note candidate, and selects and arranges the notes to be displayed in descending order of the context score on the map. Is mentioned. In that case, for example, selection may be made according to a rule such as “up to the top 50 of the score” indicated by an arrangement rule or the like. In addition, there is a process of selecting and arranging a note by changing the font size according to the context score. Alternatively, when a plurality of contexts are acquired by the context acquisition unit, a process for preferentially arranging notes to which a context with a high priority is given with reference to predetermined priority information for each context, etc. Can be mentioned.

  In addition, after selecting and arranging a note according to the context and its score, latitude and longitude information of a “gap region” on a map where no note is arranged may be acquired. Then, with reference to the candidate table data shown in FIG. 3, a new note such as a store or a facility in the gap area is extracted, and the one that clears the relationship with the object is placed on the map. good.

  As described above, in the note layout device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to arrange the note on the map after further selecting the note candidate according to the context desired by the user or the map creator to further improve the visibility. it can.

    <Process flow>

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing in the note layout device of this embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care.

As shown in this figure, first, a map context desired to be displayed by a user or map creator, for example, a keyword such as “meal” is received and acquired via an input device or GUI (step S1501). Next, for example, a note table with a context score as shown in FIG. 12 is searched using the acquired “meal” or its synonym as a search keyword. For example, according to Rule 003 shown in FIG. In addition, note candidates such as “Ito Building” having a higher score are extracted (step S1502). Although not shown, if there is no note candidate that matches the rule or context and it is not possible to extract the note candidate, for example, the rule is changed or the user is prompted to enter another context, and the note candidate is again displayed. Should be extracted.
Then, based on the diagram stored in the map database or the like, the occupancy range of the extracted note is calculated as “28 × 96” according to the font or font size of “Ito Building”, for example (step 28). S1503). Next, based on the relationship between the objects such as Yurakucho Station and Yurakucho Line tracks and the calculated “Ito Building” occupancy range “28 × 96”, for example, when an annotation of “Ito Building” is given upwards Then, the number of pixels “1422” in the region where the occupation range of the note overlaps with Yurakucho Station and the like is calculated. Then, the number of overlapping pixels is substituted into a predetermined inverse proportionality formula. For example, the weighting value in the case of flowing in the upward direction is “5”, and the weighting in the direction of flowing the characters constituting the note on the map is calculated (step S1504). ). Of the note candidates extracted in step S1502, notes are arranged using the weight obtained in the calculation in step S1504 and the acquired context, for example, in the direction of the largest weight. In addition, when all the weight values are less than the predetermined value, that is, when the note and the object overlap each other in any direction, the context score is referred to, and the context score is less than the predetermined value and it is determined that the note candidate is not very important. For example, a deletion process for not arranging the annotation candidate is performed. Also, if the context score is determined to be an important note candidate with a predetermined value or more, the occupancy range of the note is recalculated by reducing the font size or allowing line breaks, etc., so that the weighting value becomes the predetermined value or more. The note is arranged (step S1505).

    <Brief description of effect>

  As described above, in the note layout device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to arrange the note on the map after further selecting the note candidate according to the context desired by the user or the map creator to further improve the visibility. it can.

  Example 4

    <Overview>

  The present embodiment is based on the above embodiment, and further calculates the possibility of collision such as whether or not the annotations overlap with each other as well as the objects on the map and determines the layout so that the annotations do not overlap. Is an annotation layout device.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an example of an automatic note placement process on a map by the note layout device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16 (a), since the two facilities that should display the note are close to each other on the map, one note “Ito Building” is flowed to the left from the facility location α. If displayed, it will overlap with the other note “○ × Electrical”.

  Therefore, when such an overlap occurs, as shown in FIG. 16B, the note layout apparatus of the present embodiment changes the direction in which the note characters of “Ito Building” flow to the direction of the weight value of the next point. And determining a layout in which a plurality of notes do not overlap.

    <Functional configuration>

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks in the note layout device according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the “note layout device” (1700) of the present embodiment is based on the first embodiment and includes a “note candidate holding unit” (1701), an “placement rule holding unit” (1702), “ An annotation candidate extraction unit ”(1703), a“ bounce calculation processing unit ”(1704), a“ weighting calculation unit ”(1705), and an“ note selection / arrangement unit ”(1706). Further, on the basis of the second and third embodiments, a “context acquisition unit”, “note holding unit with context score”, “context dependent note extracting unit”, and “context dependent note arranging unit” (not shown) may be provided. . Since these functional configurations have already been described in the first, second, and third embodiments, the description thereof is omitted.

  A feature point of the note layout apparatus of this embodiment is that the note selection / arrangement unit further includes “collision consideration note arrangement means” (1707).

  The “collision-considering note arrangement means” (1707) has a function of calculating a collision between notes on a map and selecting and arranging a note using the calculation result. For example, a CPU, a main memory, a collision It can be realized by a consideration note arrangement program or the like.

  Specifically, for notes laid out so as not to overlap objects on the map such as roads and tracks by processing of the note selection and placement unit, information indicating the occupation range of the note calculated by the above bounce calculation processing unit is acquired. To do. Then, the number of matching position information is calculated with position information (pixel information or the like) indicating the occupation range between the respective notes, and an index value indicating the degree of overlap is calculated. Then, when the index value is equal to or greater than a certain value, the direction in which any note is sent is changed to, for example, the next point direction of the weighting value calculated by the weighting calculation unit. In addition, it can be determined by various criteria which of the two overlapping notes changes the flow direction. For example, if a context score as described in the second embodiment is given to a note, it may be determined as a target for changing the direction in which a note with a low context score is flowed. Alternatively, it may be determined that the higher weight of the next point has less influence when the flow direction is changed, and the change is made.

  And it is processed similarly whether the note which changed the flow direction in this way does not overlap with another note. Moreover, you may process the said process recursively. Then, such a determination of a collision between notes and a collision avoidance process are performed to determine a final layout.

  In addition, when a collision between notes cannot be avoided in any direction, for example, a note whose context score value is a predetermined value or less may be deleted. Or you may comprise the process which changes the position (For example, the latitude longitudes, such as a center point of a facility) for arrange | positioning a note, and a collision between notes may be avoided. Also, a process for changing the font size of a character string indicating a note or a process for changing a note to a new line may be performed.

    <Process flow>

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing in the note layout device of this embodiment. The steps shown below may be steps executed by each hardware configuration of the computer as described above, or may be processing steps that constitute a program for controlling the computer recorded on a medium. I do not care.

18, for example, referring to the table shown in FIG. 3, which is held in advance in the note candidate holding unit based on the rules, and according to Rule 006 in FIG. Annotation candidates are extracted (step S1801). If there is no note candidate that matches the rule and the note candidate cannot be extracted, for example, the following rule may be adopted to extract the note candidate again.
Subsequently, based on the diagram stored in the map database or the like, the occupation range is calculated such as “28 × 96” from the extracted note, for example, the font size (step S1802). Next, based on the relationship between the object such as the Yurakucho station and the Yurakucho Line track and the calculated note occupation range “28 × 96”, for example, when a note is flowed upward, the note occupation range and Yurakucho The number of pixels “1422” in the area where the station overlaps is calculated. Then, the number of overlapping pixels is substituted into a predetermined inverse proportionality formula. For example, the weighting value in the case of flowing in the upward direction is “5”, and the weighting in the direction of flowing the characters constituting the note on the map is calculated (step S1803). ). Then, the weight values are calculated in the same manner for all the note candidates extracted in step S1801.
For example, when all the annotation candidates are arranged in the direction in which the weighting value is maximized, the collision between the extracted annotations on the map is calculated (step S1804). Then, from the annotation candidates extracted in step S1801, using the weight obtained in the calculation in step S1803 and the collision result calculated in step S1804, for example, when the notes collide with each other, the score is A note is selected and arranged, for example, by changing the direction in which one of the notes, such as the smaller one, flows to the direction in which the next point is weighted (step S1805). Further, when the direction in which one note flows is changed, the calculation process for determining whether or not it collides with another note may be recursively executed by determining the number of times, for example, 50 times.

    <Brief description of effect>

  As described above, the annotation layout apparatus according to the present embodiment can automatically select and arrange the annotation so that the annotation does not collide with the objects on the map.

The figure for demonstrating an example of the note automatic arrangement | positioning process on the map by the note layout apparatus of Example 1. FIG. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the note layout apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a note candidate held in a note candidate holding unit of the note layout device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement rule held in an arrangement rule holding unit of the note layout device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a diagram used in the bounce calculation processing unit of the note layout device according to the first embodiment. The conceptual diagram showing an example of the data table for pinpointing the object on the map utilized in the weighting calculation part of the note layout apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of weighting processing for each direction in the weighting calculation unit of the note layout device according to the first embodiment. The figure showing an example of the hardware constitutions in the note layout device of Example 1. The flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process in Example 1. Conceptual diagram for explaining an example of automatic placement of a note on a map by the note layout device of the second embodiment The figure showing an example of the functional block in the note layout apparatus of Example 2. Schematic diagram showing an example of a context scored note holding means in the note layout device of the second embodiment. The flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process in Example 2. The figure showing an example of the functional block in the note layout apparatus of Example 3. The flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process in Example 3. Conceptual diagram for explaining an example of automatic placement of a note on a map by the note layout device of the fourth embodiment The figure showing an example of the functional block in the note layout apparatus of Example 4. Flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the fourth embodiment

Explanation of symbols

0200 Annotation Layout Device 0201 Annotation Candidate Holding Unit 0202 Arrangement Rule Holding Unit 0203 Annotation Candidate Extraction Unit 0204 Bounce Calculation Processing Unit 0205 Weighting Calculation Unit 0206 Annotation Selection Placement Unit

Claims (8)

A note candidate holding unit for holding note candidates;
An arrangement rule holding unit for holding a rule for extracting candidate notes to be arranged on a map;
A note candidate extraction unit that extracts note candidates based on the stored rules;
A bounce calculation processing unit that calculates the occupation range of the extracted notes based on the diagram stored in the map database;
A weighting calculation unit for calculating a weighting of a direction in which characters constituting a note flow on a map based on a relationship between an object such as a road or a route and the calculated occupation range;
A note selection placement unit that selects and places notes using the weights obtained by calculation from the note candidates extracted by the note candidate extraction unit;
An annotation layout device comprising: In addition to having a context acquisition unit that acquires the context of the map desired to be displayed by input or instruction from the user or map creator,
The note candidate holding part
A note holding means with a context score for holding a note in association with a score corresponding to the context;
The candidate extraction part
2. The note layout apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a context-dependent note extracting unit that extracts a note candidate from the context scored note holding unit based on the context acquired by the context acquisition unit and the rule held in the arrangement rule holding unit. The note selection placement part
The note layout device according to claim 2, further comprising context-dependent note placement means for selecting and placing a note based on the context acquired by the context acquisition unit. The note selection placement part
4. The note layout device according to claim 1, further comprising a collision-considering note placement unit that calculates a collision between notes on a map and selects and places a note using the calculation result. A control method of a note layout apparatus having a note candidate holding unit for holding a note candidate and a placement rule holding unit for holding a rule for extracting a note candidate to be placed on a map,
A note candidate extraction step for extracting note candidates based on the retained rules;
A bounce calculation processing step for calculating the occupation range of the extracted notes based on the diagram stored in the map database;
A weighting calculation step for calculating a weighting of a direction in which characters constituting a note are made to flow on a map based on a relationship between an object such as a road or a route and the calculated occupation range;
A note selection and placement step for selecting and placing notes using the weights obtained by calculation from the note candidates extracted in the note candidate extraction step;
Control method for an annotation layout device. A control method of a note layout device having a note holding unit with a context score, wherein the note candidate holding unit holds a note in association with a score corresponding to a context,
In addition to causing the computer to execute a context acquisition step for acquiring the context of the map desired to be displayed by an input or instruction from the user or the map creator,
The candidate extraction step is
6. The note layout apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a context-dependent note extracting step for extracting note candidates from the note holding means with a context score based on the context acquired in the context acquiring step and the rules held in the arrangement rule holding unit. Control method. Note The selection placement step is
The control method of the note layout apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a context-dependent note placement step of selecting and placing a note based on the context acquired in the context acquisition step. Note The selection placement step is
The control of the note layout device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising a collision-considering note placement step of calculating a collision between notes on a map and selecting and placing a note using the calculation result. Method.

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