JP2010086340A - Map searching method, system, device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a map searching method capable of searching a map which displays buildings from a relative positional relation between the buildings. <P>SOLUTION: The map searching method performs: at least an icon selection and reception step in which a computer displays two icons or more indicating real estates on a map and a plane for arranging the icons and accepting a general name of the real estates associated with the icons and the positions of the icons on the plane by selecting the at least two icons and arranging them on the plane; a topology determination step for determining a first figure obtained by sequentially making received positions vertexes; and a map searching step for determining a second figure obtained by sequentially making the positions of the real estates on the map from a combination of the real states associated with the received general name, specifying a combination of figures in which the first figure is similar to the second figure, and searching a map including the positions of the real estates on the map about the specified combination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a map search method, system, apparatus, and program for searching a map that displays real estate in a predetermined positional relationship.

In recent years, map information providing sites accept keywords such as addresses and postal codes, and provide maps related to the keywords.
[Online], Yahoo! Map, [Search August 28, 2008], Internet <URL: http: // map. yahoo. co. jp />

  On the other hand, for a place viewed on a television or a video, the relative positional relationship between buildings at the place can be specified, but the position on the map such as an address may not be specified. For example, there is a park where there is a park in front of the bank ’s lick and a university is located in front of the park ’s lick, but the address cannot be specified.

  However, the map information providing site of the above-described conventional example cannot search for a map displaying these buildings from the relative positional relationship between the buildings.

  The present invention is proposed in view of such circumstances, and a map that displays these buildings by specifying these buildings from the relative positional relationship between the buildings based on a predetermined rule. An object of the present invention is to provide a map search method, system, apparatus, and program that can search for a map.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor has found a mechanism for identifying these buildings from the relative positional relationship between the buildings according to a predetermined rule, and has come up with the present invention.

  The map search method according to the present invention is based on the first graphic having the positions where the icons are arranged sequentially as vertices and the second graphic having the positions on the map of the real estate corresponding to these icons as vertices. By specifying these real estates, a map displaying these real estates is searched.

  (1) The computer displays two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged, and is associated with the icons by selecting at least two of the icons and arranging them on the plane. An icon selection receiving step for receiving a general name of the real estate and a position of the icon on the plane; a topology determining step for determining a first graphic having the received position as a vertex in turn; and the received general name From the associated real estate combinations, a similar figure is identified between the second graphic having the position of the real estate on the map in turn and the first graphic, and the real estate related to the identified combination is displayed on the map. A map search method characterized by executing at least a map search step for searching a map including a position. Here, the real estate refers to land and its fixed matter, for example, a building, a park, and the like. The general name of the real estate is a generic concept that includes the name of the real estate (including the name on the map). For example, “bank” for the real estate name “XX Bank △△△ Branch” “Finance”, etc. Similarity means that one figure has a relationship in which one figure is enlarged or reduced with respect to the other figure. There may be a plurality of combinations of the specified real estate.

  According to the invention of (1), the first graphic having the positions at which the icons are arranged sequentially as vertices is similar to the second graphic having the positions on the map of the real estate corresponding to these icons as vertices. Since these real estates are specified depending on whether or not they are, a map displaying these real estates can be searched from the relative positional relationship between the buildings.

  (2) In (1), when accepting a general name of at least one of the real estates, further accepting a keyword, and specifying a combination of the real estates for the property name including the keyword The map search method described.

  According to the invention of (2), since the combinations of real estate that satisfy the conditions can be narrowed down, it is possible to reduce the load caused by calculation when specifying the combination.

  (3) In the map search method according to (1), the icon selection receiving step further displays a road icon indicating a road on the map, and the road icon is selected and arranged on the plane. Receiving a starting point and an ending point in the plane of the road corresponding to the road icon, obtaining an intersection in the plane between one road corresponding to the road icon and another road corresponding to the road icon; and A link counting step for counting the number of links connecting the start point or the end point, and the map search step further includes a map including a position on the map associated with the same number of roads as the number of links. A map search method characterized by searching.

  According to the invention of (3), since the position on the map is specified by the number of roads to branch, it is possible to search for a map displaying these roads from the positional relationship between the roads.

  (4) Two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged are displayed, and at least two of the icons are selected and arranged on the plane, whereby the real estate associated with the icons is displayed. An icon selection receiving unit that receives a general name and a position of the icon in the plane, a topology determination unit that determines a first graphic having the received position as a vertex in sequence, and an associated general name From the combination of real estate, the second figure whose position on the map of the real estate is sequentially apex is identified and the first figure is similar, and includes the position on the map of the real estate related to the identified combination A map search system comprising: map search means for searching for a map; and map output means for outputting a map found by the search. Here, the position on the map of the real estate related to the combination of the real estate specified together with the map found by the search or the address corresponding to the position may be output. According to this, it is possible to easily visually recognize the position on the map of the real estate related to the specified combination of real estate or the address corresponding to the position. The map search system includes not only a system composed of a plurality of computers but also a system composed of a single computer such as a personal computer.

  (5) Two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged, and at least two of the icons are selected and arranged on the plane, so that the general name of the real estate associated with the icon A combination of icon selection receiving means for receiving the position of the icon in the plane, topology determining means for determining a first graphic having the received positions as vertices sequentially, and the real estate associated with the received general name The second figure having the position on the map of the real estate in turn as the vertex and the first figure are similar to each other, and the map including the position on the map of the real estate related to the specified combination is searched. A map search device, comprising: a map search unit that performs a search, and a map transmission unit that transmits a map found by the search.

  (6) A program that causes a computer to execute the method according to (1).

  According to the present invention, whether or not the first graphic having the positions where the icons are arranged sequentially as vertices is similar to the second graphic having the positions on the map of the real estate corresponding to these icons as vertices. Since these real estates are specified by, a map displaying these real estates can be searched from the relative positional relationship between the buildings.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this.
[Overall configuration of map retrieval device and related elements]

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a map search device 1 and related elements according to the present embodiment.

  The map search device 1 and the user terminal 2 according to the present embodiment are connected to a communication network N such as the Internet. It does not matter whether the connection with the communication network N is wired or wireless.

  The map search device 1 receives a map search request from the user terminal 2 and searches for a map, and transmits the map found by the search to the user terminal 2 that has made the search request.

The user terminal 2 is an information processing apparatus used by a user who browses a map received from the map search apparatus 1 and corresponds to a general computer.
[Functional structure of map search device]

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a functional configuration of the map search device 1 according to the present embodiment. The map search apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an icon selection accepting unit 11, a topology determining unit 12, a map searching unit 13, and a map transmitting unit 14.

  The icon selection accepting unit 11 accepts a map search request from the user terminal 2. Then, the icon selection accepting unit 11 passes the general name of the real estate related to the accepted search request to the map search unit 13 and passes the position on the plane of the icon indicating the real estate related to the search request to the topology determining unit 12.

  The topology determining unit 12 determines the first graphic based on the position of the icon received from the icon selection receiving unit 11 on the plane.

  The map search means 13 specifies a combination of real estate that satisfies a predetermined condition based on the general name of the real estate received from the icon selection accepting means 11 and the first graphic determined by the topology determining means 12. Then, the map search means 13 searches for a map displaying the real estate related to the identified combination, and passes the map found by the search to the map transmission means 14. Here, the map database 15 constitutes a part of the map search means 13. Details of the map database 15 will be described later.

The map transmission means 14 transmits the map received from the map search means 13 to the user terminal 2 that has made a map search request.
[Map database configuration]

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the map database 15.

The map database 15 stores in advance a real estate ID, a real estate name, a general name of the real estate, a location on the real estate map, and a real estate address in association with each other. Here, as the general name of the real estate, for example, “bank”, “finance” and the like correspond to the name of the real estate “XX Bank ΔΔΔ branch”. Moreover, as a position on the map of the real estate, for example, a combination of longitude and latitude (vector value) is applicable.
[Hardware configuration of map search device]

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the map search apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The map search apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310 (a plurality of CPUs such as a CPU 320 may be added in a multiprocessor configuration), a bus line 200, a communication I / F (I / F: An interface) 330, a main memory 340, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 350, an I / O controller 360, a hard disk 370, an optical disk drive 380, and a semiconductor memory 390. The hard disk 370, the optical disk drive 380, and the semiconductor memory 390 are collectively referred to as a storage device 410.

  The control unit 300 is a part that controls the map search apparatus 1 in an integrated manner, and appropriately reads and executes various programs stored in the hard disk 370 (described later), thereby cooperating with the hardware described above. Various functions related to are realized.

  The communication I / F 330 is a network adapter when the map search apparatus 1 transmits / receives information to / from the user terminal 2 (FIG. 1) via the communication network N (FIG. 1). The communication I / F 330 may include a modem, a cable modem, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) adapter.

  The BIOS 350 records a boot program executed by the CPU 310 when the map search device 1 is started, a program that the map search device 1 depends on hardware, and the like.

  A storage device 410 such as a hard disk 370, an optical disk drive 380, and a semiconductor memory 390 can be connected to the I / O controller 360.

  The hard disk 370 stores various programs for causing the hardware to function as the map search device 1 and programs for executing the functions of the present invention. The map search apparatus 1 can also use a hard disk (not shown) separately provided as an external storage device.

  As the optical disk drive 380, for example, a DVD-ROM drive, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-RAM drive, or a CD-RAM drive can be used. In this case, the optical disk 400 corresponding to each drive is used. A program or data can be read from the optical disk 400 by the optical disk drive 380 and provided to the main memory 340 or the hard disk 370 via the I / O controller 360.

  The computer in the present invention refers to an information processing device including a storage device, a control unit, and the like, and the map search device 1 includes an information processing device including a storage device 410, a control unit 300, and the like. The information processing apparatus is included in the concept of the computer of the present invention.

In the map search apparatus 1, the control unit 300 mainly corresponds to the topology determination unit 12 and the map search unit 13, and the communication I / F 330 mainly corresponds to the icon selection reception unit 11 and the map transmission unit 14.
[Hardware configuration of user terminal]

The user terminal 2 also has a hardware configuration similar to that of the map search device 1 described above.
[Flowchart According to Embodiment of the Present Invention]

  5 and 6 show flowcharts of map search processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  S1: The user terminal 2 transmits a map search request to the map search device 1.

  S2: Upon receiving a map search request from the user terminal 2, the icon selection accepting unit 11 displays an icon arrangement form for displaying two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which these icons are arranged. Send to. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon arrangement form.

  S3: The user terminal 2 receives the icon arrangement form from the map search device 1 and displays it on the display device.

  S4: The user terminal 2 uses the mouse to drag and drop the icon of the icon arrangement form onto the plane of the icon arrangement form, and the general name of the real estate previously associated with the dropped icon and the plane of this icon The combination of positions is transmitted to the map search device 1. For example, the user terminal 2 combines the combination of the general name “university” of the real estate previously associated with the dropped “icon 1” and the position (X1, Y1) on the plane of the icon 1 with the dropped “icon 2”. And the combination of the general name “bank” of the real estate previously associated with the position (X2, Y2) in the plane of the icon 2 and the general name “park” of the real estate preliminarily associated with the dropped “icon 3” The combination of the position (X3, Y3) on the plane of the icon 3 is transmitted to the map search device 1. Here, after the icon is dropped, the user terminal 2 may accept a keyword related to the real estate or the like from the keyboard and transmit the keyword to the map search apparatus 1 in association with the general name of the real estate.

  The icon selection accepting unit 11 receives from the user terminal 2 a combination of the general name of the real estate previously associated with the dropped icon and the position of the icon on the plane. That is, the icon selection accepting means 11 combines the real estate general name “university” and the position of the icon 1 on the plane (X1, Y1), and the real estate general name “bank” and the position of the icon 2 on the plane (X2, Y2). ) And the combination of the general name “park” of the real estate and the position (X3, Y3) of the icon 3 on the plane. Then, the icon selection accepting unit 11 sequentially passes the received general name of each real estate to the map search unit 13 and sequentially passes the position of each received icon on the plane to the topology determining unit 12.

  S5: The topology determining unit 12 determines the first graphic having the vertexes at the positions (X1, Y1), (X2, Y2), (X3, Y3) in the plane of the icons received from the icon selection receiving unit 11. The ratio of the sides constituting the first graphic is calculated.

  S6: The map search means 13 extracts from the map database 15 a combination of records in which the value of the “real estate general name” field is the same as the real estate general name sequentially received from the icon selection accepting means 11, and uses the combination. A second graphic having the vector values in the “location on the real estate map” field of the record as its vertices is determined in sequence, and the ratio of the sides constituting the second graphic is calculated. That is, the map search means 13 extracts from the map database 15 a record combination in which the value of the “real estate general name” field is the same as “university”, “bank”, and “park”, and records related to the combination The second figure having the vector values in the “location on the real estate map” field in turn as the vertices is determined, and the ratio of the sides constituting the second figure is calculated. Here, when the keyword is associated with the general name of the real estate received from the icon selection accepting means 11, the map search means 13 targets the record in which the value of the “real estate name” field includes this keyword. Perform the process. According to this, since it is possible to narrow down the combinations of records that satisfy the condition, it is possible to reduce the load for calculating the ratio of the sides constituting the second graphic.

  S7: The map search means 13 specifies a similar figure between the first graphic and the second graphic from the combination of records extracted from the map database 15. Here, the map search means 13 determines that “similar” when the ratio of the sides constituting the first graphic and the ratio of the sides constituting the second graphic are the same.

  S8: The map search means 13 searches the predetermined storage means for map image data including the position specified by the vector value in the “position on the real estate map” field of the records constituting the specified combination. Here, when the position specified by the vector value in the “location on the real estate map” field is included in the display range on the map associated in advance with the map image data, the map search means 13 Is included. " For example, when the display range on the map pre-associated with the map image data is {(X, Y) | La1 ≦ X ≦ La2, Lo1 ≦ Y ≦ Lo2} (La1, La2, Lo1, Lo2 are constants). If La1 ≦ X1 ≦ La2 and Lo1 ≦ Y1 ≦ Lo2 are satisfied, it is determined that the position (X1, Y1) is included.

  S9: The map search means 13 uses the map image data found in the search, the vector value of the “location on the real estate map” field of the records constituting the specified combination, or the value of the “real estate address” field, A search result form for displaying is generated and passed to the map transmission means 14. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search result form.

  S10: The map transmission unit 14 transmits the search result form received from the map search unit 13 to the user terminal 2.

  S11: The user terminal 2 displays the search result form received from the map transmission means 14 on the display device.

As described above, whether or not the first graphic having the positions where the icons are arranged sequentially as vertices is similar to the second graphic having the positions on the map of the real estate corresponding to these icons as vertices. Since these real estates are specified by, a map displaying these real estates can be searched from the relative positional relationship between the buildings. For this reason, the user can specify the position on the map such as an address from the relative positional relationship between the buildings in the place with respect to the place seen on the television or the moving image. On the other hand, a trader who provides map information can provide a new search method for a new map.
[Modification]

  The map search device 1 may receive road topology information and search for a map that displays roads that satisfy this topology information.

  Specifically, the map search device 1 counts the number of links connecting the intersection and the start point or end point based on the start point and end point of the road corresponding to the road icon arranged on the plane according to a predetermined rule. Link counting means.

  The map database further includes a road information table, and stores in advance a node ID, a position on the map of a node constituting the road, its address, and a link destination node ID in association with each other. In the road information table record, the link that connects the node having the value of the “node ID” field to the node having the value of the “node ID of the link destination” field is specified by the vector value of the “position on the map” field. Corresponds to the road that extends from the location.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon arrangement form and a search result form to be described later. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to this figure.

  S 21: The user terminal 2 transmits a map search request to the map search device 1.

  S22: Upon receiving a map search request from the user terminal 2, the icon selection accepting unit 11 transmits to the user terminal 2 an icon arrangement form that displays a road icon indicating a road on the map and a plane on which the road icon is arranged. To do.

  S23: The user terminal 2 receives the icon arrangement form from the map search device 1 and displays it on the display device.

  S24: The user terminal 2 uses the mouse to drag and drop the road icon of the icon arrangement form onto the plane of the icon arrangement form, and start points S1, S2 and end points on the road plane corresponding to the dropped road icon The coordinates of E1 and E2 are transmitted to the map search device 1, respectively.

  The icon selection receiving means 11 receives the coordinates of the start points S1, S2 and the end points E1, E2 on the road plane corresponding to the dropped road icon from the user terminal 2, respectively.

  S25: The link counting means obtains an intersection P between a straight line S1E1 representing one road corresponding to the road icon and a straight line S2E2 representing another road corresponding to the road icon. The link counting means increments the total number of links (initial value = 0) by 1 when the distance between the intersection point P and the start point S1, S2 or the end point E1, E2 is not “0”. To do.

  For example, when the straight line S1E1 and the straight line S2E2 intersect in a T shape (when the start point S2 is on the straight line S1E1 and the start point S2 does not coincide with the start point S1 and the end point E1), the intersection points P and S2 match. Therefore, the distance of the straight line PS2 is “0”. On the other hand, the distance between the straight lines PS1, PE1, and PE2 is not “0”. Therefore, the link counting means calculates the sum of the number of links and obtains a result of “3”.

  S26: The map search means 13 specifies a record in which the number of node IDs included in the “link destination node ID” field is four from the road information table.

  S27: The map searching means 13 searches the predetermined storage means for image data of the map including the position specified by the vector value in the “position on the map” field of the specified record. Here, when the position specified by the vector value in the “node position on the map” field is included in the display range on the map associated in advance with the image data of the map, the map search means 13 Is included. " For example, when the display range on the map pre-associated with the map image data is {(X, Y) | La1 ≦ X ≦ La2, Lo1 ≦ Y ≦ Lo2} (La1, La2, Lo1, Lo2 are constants). If La1 ≦ X1 ≦ La2 and Lo1 ≦ Y1 ≦ Lo2 are satisfied, it is determined that the position (X1, Y1) is included.

  S28: The map search means 13 creates a search result form that displays the map image data found by the search and the vector value of the “location on the map” field or the value of the “address” field of the specified record. To the map transmission means 14.

  S29: The map transmission unit 14 transmits the search result form received from the map search unit 13 to the user terminal 2.

  S30: The user terminal 2 displays the search result form received from the map transmission means 14 on the display device.

  As described above, since the position on the map is specified by the number of roads to branch, a map displaying these roads can be searched from the positional relationship between the roads. For this reason, the user can specify the position on the map from the relative positional relationship between the roads in the place as seen on the television or the moving image.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not restricted to embodiment mentioned above.

  Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments of the present invention are merely a list of the most preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. is not.

It is a figure which shows the map search apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and the whole structure of a related element. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the function structure of the map search apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a structure of a map database. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the map search apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. The flowchart of the map search process which concerns on embodiment of this invention is shown. Fig. 6 shows a continuation of the flowchart of Fig. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of an icon arrangement | positioning form. It is a figure which shows an example of a search result form. It is a figure which shows an example of an icon arrangement | positioning form and a search result form.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Map search apparatus 2 User terminal 11 Icon selection reception means 12 Topology determination means 13 Map search means 14 Map transmission means 15 Map database

Claims (6)

Computer
Two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged are displayed, and at least two of the icons are selected and arranged on the plane, so that a general name of the real estate associated with the icon is displayed. An icon selection receiving step for receiving the position of the icon in the plane;
A topology determining step for determining a first graphic having the received positions as vertices in sequence;
From the combination of real estates associated with the accepted general name, the second figure having the position on the map of the real estate in turn as the vertex and the first figure are similar to each other, and the identified combination A map search step for searching for a map including the position of the real estate on the map;
A map search method characterized by executing at least.   2. The map according to claim 1, wherein when receiving the general name of at least one of the real estates, the map further accepts a keyword and identifies the combination of the real estates for the name of the real estate that includes the keyword. retrieval method. The map search method according to claim 1,
The icon selection receiving step further displays a road icon indicating a road on the map, and the road icon is selected and arranged on the plane, whereby a start point and an end point on the plane of the road corresponding to the road icon are displayed. And
A link counting step for obtaining an intersection in the plane between one road corresponding to the road icon and another road corresponding to the road icon, and counting the number of links connecting the intersection and the start point or the end point, In addition,
The map search method further includes searching for a map including positions on a map associated with the same number of roads as the number of links. Two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged are displayed, and at least two of the icons are selected and arranged on the plane, so that a general name of the real estate associated with the icon is displayed. Icon selection receiving means for receiving the position of the icon on the plane;
Topology determining means for determining a first graphic having the received positions as vertices sequentially;
From the combination of real estates associated with the accepted general name, the second figure having the position on the map of the real estate in turn as the vertex and the first figure are similar to each other, and the identified combination Map search means for searching for a map including the position of the real estate on the map;
Map output means for outputting the map found in the search;
A map search system comprising: Two or more icons indicating real estate on the map and a plane on which the icons are arranged, and at least two of the icons are selected and arranged on the plane, so that the general name of the real estate associated with the icon and the icon Icon selection accepting means for accepting a position of the plane in the plane;
Topology determining means for determining a first graphic having the received positions as vertices sequentially;
From the combination of real estates associated with the accepted general name, the second figure having the position on the map of the real estate in turn as the vertex and the first figure are similar to each other, and the identified combination Map search means for searching for a map including the position of the real estate on the map;
Map transmission means for transmitting the map found in the search;
A map search device comprising:   A program causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 1.

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