JP2011214888A - Building doorway point estimation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique estimating a position on a road facing a doorway of a building corresponding an address even when the address of a search object is not registered in an address database.SOLUTION: An assignment rule database stores assignment rule information on a residence number in a town block corresponding to town block data of an address database. A building doorway point estimation device estimates a place where a building doorway point is located on the basis of the assignment rule information corresponding to the town block of the address of the search object and a numerical value of the residence number of the address.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for estimating an entrance / exit point of a building corresponding to a building of an address to be searched using an address database having a small capacity, for example, in a navigation apparatus that guides a route to a destination.

  For example, when performing a route search, a conventional navigation device or the like determines a destination based on attribute information of each building registered in an address. Address data and position coordinate data corresponding to each building are maintained in the address database, and the user can input the destination address or select the target building on the map from the display screen. Set the ground. The navigation device searches the address database of the destination input by the user from the address database, and specifies the position coordinates of the building corresponding to the address or the position coordinates on the selected map as the destination. The navigation device performs a route search based on the specified position coordinates, using the position on the nearby road network as the arrival point of the mobile device.

The address data stored in the address database is usually composed of a combination of address data such as prefectures, municipalities, large letters / town names, small letters / town streets, lot numbers / town blocks, branch numbers / residential numbers. Then, coordinate data indicating the coordinates of a point indicated by an address constituted by a combination of these address data is stored in association with each address data. The coordinate data is data indicating a position on the map, and includes data such as latitude and longitude. Furthermore, the address database stores coordinate data indicating the coordinates of the representative points assigned to the respective section names in association with the respective section data.
The number of address data and coordinate data stored in the conventional address database is “prefecture-city-town-town-gun”, “city-town-town-large-character / town-name”, “large-character / town-name-small-character / chome”, “small-character / There is a relationship of “1-N” (N is a natural number of 2 or more) between each hierarchy of “chome-lot number / block” and “lot number / block-branch number / residential number”.

  In addition, in the various storage information stored in the address database, in general, the latest information on detailed map items such as information on retail stores immediately after opening and information on friends' homes immediately after construction is not registered. Therefore, when a point not registered in such an address database is used as a destination, the navigation apparatus provides route guidance to an address near the destination or a facility or the like (near the destination) near the destination. To do.

  When address data corresponding to the address to be searched does not exist in the address database, the search is performed based on the block polygon and the building polygon in order to more accurately specify the coordinates of the point indicated by the address to be searched. A technique for calculating the coordinates of a target address has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, when there is no address data corresponding to the address to be searched in the address database, the house number is associated with the boundary of the block polygon and the coordinates are specified.

JP 2008-51596 A

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the coordinates to be specified are located on the boundary line of the block polygon, it can be performed only when the block corresponding to the address to be searched is composed of one block (for example, FIG. 12). ). However, the terrain of the block in the actual area is various. For example, the block may be composed of a plurality of sections (for example, FIG. 13) or a road may be present in the section (for example, the figure). 14). In such terrain, the coordinates corresponding to the address to be searched could not be specified.

  The address is formed in a hierarchy of prefectures, municipalities, large letters / town names, small letters / chomes, lot numbers / districts, branch numbers / residential numbers. In areas where the housing display system is applied, hierarchies such as town names, chomes, city blocks, and house numbers are used instead of large letters, small letters, lot numbers, and branch numbers. In such an area, for example, when the address is XX 3-chome 11-6, “XX” is the town name, “3-chome” is the chome, “11” is the city block, and “6” is the residence number.

  The residence display by the residence display system is a system provided to make it easy to understand the address, and in principle, the address is represented by a town name, a chome, a block, and a house number. A block is a section divided by roads, rivers, and the like. The block codes are numbered in order of 1, 2, 3,... From the block closest to the standard set by the local government.

  About how to decide house number, number is assigned according to fixed rule in each local government. A certain rule in each municipality is, for example, a number that is divided clockwise at regular intervals based on the direction of XX city hall, and the number facing the main entrance of the building is the residence number. However, a certain rule in a local government is a general rule in the local government, and cannot be individually applied to a block having various shapes.

  Furthermore, in the case of the conventional navigation device, the address database for searching for the address input by the user has a structure of “1-N” in the relationship of “lot number / district / branch number / housing number”. The address data and coordinate data increase in proportion to the number of. Therefore, in order to enhance the destination setting system using the technology of Patent Document 1, a large number of improvements are made such as increasing the frequency of updating the map database and continuing to register a large number of guide points, or continuing to maintain block polygons and building polygons. Requires a load and a large storage area to store it. For this reason, it cannot be easily applied to a portable information providing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is registered in a normal map database such as a retail store immediately after opening or a friend's house just after construction in an area where a block-type residence display system is applied. The purpose is to estimate and guide the position of the building entrance / exit point of the building corresponding to the address that takes time until. It is another object of the present invention to provide a building entrance / exit point estimation device that does not need to store address data and coordinate data corresponding to each house in the address database.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the building entrance / exit point estimation device according to the present invention includes grant rule information storage means for storing grant rule information related to a rule for assigning a residence number of a building existing in a block in association with the block. The input means for inputting an address corresponding to the building to be searched, and the grant rule information corresponding to the block included in the input address are extracted from the grant rule information storage means, and the grant rule information is input. Position estimation means for estimating a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address based on a house number included in the address.

  According to the building entrance / exit point estimation device configured as described above, the position of the building entrance / exit point of the building corresponding to the input address is estimated from the residential number assignment rule corresponding to the block of the address input by the input means. Therefore, the map database does not require address data and coordinate data for each building. Therefore, the position of the building entrance / exit point of the building corresponding to the input address can be estimated regardless of whether it is registered in the map database. In addition, in areas where the block-type residence display system is applied, address data and coordinate data for each building are not stored in the address database, so it is possible to guide to the building entrance / exit point of the destination building with a small amount of map data. .

  Furthermore, the update operation of the map database in the building entrance / exit point estimation apparatus configured as described above does not need to be performed for changes in address data and coordinate data corresponding to each building, and changes from the house number assignment rule. Can be done. Accordingly, the number of update locations of the map database is reduced, so that the maintenance load of map data and the increase in storage area can be suppressed. For example, when updating the map database by communication, the user can perform update work with a small communication fee. Also, a map production company that produces a map database can reduce the maintenance work of map data.

  In addition, the blocks constituting the block have various shapes, and it is necessary to estimate the position of the building entrance / exit point according to these shapes. The shape of the block constituting the block is not necessarily along the boundary line of the block, and if the block is not formed along the block boundary in this way, the address that is not registered in the address database The destination corresponding to could not be identified.

  Therefore, in the building entrance / exit point estimation device according to the present invention, the provision rule information relates to information regarding a plurality of bending points located at bending points on a road partitioning a block and an order of connecting the plurality of bending points. The position estimation means estimates the position on the imaginary line defined by the connection order of the plurality of bending points corresponding to the house number as the building entrance / exit point.

  According to the building entrance / exit point estimation device configured as described above, the block constituting the block is represented by a plurality of bending points, and the provision rule information includes the connection order of the bending points. Even if the shape is not along the boundary line of the block, the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located can be accurately estimated.

  In some cases, a bending point is included in a range where a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located. In such a case, the point where the user arrives as the destination is considered to be an intersection or a point where the road is bent and the line of sight is poor. When guiding such a place, it is desirable to urge the user to call attention.

  Therefore, according to the building entrance / exit point estimation device according to the present invention, the position estimation means is configured to detect the predetermined point when the bending point exists within a predetermined range from the position estimated as the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address. The range is a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address.

  According to the building entrance / exit point estimation device configured as described above, it is determined whether or not the inflection point is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address input by the position estimation unit is located. Since the range to include is provided to the user, it is possible to appropriately alert the user.

  Moreover, the connection order of the bending points based on the provision rule information may be discontinuous in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located. In such a case, there is a possibility that the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located is a distant place. Therefore, when guiding such a location, it is desirable to present a plurality of destination locations to the user and guide the locations in order of proximity from the departure location, for example.

  Therefore, according to the building entrance / exit point estimation device according to the present invention, the position estimation unit includes each of the plurality of bending points when there are a plurality of the bending points in which the connection order is discontinuous within the predetermined range. The predetermined range is a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address.

  According to the building entrance / exit point estimation device configured as described above, whether or not a bending point having a discontinuous connection order is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address input by the position estimation unit is located. Since the range including the bending point which becomes the said discontinuous connection order is provided to a user while determining, the user becomes easy to specify the point used as the destination. Further, it is possible to efficiently guide the plurality of places to the user.

  In addition, since the building entrance / exit point estimated by the building entrance / exit point estimation device of the present invention is a position on the road, the user can move the entrance / exit of the target building in either direction from the point estimated by the building entrance / exit point estimation device. Cannot determine if it is located. In such a case, the user has to search again for the entrance of the corresponding building from the point.

  Therefore, the building entrance / exit point estimation device according to claim 5 further includes an entrance / exit direction determination unit that determines the entrance / exit direction of the search target building from the building entrance / exit point estimated by the position estimation unit based on the provision rule information. It is characterized by that.

  According to the building entrance / exit point estimation device configured as described above, on the side of the entrance / exit direction with respect to the building entrance / exit point where the user has arrived, based on the connection order of the bending points of the provision rule information corresponding to the input address. Since it is determined whether it is located, the user can easily specify the entrance of a desired building. Further, since the entrance / exit direction can be guided to the left in the traveling direction based on this determination, a route to a point where the user can easily enter or lay can be searched.

The block diagram of the navigation apparatus of this invention. Configuration diagram of map database of the present invention Explanatory drawing about provision rule information of the present invention (1) Explanatory drawing about the provision rule information of this invention (2) Explanation character (3) about the provision rule information of the present invention The flowchart about the whole process of the navigation apparatus of this invention Flowchart for position estimation processing of the present invention Explanatory drawing (1) about the position estimation process of this invention Explanatory drawing (2) about the position estimation process of this invention Explanatory drawing (3) about the position estimation process of this invention Flowchart for route guidance processing of the present invention Explanatory drawing about prior art (1) Explanatory drawing about the prior art (2) Explanatory drawing about the prior art (3)

Hereinafter, a mode in which the embodiment of the present invention is embodied in a navigation device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation apparatus as a building entrance / exit point estimation apparatus in the present embodiment includes a display 10, a map database 20, a touch panel 30 as input means, a GPS receiver 40, and a CPU 50.

The display 10 displays map data, guide route data, and the like.
The map database 20 is composed of, for example, a hard disk or a non-volatile flash memory.
The map database 20 is faced by a feature database 21 in which information on topography and features such as roads and buildings to be displayed as a map is stored, address data corresponding to the address, and the entrance of the building indicated by the address. The address is included in the address database 22 in which the building entrance / exit points that are points on the road are associated and stored, the network database 23 in which information on network data representing roads by links and nodes is stored, and addresses. An assignment rule database 24 serving as an assignment rule information storage unit that stores information related to an assignment rule for a house number corresponding to a block is stored.

Here, the map database 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The feature database 21 stores feature data representing the shape of features such as roads and buildings.
The address database 22 stores prefecture data, municipality data, town name data, chome data, block data, large character data, small character data, lot number data, branch number data, and building entrance / exit point data. Prefectural data, municipality data, town name data, chome data, city block data, large character data, small character data, lot number data, branch number data have a hierarchical structure, and the coordinate data that is the representative point is related. Yes. In the branch number data, building entrance / exit point data, which is a point on the road facing the entrance / exit of the building corresponding to the branch number, is linked with its coordinates. Here, the correspondence relationship between the data of the prefecture data and the municipality data is “1 to N”. Similarly, the correspondence between the numbers of data is “1 to N” for the municipality data and the large character data / town name data, “1 to N” for the town name data and the chome data, and “1 to N” for the town name data and the street data. “1 to N”, large data and small data are “1 to N”, small data and lot number data are “1 to N”, lot number data and branch number data are “1 to N”, branch number data and building The entry / exit point data is “one to one”. The correspondence relationship regarding the number of coordinate data is the same as described above.

In addition, the conventional address database has house number data in the lower hierarchy of the block data. The correspondence relationship between the block data and the house number data is “1 to N”. Further, the correspondence relationship between the number of data of the house number data and the coordinate data corresponding to the house number data is “one to one”.
A building entrance / exit point is a point on the road where a main entrance such as a building entrance faces. Specifically, it refers to a point where an entrance / exit line is drawn from a point that becomes an entrance / exit of a building on a line segment indicating a boundary of the building to the road facing the point and intersects on the road. The building entrance / exit point may be configured to be linked to a link corresponding to a road where an entrance / exit line intersects.

The network database 23 stores link data representing roads and node data representing inflection points such as road connection points, dead ends, and curved points.
The block data corresponding to the link and the node is associated with the link data and the node data. The links and nodes corresponding to the block data refer to links and nodes corresponding to the road shape that faces the blocks constituting the block.

In the assignment rule database 24, the assignment rule information related to the assignment rule of the house number of the building existing in the block of the block included in the address is stored in association with the block data corresponding to the block stored in the address database 22. Yes.
The rules for assigning house numbers to buildings in a block of a block are defined as rules for assigning a house number on the road that faces the block of the block. Estimated from the relationship between the building entrance / exit point and the house number corresponding to the building entrance / exit point, it is defined in advance.

Specifically, the grant rule information sets a plurality of bend points at the points where the roads that divide the block are bent, and the connection order of the bend points is defined based on the rule for assigning the residence number included in the block. . The point where the road bends refers to a point where a virtual line connecting the bend points on the road corresponding to the block can be linearly approximated to the road corresponding to the block. Typically, it is an intersection, a dead end point, or a point having a curvature greater than a predetermined value on a road corresponding to a block.
Further, the grant rule information and the block data have a “one-to-one” correspondence relationship.

The connection order of the bending points corresponding to the block includes information on the bending point that is the starting point of the bending point based on the house number assignment rule. Further, the connection order of the bending points may be a continuous connection relationship that is continuously connected along a road that divides the block, and a discontinuous connection relationship that is not continuously connected.
Moreover, the grant rule information may further include a final value of a house number that can exist in the corresponding block. The final value of the house number represents the numerical value of the house number corresponding to the point where the node ends based on the start node and the connection order of the nodes in the provision rule information.

  In addition, the provision rule information includes a distance value (dx) per unit of the house number in the corresponding block as a predetermined value. For example, in FIG. 3, the distance value (dx) is the distance (dAB) on the link L between the position coordinates (xA, yA) of the building entrance / exit point TA and the position coordinates (xB, yB) of the building entrance / exit point TB. This is a value obtained by dividing the value of the house number at the building entrance / exit point TA by the value (nAB) of the difference between the value of the house number at the building entrance / exit point TB. For example, when the distance (dAB) is 20 m, the distance (d1) per unit of residence number in the block is a value obtained by dividing the distance (dAB) “20 m” by the difference value “2” of the residence number. “10 m” is included in the provision rule information of the block G1 as the predetermined value (dx1).

  The inflection point may be represented by a node in the network database 23. Moreover, the virtual line connecting the bending points may be represented by a link. In the following embodiment, an example in which the bending point is implemented by a node and the virtual line is implemented by a link is described.

Next, the provision rule information and the connection relationship will be described with reference to FIGS.
The building data, residence number data, and building entrance / exit point data used in the description of FIGS. 3 to 5 are data used to explain the attachment rule information and the connection relationship, and are necessary in the process of implementing the present invention. Not data.
For example, the block G1 in FIG. 3 is composed of a block GK1. The roads facing the section GK1 are roads R1, R2, R3, R4. The roads R1, R2, R3, and R4 may be expressed by nodes N1, N2, N3, and N4 and links L1, L2, L3, and L4 connected by these nodes.
The block G1 (division GK1) is the residence number (“1” “3” “5” “10” “12”) of the buildings A, B, C, D, and E belonging to the division, and the respective building entrances / exits Based on the locations of the points TA, TB, TC, TD, and TE, the block G1 (section GK1) is assigned a residence number in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N1 starting from the node N1. I have a house number assignment rule. In addition, the connection order of the nodes in the block G1 is continuously connected along the links corresponding to the roads that divide the block.

In addition, the block G2 in FIG. 4 is configured by a section GK2, and the roads facing the section GK2 are roads R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5. The roads R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 may be expressed by nodes N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, and N6 and links L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 connected by these nodes.
The section GK2 includes the house numbers (“2”, “5”, “8”, “12”, “17”, and “20”) of the buildings A, B, C, D, E, and F belonging to the section and the respective building entrances / exits. Based on the locations of the points TA, TB, TC, TD, TE, TF, the block G2 starts with the node N1 and the house numbers are in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N3-N5-N6-N1. There is a rule for assigning a house number to be granted. In addition, since the connection order of the nodes in the block G2 is continuously connected along the links corresponding to the roads that divide the block, all are in a continuous connection relationship.

In addition, the block G3 in FIG. 5 includes a section GK3a and a section GK3b. Roads facing the section GK3a are roads R1, R2, R3, and R5, and roads facing the section GK3b are roads R3, R2, R4, and R5. The roads R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 can be expressed by the nodes N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, and N6 and links L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, and L7 connected by these nodes. Good.
The section GK3a includes the housing numbers ("2", "5", "9", and "13") of the buildings A, B, C, and D belonging to the section and the positions of the respective building entrance points TA, TB, TC, and TD. Based on the above, the partition GK3a has a house number assignment rule in which a house number is assigned in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N6-N1, starting from the node N1.

The section GK3b starts from the node N6 based on the house numbers (“20”, “23”, “30”) of the buildings E, F, and G belonging to the section and the building entrance / exit points TE, TF, and TG of the respective buildings. In addition, there is a house number assignment rule in which house numbers are assigned in the connection order of the nodes N6-N3-N4-N5-N6.
Based on the rules for assigning the house numbers between the sections GK3a and GK3b, the town block G3 starts from the node N1 and is assigned the house numbers in the order of connection from the nodes N1-N2-N3-N6-N1 to N6-N3-N4-N5-N6. Has grant rules. The connection order of the nodes in the block G3 is discontinuous at the location “node N1 → N6” connecting the section GK3a and the section GK3b. Therefore, the connection order of the nodes in the block G3 is a discontinuous connection relation at the location of “node N1 → N6”, and the other connection order is a continuous connection relation.

  The touch panel 30 is installed, for example, on the surface of the display 10. Using the touch panel 30, an address as a destination is specified by touching an address candidate or the like on the address input screen displayed on the display 10 with a finger or a touch pen. The address may be input from a keyboard or a microphone.

  The GPS receiver 40 is used to detect the absolute position of a vehicle from latitude and route information, and receives a signal carrying downlink data including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites. It has a function. A signal received by the GPS receiver 40 is transmitted to the current position detector 51.

  The CPU 50 controls the entire navigation device, and determines, creates, and presents information to be presented to the user based on various input data. The CPU 50 includes a current position detection unit 51, a block area determination unit 52, a position specification unit 53, an assignment rule data extraction unit 54, a position estimation unit 55, a route search unit 56, a route guidance unit 57, and display control. Part 58.

  The current position detection unit 51 is a mobile body equipped with a navigation device based on a GPS signal input by the GPS receiver 40 and various sensors such as a known azimuth sensor (not shown) and a gyro (not shown). Detects the current position and direction of the moving object. The current position information detected by the current position detection unit 51 is transmitted to the route search unit 56.

  The block area determination unit 52 determines whether the input address to be searched is an area to which the block type residence display system is applied. Specifically, in the address data in the address database 22, identification information or the like indicating that the town area data, chome data, or town block data is an area where the town block type residence display system is applied is added in advance. Then, it is determined whether or not the block name included in the input address corresponds to the residential display system implementation area.

  When the block area determination unit 52 determines that the input address is not an area to which the block type residence display system is applied, the position specifying unit 53 sets the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address to the address database 22. To determine the destination location. The area where the block-type residence display system is not applied is specifically an area corresponding to an address represented by a large letter / small letter / lot number / branch number.

  The assignment rule data extraction unit 54 extracts, from the assignment rule database 24, an assignment rule for a house number corresponding to a block included in an address input via the touch panel 30. Further, the provision rule data extraction unit 54 extracts network data associated with the extracted provision rule information together from the network database 23.

  The position estimation unit 55 is based on the grant rule information extracted by the grant rule data extraction unit 54, the network data associated with the grant rule information, and the residence number included in the address input via the touch panel 30. The range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address is located is estimated. In addition, the position estimation unit 55 represents the road by straight line approximation by connecting inflection points along the road that the section faces, and estimates a range located based on the distance on the link between the nodes subjected to the straight line approximation. The position estimating unit 55 calculates a distance obtained by multiplying the house number of the input address by a predetermined value, and the grant corresponding to the distance calculated by the distance calculation function 61 and the block included in the input address. A position range estimation function 62 for estimating a range in which a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address is located based on the rule information.

  The position range estimation function 62 applies the distance calculated by the distance calculation function 61 to the connection order of the nodes corresponding to the provision rule information, and the input address on the link connecting the nodes from the position of the starting node The range where the entrance point is located in the building corresponding to is estimated. When the node is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located, the position range estimation function 62 estimates the range including the node as the destination. The position range estimation function 62 is a case where a node is included in a range where a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located, and the node is a discontinuous connection relationship. A range including a plurality of nodes is estimated as a destination.

  The route search unit 56 determines the current position information detected by the current position detection unit 51 as a departure place, and determines the position information specified by the position specification unit 53 or the position information estimated by the position estimation unit 55 as a destination. Route search. As a method for setting an optimum route from the starting point to the destination, a method such as cost calculation by the Dijkstra method is known. There are two methods for setting the departure point, such as a method of inputting an address and coordinates as a departure point from the touch panel, and a method of specifying a point on the map display screen.

  The route guidance unit 57 creates various pieces of guidance information for guiding the user along the route searched by the route search unit 56. The route guidance unit 57 has an entrance / exit direction determination function 63 that determines the direction in which the entrance / exit of the building with the address input from the end point of the route exists based on the assignment rule information extracted from the assignment rule database 24. Specifically, the entrance / exit direction determination function 63 determines that the entrance / exit is located on the right side with respect to the direction of the connection order when the connection order of the provision rule information is clockwise. Further, when the connection order of the provision rule information is counterclockwise, it is determined that the doorway is located on the left side with respect to the direction of the connection order. Based on this determination, the route search unit 56 may search for a route where the entrance of the building corresponding to the address input on the left side of the moving body is located. Thereby, the mobile body can search for a route to a point where it is easy to enter or lay down on the building corresponding to the input address.

Further, the route guidance unit 57 performs different guidance depending on whether or not a node serving as a bending point is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address estimated by the position estimation unit 55 is located. Specifically, when a node is included in the position range of the building entrance / exit point estimated by the position estimation unit 55, a link range including a point representing the node is guided.
Furthermore, the route guidance unit 57 performs different guidance depending on whether or not the connection order of the nodes is in a discontinuous connection relationship. Specifically, when a node having a discontinuous connection relationship is included in the position range of the building entrance / exit point estimated by the position estimating unit 55, a link range including the discontinuous node is guided. In this case, the points representing the discontinuous nodes are a plurality of places of two or more points, so the plurality of places are guided.

  The display control unit 58 displays various information to be provided to the user such as guide route information and map data created by the route guide unit 57 by a predetermined process on the display.

The schematic configuration of the navigation device has been described above.
Hereinafter, the entire process from the input of the address to the guidance of the route in the navigation apparatus of the present invention will be described using the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the current position detection unit 51 determines the current position of the moving body equipped with the navigation device, the direction of the moving body, and the like based on the GPS signal input by the GPS receiver 40 and various sensors such as a well-known direction sensor. A detection process is performed (step S71). The current position information detected by the current position detection unit 51 is transmitted to the route search unit 56 as departure point information.

  Next, a desired address desired to be a destination is input from the touch panel 30 by the user. The address is input by the user inputting characters on the touch panel 30 using a touch pen or the like (step S72). In addition, as a method for inputting an address, input from a keyboard or input by voice may be used.

  Next, the block area determination unit 52 performs a process of determining whether or not the input address to be searched is an area to which the block type residence display system is applied (step S73). This determination processing is performed based on identification information or the like that is given to the town name data, the chome data, or the block data stored in the address database 22 and that indicates that the block is applied to the block-type residence display system. When the block area determination unit 52 determines that the input address is an area to which the block-type residence display system is applied (Yes in step S73), the block area determination unit 52 proceeds to an assignment rule data extraction process (step S75). On the other hand, when the block area determination unit 53 determines that the input address is not an area to which the block type residence display system is applied (No in step S73), the block area determination unit 53 proceeds to the position specifying process (step S74).

  Next, when it is determined that the address input by the block area determination unit 52 is not an area to which the block type residence display system is applied, the position specifying unit 53 determines a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address from the address database 22. A process of searching and specifying the position of the destination is performed (step S74). The area where the block-type residence display system is not applied is specifically an area corresponding to an address represented by a large letter / small letter / lot number / branch number. In the address database 22, building entrance / exit points are stored in correspondence with addresses represented by large letters / small letters / lot numbers / branches. As a result of searching for the input address from the address database 22, the position specifying unit 53 specifies the specified building entrance / exit point as the destination position when the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address can be specified. On the other hand, as a result of searching the input address from the address database 22, the position specifying unit 53, when the address is not registered in the address database and the building entrance / exit point cannot be specified, the representative point of the hierarchy that can be specified is determined as the destination. You may specify as a position of. The position specifying unit 53 transmits the specified position information to the route search process (step S77).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the address input by the block area determination unit 52 is an area to which the block type residence display system is applied (Yes in step S73), the grant rule data extraction unit 54 adds the input address to the input address. A process of extracting the grant rule information corresponding to the included block from the grant rule database 24 is performed (step S75). Further, the provision rule data extraction unit 54 extracts network data associated with the extracted provision rule information together from the network database 23.

  Next, the position estimation unit 55 determines the address based on the grant rule information extracted by the grant rule data extraction unit 54, the network data associated with the grant rule information, and the residence number included in the input address. The process which estimates the range in which the building entrance / exit point corresponding to is located is implemented (step S76). A detailed description of the position estimation process (step S76) will be described later.

Next, the route search unit 56 determines the current position information detected by the current position detection unit 51 as a departure place, determines the position information specified by the position specification unit 53 as a destination, and the position estimation unit 55 estimates A process for determining the destination information as a destination and performing a route search is performed (step S77). As a method for setting an optimum route from the starting point to the destination, a method such as cost calculation by the Dijkstra method is known. In addition, the setting of a departure place includes the method of inputting the address and coordinates which make a departure place from a touch panel, the method of designating the point on a map display screen, etc.
In addition, when there is a possibility that the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address estimated by the position estimation unit 55 is located on a plurality of links including the node, the location corresponding to the plurality of links is determined. Search as a destination.

  Next, the route guidance unit 57 performs a process of creating various pieces of guidance information for guiding the user along the route searched by the route search unit 56 (step S78). Detailed description of the route guidance process will be described later.

  Next, the display control unit 58 performs a process of displaying various information provided to the user, such as guide route information and map data created by the route guide unit 57 by a predetermined process (step S79).

The entire route guidance process in the navigation device of the present invention has been described above.
Hereinafter, the position estimation process (step S76) by the position estimation unit 55 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the distance calculation function 61 of the position estimation unit 55 performs a process of calculating a distance (D) obtained by multiplying the house number of the input address by a predetermined value (step S81). Here, the predetermined value is a distance value (dx) per unit of the house number based on the provision rule information in the block of the input address. For example, in FIG. 3, the distance calculation function 61 uses the block G1 as the block of the input address, the predetermined value (d1) of the provision rule information of the block as “10 m”, and the residence number of the input address as “7”. If it is, the distance (D1) “70 m” is calculated.

Next, the position range estimation function 62 of the position estimation unit 55 performs a process of estimating the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located (step S82). The position range estimation function 62 applies the distance (D) calculated by the distance calculation function 61 to the node connection order corresponding to the provision rule information of the block included in the input address, and the position of the node as the starting point Estimate the range on the link connecting the nodes. The range to be located is a range in which a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located, and is a range on the link that leads to a distance (dx) per unit of house number.
Specifically, the position range estimation function 62 calculates the distance on the virtual line (link) along the connection order of the node of the provision rule information corresponding to the block from the node serving as the start point corresponding to the block of the input address. However, the range which arrives at the distance (dx) to the point used as the distance (D) calculated by the distance calculation function 61 is calculated | required.

  Next, the position estimation unit 55 performs a process of determining whether or not the range estimated by the position range estimation function 62 includes a node (step S83). Specifically, the position estimation unit 55 determines whether or not the position coordinates of the node are included in the range on the link that reaches the distance (dx) per unit of the house number estimated by the position range estimation function 62. Judgment is made.

For example, a case where the block included in the input address is the block G1, the predetermined value (dx1) is “10 m”, and the residence number of the address is “7” will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the grant rule database 24 stores grant rule information that the block G1 is assigned with a house number in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N1 starting from the node N1. The distance (D1) corresponding to the house number “7” calculated by the distance calculation function 61 is “70 m”. In this case, a range of a predetermined value (dx1) “10 m” (range from the range start point Ts1 to the range end point Tl1) from the node N1 to the point “70 m” (range end point Tl1) along the links L1-L2-L3-L4. ) Does not contain any nodes. Therefore, the position estimation unit 55 determines that the node is not included in the range (No in step S83), and determines the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is the range as the destination range. To finish the process.

On the other hand, for example, a case where the block included in the input address is the block G1, the predetermined value (dx1 ′) is “11m”, and the residence number of the address is “7” will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the grant rule database 24 stores grant rule information that the block G1 is assigned with a house number in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N1 starting from the node N1. Further, the distance (D1 ′) corresponding to the house number “7” calculated by the distance calculation function 61 is “77 m”. In this case, a range of a predetermined value (dx1 ′) “11 m” (range start point Ts1 ′ to range end point Tl1) from the node N1 to the point “77 m” (range end point Tl1 ′) along the links L1-L2-L3-L4. The range up to 'includes the node N3 (x3, y3). Therefore, the position estimation unit 55 determines that the node is included in the range (Yes in Step S83), and proceeds to determination (Step S84) whether or not the connection relation of the node is discontinuous.

When it is determined that the node is included in the range in which the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address estimated by the position range estimation function 62 is located (Yes in step S83), the position estimation unit 55 indicates that the node is given rule information Based on the above, it is determined whether or not the connection relationship is discontinuous (step S84).
A node having a discontinuous connection relationship refers to a node that connects grant rule information corresponding to a plurality of sections constituting one block. For example, in FIG. 5, the node connection order in the block G3 is defined as “node N1 → N6” where the sections GK3a and GK3b are connected in a discontinuous connection relationship.

For example, the case where the block included in the input address is the block G3 in FIG. 5, the predetermined value (dx3) is “10 m”, and the residence number of the address is “19” will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, the block G3 is composed of the section GK3a and the section GK3b. Based on the allocation rule information of the house numbers of the section GK3a and the section GK3b, the block G3 indicates that the block G3 starts from the node N1 and has a node N1-N2-N3-N6-N1 → N6-N3-N4-N5- The provision rule information that the house number is assigned in the connection order of N6 is stored.

  The connection order of the nodes in the block G3 is discontinuous at the location “node N1 → N6” connecting the section GK3a and the section GK3b. Further, the distance (D3) corresponding to the house number “19” calculated by the distance calculation function 61 is “190 m”. In this case, a range of a predetermined value (dx3) “10 m” (range start point Ts3−range end point Tl3) from the node N1 to the “190 m” point (range end point Tl3) along the links L1-L2-L3-L7-L3. ) Includes the node N1 and the node N6 that is discontinuously connected to the node N1. Therefore, in this case, the position estimation unit 55 determines that a node having a discontinuous connection relationship is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located (Yes in step S84), and the discontinuity is determined. It progresses to the process (step S86) which extracts the range containing the bending point which becomes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the range in which the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located does not include a discontinuous connection node (No in step S84), the position estimation unit 55 includes the inflection point. A process of extracting a range is performed (step S85). For example, in the case of FIG. 9, the position estimation unit 55 extracts a range from the range start point Ts1 ′ where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located to the range end point Tl1 ′ including the node N3, and uses the range as the destination. Is determined as the range in which.

Further, when the position estimation unit 55 determines that a node having a discontinuous connection relationship is included in the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located (Yes in step S84), the discontinuous connection is performed. A process of extracting a predetermined range including a plurality of related nodes is performed (step S86).
For example, when the block included in the input address is the block G3, the predetermined value (d3) is “10 m”, and the residence number of the address is “19”, the position estimation unit 55 starts from the range start point Ts3. The range up to N1 and the range from node N6 to range end point Tl3 are extracted. As shown in FIG. 5, in the block G3, the nodes N1 and N6 are located away from each other, and therefore a range including the two points is determined as a range candidate where the destination is located.

The position estimation process (step S76) in the position estimation unit 55 has been described above.
Hereinafter, the route guidance process (step S78) by the route guidance unit 57 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the entrance / exit direction determination function 63 of the route guidance unit 57 performs a process of determining the direction in which the entrance / exit of the building with the address input from the destination exists, based on the assignment rule information extracted from the assignment rule database 24 ( Step S91). The entrance / exit direction determination function 63 determines a direction in which the entrance / exit of the building entrance / exit point is located with respect to a range where the building entrance / exit point is estimated by the position estimation unit 55. Specifically, the entrance / exit direction determination function 63 determines whether the entrance / exit direction is located on the right side or the left side of the route direction searched by the route search unit 56.

  The entrance / exit direction determination function 63 determines that the entrance / exit direction corresponding to the address is on the right side of the connection order when the connection order of the network data of the provision rule information corresponding to the block of the input address is clockwise. On the other hand, if it is counterclockwise, it is determined that it is on the left side. Based on this determination, for example, the route search unit 56 can search for a route where the entrance of the building corresponding to the address input on the left side in the moving direction of the moving object is located. Thereby, the route guidance unit 57 can guide a route to a point where the user can easily enter or lay down the building corresponding to the input address.

  Next, the route guidance unit 57 performs different processing depending on whether or not the destination estimated by the position estimation unit 55 includes a node. That is, when a node is not included in the destination range estimated by the position estimation unit 55 (No in step S92), the route guidance unit 57 performs route guidance to a representative point in the destination range (step S93). . The representative point may be a point that is the center of the range, or a point that is the shortest route in the range may be the representative point.

  On the other hand, when a node is included in the destination range in step S92 (Yes in step S92), the route guide unit 57 determines whether the node has a discontinuous connection relationship (step S94). If the nodes included in the destination range extracted by the position estimation unit 55 are not in a discontinuous connection relationship, the route guide unit 57 performs processing for guiding the destination range (step S95).

The destination range to be guided in the destination range guidance process (step S95) is specifically a range including an intersection serving as a node and a point with poor visibility. Therefore, the route guidance unit 57 alerts the user regarding the range of the destination. For example, if the node included in the destination range is an intersection, the route guidance unit 57 will tell the user that “the point where the destination entrance is facing is around the intersection. Use a voice to call attention. In addition, when a node where the road curves is included in the range of the destination, the route guidance unit 57 indicates to the user that “the point where the entrance / exit of the destination faces is around a point with poor visibility. Please give a warning such as “Please” by voice.
In addition, a range including an intersection serving as a node or a point with poor visibility is not suitable for a place where a car is parked or stopped. Therefore, the route guidance unit 57 may provide guidance information that prohibits the user from parking and stopping in the destination range guidance process.

In addition, when the nodes included in the destination range have a discontinuous connection relationship (Yes in step S94), the route guide unit 57 performs a process of guiding a plurality of destination ranges including the discontinuous nodes. Implement (step S96).
The range of destinations to be guided in the multi-destination guidance process (step S96) specifically includes nodes based on provision rule information corresponding to a plurality of different sections. Therefore, in this case, since the range of the destination may be located apart from each other in a plurality of sections, the route guide unit 57 guides the range of the destination, for example, in order from the starting point. Further, for example, the route guidance unit 57 may guide the user as a first destination candidate for a range of destinations close to the departure point and as a second destination candidate for a range of destinations next to the destination.
Further, the route guidance unit 57 may provide guidance information for prohibiting parking and stopping by the user in the multi-destination guidance process as in the destination range guidance process.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the position of the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the address input from the rule for assigning the house number corresponding to the block of the address input by the input means is estimated, the map The database does not require address data and coordinate data for each building. Therefore, the position of the building entrance / exit point of the building corresponding to the input address can be estimated regardless of whether it is registered in the map database. Further, in an area where the block-type residence display system is applied, it is not necessary to store address data and coordinate data for each building in the address database, so that the capacity of a storage medium such as a hard disk can be reduced.

  In addition, the map database update operation in the building entrance / exit point estimation apparatus configured as described above need not be performed for changes in address data and coordinate data corresponding to each building, and road shape and house number assignment rules This can be done with respect to changes. Accordingly, since the number of map database updates is reduced, the burden of updating map data can be reduced. For example, when updating the map database by communication, the user can perform update work with a small communication fee. Also, a map production company that produces a map database can reduce the maintenance work of map data.

Modification 1:
In the above description, the position estimating unit 55 uses the distance (d) obtained by multiplying the house number of the input address by a predetermined value as the connection order of the nodes corresponding to the provision rule information of the block included in the input address. Although applied and the range located on the link connecting the nodes is estimated from the position of the node as the starting point, it is not limited to this.
The position estimation unit 55 responds to the address based on the ratio of the numerical value of the house number of the input address to the final value of the house number corresponding to the block of the address and the provision rule information of the block of the address. You may estimate the range in which a building entrance / exit point is located. Specifically, the position estimation unit 55 calculates the distribution value by dividing the numerical value of the house number of the input address by the final value of the house number corresponding to the block of the input address. The position estimation unit 55 estimates the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located by applying the distribution value to the provision rule information of the block.

  For example, in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the final value of the house number corresponding to the provision rule information of the block G1 is “14”. When the house number of the input address is “7”, the position estimating unit 55 distributes the house number “7” of the input address by the final value “14” and the distribution value “1/2”. Is calculated. The block G1 has provision rule information to which a house number is assigned in the connection order of the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N1 starting from the node N1, and the position estimation unit 55 assigns a distribution value “ By applying “1/2”, the range where the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address is located is the seventh division obtained by dividing the link connecting the nodes N1-N2-N3-N4-N1 into 14 divisions. Can be estimated.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Display 20 ... Map database 21 ... Feature database 22 ... Address database 23 ... Network database 24 ... Assignment rule database 30 ... Touch panel 40 ... GPS receiver 50 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 ... Current position detection part 52 ... Block area determination part 53 ... Position specification part 54 ... Granting rule data extraction part 55 ... Position estimation part 56 ... Route search part 57 ... Route guidance unit 58 ... Display control unit 61 ... Distance calculation function 62 ... Position range estimation function 63 ... Entrance / exit direction determination function

Claims (5)

A building entrance / exit point estimation device for estimating a building entrance / exit point, which is a point on a road facing a building entrance / exit,
Grant rule information storage means for storing grant rule information relating to a rule for assigning a residence number of a building existing in a block in association with the block;
An input means for inputting an address corresponding to the building to be searched;
The grant rule information corresponding to the block included in the input address is extracted from the grant rule information storage means, and the input address is based on the grant rule information and the residence number included in the input address. A building entrance / exit point estimation device comprising position estimation means for estimating a building entrance / exit point corresponding to. The building entrance / exit point estimation device according to claim 1,
The provision rule information includes information on a plurality of bending points located at bending points on a road that divides a block, and information on an order of connecting the plurality of bending points,
The position estimation means is a building entrance / exit point estimation device that estimates a position on an imaginary line defined by a connection order of the plurality of bending points, to which the house number corresponds, as the building entrance / exit point. The building entrance / exit point estimation device according to claim 1 or 2,
When the bending point exists within a predetermined range from the position estimated as the building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address, the position estimation unit defines the predetermined range as a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address. Building entrance / exit point estimation device. The building entrance / exit point estimation device according to claim 3,
In the case where there are a plurality of bending points where the connection order is discontinuous within the predetermined range, the position estimating means has a predetermined range including each of the plurality of bending points as a building entrance / exit point corresponding to the input address. Building entrance / exit point estimation device. The building entrance / exit point estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A building entrance / exit point estimation device further comprising an entrance / exit direction determination unit that determines an entrance / exit direction of the search target building from the building entrance / exit point estimated by the position estimation unit based on the provision rule information.