JP2011232505A - Hierarchical information providing device, hierarchical information providing system, server device, terminal device, hierarchical information providing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hierarchical information providing device for intuitively obtaining a building structure of a spot having hierarchical information, while displaying a map, and also to provide a hierarchical information providing system, a server device, a terminal device, a hierarchical information providing method, and a program.SOLUTION: The hierarchical information providing device stores map data and hierarchical information for regulating the number of hierarchies by correspondence to spot information, allows a display part to display a map display screen based on the stored map data, acquires the spot information, acquires the hierarchical information corresponding to the acquired spot information from the map data, and displays by superimposition on the map display screen, a stereoscopic hierarchical chart corresponding to the number of the hierarchies, based on the acquired hierarchical information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a hierarchical information providing device, a hierarchical information providing system, a server device, a terminal device, a hierarchical information providing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a screen division display technique has been developed in which a display screen is divided into two regions and different scale maps and the like are displayed.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device that provides a first area and a second area on a display screen, displays main information in the first area, and displays current position peripheral information in the second area. Has been.

JP 2004-317289 A

  However, the conventional screen division display technique has a problem that it cannot be applied when displaying hierarchical information such as a multi-layered building.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can display a map and intuitively grasp the building structure of a point having hierarchical information, a hierarchical information providing apparatus, a hierarchical information providing system, and a server An object is to provide a device, a terminal device, a hierarchy information providing method, and a program.

  In order to achieve such an object, the hierarchical information providing apparatus of the present invention is a hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, and the storage unit includes map data, the map, Map data storage means for storing hierarchy information that defines the number of layers in association with the location information of the data, and the control unit displays a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means From the map data storage means, the map display means for displaying on the display section, the spot information acquisition means for acquiring the spot information, and the hierarchical information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition means Based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition means, and a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on the map display screen. A superimposition display means for, characterized by comprising a.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing apparatus of the present invention is the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, further comprising an input unit, wherein the point information acquiring unit is displayed to the user by the map display unit via the input unit. The point information is obtained by designating a point on the map display screen.

  The hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a position acquisition unit in the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, and the point information acquisition unit acquires the point information via the position acquisition unit. It is characterized by.

  In the hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention, in the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, the control unit further includes route guidance information acquisition means for acquiring route guidance information related to the guidance route, and the superimposed display means includes: Based on the route guidance information acquired by the route guidance information acquisition means, the guide route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guide route is displayed.

  In the hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention, in the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, the map data storage means further stores facility information, and the superimposed display means is stored in the map data storage means. Based on the facility information, a corresponding symbol is displayed on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram.

  The hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention is the above hierarchical information providing apparatus, further comprising an input unit, wherein the map data storage means further associates the detailed hierarchical map data with the floor information of the hierarchical information. And the control unit causes the user to select the hierarchy of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram superimposed and displayed via the input unit, thereby acquiring the floor information acquisition means, Detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means for acquiring the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition means from the map data storage means, and the map display means includes the detailed hierarchical map Switching to the map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data acquired by the data acquisition means is displayed on the display unit.

  The hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention further includes a position acquisition unit in the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, and the map data storage means further associates with the floor information of the hierarchical information in a detailed hierarchical map. The control unit stores the floor information acquisition means for acquiring the floor information via the position acquisition unit, and the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition means. Detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means for acquiring from the map data storage means, the map display means on the map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data acquired by the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means The display is switched and displayed on the display unit.

  In the hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention, in the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, the superimposed display unit corresponds to the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquiring unit. The hierarchy is highlighted.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention is the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, wherein the superimposed display means includes the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed on the display unit by the map display means. Based on the above, the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram is highlighted.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing apparatus according to the present invention is the hierarchical information providing apparatus described above, wherein the superimposed display means is arranged in a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquiring means. The corresponding three-dimensional layer diagram is superimposed on the map display screen, and the predetermined number of the layers displayed in a superimposed manner is controlled to be switchable.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing system of the present invention is a hierarchical information in which a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit are communicably connected. In the providing system, the storage unit of the server device includes hierarchical information storage means that stores hierarchical information that defines the number of layers in association with point information, and the storage unit of the terminal device stores the point Map data storage means for storing map data including information, wherein the control unit of the server device receives the spot information transmitted from the terminal device, and the spot information receiving means The hierarchy information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchy information corresponding to the point information received by the hierarchy information storage means, and the hierarchy acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition means Hierarchical information transmitting means for transmitting information to the terminal device, and the control unit of the terminal device causes the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit. Received by the map display means, the spot information transmitting means for transmitting the spot information to the server apparatus, the hierarchy information receiving means for receiving the hierarchy information transmitted from the server apparatus, and the hierarchy information receiving means And a superimposing display unit that superimposes and displays a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen based on the hierarchical information.

  The server device of the present invention is a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit, and the storage unit defines the number of layers. Hierarchical information storage means for storing the hierarchical information to be associated with the spot information, and the control unit is a spot information receiving means for receiving the spot information transmitted from the terminal device, and the spot information receiving means. The hierarchy information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchy information corresponding to the point information received by the hierarchy information storage means, and the hierarchy information transmission for transmitting the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition means to the terminal device Means.

  Further, the server device of the present invention is a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit, and the storage unit includes map data, Map data storage means for storing hierarchy information that defines the number of layers in association with the spot information of the map data, and the control unit is a spot for acquiring the spot information transmitted from the terminal device Acquired by the information acquisition means, the hierarchy information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchy information and the map data corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition means from the map data storage means, and the hierarchy information acquisition means Based on the hierarchical information and the map data, a table in which a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on a map display screen based on the map data. A superimposed display screen generating means for generating a screen, and a display control means for displaying on the display unit by transmitting control data including the display screen generated by the superimposed display screen generating means to the terminal device, It is characterized by having.

  The terminal device according to the present invention is a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, which is communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit. The unit includes a hierarchy information storage unit that stores the hierarchy information that defines the number of layers in association with the spot information, and the storage unit of the terminal device stores the map data including the spot information. , And the control unit displays map display means for displaying a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means on the display unit, and point information for transmitting the point information to the server device The hierarchy information acquired from the hierarchy information storage means corresponding to the location information transmitted by the transmission means and the location information transmission means transmitted from the server device. And a superimposing display means for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen based on the hierarchical information received by the hierarchical information receiving means. It is characterized by having.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing method of the present invention is a hierarchical information providing method executed in a hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit, wherein the storage unit includes map data, Map data storage means for storing hierarchy information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data, and the map data stored in the map data storage means executed in the control unit A map display step for displaying a map display screen based on the display unit, a spot information acquisition step for acquiring the spot information, and the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired in the spot information acquisition step. Based on the hierarchical information acquisition step acquired from the data storage means and the hierarchical information acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step, The three-dimensional hierarchy diagram, characterized in that it comprises a and a superimposed display step for superimposing displayed on the map display screen.

  Further, the hierarchical information providing method of the present invention is a hierarchical information in which a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit are communicably connected. A hierarchical information providing method executed in a providing system, wherein the storage unit of the server device includes hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information defining the number of hierarchies in association with point information, and the terminal device The storage unit includes a map data storage unit that stores map data including the point information, and is executed by the control unit of the terminal device, and is based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit A map display step for displaying a map display screen on the display unit and the point information executed in the control unit of the terminal device are transmitted to the server device. A point information transmitting step, a point information receiving step for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device, executed in the control unit of the server device, and a control unit of the server device; A hierarchy information acquisition step for acquiring the hierarchy information corresponding to the location information received in the location information reception step from the hierarchy information storage means, and the hierarchy information acquisition executed in the control unit of the server device Hierarchical information transmitting step for transmitting the hierarchical information acquired in step to the terminal device, and hierarchical information for receiving the hierarchical information transmitted from the server device, which is executed in the control unit of the terminal device Received in the receiving step and the hierarchical information receiving step executed in the control unit of the terminal device Serial based on the hierarchy information, a three-dimensional hierarchical view corresponding to the number of the hierarchy, characterized in that it comprises a and a superimposed display step for superimposing displayed on the map display screen.

  The hierarchical information providing method of the present invention is a hierarchical information providing method executed in a server device having at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a terminal device having at least a display unit. The storage unit includes a hierarchy information storage unit that stores the hierarchy information that defines the number of layers in association with the spot information, and is transmitted from the terminal device, which is executed in the control unit of the server device. A point information receiving step for receiving the point information, a layer information acquiring step for acquiring the layer information corresponding to the point information received in the point information receiving step from the layer information storage means, and the layer information acquisition And a hierarchy information transmission step of transmitting the hierarchy information acquired in the step to the terminal device.

  The hierarchical information providing method of the present invention is a hierarchical information providing method executed in a server device having at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is communicably connected to a terminal device having at least a display unit. The storage unit includes map data storage means for storing map data and layer information that defines the number of layers in association with point information of the map data, and is executed in the control unit, the terminal A point information acquisition step for acquiring the point information transmitted from the apparatus, and a layer for acquiring the hierarchical information and the map data corresponding to the point information acquired by the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means Based on the information acquisition step and the hierarchical information and the map data acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step, A control including the superimposed display screen generation step for generating a display screen in which the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on the map display screen, and the display screen generated in the superimposed display screen generation step. A display control step of displaying data on the display unit by transmitting data to the terminal device.

  In addition, the hierarchical information providing method of the present invention is a hierarchical information providing method that is executed in a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, which is communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit. The storage unit of the server device includes hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of layers in association with the point information, and the storage unit of the terminal device stores the point information. Map data storage means for storing map data including, and causing the display section to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means and executed in the control section of the terminal device A map display step, a point information transmission step for transmitting the point information to the server device, and a point information transmission step transmitted from the server device. A hierarchical information receiving step for receiving the hierarchical information acquired from the hierarchical information storage means corresponding to the received point information, and the hierarchical information received based on the hierarchical information received in the hierarchical information receiving step. And a superimposing display step of superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number on the map display screen.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit to execute the map, and the storage unit includes map data and point information of the map data. Map data storage means for storing hierarchy information that defines the number of layers in association with the map data storage means, and in the control section, the display section displays a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means A map display step to be displayed, a spot information acquisition step for acquiring the spot information, and a hierarchy information for acquiring the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired in the spot information acquisition step from the map data storage means Based on the acquisition step and the hierarchical information acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step, a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchical levels is Characterized in that to execute the superimposing display step for superimposing displayed on the display screen, the.

  Further, the program of the present invention is a program for causing a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit to be communicable, the storage unit including: A hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with the spot information, and in the control unit, the point information receiving step for receiving the spot information transmitted from the terminal device; The hierarchical information acquisition step for acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received in the point information receiving step from the hierarchical information storage means, and the hierarchical information acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step as the terminal And a hierarchical information transmission step of transmitting to the apparatus.

  Further, the program of the present invention is a program for causing a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, which is connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit to be communicable, the storage unit including: A map data storage unit that stores map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of layers in association with the point information of the map data, and the point transmitted from the terminal device in the control unit A point information acquisition step for acquiring information, a layer information acquisition step for acquiring the layer information and the map data corresponding to the point information acquired by the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means, and the layer information On the map display screen based on the map data based on the hierarchical information and the map data acquired in the acquisition step, A superimposed display screen generating step for generating a display screen in which a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed and transmitting control data including the display screen generated in the superimposed display screen generating step to the terminal device By doing so, the display control step displayed on the said display part is performed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the program of the present invention is a program for causing a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, which is communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit, The storage unit of the server device includes hierarchical information storage means that stores hierarchical information that defines the number of layers in association with the point information, and the storage unit of the terminal device stores map data including the point information. A map display step for displaying on the display unit a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage unit in the control unit, and the server device for displaying the point information. Corresponding to the point information transmitted in the point information transmitting step and the point information transmitting step transmitted from the server device. A hierarchy information reception step for receiving the hierarchy information acquired from the hierarchy information storage means, and a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers based on the hierarchy information received in the hierarchy information reception step, And a superimposed display step of performing superimposed display on the display screen.

  According to the present invention, map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with point information of the map data are stored, a map display screen based on the stored map data is displayed on the display unit, and the point information is stored. , The hierarchical information corresponding to the acquired point information is acquired from the map data, and the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on the map display screen based on the acquired hierarchical information. Thereby, there is an effect that the user can intuitively grasp the building structure of the point having the hierarchy information while displaying the map.

  Further, according to the present invention, the point information is acquired by allowing the user to specify a point on the displayed map display screen via the input unit, so that the hierarchical information of the point that the user is interested in is obtained. There is an effect that it can be provided appropriately.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the point information is acquired via the position acquisition unit, it is possible to appropriately provide the hierarchical information of the point based on the current position of the user.

  Further, according to the present invention, route guidance information relating to the guidance route is acquired, and based on the acquired route guidance information, the guidance route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or the symbol corresponding to the guidance route is displayed. When the route is in a building having a hierarchical structure, there is an effect that it can be presented to the user in an easily understandable manner.

  Further, according to the present invention, map data including facility information is further stored, and a corresponding symbol is displayed on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the stored facility information. The effect is that it can be presented intuitively and easily.

  Further, according to the present invention, the detailed hierarchical map data is stored in association with the floor information of the hierarchical information, and the user is allowed to select the layer of the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram superimposed and displayed via the input unit. The floor information is acquired, the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the acquired floor information is acquired, and the display is switched to the map display screen based on the acquired detailed hierarchical map data. Thereby, there exists an effect that the detailed hierarchical map of the floor which a user is interested can be provided appropriately.

  Further, according to the present invention, the detailed hierarchical map data is stored in association with the floor information of the hierarchical information, the floor information is acquired via the position acquisition unit, and the detailed hierarchical map corresponding to the acquired floor information is acquired. Data is acquired, and the display is switched to the map display screen based on the acquired detailed hierarchical map data. Thereby, there exists an effect that the detailed hierarchical map of the floor based on a user's present position can be provided appropriately.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram is highlighted based on the acquired floor information, the floor in which the user is interested and the floor at the current position of the user have a hierarchical structure. There is an effect that it is possible to present the position on the screen in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram is highlighted based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data displayed on the display unit, the currently displayed detailed hierarchy map is displayed. There is an effect that the position on the hierarchical structure can be presented intuitively and easily.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to superimpose a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the acquired hierarchy information on the map display screen, and to switch the predetermined number of hierarchies to be displayed. To control. Thereby, even if it is a case where it has many hierarchies like a high-rise building etc., there exists an effect that hierarchy information can be shown appropriately in a display area.

  In the above description, the hierarchical information providing apparatus of the present invention has been described as an example. However, the hierarchical information providing system, the server apparatus, the terminal apparatus, the hierarchical information providing method, and the program have the same effects.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen displayed by the map display unit 102a. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram superimposed on the map display screen by the superimposed display unit 102g. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example when the user selects a hierarchy under the control of the floor information acquisition unit 102e. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the user selects a hierarchy under the control of the floor information acquisition unit 102e. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen that is switched and displayed based on the detailed hierarchical map data by the map display unit 102a. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a guidance route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guidance route is displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen that is switched and displayed based on the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the hierarchical information of the hierarchical level 3 by the map display unit 102a. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information is displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information is displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of manual display processing by the terminal device 400 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of automatic display processing by the terminal device 400 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the server device 200 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the server device 200 according to the third embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a hierarchy information providing device, a hierarchy information providing system, a server device, a terminal device, a hierarchy information providing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

  Hereinafter, with regard to the configuration and processing of the present invention, the first embodiment (hierarchical information providing apparatus (stand-alone type)), the second embodiment (hierarchical information providing system), and the third embodiment (navigation server (server-driven) The details will be described in the order of type)).

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment (hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 (stand-alone type)) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

[Configuration of hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 (stand-alone type)]
First, an example of the configuration of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 (stand-alone type) in the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes at least a position acquisition unit 112, a display unit 114, an input unit 116, a control unit 102, and a storage unit 106. Each part of these hierarchy information provision apparatuses 100 is connected so that communication is possible via arbitrary communication paths. The hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 schematically stores map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with the location information of the map data, and displays a map display screen based on the stored map data on the display unit. Display, acquire point information, acquire hierarchical information corresponding to the acquired point information from map data, and superimpose a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen based on the acquired hierarchical information It has functions such as Here, the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 is, for example, various navigation terminals such as a PND (Portable Navigation Device), various information processing apparatuses such as a notebook personal computer, or a mobile terminal apparatus such as a mobile phone, PHS, or PDA. It may be. As shown in FIG. 1, the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 may be communicably connected to an external system 600 (such as a map providing server) via an arbitrary network 300.

  In FIG. 1, an input / output control interface unit 108 controls a position acquisition unit 112, a display unit 114, an input unit 116, and the like. The position acquisition unit 112 is a position acquisition unit having a GPS function, an IMES function, and the like so that the current position can be acquired in real time. The display unit 114 is display means for displaying a display screen such as a map (for example, a display or a monitor composed of a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or the like), and further, an audio output for outputting audio guidance data or the like as audio. Means (for example, a speaker or the like) may be provided. The input unit 116 includes input means (for example, a key input unit, a touch panel, a keyboard, a microphone, and the like) that inputs point information and route search conditions.

  Here, the position acquisition unit 112 may be, for example, a position acquisition unit that receives a position information signal transmitted from the position transmission device 500. Here, the position transmitting device 500 may be a GPS device that transmits a position information signal (GPS signal). Further, the position transmission device 500 may be an IMES device that realizes an IMES (Indoor Message System) technology that enables indoor positioning using a position information signal having characteristics similar to those of a GPS signal. The IMES technology is a system developed from the framework of the quasi-zenith satellite, which is a positioning satellite system.

  Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a GPS repeater that transmits a GPS signal received outdoors indoors. Further, the position transmission device 500 is arbitrarily installed on each floor of a building (for example, a multilevel parking lot) or an underground structure (for example, a subway station, an underground shopping area, an underground communication passage, an underground parking lot, etc.). A small transmitter may be used. In addition, self-position information (position ID etc.) according to an installation place is allocated to this small transmitter. When hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 enters the communicable range, hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 receives the self-position information transmitted from the small transmitter as a positional information signal. The communication method at this time may be, for example, various short-range wireless methods such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag system and Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication method, and the like. Further, the position transmission device 500 may be a wireless LAN access point. In the present embodiment, the location acquisition unit 112 may receive wireless LAN signals and acquire access point identification information. Then, the control unit 102 may acquire the position information by specifying the position of the access point from the identification information unique to the access point acquired by the position acquisition unit 112. In the present embodiment, the control unit 102 may calculate position information including latitude, longitude, and height information from the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112.

  In addition, the position acquisition unit 112, for example, based on azimuth information such as the traveling direction of the hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 detected by the azimuth sensor, distance information detected by the distance sensor, and map data, Position information indicating the current position of the user may be acquired. Here, a geomagnetic sensor that detects the absolute traveling direction of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 and an optical gyro that detects the relative traveling direction of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 may be used as the orientation sensor. In addition, the direction sensor may be an electronic compass that can acquire information on the direction and inclination by combining a geomagnetic sensor and an acceleration sensor.

  In FIG. 1, the storage unit 106 includes a small-capacity high-speed memory (for example, a cache memory) configured using an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, an HD (Hard Disk), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. Storage means such as a fixed disk device. The storage unit 106 may store various files, tables, databases, and the like (such as the map database 106a and the network database 106b).

  Among these components of the storage unit 106, the map database 106a is a map data storage unit that stores map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of layers in association with the spot information of the map data. In the present embodiment, the map database 106a stores detailed hierarchical map data associated with floor information in addition to normal map data (in the following description, in order to distinguish from detailed hierarchical map data) Map data other than detailed hierarchical map data is referred to as “outdoor map data”). Further, the map database 106a may store facility information in association with point information and floor information. Here, the facility information may include the name of the facility such as a store, business hours of the facility, facility category information (information or symbol data indicating a facility type such as a restaurant or a convenience store), and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a stores hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with the point information. That is, the map database 106a functions as a hierarchy information storage unit that stores the hierarchy information that defines the number of levels in association with the spot information. For example, the outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a stores hierarchical information that defines the number of levels of buildings such as buildings and multilevel parking lots and three-dimensional intersections in association with point information such as latitude and longitude. ing. In addition, the hierarchy information represents the number of levels of the building or the like regardless of whether it is above ground or underground, and if the building having the number of levels is not at that point, the hierarchy information is not stored, or The point information representing the number of hierarchies is stored. That is, the hierarchy information defines at least the existence of a hierarchy and the number of hierarchies when there is a hierarchy. In the following description of the embodiment, a description will be given of an aspect in which no hierarchy information is stored in the map database 106a when there is no building or the like having a hierarchy number at that point.

  Here, the outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a may be map data such as road maps and route maps of the whole country and each region. For example, outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a includes features displayed on a map (for example, buildings such as buildings, houses, and stations, roads, railroads, bridges, tunnels, contour lines, coast lines, lake shore lines, etc. Shape data of the water line, sea, river, lake, pond, swamp, land such as parks and outdoor facilities, administrative boundaries, administrative districts, and city blocks, etc., and notes displayed on the map (for example, Place name, address, telephone number, facility name such as shops, parks and stations, famous names such as landmarks, historic sites, rivers, lakes, bays, mountains and forests, names such as roads, bridges and tunnels, route names, points Information and word-of-mouth information, etc., and symbols displayed on the map (for example, map symbols such as mountains, historic sites, temples, schools, hospitals, factories and cemeteries, gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets, Rest Store symbols such as parking lots, banks and post offices, traffic lights, toll road entrances, toll gates, service areas, parking areas and interchange symbols, parking lots, station, hotel, museum and museum facility symbols, In addition, data such as word-of-mouth symbol may be included. Here, the outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a may store hierarchical information in association with shape data of polygonal areas such as multilayer buildings. That is, the hierarchy information may be stored in association with the spot information of the spot occupied by the polygon area based on the shape data of the outdoor map data.

  The map database 106a stores detailed hierarchical map data in association with hierarchical information such as the first floor and the second floor, and floor information such as a floor ID. For example, the detailed hierarchical map data stored in the map database 106a is map data such as a floor guide map related to a building having hierarchical information (for example, a building, a multilevel intersection, a multilevel parking lot, a station, a department store, a school, etc.). It may be. As an example, the detailed hierarchical map data includes shape data on the shape of features (for example, entrances, stairs, elevators, escalators, stores, etc.) displayed on the map of each floor, and notes displayed on the map. Notes data (for example, addresses, telephone numbers, names of facilities such as stores, names including common names, point information, word-of-mouth information, etc.) and symbols displayed on the map (for example, map symbols such as post offices) , Convenience store, supermarket, restaurant, bank, ATM and other store symbols, parking area symbols, parking lots, stations, hotels, museums and museum facility symbols, and review point symbols) May be included.

  Here, the outdoor map data or the detailed hierarchical map data may be map data meshed according to a scale (for example, JIS standard first to third regional division mesh data, 100 m mesh data, etc.), and the like. . The outdoor map data and the detailed hierarchical map data may be image data for map drawing in a raster format, a vector format, or the like. These outdoor map data and detailed hierarchical map data are stored in advance in the map database 106a, and the control unit 102 of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 periodically sends the latest data to the external system 600 (map) via the network 300. The outdoor map data and the detailed hierarchical map data downloaded from an external device such as a map providing server that provides data and stored in the map database 106a may be updated.

  In FIG. 1, a network database 106b is network data storage means for storing network data defining a transportation network. Here, the network data stored in the network database 106b may include road network data, in-facility network data, and the like. These network data are stored in advance in the network database 106b, and the control unit 102 of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 periodically sends the latest data via the network 300 to the external system 600 (a map providing server that provides network data). Network data downloaded from an external device or the like and stored in the network database 106b may be updated.

  Here, the road network data stored in the network database 106b is network data that defines a road network. For example, node data of nodes that are nodes on the road network expression such as intersections, and road sections between nodes. It is network data expressed by the combination with the link data of a link. Here, the node data includes information such as a node number (for example, node ID), a node name, position coordinates such as latitude and longitude altitude, a node type, the number of links to be connected, a connection node number, and an intersection name. May be included. The link data includes a link number (for example, a link ID), a start node ID, an end node ID, a road type, a route number such as a national road, a prefectural road, and a city road, heavily used route information, and a government in which a link exists. Area attribute information, link length (for example, distance), road service status, abnormal weather traffic restriction section, vehicle weight limit, vehicle height limit, width, road width classification, lane information (for example, number of lanes, dedicated traffic) Information such as zoning, route buses, priority traffic zones, vehicle traffic categories, and vehicle traffic zones for traffic categories by direction of travel, etc.), speed limits, in-link attributes such as overpasses, tunnels and bridges, and names May be included. The road network data may include usage fee data. Here, the usage fee data may be information indicating fuel charges consumed when traveling by automobiles, motorcycles, etc., and tolls for toll roads such as highway automobile national roads and automobile exclusive roads. Further, the road network data may store location information such as latitude and longitude information of facilities existing on a route when moving by car, motorcycle, bicycle, and on foot.

  The road network data may include road traffic information. Here, the road traffic information may include traffic jam information such as a traffic jam occurrence point, a traffic jam distance, and a transit time between two locations on the road (that is, travel time, etc.). Further, the road traffic information may include traffic obstacle information, traffic regulation information, and the like. Here, the traffic regulation information is data defining various traffic regulations.For example, traffic regulation during abnormal weather such as precipitation regulation, snow cover / freezing regulation, ultrasonic regulation, wind speed regulation, visibility regulation, etc., height Vehicle traffic regulations such as regulations and weight regulations, road construction and work, regulations during construction around roads, traffic zones that regulate traffic zones that can pass by time zone and vehicle type, and vehicle traffic due to road damage, etc. It may also include information such as a general vehicle entry prohibition by a community zone or the like installed to ensure traffic safety, and a general vehicle entry prohibition due to a connection path to private land. The road traffic information is stored in advance in the network database 106b, and the control unit 102 of the hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 periodically (for example, every 5 minutes) sends the latest data to the external system (via the network 300). For example, road traffic information downloaded from the VICS (Vehicle Information and Communication System) (registered trademark), ATIS (Advanced Traffic Information Service), Japan Road Traffic Information Center (JARTIC), etc. and stored in the network database 106b May be updated.

  The in-facility network data stored in the network database 106b is network data that defines a route network in the facility. Here, the in-facility network data stored in the network database 106b includes, for example, entrances and exits of stores, companies, offices, and toilets in buildings, entrances and exits of elevators and escalators, entrances and exits of stairs, and entrances of airplanes and the like , The location of the train on the platform of the station, and the node data of the nodes that connect the passages, such as the ticket gates of the station, and the passages connecting the nodes, stairs, moving walkways, escalators, And it is network data expressed by the combination with the link data of a link which is an elevator etc.

  Here, the node data includes a node number (for example, node ID, etc.), a node name (entrance / exit name, entrance / exit name, etc.), position coordinates such as latitude and longitude altitude, and node type (for example, entrance / exit / exit / exit, passage) And the like, the number of links to be connected, and the connection node number may be included. The link data includes a link number (for example, link ID, etc.), a start node ID, an end node ID, a link length, a width, a link type (for example, a passage connecting steps between nodes, a stairs, a slope, an escalator, an elevator, And a moving walkway), and information on barrier-free. Here, the facility may be an indoor building such as a station, an office building, a hotel, a department store, a supermarket, a museum, a museum, a school, an aquarium, an underground passage, a multistory parking lot, an underground parking lot, and an underground mall. . The facility may be a bus terminal, a park, an amusement park, a campsite, a communication path, an outdoor parking lot, and an outdoor structure such as a zoo.

  In FIG. 1, a communication control interface unit 104 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line, a telephone line, etc. Has a function of performing communication control. That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with the external system 600 or the like via a communication line. The network 300 has a function of mutually connecting the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 and an external system 600 such as an external device such as an external map providing server. For example, the Internet 300, a telephone line network (portable terminal line network) And a general telephone line network), an intranet, or power line communication (PLC).

  In FIG. 1, the control unit 102 includes a control program such as an OS, a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing required data. And the control part 102 performs the information processing for performing various processes by these programs. The control unit 102 functionally conceptually includes a map display unit 102a, a spot information acquisition unit 102b, a hierarchy information acquisition unit 102c, a route guidance information acquisition unit 102d, a floor information acquisition unit 102e, a detailed hierarchy map data acquisition unit 102f, and A superimposed display unit 102g is provided.

  Among these, the map display unit 102a is a map display unit that causes the display unit 114 to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map database 106a. Here, the map display unit 102a may display outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquiring unit 102b on the map display screen. Further, the map display unit 102a may be switched to a map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data acquired by the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition unit 102f and displayed on the display unit 114.

  The point information acquisition unit 102b is a point information acquisition unit that acquires point information. Here, the spot information acquisition unit 102b may automatically acquire the spot information via the position acquisition unit 112. For example, the location information acquisition unit 102b may acquire the location information calculated based on the location information signal received from the location transmission device 500 by the location acquisition unit 112 as the location information. Here, the point information acquisition unit 102b may control the position acquisition unit 112 to acquire the point information every predetermined cycle (for example, every 1 second, every 3 minutes, etc.).

  Here, the spot information acquisition unit 102b may acquire spot information by a user's manual operation via the input unit 116. For example, the point information acquisition unit 102b may acquire the point information by causing the user to specify a point on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 102a via the input unit 116. As an example, the point information acquisition unit 102b has coordinates specified on the map display screen displayed on the display unit 114 by the user via the input unit 116 (for example, specifying operation on the touch panel display unit 114). May be acquired as point information. The point information acquisition unit 102b may acquire position information such as position coordinates input by the user via the input unit 116 as the point information.

  Moreover, the hierarchy information acquisition part 102c is a hierarchy information acquisition means which acquires the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition part 102b from the map database 106a. For example, since the outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a stores hierarchical information in association with the location information, the hierarchical information acquisition unit 102c performs the corresponding hierarchical information based on the acquired location information. To get.

  The route guidance information acquisition unit 102d is route guidance information acquisition means for acquiring route guidance information related to the guidance route. For example, the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d causes the user to input a route search condition including at least a departure point and a destination via the input unit 116, and guide routes from the departure point to the destination that satisfy the route search condition. Is searched using the network data stored in the network database 106b to generate route guidance information. When the route search condition further includes a transit point, the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d may search for a guide route that passes through the transit point. In addition, when the route search condition further includes a transit point and a transit time, the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d determines that the destination from the departure point satisfying the route search condition including the departure point, the destination, the transit point, and the transit time. You may search for the guidance route | route which is a route | route via the waypoint to the ground.

  Here, the route guidance information acquired by the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d is an indoor route in a premises such as a building, part or all of which is calculated based on the in-facility network data stored in the network database 106b. Route guidance information. Further, the route guidance information may store symbol data for representing the departure point and the destination on the guidance route with symbols.

  The floor information acquisition unit 102e is a floor information acquisition unit that acquires floor information such as a hierarchy number and a floor ID. For example, the floor information acquisition unit 102e may automatically acquire the floor information via the position acquisition unit 112. For example, the floor information acquisition unit 102e controls the position acquisition unit 112, and is an IMES signal from the position transmission device 500 such as an IMES device, or a small size that is arbitrarily installed on each floor or underground structure in a building. The height information is calculated based on the position information signal from the position transmitting device 500 such as the transmitting device, the position information based on the identification information from the position transmitting device 500 that is an access point of the wireless LAN, and the floor information is acquired. May be.

  Here, the floor information acquisition unit 102e may acquire floor information by a user's manual operation via the input unit 116. For example, the floor information acquisition unit 102e may acquire the floor information by causing the user to select a hierarchy of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram superimposed and displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g via the input unit 116. As an example, the floor information acquisition unit 102e allows the user to specify on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram displayed on the display unit 114 via the input unit 116 (for example, a designation operation on the touch panel display unit 114). Floor information may be acquired. In addition, the floor information acquisition unit 102e is input by a key operation input by the user via the input unit 116, for example, a hierarchy number (for example, “3” representing the third floor), a floor ID (for example, a floor selection symbol), or the like. May be acquired as floor information.

  The detailed hierarchical map data acquisition unit 102f is a detailed hierarchical map data acquisition unit that acquires detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e from the map database 106a.

  The superimposition display unit 102g superimposes and displays a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 102a based on the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition unit 102c. It is a display means. For example, when the hierarchy information defines the number of hierarchies 3, the superimposition display unit 102g superimposes and displays a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram including three layers on the map display screen. In the present embodiment, the map is not displayed on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram, but is displayed so that the user can easily grasp the hierarchy information intuitively. The superimposed display unit 102g displays the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram in a semi-transparent manner in a partial area of the map display screen so that the map display screen is not completely hidden in the superimposed three-dimensional hierarchy diagram.

  Here, the superimposed display unit 102g superimposes and displays on the map display screen a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of layers based on the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition unit 102c. The predetermined number of hierarchies may be controlled to be switchable. That is, when the hierarchical information defines a large number of levels, such as in a high-rise building, the map display screen becomes difficult to see if a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram consisting of all levels is displayed, or is used under the control of the floor information acquisition unit 102e It may be difficult for a person to designate a specific hierarchy on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram via the input unit 116. Therefore, when the number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information exceeds a predetermined number, the superimposed display unit 102g displays a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the predetermined number of hierarchies out of the number of hierarchies, and can specify a hierarchy that is not displayed. A predetermined number of hierarchies on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram may be controlled to be switchable by a scroll operation or the like via the unit 116.

  Here, the superimposition display unit 102g may display a guidance route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guidance route based on the route guidance information acquired by the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d. Good. In other words, the route guidance information acquired by the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d is calculated based on the in-facility network data stored in the network database 106b, part or all of the route guidance information related to the indoor route on the premises such as a building. When the guidance information is included, the superimposing display unit 102g may display an indoor route, a symbol indicating an indoor starting point or destination, or the like at a corresponding point on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram. Further, the superimposed display unit 102g may display a corresponding symbol on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map database 106a. For example, when the facility information is stored in the detailed hierarchical map data of the map database 106a, the superimposed display means 102g may display a symbol indicating the facility information at a corresponding point on the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram.

  Here, the superimposed display unit 102g may highlight the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e. For example, when the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e indicates the hierarchy number of the third floor, the hierarchy corresponding to the third floor on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram is highlighted. The superimposed display unit 102g may highlight the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 102a. For example, since the detailed hierarchical map data is stored in the map database 106a in association with the floor information, the superimposed display unit 102g displays the floor corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 102a. Information is acquired from the map database 106a, and the hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the acquired floor information is highlighted. As an example, the superimposed display unit 102g highlights the hierarchy in a manner such as color, brightness, and shading. In addition, the superimposed display unit 102g uses an emphasis display based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e and an emphasis display based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed by the map display unit 102a. The mode of highlighting may be changed between the two so that the person can easily identify.

  Above, description of an example of a structure of the hierarchy information provision apparatus 100 in 1st Embodiment is finished.

[Processing of hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 (stand-alone type)]
Next, an example of processing of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, first, the map display unit 102a causes the display unit 114 to display a map display screen based on outdoor map data stored in the map database 106a (step SA-1). For example, the map display unit 102a uses the map database 106a based on a map search condition such as an address and a scale input by the user via the input unit 116, a position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 112, and the like. The outdoor map data may be acquired from the map and the map display screen of the display unit 114 may be displayed. Here, as an example, when a route search condition including at least a departure place and a destination is input by the user via the input unit 116, the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d uses the network data stored in the network database 106b. The route guidance information may be generated by searching for a guidance route from the departure point to the destination using the route search condition. At that time, the map display unit 102a may acquire and display outdoor map data including the starting point and destination of the route search condition from the map database 106a. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen displayed by the map display unit 102a. As shown in FIG. 3, the map display unit 102a causes the display unit 114 to display a map display screen a based on outdoor map data acquired from the map database 106a.

  And the spot information acquisition part 102b acquires spot information (step SA-2). Here, the point information acquisition unit 102b may automatically acquire the point information via the position acquisition unit 112, or may acquire the point information by a user's manual operation via the input unit 116. Good. For example, in FIG. 3, when the user selects (clicks, etc.) the polygon area A on the map display screen a with the cross cursor via the input unit 116, the point information acquisition unit 102 b Get point information. Note that the processing order of steps SA-1 and SA-2 can be reversed, and the map display unit 102a converts the outdoor map data to the map database based on the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition unit 102b. 106a, and the map display screen a may be displayed on the display unit 114.

  And the hierarchy information acquisition part 102c acquires the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition part 102b from the map database 106a (step SA-3). For example, when the hierarchy information is stored in the map database 106a in association with the spot information of the spot occupied by the polygon area A described above, the hierarchy information acquisition unit 102c performs the corresponding hierarchy based on the acquired spot information. Get information.

  Then, the hierarchy information acquisition unit 102c determines whether there is a hierarchy (step SA-4). And when there is no hierarchy information matched with point information, or when the acquired hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies, the hierarchy information acquisition unit 102c determines that there is no hierarchy (step SA-4: No). The hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 finishes the process.

  On the other hand, when the hierarchy information corresponding to the location information can be acquired, or when the acquired hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies of 1 or more, the hierarchy information acquisition unit 102c determines that there is a hierarchy (step SA-4: Yes), the superimposition display unit 102g superimposes and displays a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 102a based on the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition unit 102c. (Step SA-5). Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram superimposed and displayed on the map display screen by the superimposed display unit 102g.

  As shown in FIG. 4, as an example, when the hierarchical information acquired corresponding to the point information of the point occupied by the polygon area A defines the number of levels 3, the superimposed display unit 102g includes three levels (level 1). , Layer 2 and layer 3) are superimposed and displayed on the map display screen a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the superimposed display unit 102 g has a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram b in a partial area of the map display screen a so that the map display screen is not completely hidden in the superimposed hierarchy diagram. Is displayed translucently.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the floor information acquisition unit 102e tries whether or not floor information such as a hierarchy number and a floor ID can be acquired (step SA-6). Here, the floor information acquisition unit 102e may automatically acquire the floor information via the position acquisition unit 112, or may acquire the floor information by a user's manual operation via the input unit 116. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating an example in which the user selects a hierarchy under the control of the floor information acquisition unit 102e. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the floor information acquisition unit 102e acquires floor information by causing the user to select a layer of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram b superimposed and displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g via the input unit 116. May be. In the example of FIG. 5, the user selects (clicks, etc.) the cross cursor on level 2 on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram b via the input unit 116, and the superimposed display unit 102g displays the floor representing the level 2. Get information. As shown in FIG. 6, the floor information acquisition unit 102e displays a floor selection symbol (for example, “1”, “2”, “3”, etc.) displayed on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram b by the superimposed display unit 102g. The floor information may be acquired by allowing the user to input a key operation via the input unit 116.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, when the floor information acquisition unit 102e cannot acquire the floor information (step SA-6: No), the hierarchy information providing apparatus 100 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the floor information can be acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e (step SA-6: Yes), the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition unit 102f displays the detailed hierarchical map corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e. Data is acquired from the map database 106a (step SA-7).

  And the map display part 102a switches to the map display screen based on the detailed hierarchy map data acquired by the detailed hierarchy map data acquisition part 102f, and displays it on the display part 114 (step SA-8). Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen that is switched and displayed based on the detailed hierarchical map data by the map display unit 102a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the hierarchy information of the hierarchy 2 is acquired, the map display unit 102a displays the map based on the detailed hierarchy map data corresponding to the hierarchy 2 acquired by the detailed hierarchy map data acquisition unit 102f. As shown in FIG. 7, the map display screen X of level 2 is switched and displayed. At that time, as shown in FIG. 7, the superimposed display unit 102 g displays the corresponding hierarchy on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram b based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 102 a. (Level 2 in the example of FIG. 6) may be highlighted by shading or coloring.

  Here, the superimposition display unit 102g displays a guide route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guide route based on the route guide information acquired by the route guide information acquisition unit 102d in step SA-1. You may let them. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a guidance route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guidance route is displayed by the superimposing display unit 102g. When the route guidance information acquired by the route guidance information acquisition unit 102d partially or entirely indicates an indoor route in a premises such as a building, the superimposing display unit 102g displays a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram as shown in FIG. An indoor route, a symbol indicating the destination (“G” in FIG. 8), a symbol indicating the current position (star symbol in FIG. 8), or the like may be displayed at the corresponding point. As shown in FIG. 8, the map display unit 102 a similarly shows a symbol indicating an indoor route or destination (“G” in FIG. 8) or a symbol indicating the current position (person in FIG. 8) based on the route guidance information. Type symbol) may be displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 2 again, the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 repeats the processes from step SA-6 to step SA-8. For example, as described above, in the step SA-6, the user selects the level 2 for the first time, but when the level 3 is selected subsequently, the level information providing apparatus 100 selects the level 3 based on the floor information. The above process is repeated. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a map display screen that is switched and displayed based on the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the hierarchical information of the hierarchical level 3 by the map display unit 102a. When the level 3 floor information is acquired, the map display unit 102a switches from the level 2 map display screen X shown in FIG. 7 to the level 3 map display screen Y shown in FIG. At that time, the superimposed display unit 102g switches from the highlight display of the hierarchy 2 shown in FIG. 7 to the highlight display of the hierarchy 3 shown in FIG. 9 on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram b.

  The above is an example of the processing of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 in the first embodiment. In the above description, the case in which the number of hierarchy levels 3 is acquired in step SA-3 has been described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9 as an example. However, there are many levels of hierarchy information such as high-rise buildings. Hierarchy information indicating the number of hierarchies may be obtained. In that case, the superimposed display unit 102g may superimpose and display a stereoscopic hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies out of the number of hierarchies based on the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition unit 102c in Step SA-5. Here, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are diagrams illustrating an example in which a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information is displayed by the superimposed display unit 102g. As shown in FIG. 10, when the number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information exceeds a predetermined number 5, the superimposed display unit 102g displays a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the predetermined number 5 of the number of hierarchies. At that time, the superimposed display unit 102g displays switching buttons e1 and e2 for displaying upper and lower layers of a predetermined number of five layers so that a layer not displayed on the three-dimensional layer diagram can be selected. A predetermined number of layers on the three-dimensional layer diagram may be controlled to be switchable by a touch operation or a scroll operation via 116. As shown in FIG. 11, the superimposed display unit 102g may display the symbol f at a corresponding point on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map database 106a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, the superimposed display unit 102g is displayed by the map display unit 102a with the highlighted display of the hierarchy h based on the floor information on the current position of the user acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 102e. The highlighted display mode may be changed between the two so that the user can easily identify the highlighted layer g based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data.

  Above, description of an example of the process of the hierarchy information provision apparatus 100 in 1st Embodiment is finished. Note that the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 may repeatedly perform the above processing. For example, the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 continues until the user reaches the destination based on the route guidance information, and Alternatively, a repeated process may be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment (hierarchical information providing system) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[Configuration of hierarchical information provision system]
First, an example of the configuration of the hierarchical information providing system in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the hierarchical information providing system in the second embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  In the second embodiment, the functions of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 in the first embodiment are distributed to the server apparatus 200 and the terminal apparatus 400 and connected via the network 300. As described above, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that each function of the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100 that is configured as a stand-alone type and performs processing alone is distributed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the hierarchical information providing system of the second embodiment is generally communicable via a server device 200 that performs route search and the like, one or a plurality of terminal devices 400, and a network 300. Connected and configured. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication includes, as an example, remote communication such as wired / wireless communication via the network 300.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment, the server device 200 schematically includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, and the terminal device 400 The acquisition unit 412, the display unit 414, the input unit 416, the control unit 402, and the storage unit 406 are provided at least. Each unit of the server device 200 or the terminal device 400 is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

[Configuration of Server Device 200]
Here, in FIG. 12, the server apparatus 200 receives the spot information transmitted from the terminal apparatus 400, acquires the hierarchy information corresponding to the received spot information from the storage unit 406, and acquires the acquired hierarchy information. It has the function of transmitting to. The server device 200 is connected to the terminal device 400 through the communication control interface unit 204 via the network 300 so as to be able to communicate with each other, and includes a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206. The control unit 202 is a control unit that performs various processes. The communication control interface unit 204 is an interface connected to a communication device (not shown) such as an antenna or a router connected to a communication line or a telephone line, and performs communication control between the server device 200 and the network 300. Has the function to perform. That is, the communication control interface unit 204 has a function of communicating data with the terminal device 400 or the like via a communication line. The storage unit 206 is a fixed disk device such as an HD and storage means such as an SSD, and stores various databases and tables (such as the map database 206a and the network database 206b). The storage unit 206 (the map database 206a and the network database 206b) is the same as that of the first embodiment described above except that it is provided in the server device 200 instead of the hierarchical information providing device 100. Omitted.

  The control unit 202 includes an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 202 performs the information processing for performing various processes with these programs. The control unit 202 functionally conceptually includes a map data request reception unit 202a, a map data acquisition unit 202b, a map data transmission unit 202c, a spot information reception unit 202d, a hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e, a hierarchy information transmission unit 202f, a route search condition. A receiving unit 202g, a route searching unit 202h, and a route guidance information transmitting unit 202i are provided.

  Among these, the map data request receiving unit 202a is a map data request receiving unit that receives a map data request transmitted from the terminal device 400. As an example, the map data request transmitted from the terminal device 400 is information in which the types of outdoor map data and detailed hierarchical map data, map center coordinates, scales, and the like are designated.

  The map data acquisition unit 202b is a map data acquisition unit that acquires map data from the map database 206a based on the map data request received by the map data request reception unit 202a. For example, the map data acquisition unit 202b acquires outdoor map data from the map database 206a in response to a map data request for outdoor map data, and the detailed hierarchical map from the map database 206a in response to a map data request for detailed hierarchical map data. Get the data. In addition, the map data acquisition unit 202b may acquire corresponding map data from the map database 206a in response to a map data request specifying the center coordinates, scale, etc. of the map.

  Here, the map data acquisition unit 202b, when location information, hierarchy information, and the like are stored in the map database 206a in association with outdoor map data, the location information, hierarchy information, facility information, etc. are associated with each other. Map data may be acquired. Further, when the location information, floor information, facility information, etc. are stored in the map database 206a in association with the outdoor map data, the map data acquisition unit 202b associates the location information, floor information, facility information, etc. Outdoor map data may be acquired.

  The map data transmission unit 202c is a map data transmission unit that transmits the map data acquired by the map data acquisition unit 202b to the terminal device 400.

  The spot information receiving unit 202d is spot information receiving means for receiving spot information transmitted from the terminal device 400.

  The hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e is a hierarchy information acquisition unit that acquires hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information reception unit 202d from the map database 206a. For example, since the outdoor map data stored in the map database 206a stores hierarchical information in association with the spot information, the hierarchical information acquisition unit 202e performs the corresponding hierarchical information based on the acquired spot information. To get.

  The hierarchy information transmission unit 202f is a hierarchy information transmission unit that transmits the hierarchy information received by the hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e to the terminal device 400.

  The route search condition receiving unit 202g is route search condition receiving means for receiving a route search condition transmitted from the terminal device 400 and including at least a departure place and a destination.

  The route search unit 202h is route search means for generating route guidance information related to the guide route based on the route search condition received by the route search condition reception unit 202g. For example, the route search unit 202h searches for a guide route from the departure point to the destination that satisfies the route search condition received by the route search condition reception unit 202g using the network data stored in the network database 206b, and Guide information is generated. When the route search condition further includes a transit point, the route search unit 202h may search for a guide route that passes through the transit point. Here, the route guidance information generated by the route search unit 202h is a route for an indoor route in a premises such as a building, part or all of which is calculated based on in-facility network data stored in the network database 206b. It may be guidance information. Further, the route guidance information may store symbol data for representing the departure point and the destination on the guidance route with symbols.

  The route guidance information transmission unit 202 i is a route guidance information transmission unit that transmits the route guidance information generated by the route search unit 202 h to the terminal device 400.

[Configuration of Terminal Device 400]
In FIG. 12, the terminal device 400 causes the display unit 414 to display a map display screen based on the map data, transmits the spot information to the server device 200, receives the hierarchy information transmitted from the server device 200, and receives it. On the basis of the hierarchical information, the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on the map display screen. The terminal device 400 is, for example, a commercially available information processing device such as a desktop or laptop personal computer, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, PHS, or PDA, and a navigation terminal that performs travel route guidance or the like. . Here, the terminal device 400 may be equipped with an Internet browser or the like, or may be equipped with a route guidance application or a transfer guidance application. Further, the terminal device 400 includes a position acquisition unit 412 having a GPS function, an IMES function, and the like so that the current position can be acquired in real time. In addition, the terminal device 400 includes an output unit including at least the display unit 414. In addition, each part of the terminal device 400 is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path. Note that the functions of the display unit 414, the input unit 416, the input / output control interface unit 408, the communication control interface unit 404, and the position transmission device 500 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The storage unit 406 is a storage unit such as a large-capacity storage unit such as an HD or an SSD and / or a small-capacity high-speed memory (for example, a cache memory) configured using an SRAM or the like. And files and tables (such as a map data file 406a and a route guidance information file 406b) are stored. Here, the storage unit 406 may temporarily store various files and the like.

  Among these, the map data file 406a is map data storage means for storing map data. For example, the map data file 406a may store map data such as outdoor map data in advance, or may store map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b.

  The route guidance information file 406b is route guidance information storage means for storing route guidance information. For example, the route guidance information file 406b stores the route guidance information received by the route guidance information receiving unit 402h.

  The control unit 402 includes an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and necessary data. And the control part 402 performs the information processing for performing various processes with these programs. The control unit 402 functionally conceptually includes a map data request transmission unit 402a, a map data reception unit 402b, a map display unit 402c, a point information acquisition unit 402d, a point information transmission unit 402e, a hierarchy information reception unit 402f, and a route search condition transmission. Unit 402g, route guidance information reception unit 402h, floor information acquisition unit 402i, and superimposed display unit 402j. In addition, since the functions of the spot information acquisition unit 402d, the floor information acquisition unit 402i, and the superimposed display unit 402j in the control unit 402 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, description thereof is omitted.

  Among these, the map data request transmission unit 402 a is a map data request transmission unit that transmits a map data request to the server device 200. For example, the map data request transmission unit 402a is configured to display the user's address based on the address, scale, map center coordinates, and the like input by the user via the input unit 416, the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 412, and the like. Current position information and the like are transmitted as a map data request. Further, the map data request transmission unit 402a may transmit an outdoor map data request including the point information acquired by the point information acquisition unit 402d, and the detailed hierarchical map including the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i. A data request may be sent. In addition, the map data request | requirement transmission part 402a does not need to transmit a map data request | requirement, when the map data which satisfy | fills a map data request | requirement are memorize | stored in the map data file 406a.

  The map data receiving unit 402b is a map data receiving unit that receives map data transmitted from the server device 200. For example, the map data receiving unit 402b stores map data such as outdoor map data and detailed hierarchical map data received from the server device 200 in the map data file 406a.

  The map display unit 402c is a map display unit that causes the display unit 414 to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data file 406a. For example, the map display unit 402c may generate a map based on a map data request input by the user via the input unit 416, a map data request related to the current position based on the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 412, or the like. The corresponding outdoor map data may be acquired from the data file 406a and the map display screen of the display unit 414 may be displayed. If there is no corresponding outdoor map data, the map display unit 402c causes the map data request transmitting unit 402a to transmit a map data request, and the map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b is stored in the map data file 406a. Based on this, a map display screen is displayed. The map display unit 402c may display outdoor map data stored in the map data file 406a corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition unit 402d on the map display screen. For example, the map display unit 402c causes the map data request transmission unit 402a to transmit an acquisition request for detailed hierarchical map data including the acquired point information, and is received by the map data reception unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a. The map display screen may be switched and displayed on the display unit 414 based on the hierarchical map data.

  The spot information transmission unit 402e is a spot information transmission unit that transmits the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition unit 402d to the server device 200.

  The hierarchy information receiving unit 402f is a hierarchy information receiving unit that receives hierarchy information transmitted from the server apparatus 200. The hierarchy information reception unit 402f may store the received hierarchy information in the map data file 406a in association with the spot information transmitted by the spot information transmission unit 402e.

  The route search condition transmission unit 402g is route search condition transmission means for transmitting a route search condition including at least a departure place and a destination to the server device 200. Here, the departure place may be the current position of the user of the terminal device 400 based on the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition unit 402d. The route search condition may further include a departure time or an arrival time, and the departure time may be the current time.

  The route guidance information receiving unit 402h is route guidance information receiving means for receiving route guidance information transmitted from the server device 200. Here, the route guidance information receiving unit 402h may store the received route guidance information in the route guidance information file 406b.

  Above, description of an example of a structure of the hierarchy information provision system in 2nd Embodiment is finished.

[Processing of hierarchical information provision system]
Next, an example of processing of the hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, first, the map display unit 402c of the terminal device 400 causes the display unit 414 to display a map display screen based on outdoor map data stored in the map data file 406a (step SB-1). For example, the map display unit 402c may generate a map based on a map data request input by the user via the input unit 416, a map data request related to the current position based on the position information signal acquired by the position acquisition unit 412, or the like. The corresponding outdoor map data is acquired from the data file 406a and the map display screen of the display unit 414 is displayed. If there is no corresponding outdoor map data, the map display unit 402c causes the map data request transmission unit 402a to transmit a map data request, and is received by the map data reception unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a. The map display screen is displayed based on the above.

  And the spot information acquisition part 402d of the terminal device 400 acquires spot information (step SB-2). Here, the point information acquisition unit 402d may automatically acquire the point information via the position acquisition unit 412, and the point information such as coordinates input by the user's manual operation via the input unit 416. May be obtained.

  And the spot information transmission part 402e of the terminal device 400 transmits the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition part 402d to the server apparatus 200 (step SB-3).

  And the spot information receiving part 202d of the server apparatus 200 receives the spot information transmitted from the terminal device 400 (step SB-4).

  And the hierarchy information acquisition part 202e of the server apparatus 200 acquires the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information received by the spot information receiving part 202d from the map database 206a (step SB-5). For example, since the outdoor map data stored in the map database 206a stores hierarchical information in association with the spot information, the hierarchical information acquisition unit 202e performs the corresponding hierarchical information based on the acquired spot information. To get. Note that the hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e may acquire the hierarchy information of the hierarchy number 0 when the hierarchy information is not stored in association with the spot information.

  And the hierarchy information transmission part 202f of the server apparatus 200 transmits the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition part 202e to the terminal device 400 (step SB-6).

  And the hierarchy information receiving part 402f of the terminal device 400 receives the hierarchy information transmitted from the server apparatus 200 (step SB-7).

  And the hierarchy information receiving part 402f of the terminal device 400 determines whether there exists a hierarchy based on the received hierarchy information (step SB-8). When the received hierarchy information indicates the number of hierarchies of 0, or when the hierarchy information cannot be received even after a lapse of a certain time, the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is no hierarchy (step SB-8: No), the terminal device 400 finishes the process.

  On the other hand, when the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is a hierarchy (step SB-8: Yes), such as when the received hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies of 1 or more, the superimposed display unit 402j of the terminal device 400 Based on the hierarchical information received by the information receiving unit 402f, a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed and displayed on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 402c (step SB-9).

  Here, the superimposition display unit 402j superimposes and displays on the map display screen a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information reception unit 402f. The predetermined number of hierarchies may be controlled to be switchable. The superimposition display unit 402j also receives a three-dimensional display based on the route guidance information received by the route guidance information receiving unit 402h based on the route search conditions transmitted by the route search condition transmitting unit 402g and stored in the route guidance information file 406b. A corresponding guide route or a symbol corresponding to the guide route may be displayed on the hierarchy diagram. In addition, the superimposed display unit 402j may display a corresponding symbol on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map data file 406a.

  And the floor information acquisition part 402i of the terminal device 400 tries whether it can acquire floor information (step SB-10). Here, the floor information acquisition unit 402 i may automatically acquire floor information via the position acquisition unit 412, such as a hierarchy number or floor ID input by a user's manual operation via the input unit 416. Floor information may be acquired. When the floor information cannot be acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SB-10: No), the terminal device 400 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the floor information can be acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SB-10: Yes), the map data request transmission unit 402a of the terminal device 400 uses the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i as the server device. By transmitting to 200, an acquisition request for detailed hierarchical map data is transmitted (step SB-11).

  And the map data request | requirement receiving part 202a of the server apparatus 200 receives the acquisition request | requirement of detailed hierarchy map data by receiving the floor information transmitted from the terminal device 400 (step SB-12).

  Then, the map data acquisition unit 202b of the server device 200 acquires the corresponding detailed hierarchical map data from the map database 206a based on the floor information of the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition request received by the map data request reception unit 202a. (Step SB-13).

  And the map data transmission part 202c of the server apparatus 200 transmits the detailed hierarchy map data acquired by the map data acquisition part 202b to the terminal device 400 (step SB-14).

  And the map data receiving part 402b of the terminal device 400 receives the detailed hierarchy map data transmitted from the server apparatus 200, and stores it in the map data file 406a (step SB-15).

  Then, the map display unit 402c of the terminal device 400 switches to a map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a, and displays it on the display unit 414 (step SB- 16). At that time, the superimposition display unit 402j displays the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram by shading or coloring based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 402c. It may be highlighted. The superimposition display unit 402j may highlight the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram by shading or coloring based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i. In this case, the superimposed display unit 402j includes an emphasis display based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i and an emphasis display based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed by the map display unit 402c. The highlighting mode may be changed between the two so that the user can easily identify.

  And the terminal device 400 returns a process to step SB-10, and when the floor information acquired is updated (step SB-10: Yes), the process from the above step SB-10 to step SB-16 repeat. On the other hand, when new floor information is not acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SB-10: No), the terminal device 400 ends the process.

  The above is an example of the processing of the hierarchical information providing system in the second embodiment. Next, in the hierarchical information providing system, the case of performing manual display processing by the terminal device 400 and the case of performing automatic display processing will be described in detail below.

[Manual display processing]
An example of manual display processing of the terminal device 400 in the hierarchical information providing system according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manual display process by the terminal device 400 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, first, the map data request transmission unit 402a transmits a map data request to the server device 200 (step SC-1). For example, the map data request transmission unit 402 a transmits a map data request including an address, a scale, a map center coordinate, and the like input by the user via the input unit 416 to the server device 200.

  Then, the map data receiving unit 402b receives outdoor map data corresponding to the map data request transmitted from the server device 200, and stores it in the map data file 406a (step SC-2). At that time, the map display unit 402c causes the display unit 414 to display a map display screen based on the outdoor map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a.

  And the spot information acquisition part 402d acquires spot information by making a user input spot information via the input part 416 (step SC-3). For example, the spot information acquisition unit 402d acquires spot information by allowing the user to specify a spot on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 402c via the input unit 416. As an example, the point information acquisition unit 402d uses the input unit 416 to specify coordinates on the map display screen displayed on the display unit 414 by the user (for example, a designation operation on the touch panel display unit 414). May be acquired as point information. Further, the spot information acquisition unit 402d may acquire spot information such as an address and position coordinates input by the user via the input unit 416.

  And the spot information transmission part 402e transmits the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition part 402d to the server apparatus 200, and the hierarchy information reception part 402f respond | corresponds to the transmitted spot information transmitted from the server apparatus 200. Hierarchy information is received (step SC-4).

  Then, the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines whether or not there is a hierarchy based on the received hierarchy information (step SC-5). When the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is no hierarchy, for example, when the received hierarchy information indicates the number of hierarchies 0, or when the hierarchy information cannot be received even after a lapse of a certain time (step SC-5: No) The terminal device 400 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is a hierarchy (step SC-5: Yes), such as when the received hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies of 1 or more, the superimposed display unit 402j displays the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f. Based on the hierarchical information received by the above, the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed and displayed on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 402c (step SC-6).

  And the floor information acquisition part 402i tries acquisition of floor information by having a user input floor information via the input part 416 (step SC-7). For example, the floor information acquisition unit 402i may acquire the floor information by causing the user to select a hierarchy of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram superimposed and displayed by the superimposed display unit 402j via the input unit 416. As an example, the floor information acquisition unit 402i is a layer specified by the user on the stereoscopic layer diagram displayed on the display unit 414 via the input unit 416 (for example, a specification operation on the touch panel display unit 414). Floor information may be acquired. Further, the floor information acquisition unit 402i is input by a key operation input by the user via the input unit 416, for example, a layer number (for example, “3” representing the third floor), a floor ID (for example, a floor selection symbol), or the like. May be acquired as floor information. In addition, when floor information cannot be acquired by control of the floor information acquisition part 402i (step SC-7: No), the terminal device 400 finishes a process.

  On the other hand, when the floor information input via the input unit 416 is acquired by the control of the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SC-7: Yes), the map data request transmission unit 402a transmits the input floor information to the server device. By transmitting to 200, an acquisition request for detailed hierarchical map data is transmitted (step SC-8).

  Then, the map data receiving unit 402b receives the detailed hierarchical map data based on the floor information transmitted from the server device 200, and stores it in the map data file 406a (step SC-9).

  Then, the map display unit 402c switches to a map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a, and displays it on the display unit 414 (step SC-10). At that time, the superimposition display unit 402j displays the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram by shading or coloring based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 402c. It may be highlighted. The superimposition display unit 402j may highlight the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram in a manner different from the above based on the floor information regarding the current position automatically acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i.

  And the terminal device 400 returns a process to step SC-7, and when the floor information input by the user is updated (step SC-7: Yes), the above-mentioned step SC-7 to step SC-10 Repeat the process up to. On the other hand, when new floor information is not input by the user (step SC-7: No), the terminal device 400 ends the process.

[Automatic display processing]
An example of automatic display processing of the terminal device 400 in the hierarchical information providing system in the second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of automatic display processing by the terminal device 400 in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, first, the spot information acquisition unit 402d automatically acquires spot information via the position acquisition unit 412 (step SD-1). For example, the location information acquisition unit 402d acquires location information calculated based on the location information signal received by the location acquisition unit 412 from the location transmission device 500 such as a GPS satellite, as location information.

  And the map data request | requirement transmission part 402a transmits the outdoor map data request | requirement containing the point information acquired by the point information acquisition part 402d to the server apparatus 200 (step SD-2). In other words, in this example, the map data request transmission unit 402a functions as the point information transmission unit 402e by transmitting the point information to the server device 200 as an outdoor map data request.

  Then, the map data receiving unit 402b receives outdoor map data including hierarchical information corresponding to the spot information transmitted from the server device 200, and stores it in the map data file 406a (step SD-3). That is, in this example, the map data receiving unit 402b functions as the hierarchical information receiving unit 402f by receiving the hierarchical information stored in the outdoor map data transmitted from the server device 200.

  Then, the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines whether or not there is a hierarchy based on the received hierarchy information (step SD-4). When the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is no hierarchy, such as when the received hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies 0, or when the hierarchy information cannot be received even after a lapse of a certain time (step SD-4: No) The terminal device 400 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f determines that there is a hierarchy (step SD-4: Yes), such as when the received hierarchy information represents the number of hierarchies of 1 or more, the superimposed display unit 402j displays the hierarchy information receiving unit 402f. Based on the hierarchical information received by the above, the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed and displayed on the map display screen displayed by the map display unit 402c (step SD-5).

  And the floor information acquisition part 402i tries automatic acquisition of floor information via the position acquisition part 412 (step SD-6). For example, the floor information acquisition unit 402i controls the position acquisition unit 412, and can be arbitrarily installed on the IMES signal from the position transmission device 500 such as an IMES device, or on each floor or underground structure in the building. The height information is calculated based on the position information signal from the position transmitting device 500 such as the transmitting device, the position information based on the identification information from the position transmitting device 500 that is an access point of the wireless LAN, and the floor information is acquired. May be.

  When the floor information cannot be automatically acquired by the control of the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SD-6: No), the terminal device 400 ends the process. On the other hand, when the floor information is automatically acquired via the position acquisition unit 412 under the control of the floor information acquisition unit 402i (step SD-6: Yes), the map data request transmission unit 402a uses the automatically acquired floor information as a server device. By transmitting to 200, an acquisition request for detailed hierarchical map data is transmitted (step SD-7).

  Then, the map data receiving unit 402b receives the detailed hierarchical map data based on the floor information transmitted from the server device 200, and stores it in the map data file 406a (step SD-8).

  Then, the map display unit 402c switches to a map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data received by the map data receiving unit 402b and stored in the map data file 406a, and displays the map on the display unit 414 (step SD-9). At that time, the superimposition display unit 402j is based on the floor information automatically acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 402i or the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed on the map display screen by the map display unit 402c. The corresponding hierarchy on the hierarchy diagram may be highlighted by shading or coloring.

  And the terminal device 400 returns a process to step SD-6, and when the floor information acquired automatically is updated (step SD-6: Yes), from the above step SD-7 to step SD-10. Repeat the process. On the other hand, when the floor information is not updated or when the floor information cannot be acquired even after a predetermined time has elapsed (step SD-6: No), the terminal device 400 ends the process.

  This is the end of the description of the processing according to the second embodiment. The automatic display process and the manual display process described above may be applied in part or in combination. For example, the floor information may be input by the user's input operation in step SC-7 of the automatic display process, and the floor information is received based on the position information signal received by the position acquisition unit 412 in step SD-6 of the manual display process. Information may be acquired automatically. Further, it may be configured such that whether the automatic display process or the manual display process is performed in the terminal device 400 can be set by a user.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment (server apparatus 200 (server-driven type)) of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. Here, FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 200 in the third embodiment, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  Note that in the third embodiment, the server device 200 generates data to be displayed on the display unit 414 of the terminal device 400 and transmits the data to the terminal device 400, whereby the display unit of the terminal device 400 is displayed. 414 is functioning. As described above, the third embodiment is mainly different from the other embodiments in that the server apparatus 200 performs server-driven processing.

[Configuration of Server Device 200 (Server-Initiated)]
First, an example of the configuration of the server device 200 (server-driven type) in the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 16, the server device 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes at least a control unit 202 and a storage unit 206, and a terminal including at least a position acquisition unit 412, a display unit 414, and an input unit 416. The apparatus 400 is communicably connected. As an example, the communication includes remote communication such as wired / wireless communication via the network 300. Each unit of the server device 200 and the terminal device 400 is communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path. In the third embodiment, the functions of the position acquisition unit 412, the display unit 414, the input unit 416, and the position transmission device 500 are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. The terminal device 400 is, for example, a commercially available information processing device such as a desktop or notebook personal computer, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, PHS, or PDA, and a navigation terminal that performs travel route guidance or the like. It is.

  In FIG. 16, the server device 200 acquires spot information transmitted from the terminal device 400, acquires hierarchical information and map data corresponding to the acquired spot information from the storage unit 206, and acquires the acquired hierarchical information and map data. Based on the map display screen based on the map data, a display screen in which a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed is generated, and control data including the generated display screen is transmitted to the terminal device 400. And has a function of displaying on the display portion 414.

  Note that the functions of the communication control interface unit 204 and the storage unit 206 (the map database 206a, the network database 206b, and the like) in the server device 200 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 16, the control unit 202 includes an internal memory for storing a control program such as an OS, a program defining various processing procedures, and required data. And the control part 202 performs the information processing for performing various processes with these programs. The control unit 202 functionally conceptually includes a hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e, a route search unit 202h, a position information signal reception unit 202j, an input information reception unit 202k, a point information acquisition unit 202l, a floor information acquisition unit 202m, and a superimposed display screen generation 202n and a display control unit 202p. Note that the function of the route search unit 202h is the same as that of the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Among these, the position information signal receiving unit 202j is a position information signal receiving unit that receives the position information signal transmitted from the terminal device 400 and acquired by the position acquisition unit 412. Examples of the position information signal received by the position information signal receiving unit 202j include a GPS signal transmitted from the position transmitter 500 of the GPS device, an IMES signal transmitted from the position transmitter 500 of the IMES device, and the like. .

  The input information receiving unit 202k is an input information receiving unit that receives input information transmitted from the terminal device 400 and input by the user via the input unit 416. Examples of input information received by the input information receiving unit 202k include key input information such as route search conditions and floor selection symbols input by the user via the input unit 416, and a touch panel type display unit 414. Coordinate information at

  The point information acquisition unit 202l is a point information acquisition unit that acquires point information based on the position information signal received by the position information signal reception unit 202j or the input information received by the input information reception unit 202k. is there. For example, the location information acquisition unit 202l may acquire location information calculated based on the location information signal received by the location information signal reception unit 202j as location information. Further, the spot information acquisition unit 202l may acquire spot information based on the input information received by the input information reception unit 202k. For example, the location information acquisition unit 202l uses the position coordinates specified by the user on the map display screen displayed on the display unit 414 via the input unit 416 (for example, a designation operation on the touch panel display unit 414). Based on the input information, position coordinates and the like may be acquired as point information.

  The hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e is a hierarchy information acquisition unit that acquires detailed hierarchy map data including hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition unit 202l from the map database 206a.

  The floor information acquisition unit 202m is a floor information acquisition unit that acquires floor information based on the position information signal received by the position information signal reception unit 202j or the input information received by the input information reception unit 202k. is there. For example, the floor information acquisition unit 202m is designated when the input information received by the input information receiving unit 202k indicates floor information such as a hierarchy number or a floor ID, or specified on a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram (for example, a touch panel display unit 414). If the floor information of the layer that has been designated is indicated, the floor information is acquired. In addition, the floor information acquisition unit 202m receives the location information signal received by the location information signal reception unit 202j in the IMES signal from the location transmission device 500 such as the IMES device, or on each floor or underground structure in the building. When the position information signal is from a position transmission device 500 such as a small transmission device that is arbitrarily installed or the identification information from the position transmission device 500 that is an access point of a wireless LAN, the height is determined from the position information signal. The floor information may be acquired by calculating information.

  In addition, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n displays a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen based on the map data based on the hierarchical information and map data acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition unit 202e. It is a superimposed display screen generation means for generating the displayed display screen. That is, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n generates a display screen in which a map display screen based on map data and a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram based on hierarchical information superimposed on the map display screen are integrated. Here, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n receives the outdoor map data including the point information acquired by the point information acquisition unit 202l or the input information reception unit 202k as the map data for displaying the map display screen. Outdoor map data or the like corresponding to the map data request may be acquired from the map database 206a and used. The superimposed display screen generation unit 202n acquires and uses detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m from the map database 206a as map data for displaying the map display screen. Also good.

  Here, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may use a 3D hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e. The display screen may be generated so that the number of hierarchies can be switched. Here, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n displays a guide route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guide route based on the route guidance information generated by the route search unit 202h. May be generated. Further, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen that displays the corresponding symbols on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map database 206a.

  Here, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen in which the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram is highlighted based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m. The superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen that highlights the corresponding hierarchy on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data used for the map display screen. Note that the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n makes it easy for the user to identify the highlighted display based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m and the highlighted display based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data. You may generate | occur | produce the display screen which changed the aspect of the highlight display between both.

  The display control unit 202p is a display control unit that causes the display unit 414 to display the control data including the display screen generated by the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n.

  Above, description of an example of a structure of the server apparatus 200 in 3rd Embodiment is finished.

[Processing of server apparatus 200 (server-driven type)]
Next, an example of the processing of the server apparatus 200 in the third embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the server device 200 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, first, the location information acquisition unit 202l is transmitted from the terminal device 400, received by the location information signal reception unit 202j, or input received by the input information reception unit 202k. The point information is acquired based on the information (step SE-1). For example, the location information acquisition unit 202l may acquire location information calculated based on the location information signal received by the location information signal reception unit 202j as location information. Further, the spot information acquisition unit 202l may acquire spot information based on input information such as coordinates and addresses received by the input information reception unit 202k.

  And the hierarchy information acquisition part 202e acquires the outdoor map data containing the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition part 202l from the map database 206a (step SE-2). For example, since the outdoor map data stored in the map database 206a stores hierarchical information in association with the spot information, the hierarchical information acquisition unit 202e acquires outdoor map data including the acquired spot information. The hierarchy information stored in the outdoor map data corresponding to the point information may be acquired.

  Then, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n corresponds to the number of layers defined by the layer information associated with the spot information on the map display screen based on the outdoor map data including the layer information acquired by the layer information acquisition unit 202e. A display screen in which the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram to be superimposed is displayed is generated (step SE-3). That is, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n generates a display screen in which a map display screen based on outdoor map data and a stereoscopic hierarchy diagram based on hierarchical information superimposed on the map display screen are integrated.

  Here, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may use a 3D hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition unit 202e. The display screen may be generated so that the number of hierarchies can be switched. In addition, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n generates a display screen displaying a guide route corresponding to the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram or a symbol corresponding to the guide route based on the route guide information generated by the route search unit 202h. May be. Further, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen that displays the corresponding symbols on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map database 206a.

  And the display control part 202p displays the map display screen on which the three-dimensional hierarchy figure was superimposed on the display part 414 by transmitting the control data containing the display screen produced | generated by the superimposed display screen production | generation part 202n to the terminal device 400. (Step SE-4).

  Then, the floor information acquisition unit 202m tries to acquire floor information based on the position information signal received by the position information signal reception unit 202j or the input information received by the input information reception unit 202k (step SE). -5). For example, the floor information acquisition unit 202m, when the user selects a layer of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram via the input unit 416 and the input information reception unit 202k receives the layer information of the layer, the floor information acquisition unit 202m May be obtained. As an example, the floor information acquisition unit 202m receives input information designated on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram by the user via the input unit 416 (for example, a designation operation on the touch-panel display unit 414), for example. May be acquired, the floor information of the hierarchy may be acquired. Further, the floor information acquisition unit 202m is input by a key operation input via the input unit 416 by the user, for example, an input layer number (for example, “3” representing the third floor), a floor ID (for example, a floor selection symbol), or the like. If the floor information is received as input information by the input information receiving unit 202k, the floor information may be acquired. In addition, the floor information acquisition unit 202m is an IMES signal from the position transmission device 500 such as an IMES device acquired by the position acquisition unit 412 and a small transmission arbitrarily installed on each floor or underground structure in the building. When a position information signal from the position transmitter 500 such as a device or a position information signal such as identification information from the position transmitter 500 as a wireless LAN access point is received by the position information signal receiver 202j, the position information The height information may be calculated based on the information signal to obtain the floor information. If the floor information cannot be acquired by the control of the floor information acquisition unit 202m (step SE-5: No), the server device 200 ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the floor information is acquired by the control of the floor information acquisition unit 202m (step SE-5: Yes), the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n is a detailed hierarchical map corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m. Data is acquired from the map database 206a (step SE-6).

  Then, the server apparatus 200 returns the process to step SE-3, and the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n switches to the map display screen based on the acquired detailed hierarchical map data and reproduces the display screen on which the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram is superimposed. To do. At that time, the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen that highlights the corresponding hierarchy on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m. The superimposed display screen generation unit 202n may generate a display screen that highlights the corresponding hierarchy on the stereoscopic hierarchy diagram based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchy map data used for the map display screen. Note that the superimposed display screen generation unit 202n makes it easy for the user to identify the highlighted display based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition unit 202m and the highlighted display based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data. You may generate | occur | produce the display screen which changed the aspect of the highlight display between both.

  And the server apparatus 200 repeats the process from step SE-3 mentioned above to step SE-6, and when floor information is not updated in step SE-5 (step SE-5: No), a process is complete | finished.

  Above, description of an example of the process of the server apparatus 200 in 3rd Embodiment is finished.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims other than the above-described embodiments. It may be done.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including registration data for each processing, parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings Can be changed arbitrarily.

  Further, regarding the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100, the terminal apparatus 400, and the server apparatus 200, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, the processing functions provided in each device of the hierarchical information providing device 100, the terminal device 400, and the server device 200, in particular, the processing functions performed in the control unit 102, the control unit 202, and the control unit 402 are as follows. All or an arbitrary part can be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a program interpreted and executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium to be described later, and is mechanically read by the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100, the terminal apparatus 400, and the server apparatus 200 as necessary. That is, the storage unit 106 such as ROM or HD, the storage unit 206, the storage unit 406, and the like store computer programs for giving instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS and performing various processes. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

  The computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the hierarchical information providing apparatus 100, the terminal apparatus 400, and the server apparatus 200 via an arbitrary network 300, as necessary. It is also possible to download all or part of it.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and may be configured as a program product. Here, the “recording medium” is an arbitrary “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, or the like. It includes a “communication medium” that holds a program in a short period of time, such as a communication line or a carrier wave in the case of transmitting a program via a network 300 typified by a LAN, WAN, or the Internet.

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. Note that the “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and functions are achieved in cooperation with a separate configuration such as a plurality of modules and libraries or a separate program represented by the OS. Including things. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Storage unit 106, storage unit 206, and various databases stored in storage unit 406 (map database 106a, network database 106b, map database 206a, network database 206b, map data file 406a, and route guidance information file 406b) Is a storage means such as a memory device such as a RAM or a ROM, a fixed disk device such as an HD, a flexible disk or an optical disk, and various programs, tables, databases and web page files used for various processes and website provision. Etc. are stored.

  The server device 200 may be configured as an information processing device such as a known personal computer or workstation, or may be configured by connecting an arbitrary peripheral device to the information processing device. The server apparatus 200 may be realized by installing software (including programs, data, and the like) that causes the information processing apparatus to implement the method of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part of them may be functional or physical in arbitrary units according to various additions or according to functional loads. Can be distributed and integrated.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a hierarchical information providing apparatus, a hierarchical information providing system, a server apparatus, and a terminal capable of intuitively grasping a building structure at a point having hierarchical information while displaying a map. Since the apparatus, the hierarchical information providing method, and the program can be provided, it is extremely useful in various fields such as an information device that supports navigation and an information processing field.

100 hierarchical information providing apparatus 102 control unit
102a Map display section
102b Point information acquisition unit
102c Hierarchical information acquisition unit
102d Route guidance information acquisition unit
102e Floor information acquisition unit
102f Detailed hierarchical map data acquisition unit
102g Superimposed display unit 104 Communication control interface unit 106 Storage unit
106a Map database
106b network database 108 input / output control interface unit 112 position acquisition unit 114 display unit 116 input unit 200 server device 202 control unit
202a Map data request receiver
202b Map data acquisition unit
202c Map data transmitter
202d Point information receiver
202e Hierarchical information acquisition unit
202f Hierarchical information transmission unit
202g route search condition receiver
202h Route search unit
202i route guidance information transmission unit
202j Position information signal receiver
202k input information receiver
202l Point information acquisition unit
202m floor information acquisition unit
202n superimposed display screen generator
202p Display control unit 204 Communication control interface unit 206 Storage unit
206a Map database
206b Network database 300 Network 400 Terminal device 402 Control unit
402a Map data request transmission unit
402b Map data receiver
402c Map display part
402d Point information acquisition unit
402e Point information transmitter
402f Hierarchical information receiving unit
402g Route search condition transmitter
402h Route guidance information receiver
402i floor information acquisition unit
402j Superimposition display unit 406 Storage unit
406a Map database
406b Route guidance information file 408 Input / output control interface unit 412 Position acquisition unit 414 Display unit 416 Input unit 500 Position transmission device 600 External system

Claims (23)

A hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
The control unit
Map display means for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
Point information acquisition means for acquiring the point information;
Hierarchy information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchy information corresponding to the spot information acquired by the spot information acquisition means from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition means, superimposed display means for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchy on the map display screen;
A hierarchical information providing apparatus comprising: In the hierarchy information providing device according to claim 1,
Furthermore, an input unit is provided,
The point information acquisition means
A hierarchical information providing apparatus, wherein the point information is acquired by allowing a user to designate a point on the map display screen displayed by the map display means via the input unit. In the hierarchy information providing device according to claim 1,
Furthermore, a position acquisition unit is provided,
The point information acquisition means
The hierarchy information provision apparatus characterized by acquiring the said point information via the said position acquisition part. In the hierarchy information provision apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The control unit
Route guidance information obtaining means for obtaining route guidance information related to the guidance route;
Further comprising
The superimposed display means is:
A hierarchical information providing apparatus that displays the corresponding guide route or a symbol corresponding to the guide route on the three-dimensional hierarchical diagram based on the route guide information acquired by the route guide information acquiring means. . In the hierarchy information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The map data storage means includes:
In addition, store facility information,
The superimposed display means is:
A hierarchy information providing apparatus for displaying a corresponding symbol on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the facility information stored in the map data storage means. In the hierarchy information providing device according to claim 1,
Furthermore, an input unit is provided,
The map data storage means includes:
Further, detailed hierarchical map data is stored in association with the floor information of the hierarchical information,
The control unit
Floor information acquisition means for acquiring the floor information by allowing the user to select the hierarchy of the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram superimposed and displayed via the input unit;
Detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means for acquiring the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition means from the map data storage means;
Further comprising
The map display means
A hierarchical information providing apparatus, wherein the display unit is switched to the map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data acquired by the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means. In the hierarchy information providing device according to claim 1,
Furthermore, a position acquisition unit is provided,
The map data storage means includes:
Further, detailed hierarchical map data is stored in association with the floor information of the hierarchical information,
The control unit
Floor information acquisition means for acquiring the floor information via the position acquisition unit;
Detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means for acquiring the detailed hierarchical map data corresponding to the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition means from the map data storage means;
Further comprising
The map display means
A hierarchical information providing apparatus, wherein the display unit is switched to the map display screen based on the detailed hierarchical map data acquired by the detailed hierarchical map data acquisition means. In the hierarchy information providing device according to claim 6 or 7,
The superimposed display means is:
A hierarchy information providing apparatus that highlights the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the floor information acquired by the floor information acquisition means. In the hierarchy information provision device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The superimposed display means is:
Hierarchical information provision characterized by highlighting the corresponding hierarchy on the three-dimensional hierarchy diagram based on the floor information corresponding to the detailed hierarchical map data displayed on the display unit by the map display means apparatus. In the hierarchy information provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The superimposed display means is:
The three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to a predetermined number of hierarchies based on the hierarchal information acquired by the hierarchical information acquisition means is superimposed on the map display screen, and the predetermined number of superposed displays A hierarchy information providing apparatus, wherein the hierarchy is controlled to be switchable. A hierarchical information providing system in which a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit are communicably connected,
The storage unit of the server device is
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The storage unit of the terminal device is
Map data storage means for storing map data including the point information;
With
The control unit of the server device is
Point information receiving means for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
Hierarchical information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received by the point information receiving means from the hierarchical information storage means;
Hierarchical information transmitting means for transmitting the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquiring means to the terminal device;
With
The control unit of the terminal device is
Map display means for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
Point information transmitting means for transmitting the point information to the server device;
Tier information receiving means for receiving the tier information transmitted from the server device;
Based on the hierarchy information received by the hierarchy information receiving means, a superimposed display means for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen;
A hierarchical information providing system comprising: A server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit so as to be able to communicate,
The storage unit
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The control unit
Point information receiving means for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
Hierarchical information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received by the point information receiving means from the hierarchical information storage means;
Hierarchical information transmitting means for transmitting the hierarchical information acquired by the hierarchical information acquiring means to the terminal device;
A server device comprising: A server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit so as to be able to communicate,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
The control unit
Point information acquisition means for acquiring the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
Hierarchical information acquisition means for acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information acquired by the point information acquisition means and the map data from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchy information acquired by the hierarchy information acquisition means and the map data, a display screen is generated in which a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers is superimposed on a map display screen based on the map data. A superimposed display screen generating means;
Display control means for displaying on the display unit by transmitting control data including the display screen generated by the superimposed display screen generating means to the terminal device;
A server device comprising: A terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, which is communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the server device is
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The storage unit of the terminal device is
Map data storage means for storing map data including the point information;
With
The control unit
Map display means for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
Point information transmitting means for transmitting the point information to the server device;
Tier information receiving means for receiving the tier information acquired from the tier information storage means, corresponding to the spot information sent from the spot information sending means, transmitted from the server device;
Based on the hierarchy information received by the hierarchy information receiving means, a superimposed display means for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen;
A terminal device comprising: A hierarchical information providing method executed in a hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
Executed in the control unit,
A map display step for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
A point information acquisition step for acquiring the point information;
A hierarchical information acquisition step of acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information acquired in the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchical information acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step, a superimposing display step for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen;
The hierarchical information provision method characterized by including. A hierarchical information providing method executed in a hierarchical information providing system in which a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, and a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit are communicably connected. There,
The storage unit of the server device is
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The storage unit of the terminal device is
Map data storage means for storing map data including the point information;
With
Executed in the control unit of the terminal device;
A map display step for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
Executed in the control unit of the terminal device;
A point information transmission step of transmitting the point information to the server device;
Executed in the control unit of the server device;
A point information receiving step for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
Executed in the control unit of the server device;
A hierarchical information acquisition step of acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received in the point information receiving step from the hierarchical information storage means;
Executed in the control unit of the server device;
A hierarchy information transmission step of transmitting the hierarchy information acquired in the hierarchy information acquisition step to the terminal device;
Executed in the control unit of the terminal device;
A hierarchy information receiving step for receiving the hierarchy information transmitted from the server device;
Executed in the control unit of the terminal device;
A superimposing display step of superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen based on the hierarchical information received in the hierarchical information receiving step;
The hierarchical information provision method characterized by including. A hierarchical information providing method executed in a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit in a communicable manner,
The storage unit
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
Executed in the control unit of the server device;
A point information receiving step for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
A hierarchical information acquisition step of acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received in the point information receiving step from the hierarchical information storage means;
A hierarchy information transmission step of transmitting the hierarchy information acquired in the hierarchy information acquisition step to the terminal device;
The hierarchical information provision method characterized by including. A hierarchical information providing method executed in a server device including at least a control unit and a storage unit, connected to a terminal device including at least a display unit in a communicable manner,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
Executed in the control unit,
A point information acquisition step for acquiring the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
A hierarchical information acquisition step for acquiring the hierarchical information and the map data corresponding to the point information acquired in the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchy information acquired in the hierarchy information acquisition step and the map data, a display screen is generated by superimposing a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen based on the map data. A superimposed display screen generation step,
A display control step for displaying on the display unit by transmitting control data including the display screen generated in the superimposed display screen generation step to the terminal device;
The hierarchical information provision method characterized by including. A hierarchical information providing method executed in a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, which is communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the server device is
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The storage unit of the terminal device is
Map data storage means for storing map data including the point information;
With
Executed in the control unit,
A map display step for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
A point information transmission step of transmitting the point information to the server device;
A tier information receiving step for receiving the tier information acquired from the tier information storage means, corresponding to the location information transmitted in the location information transmission step, transmitted from the server device;
A superimposing display step of superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen based on the hierarchical information received in the hierarchical information receiving step;
The hierarchical information provision method characterized by including. A program for causing a hierarchical information providing apparatus including at least a display unit, a control unit, and a storage unit to execute the program,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
In the control unit,
A map display step for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
A point information acquisition step for acquiring the point information;
A hierarchical information acquisition step of acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information acquired in the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchical information acquired in the hierarchical information acquisition step, a superimposing display step for superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen;
A program for running A program for causing a server device provided with at least a control unit and a storage unit to be communicably connected to a terminal device provided with at least a display unit,
The storage unit
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
In the control unit,
A point information receiving step for receiving the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
A hierarchical information acquisition step of acquiring the hierarchical information corresponding to the point information received in the point information receiving step from the hierarchical information storage means;
A hierarchy information transmission step of transmitting the hierarchy information acquired in the hierarchy information acquisition step to the terminal device;
A program for running A program for causing a server device provided with at least a control unit and a storage unit to be communicably connected to a terminal device provided with at least a display unit,
The storage unit
Map data storage means for storing map data and hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchies in association with the location information of the map data;
With
In the control unit,
A point information acquisition step for acquiring the point information transmitted from the terminal device;
A hierarchical information acquisition step for acquiring the hierarchical information and the map data corresponding to the point information acquired in the point information acquisition step from the map data storage means;
Based on the hierarchy information acquired in the hierarchy information acquisition step and the map data, a display screen is generated by superimposing a three-dimensional hierarchy diagram corresponding to the number of layers on the map display screen based on the map data. A superimposed display screen generation step,
A display control step for displaying on the display unit by transmitting control data including the display screen generated in the superimposed display screen generation step to the terminal device;
A program for running A program for causing a terminal device including at least a display unit, a storage unit, and a control unit to be communicably connected to a server device including at least a storage unit,
The storage unit of the server device is
Hierarchical information storage means for storing hierarchical information that defines the number of hierarchical levels in association with point information;
With
The storage unit of the terminal device is
Map data storage means for storing map data including the point information;
With
In the control unit,
A map display step for causing the display unit to display a map display screen based on the map data stored in the map data storage means;
A point information transmission step of transmitting the point information to the server device;
A tier information receiving step for receiving the tier information acquired from the tier information storage means, corresponding to the location information transmitted in the location information transmission step, transmitted from the server device;
A superimposing display step of superimposing and displaying a three-dimensional hierarchical diagram corresponding to the number of hierarchies on the map display screen based on the hierarchical information received in the hierarchical information receiving step;
A program for running

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