JP2010164402A - Information collecting device, mobile terminal device, information center, and navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system that can precisely guide a route in such a manner that collected information such as image data is accurately correlated to an address and a position (a latitude and a longitude) of a collection point and can reduce a collection time and collection cost of information, and to provide an information collecting device, a mobile terminal device and an information center. <P>SOLUTION: This information collecting device 100 for collecting information to be used in the navigation system includes an imaging section 105 for imaging a peripheral portion of a predetermined location, an address input section 106 for inputting address information of the predetermined location, an image data storage section 107 that stores the image data imaged by the imaging section 105 in such a manner that the image data is correlated to address information input via the address input section 106, a wireless communication section 110 for communicating with the information center while being connected to a public wireless network, and a control section 104 that reads image data from the image data storage section 107 and transmits the image data to the information center together with the address information to the wireless communication section 110. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information collection device, a mobile terminal, an information center, and a navigation system that are used in a navigation system that uses image information around a destination in order for a vehicle or the like to arrive at the destination without hesitation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices that allow vehicles such as automobiles to arrive at a destination without hesitation have been widely used. Conventional navigation devices measure the current position of an automobile from moment to moment by GPS (Global Positioning System), etc., and display a map showing route information to a pre-registered destination on a display panel installed in front of the driver's seat indicate. The driver can travel based on the route information displayed on the map and arrive at the destination without hesitation. This map information can be supplied on a recording medium such as a CD ROM, or recently can be downloaded via a network via a public wireless network. However, in this method, since the positioning information (latitude and longitude) by GPS of the designated destination and the address information cannot be dealt with at a detailed level (district level), the vehicle is relatively close to the vicinity of the destination. There is a problem that although it can arrive early, it takes time to find the final destination from there.

  In view of this, a system has been proposed in which a landscape around a destination is photographed without relying solely on a map, and the destination is searched together with the image data. For example, a scene or the like is photographed by a photographing means provided at a predetermined position of the moving body, the photographed image data is transmitted together with the position data acquired by the GPS of the moving body, and the transmitted image data and position data are received. The position data is received from the user, and the image data corresponding to the position is transmitted to the mobile unit. The user can search for a destination using this image information as a clue (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, the number of users of personal computers (hereinafter also referred to as “PCs”) that collect necessary information through Internet advertisements is increasing. In online advertising, a user inputs a desired keyword into a PC to search store information related to the keyword (store name, telephone number, product content, map showing the store location, etc.) on the PC screen. Can do. It would be convenient if a mobile user could use this net advertisement. As a method for this, content data of advertisement information is transmitted by light from a transmission device installed in a store or the like, and the content data is received and taken by photographing a place (advertisement place) where the advertisement information is provided. Optical information processing system that has a digital camera that associates and processes image data to be played back, and that can play back the video at the advertising location using the content data as a key, or play back the content of the content data using sound or text using the image information as a key Is disclosed. The user can view the content data acquired at the destination in association with the place (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP-A-10-232135 JP 2008-258987 A

  However, as described above, since the correspondence between the positioning information by the GPS of the destination and the address information (city block level) is not taken, even if the image data is collected by specifying the location by the GPS, There is a predetermined error associated with the address. It is common for users of navigation devices to specify a destination by its address. Due to this error, it takes time to find a destination even if it can see landscape images around the corner destination. End up. In addition, in order to collect information such as image data and advertisement data by the methods shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a dedicated automobile and driver are required, and the time and cost for collecting information are enormous. It becomes.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and highly accurate route guidance is achieved by accurately associating collected information such as image data and advertisement data with the address and position (latitude and longitude) of the collection location. An object of the present invention is to provide an information collection device, a mobile terminal, an information center, and a navigation system that can reduce information collection time and cost.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an information collecting apparatus of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle that delivers a delivery to a predetermined place, collects information on a predetermined place, and transmits the collected information to an information center. An imaging unit that captures an image of the periphery of a predetermined location, an address information input unit that inputs address information of the predetermined location, and image data captured by the imaging unit is associated with the address information input by the address information input unit. Image data storage means for storing information, communication means for communicating with the information center, and control means for reading the image data from the image data storage means and causing the communication means to transmit to the information center together with the address information. To do.

  As a result, it is possible to accurately associate the landscape image captured by the camera mounted on the information collection device with the address of the shooting location.

  In the information collecting apparatus of the present invention, the position measuring means for measuring the position of the predetermined location, and the positioning data storage means for storing the positioning data measured by the position measuring means in association with the address information input by the address information input means. And the control means may read the positioning data from the positioning data storage means, and cause the communication means to transmit it to the information center together with the address information.

  As a result, it is possible to accurately associate the landscape image captured by the camera mounted on the information collection device, the address of the shooting location, and the positioning information of the shooting location measured by the GPS.

  Further, in the information collecting device of the present invention, when the advertisement data transmitting device for converting the advertisement data into the optical signal and transmitting it is in the vicinity of the predetermined location, the optical signal receiving means for receiving the optical signal, and the received optical signal And further comprising: advertisement data extraction means for extracting advertisement data; and advertisement data storage means for storing the advertisement data extracted by the advertisement data extraction means in association with the address information input by the address information input means. Alternatively, the advertisement data may be read from the advertisement data storage means and transmitted to the information center together with the address information by the communication means.

  Thereby, when the shooting location is a store or the like and advertisement information is transmitted from this store, it is possible to associate image information, address information (position information) and advertisement information of this store.

  An information collection device of the present invention is an information collection device that is mounted on a vehicle that delivers a delivery to a predetermined location, collects information on the predetermined location, and transmits the collected information to the information center. Position measurement means for measuring, address information input means for inputting address information of a predetermined location, and positioning data storage means for storing positioning data measured by the position measurement means in association with address information input by the address information input means And control means for reading the positioning data from the positioning data storage means and causing the communication means to transmit the information to the information center together with the address information.

  Thereby, positioning information measured by GPS and its address information can be accurately associated.

  A mobile terminal of the present invention is a mobile terminal that is connected to an information center, receives information related to a route from the information center to a destination, and displays the information on a display unit, and a position measuring unit that measures a current position of the mobile terminal; Address information input means for inputting destination address information, display information creation means for creating display information to be displayed on the display means, and data storage means for storing route data including image data, advertisement data, and map data A communication means that communicates with the information center, and when address information of the destination is input from the address information input means, the communication means transmits a transmission request of route data corresponding to the address information to the information center, When the communication means receives the route data from the information center, the received route data is stored in the data storage means, and is also included in the display information creation means in the route data. Image data, to create the display information from the advertisement data and the map data, characterized by comprising a control means for displaying on the display means display information.

  As a result, the destination can be searched for while viewing a landscape image around the destination corresponding to the address of the destination, so that the user can quickly arrive at the destination without hesitation.

  In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the image data includes image data around the destination, is image data around the road from the current position to the destination, and display information is generated from image data around the road corresponding to the current position. Image may be included.

  As a result, the scenery image around the road can be confirmed even while traveling, so that the user can arrive without hesitation around the destination.

  In the mobile terminal of the present invention, the image included in the display information may include address information of a place where the image is taken.

  This makes it possible to search for a destination while confirming the address as well as the landscape image.

  The information center of the present invention is an information center that receives information collected by the information collecting device and transmits information related to a route to a destination in response to a request from the mobile terminal, and stores map data. A map database, an image database for storing image data, an advertisement database for storing advertisement data, a positioning database for storing positioning data, and a data search means for searching for desired data from the database A communication means that communicates with the information collection device and the mobile terminal, and when the communication means receives image data, positioning data, and advertisement data from the information collection device, the image data, positioning data, and advertisement data are stored in the database. If the communication means receives address information of the destination from the mobile terminal The data retrieval means retrieves the route data corresponding to the received destination address information from the database, and when the route data exists in the database, reads the route data from the database and transmits it to the mobile terminal. It is characterized by.

  The navigation system according to the present invention includes the information collection device, the mobile terminal, and the information center.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately correlate collected information such as image data and advertisement data with the address and position (latitude and longitude) of the collection place, and to perform high-accuracy route guidance, and to reduce information collection time and collection cost. An information collection device, a mobile terminal, an information center, and a navigation system that can be reduced can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The navigation system is an information collecting vehicle 1 for collecting information, an information center 2 that receives collected information from the information collecting vehicle 1, registers it in a database, and transmits the collected information in response to a request from a user and a user Are configured from automobiles 3a to 3c (hereinafter, simply referred to as "automobile 3" when it is not necessary to distinguish individual automobiles). Although FIG. 1 shows one information collecting vehicle and three vehicles, this number is merely an example and is determined according to the operation of the navigation system.

  The information collection vehicle 1 is equipped with an information collection device 100, and acquires location (store) information when it arrives at a target location (for example, store 4). The information collection device 100 includes a camera, and as location information, image data obtained by photographing a surrounding landscape, or if the location is a store or the like, and the advertisement data transmission device 400 is installed in the store 4, an advertisement is provided. The advertisement data of the store 4 is acquired from the data transmission device 400.

  The advertisement data transmission device 400 is installed in the store 4 and includes an advertisement data creation unit 402 and an optical signal transmission unit 401. The created advertisement data is an information collection device that modulates visible light or infrared light, for example, as an optical signal. 100. The information collecting apparatus 100 transmits the captured image data and the advertisement data received from the advertisement data transmitting apparatus 400 from the antenna 101 to the information center 2 via the public wireless network.

  The place where the advertisement data transmission device 400 is installed is not limited to a store, but may be a facility such as a theater, a movie theater, a museum, or a transportation facility.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the information collecting apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information collecting apparatus 100 in the present embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing its operation.

  First, the configuration of the information collecting apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the information collecting apparatus 100 includes an antenna 101, an optical signal receiving unit 102, an advertisement data extracting unit 103, a control unit 104, an imaging unit 105, an address input unit 106, an image data storage unit 107, and an advertisement data storage. Unit 108 and wireless communication unit 109.

  When the advertisement data transmitting device 400 is installed like the store 4 in the shooting location, the optical signal receiving unit 102 receives the optical signal transmitted from the optical signal transmitting unit 401 and converts it into an electrical signal. Optical (visible light) communication can use the optical infrastructure that exists around us. For example, the advertisement data transmitting device 400 can be easily configured by using the light of a light source (lighting, electronic bulletin board for advertisement, neon sign, various displays) already installed. In addition, since optical communication can be used freely without being restricted by laws and regulations like wireless communication, it is suitable for short distance communication used outdoors such as transmission of advertisement data.

  The advertisement data extraction unit 103 extracts advertisement data from the electrical signal converted from the optical signal and outputs the advertisement data to the control unit 104. The imaging unit 105 may be, for example, a normal digital camera or a panoramic camera that can capture the periphery at an angle of 360 degrees. Moreover, the camera group comprised from the some camera so that a target object can be image | photographed from a different angle may be sufficient. Furthermore, the video camera which can image | photograph a moving image may be sufficient.

  The address input unit 106 is used to input address information of the shooting location. For example, the address input unit 106 may be a touch panel provided on the display unit of the information collection device 100, or a remote control that controls the information collection device 100. The driver or passenger (hereinafter also referred to as “operator”) of the information collecting vehicle 1 operates the address input unit 106 to input the correct address of the place. The image data storage unit 107 and the advertisement data storage unit 108 are storage means for temporarily storing collected data until they are transmitted to the information center 2, and a hard disk or a semiconductor memory is used. The captured image data and the acquired advertisement data are associated with the address information input from the address input unit 106 and stored in these storage means. Naturally, when there is no advertisement data, only the image data is stored in the image data storage unit 107 in association with the address information.

  The wireless communication unit 109 is for transmitting image data and advertisement data from the antenna 101 via the public wireless network to the information center 2.

  The control unit 104 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like, and controls the operations of all the components of the information collection device 100 based on the operation of the operator or automatically.

  Conventionally, in order to collect image data and advertisement data, service companies specializing in information provision have many dedicated information collection vehicles, and run in the city to collect information. A feature of the present invention is that a home delivery vehicle of a home delivery service, which has been increasing rapidly in recent years, is used instead of this dedicated information collecting vehicle. Since the driver of the delivery vehicle knows the exact address of the delivery destination as a matter of course, the image data associated with the accurate address can be easily collected without any special effort. The address input unit 106 includes an input / output unit to the outside, in addition to the case where the driver directly inputs, for example, the address of the delivery destination of the package delivered by an individual courier vehicle from an external server or driving An address may be stored in a handy terminal operated by a hand, and address information may be input from these devices. In the case of a handy terminal, the driver (courier) inputs the completion to the handy terminal when delivery is completed, and the address can be specified. Furthermore, if the destination barcode attached to the delivery item is read, or if a delivery list describing the delivery item and the delivery destination has been input to the mobile terminal in advance, simply select the delivery destination from the delivery list. Address input can be performed automatically.

  In recent years, the delivery range of home delivery vehicles has been remarkably widened. If images around the delivery destination are collected, it can be expected to collect image data covering almost all of the country. Further, it is possible to update frequently. When a store sending advertising data is detected during delivery, this advertising data can also be collected, so there is no need to go to the store to collect information, labor costs, car fuel costs, etc. Can be saved.

  In addition, if a store that wishes to advertise is installed with the advertisement data transmitting device 400, information can be collected without permission, so that it is possible to save the trouble of asking a specialized service company. The advertisement data generation unit 402 of the advertisement data transmission device 400 may be a normal personal computer, and the optical signal transmission unit 401 can also be realized at low cost because it can effectively utilize the existing optical infrastructure as described above.

  In addition, a store that wishes to advertise may have a sign indicating that in a prominent place so that a delivery vehicle that has been delivered to the neighborhood can be easily found.

  As an example of a method for outputting image data and advertisement data to the outside, the method of using wireless communication in the wireless communication unit 109 is illustrated in the example of FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The data may be transferred to an external server. In that case, instead of the wireless communication unit 109, a wired communication unit may be provided as the communication unit.

  In FIG. 2, the optical signal receiving unit 102 and the imaging unit 105 are illustrated as separate means, but it is also possible to integrate the imaging device and acquire image data and advertisement data with the same imaging device. It is.

  Next, the operation of the information collecting apparatus 100 will be described. In FIG. 5, when the information collection vehicle 1 arrives at the shooting location (delivery location) (step S1), the operator of the information collection vehicle 1 first inputs the address information of the shooting location from the address input unit 106 (step S2). The input address information is temporarily stored in a memory (not shown) (step S3). Next, the operator operates the imaging unit 105 such as a camera to image a surrounding landscape (step S4), and the captured image data is stored in the image data storage unit 107 in association with the address information (step S5). . Next, it is determined whether or not the optical signal receiving unit 102 has received the advertising data (step S6). When the advertising data is received (Y), the advertising data is extracted and extracted by the advertising data extracting unit 103. The advertisement data is stored in the advertisement data storage unit 108 in association with the address information (step S7). Finally, the control unit 104 reads the stored image data and advertisement data from the respective data storage units, and causes the wireless communication unit 109 to transmit the address information together with the address information from the antenna 101 to the information center 2 via the public wireless network (Step S104). S8).

  Here, the input address information is not the address information (poor accuracy) obtained from the position information measured by the GPS as in the conventional case, but is the address information input by the courier himself. It is.

  The method for transmitting image data from the information collection vehicle 1 to the information center 2 may be such that the information collection device 100 voluntarily sends the information to the information center 2 when the information collection device 100 collects information. In response to a data transmission request from the information center 2, each data may be read from the data storage unit and transmitted. In addition, since information to be collected may already be registered in the information center 2, the information center 2 may be inquired about the necessity before collecting the information. Further, if the image data storage unit 107 or the advertisement data storage unit 108 is a removable storage medium such as a memory card, the memory card may be brought into the information center 2. Further, as described above, in the information center 2, data may be transferred by wire. There are various methods for transferring data to the information center 2, such as collecting image data and advertisement data once at each delivery base and consolidating the information to the information center 2 using the public network from that point. Conceivable.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of address determination, image data collection, and advertisement data collection. For example, when collecting image data (video data) and advertisement data in a moving image, the address is always collected. Starting from the confirmation, image data and advertisement data before and after that are determined as data related to the address. Therefore, the flowchart of FIG. 5 is changed depending on the operation method.

  Furthermore, the image to be captured is not limited to one image but may be a plurality of image data captured from different angles. In this case, it will be easier to find if you shoot with something nearby. Alternatively, a method may be used in which a moving image is captured for a long time, and when the address information is determined, the images before and after the address information are identified as images near the address.

  If additional information such as the date and time of shooting is attached to the image data, it is possible to reflect changes due to the season and time, so that it becomes easier to find the destination.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the information center 2 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an operation in which the information center 2 receives information from the information collection vehicle 1, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the information center 2 when a data request is received from the automobile 3.

  First, the configuration of the information center 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the information center 2 is registered with an antenna 201 for wireless communication, a wireless communication unit 202 that is connected to a public wireless network and performs wireless communication with the information collection device 100 and the mobile terminal 300, and map information of the whole country. Map database 204, image database 205 for registering image data received from information collection device 100, advertisement database 206 for registering advertisement data received from information collection device 100, and desired data in response to a request from mobile terminal 300 Is provided with a data search unit 203 for searching for. The content of the map database 204 may be updated to the latest map periodically, for example, once every six months.

  Next, the operation | movement which collects information from the information collection vehicle 1 is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the wireless communication unit 202 waits until the collected data transmitted from the information collecting apparatus 100 is received via the antenna 201 (step S11). When the wireless communication unit 202 receives the collected data (Y), the image data included in the received collected data is registered in the image database 205 together with the address information (step S12). Next, it is determined whether or not advertisement data is included in the received collected data (step S13). If advertisement data is included (Y), this advertisement data is used together with address information in the advertisement database. It registers in 206. In the information center 2, nationwide map information is registered and stored in the map database 204.

  Next, the operation of the information center 2 when there is a data request from the automobile 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, it waits until there is a data request from the mobile terminal 300 of the automobile 3 to the information center 2 (step S21). When a data request is accepted (Y), route information is received from the mobile terminal 300 (step S22). This route information includes the current location of the mobile terminal 300 and the address information of the destination. Based on this route information, the data search unit 203 searches each database, and whether image data corresponding to the address of the destination and image data around the road from the current position to the destination are registered in the image database 205. It is determined whether or not (step S24). If the image data is registered (Y), the corresponding image data is read from the image database 205 (step S25).

  As will be described later, the car 3 has a GPS function, and the current position included in the route information is GPS positioning information. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since image data associated with address information is stored in the image database, the data search unit 203 receives the received current position (latitude and latitude) until the automobile 3 arrives near the destination. Search and read the image data of the address closest to (longitude).

  On the other hand, if the image data is not registered (N), the process proceeds to step S26. In step S <b> 26, it is determined whether or not the advertisement data corresponding to the destination address is registered in the advertisement database 206. If the advertisement data is registered (Y), the corresponding advertisement data is read from the advertisement database 206 (step S27). On the other hand, if advertisement data is not registered (N), the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, data read from each database is transmitted to the mobile terminal 300 that has requested the data.

  Next, the configuration and operation of mobile terminal 300 according to the present embodiment mounted on automobile 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 8, and 9. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal 300. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the mobile terminal 300 acquires destination data from the information center 2, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a display operation of the mobile terminal 300.

  First, the configuration of the mobile terminal 300 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 300 includes a radio communication antenna 301, a GPS antenna 302, a GPS receiving unit 303, a control unit 304, an information display unit 305, a display information creation unit 306, an address input unit 307, a map. A data storage unit 308, an image data storage unit 309, an advertisement data storage unit 310, and a wireless communication unit 311 are provided.

  The GPS antenna 302 receives GPS positioning signals from a plurality of satellites (not shown) orbiting the earth. The GPS receiving unit 303 calculates the current position (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the mobile terminal 300 from the received positioning signal. The information display unit 305 is a liquid crystal display or the like provided in front of the driver's seat.

  The address input unit 307 is various switches, a touch panel incorporated on the surface of the information display unit 305, a dedicated remote controller, or the like, and is used by the driver of the automobile 3 to input a destination address before departure. . When the destination address is input, the control unit 304 instructs the wireless communication unit 311 to transmit route information including the destination address and the current position to the information center 2.

  If the destination is a store or facility, the name, event information, etc. may be sent instead of the destination address. In addition, when it is desired to find an unspecified place such as a restaurant in the vicinity of traveling, a facility name (for example, a restaurant) may be sent. In this case, the information center 2 that has received the route information searches the database based on the current location of the automobile 3 that is sent together, and stores the address data, image data, and advertisement data of the facility that meets the purpose. You may make it reply to.

  A display information creation unit 306 creates information to be displayed on the information display unit 305. A display example of the information display unit 305 when the automobile 3 is traveling on the road is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, a lower part of the display screen 500 is a route map 503 in which the current position detected by the GPS receiving unit 303 and the input destination are marked on the road map read from the map data storage unit 308. . A landscape image 501 around the road is displayed on the upper left side of the display screen 500, and advertisement information 502 such as a store is displayed on the right side. The landscape image 501 is switched to a landscape image around the destination when the automobile 3 approaches the destination up to a predetermined distance.

  The driver can reach the periphery of the destination while viewing the route map 503 on the display screen 500, and then can arrive at the destination while comparing the scenery image 501 around the destination with the actual scenery.

  The display method shown in FIG. 4 is an example. Current car navigation is generally guided to the destination using video information created by computer graphics. Instead, a route to the destination and images / videos near the destination are displayed on the display screen 500. Various display methods such as a method of displaying the advertisement information superimposed on the video can be modified.

  Next, an operation in which the mobile terminal 300 acquires route data from the information center 2 to the destination will be described. In FIG. 8, it waits until the address of the destination by a driver | operator etc. is input (step S31). When the destination address is input (Y), route information including the destination address and the current position of the mobile terminal 300 is transmitted to the information center 2 (step S32). Next, a request is made to transmit route data corresponding to the transmitted route information to the mobile terminal 300 (step S33). Then, it waits until route data is received (step S34). When the route data is received (Y), it is determined whether the received route data includes image data (step S35). If the image data is included (Y), the image data is stored in the image data. The data is stored in the unit 309.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the received route data includes advertisement data (step S37). If the advertisement data is included, the advertisement data is stored in the advertisement data storage unit (step S38). Although not shown in FIG. 8, the mobile terminal 300 may acquire map data including the destination and the current position from the information center 2 when requesting data. If the map data is acquired from the information center 2 every time as described above, the mobile terminal 300 does not need to have map data in advance, and the latest map data can always be acquired. The map data stored in the map data storage unit 308 may be supplied in advance by a removable storage medium such as a CD ROM or a DVD.

  In this case, data input and output by the wireless communication unit 311 and the antenna 301 are stored in advance in the map data storage unit 308, the image data storage unit 309, and the advertisement data storage unit 310, and a method for exchanging data by wireless communication However, it can be realized only by changing the data exchange in the mobile terminal 300.

  In FIG. 3, the map data storage unit 308, the image data storage unit 309, and the advertisement data storage unit 310 are illustrated as separate units, but can be realized by sharing a storage unit such as a flash memory. Needless to say.

  Next, the display operation of the mobile terminal 300 will be described. In FIG. 9, first, if there is advertisement data for the destination, it is read from the advertisement data storage unit 310 (step S41). Next, the current position of the mobile terminal 300 is measured by GPS (step S42). Map data (route map data) including the input destination and current location is read from the map data storage unit 308 (step S43). It is determined whether or not the automobile 3 (mobile terminal 300) has approached a predetermined distance to the destination (step S44). If it is close to the destination (Y), the image data around the destination is read from the image data storage unit 309 (step S45). On the other hand, if the vehicle is not approaching (N), the image data around the road at the current position is read from the image data storage unit 309 (step S46). Next, display information is created from the read image data, advertisement data, and map data (step S47), and finally the screen of FIG. Note that all the above operations are executed according to instructions from the control unit 304. As described above, the map data may be acquired from the information center 2 at the start including the current position and the destination, or may be acquired in advance from a removable storage medium such as a CD ROM or DVD. It may be. You may make it acquire beforehand from removable storage media, such as CD ROM and DVD. In this case, the present invention can be realized by changing the information received from the information center 2 to reading from the recording medium.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the address of the destination can be more accurately associated with the landscape image (video), so that the user of the navigation system can accurately input the address of the destination to the mobile terminal 300. Can be input to the destination without hesitation while confirming the image (video). Further, the image data associated with the address information registered in the information center 2 (image data around the destination and road (video data)) is frequently updated by the information collection vehicle 1, so that it is more accurate than before. It becomes image data. In addition, the area for collecting image (video) data is dramatically expanded.

  In addition, the delivery company delivers to a specific address and performs delivery completion processing without changing the conventional delivery operation, that is, only by attaching the device of the present invention to the delivery vehicle without additional work. The effect of the present invention can be realized.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that landscape images on the route are collectively downloaded to the image data storage unit 309 at the time of destination setting. However, if the capacity of the image data storage unit 309 is limited, an automobile The image data corresponding to the travel position may be downloaded as appropriate.

  In this embodiment, an example of inputting the destination when actually going to the destination has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, when making a travel plan, the actual destination can be input by inputting a virtual destination. It goes without saying that various ways of use are conceivable, such as determining the destination while checking the scenery and the store on the way.

(Embodiment 2)
The purpose of the second embodiment of the present invention will be summarized. As described in the background art, there has already existed a technology for mounting a GPS and a camera on an information collection vehicle that runs around the city and associating GPS positioning information with image data captured by the camera. With the recent high performance of GPS, the accuracy of positioning information has been greatly improved, and the captured image data and the position (latitude and longitude) of the imaging location can be associated with high accuracy. On the other hand, the maintenance of a database that associates GPS positioning information (latitude and longitude) with address information is insufficient. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to construct a database that accurately associates GPS positioning information with address information. As a result, the image data around the destination and around the road when the road is traveling can be associated with the address accurately, so that a more accurate navigation system can be constructed. Further, if a database that can be constructed in the present embodiment is used, it is possible to effectively utilize an image database associated with conventional GPS positioning information. The image information may be a moving image (video).

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the information collection device 100 inputs the exact address of the place where the operator who took the information collection vehicle 1 photographed the image, instead of acquiring the position information by GPS, so that the captured image and the address The association was made. However, if the GPS positioning information and the address information can be accurately associated, it is possible to reach the target address more easily. In the present embodiment, the information collection vehicle 1 is also equipped with a GPS, and the positioning information of the GPS and the address information are accurately associated with each other.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the information collecting apparatus 120 in this embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing its operation. 10 differs from FIG. 2 in that a GPS antenna 121, a GPS receiving unit 122, and a positioning data storage unit 123 are further added. Blocks having the same configuration and operation as those in FIG. Is omitted. The GPS antenna 121 and the GPS receiving unit 122 also have the same functions as the GPS antenna 302 and the GPS receiving unit 303 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, after the information collection vehicle 1 arrives at the shooting location (delivery location) and stores the address information of the shooting location in step S3, positioning data including the latitude and longitude of the shooting location is acquired by GPS (step S51). The positioning data is associated with the address information and stored in the positioning data storage unit 123 (step S52). Thereafter, the same operation as in FIG. 5 is performed from step S4 to step S7. Finally, the control unit 104 reads the stored positioning data, image data, and advertisement data from the respective data storage units, and sends them to the wireless communication unit 109. The address information is transmitted from the antenna 101 to the information center 2 via the public wireless network (step S53).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a navigation system including the information center 20 in the present embodiment. The information center 20 includes a positioning database 207 in addition to the information center 2 of the first embodiment. A specific example of the positioning database 207 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the positioning database 207 includes address information 211, position information 212 on the address map, and positioning information 213 by GPS. The address information is detailed information at a level that can be specified by the information collection vehicle 1. In the case of a delivery vehicle, the address information can be specified for each building (residential), and thus is detailed address information up to the block level. The position information on the map is information indicating the X coordinate and the Y coordinate in, for example, m units in the map data included in the map database provided in the information center 20. The GPS positioning information 213 is information that represents the latitude and longitude on the earth corresponding to the address information 211, for example, to the sixth decimal place.

  The information center 20 creates a positioning database 207 based on the information received from the information collection vehicle 1.

  According to the present embodiment, since positioning information by GPS and address information can be associated up to the block level, the mobile terminal 300 can add the destination address to the map data and image data on the route after inputting the destination address. If the portion related to the path of the positioning database 207 shown in FIG. 13 is downloaded, it is possible to read and display image data and address information based on the positioning data of GPS during traveling. Thereby, image data closer to the scenery around the actual travel position than in the first embodiment can be displayed during road travel. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, it is also possible to add the block level address information 512 to the scenery image 511 around the currently running road for display. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 11 is an example, and various modifications such as, for example, replacing the address-related processing (steps S2 and S3) and the GPS-related processing (steps S51 and S52) are possible. The order of the image relations (steps S4 and S5) can be changed in the same manner as described above, and can be omitted if not necessary.

  For address input, as described in the first embodiment, by inputting delivery completion, a method for automatically determining the address in cooperation with the delivery company system, etc., other than direct input on the spot It may be a method.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to construct a positioning database that accurately associates positioning information (longitude and latitude) that can be acquired by GPS with block-level address information. An accurate landscape image can be displayed, or an accurate address information can be added to the landscape image for display. Thereby, it is possible to provide a navigation system that is easier to use.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the information collection device 100 is mounted on a delivery vehicle and collects information. Therefore, image data and advertisement data associated with an accurate address are saved with special effort. Can be easily collected without spending. Further, in recent years, the delivery range of delivery vehicles has been remarkably widened. If images around a delivery destination are collected, it is possible to collect image data covering almost all of the country. Also, when a store that sends advertising data during delivery is detected, this advertising data can also be collected, so there is no need to go to the store to collect information, labor costs, car fuel costs, etc. Can be saved. In addition, if a store that wishes to advertise is installed with the advertisement data transmitting device 400, information can be collected without permission, so that it is possible to save the trouble of asking a specialized service company.

  Furthermore, by installing the GPS in the delivery vehicle (information collection vehicle 1), a database that accurately associates address information with location information (latitude and longitude) and image data can be constructed. By using this database, Further, it becomes possible to configure a navigation system with higher performance.

  Note that the mobile terminal 300 is not limited to a navigation device mounted on the automobile 3, but may be a mobile terminal carried by an individual such as a mobile phone or a PDA. Any device that can be connected to a public wireless network and has a display function may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the delivery vehicle has been described as an example of the information collection vehicle 1. However, the information collection vehicle 1 travels in the city during work and associates accurate address information with image data or position information. For example, postal delivery, newspaper delivery, construction, various delivery vehicles, and the like may be used.

  The present invention can be widely used for navigation systems using images.

The figure which shows the structure of the navigation system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a block diagram of an information collection device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Block diagram of a mobile terminal in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the example of a display of the information display part of the mobile terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information collection device in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the information center in Embodiment 1 of this invention receives information from an information collection vehicle. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information center when there is a data request | requirement from the motor vehicle in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the mobile terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention acquires the data of the destination from an information center. The flowchart which shows the display operation of the mobile terminal in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram of the information collection device in Embodiment 2 of this invention The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the information collection device in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the structure of the navigation system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the positioning database in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the information display part of the mobile terminal in Embodiment 2 of this invention.

1 Information collection vehicle (delivery vehicle)
2,20 Information Center 3 Car (mobile)
4 Store 100, 120 Information collection device 101, 201, 301a to 301c Antenna 102 Optical signal receiving unit 103 Advertising data extraction unit 104, 304 Control unit 105 Imaging unit 106 Address input unit 107, 309 Image data storage unit 108, 310 Advertising data Storage unit 109, 202, 311 Wireless communication unit 121, 302 GPS antenna 122, 303 GPS reception unit 123 Positioning data storage unit 203 Data search unit 204 Map database 205 Image database 206 Advertising database 207 Positioning database 211 Address information 212 On map Position information 213 Positioning information by GPS 300a to 300c Mobile terminal 305 Information display unit 306 Display information creation unit 307 Input unit 308 Map data storage unit

Claims (9)

An information collection device mounted on a vehicle for delivering a delivery to a predetermined location, collecting information on the predetermined location, and transmitting the collected information to an information center,
Imaging means for imaging the periphery of the predetermined location;
Address information input means for inputting address information of the predetermined place;
Image data storage means for storing the image data captured by the imaging means in association with the address information input by the address information input means;
Means for communicating with said information center;
Control means for reading the image data from the image data storage means and causing the communication means to transmit the information information together with the address information;
An information collecting apparatus comprising: Position measuring means for measuring the position of the predetermined place;
Positioning data storage means for storing the positioning data measured by the position measuring means in association with the address information input by the address information input means; and
The information collection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads the positioning data from the positioning data storage unit and causes the communication unit to transmit the positioning data together with the address information to the information center. An optical signal receiving means for receiving the optical signal when the advertising data transmitting device for converting the advertising data into an optical signal and transmitting the optical data is around the predetermined location;
Advertisement data extraction means for extracting the advertisement data from the received optical signal;
Advertisement data storage means for storing the advertisement data extracted by the advertisement data extraction means in association with the address information input by the address information input means,
The information collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads the advertisement data from the advertisement data storage unit, and causes the communication unit to transmit the advertisement data together with the address information to the information center. An information collection device mounted on a vehicle for delivering a delivery to a predetermined location, collecting information on the predetermined location, and transmitting the collected information to an information center,
Position measuring means for measuring the position of the predetermined place;
Address information input means for inputting address information of the predetermined place;
Positioning data storage means for storing the positioning data measured by the position measuring means in association with the address information input by the address information input means;
Control means for reading the positioning data from the positioning data storage means, and causing the communication means to transmit to the information center together with the address information;
An information collecting apparatus comprising: A mobile terminal connected to an information center, receiving information on a route from the information center to a destination and displaying the information on a display means;
Position measuring means for measuring the current position of the mobile terminal;
Address information input means for inputting address information of the destination;
Display information creating means for creating display information to be displayed on the display means;
Data storage means for storing route data including image data, advertisement data and map data;
Communication means for communicating with the information center,
When the address information of the destination is input from the address information input means,
Causing the communication means to transmit a transmission request of route data corresponding to the address information to the information center;
When the communication means receives the route data from the information center,
Storing the received path data in the data storage means;
The display information creating means creates display information from the image data, advertisement data and map data included in the route data,
Control means for displaying the display information on the display means;
A mobile terminal comprising: The image data includes image data around the destination, and is image data around the road from the current position to the destination. The display information includes an image generated from image data around the road corresponding to the current position. The mobile terminal according to claim 5. The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the image included in the display information includes address information of a place where the image is taken. An information center that receives information collected by the information collection device and transmits information related to a route to a destination in response to a request from the mobile terminal,
A map database for storing map data, an image database for storing image data,
A database composed of an advertisement database for storing advertisement data and a positioning database for storing positioning data;
Data retrieval means for retrieving desired data from the database;
Communication means for communicating with the information collection device and the mobile terminal,
When the communication means receives image data, positioning data and advertisement data from the information collection device,
Register the image data, the positioning data and the advertisement data in the database;
When the communication means receives the address information of the destination from the mobile terminal,
The data search means searches the database for route data corresponding to the received address information of the destination,
When the route data exists in the database, the route data is read from the database and transmitted to the mobile terminal. A navigation system comprising the information collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the mobile terminal according to any one of claims 5 to 7, and the information center according to claim 8. .

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