JP2012053665A - Poi information search terminal by scope specification, and poi information search system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal and a system capable of searching POI information in a search object range without specifying a destination.SOLUTION: In this POI information search system with a terminal connected to a server via a network, the terminal includes: means for displaying a map; means for specifying a search object range related to POI information by displaying a scope superposed on the map; means for transmitting to the server the information in the search object range specified by the scope; and means for receiving from the server a search result of database based on the information in the search object range and displaying the POI information contained in the search result superposed on the map. The server includes: means for storing the POI information containing position information in the database; means for searching the database based on the information in the search object range received from the terminal and acquiring the appropriate POI information; and means for transmitting the search result containing the acquired POI information to the terminal.

Description

  The present invention relates to a POI information search system having a navigation server having a database and its terminal, and more particularly to a function for searching for POI information within a search target range designated by a terminal.

  The navigation function in the in-vehicle terminal and the portable terminal not only simply searches for the shortest route to the destination and calculates the expected arrival time, but also facility information and / or event information (store, hospital, A function to provide information on government offices, sightseeing spots, events, etc.) is also required. In this specification, such content of facility information and / or event information linked with position information (latitude and longitude information) is referred to as “POI (Point of Interest) information”.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in addition to the route search to the destination, a municipality that exists along the route of the search result is acquired, and the user selects any area from the list of the municipality names, and When a type of information to be searched (POI information, weather, traffic information, etc.) is selected, a system for searching the selected type of information in the selected area and displaying it on the user's navigation device is disclosed. Yes. The user can obtain more detailed information about the desired area on the route, rather than simply examining the route to the destination. Thereby, the user can make a travel plan by deciding on a stop in advance.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system that searches for a route to a destination that incorporates a transit point based on the search condition by setting a search condition (facility or area) in advance by a user. Yes. Thereby, since it is possible to search only the facilities in the area designated as a condition in advance by the user as the waypoints, it is possible to accurately provide the waypoints and the routes that match the user's needs.

JP 2006-313156 A JP 2010-60325 A

  In both Patent Documents 1 and 2, the user needs to specify a specific point such as a destination or a waypoint for searching. Therefore, the destination is already determined, and it is efficient to determine where to stop before reaching the destination.

  However, the user does not always clearly determine the destination before or after the departure. For example, referring to POI information in an area that can be moved from the current location, if there is a facility or event that seems to be interesting, there may be cases where the user wants to go there. In such a case, when using a system such as Patent Documents 1 and 2, a user temporarily inputs and searches for a specific destination in a movable area, and displays POI information. There was a problem that it had to be repeated many times.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal and a system that can acquire POI information without specifying a destination.

In the POI information search terminal and POI information search system by scope designation according to the present invention, the user refers to the map displayed on the terminal and designates the search target range using the scope, thereby specifying the search target. Based on the range information, POI information existing within the search target range is provided.
According to the present invention, a scope-designated POI information search terminal includes a means for displaying a map on a terminal connected via a network to a server having a database storing POI information including position information, and a scope superimposed on the map. Display means for specifying the search target range for the POI information, means for transmitting the search target range information specified by the scope to the server, and a database search result based on the search target range information. Means for displaying the POI information received from the server and included in the search result on the map.

  The terminal preferably further includes means for deforming or moving the displayed scope in order to change the search target range once designated by the scope.

  The scope-designated POI information retrieval system according to the present invention includes a server having a database and a terminal connected to the server via a network. The terminal includes means for displaying a map, means for designating a search target range of POI information by displaying the scope on the map, and means for transmitting information on the search target range designated by the scope to the server. Receiving a database search result based on the search target range information from the server, and displaying the POI information included in the search result on the map, and the server includes location information. Means for storing POI information in the database, means for searching the database based on the information of the search target range received from the terminal, and means for acquiring the corresponding POI information, and transmitting a search result including the acquired POI information to the terminal Means.

  In the above system, when the terminal transmits the search target range information to the server, the terminal also transmits one or a plurality of keywords, and the server searches the database based on the search target range information. It is preferable to acquire POI information by using one or a plurality of keywords together.

  According to the present invention, the user does not need to specify a specific destination, and on the map, a rough search target range based on the current location or a predetermined point is visually specified using one scope. can do. Further, by changing or moving the scope, it is possible to easily search for POI information in another search target range. Furthermore, by transmitting the keyword to the server, it is possible to search for POI information of facilities and events that match the user's preference within the search target range.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a POI information retrieval system of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the terminal of FIG. It is a block diagram of the navigation server of FIG. It is an example of the scope designation | designated screen by this invention. It is another example of the scope designation | designated screen by this invention. It is a processing flow figure in the POI information search system by this invention. It is a flowchart of the POI information search process in a navigation server. It is a flowchart of the display process of POI information in a terminal.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, as an example, the operation of the terminal is described assuming input in a touch panel format. However, the input means in the terminal is not limited to this, and any alternative means such as a button attached to the terminal or a remote control can be used.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a POI information search system 1 by scope designation according to the present invention. The navigation server 105 is a center server and terminals 103 and 104 used by a plurality of users 101 and 102. For example, the terminal 103 is an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation device, and the terminal 104 is a portable terminal such as a mobile phone. These terminals 103 and 104 can transmit information to the navigation server 105 via a network such as the Internet 109.

  Terminals 103 and 104 are installed with terminal application programs for realizing functions related to the present system. Thereby, each terminal functions as a POI information search terminal. This application program is downloaded in advance from the navigation server 105, for example. By starting this application program, the terminals 103 and 104 are provided with a POI information search function from the navigation server 105. Any terminal that can operate the application program and has a Web browser function is not limited to these terminals. Hereinafter, the terminal 103 will be described as an example.

  When an application program is activated on the terminal 103, a map of a desired area can be displayed. On the map, the user can designate a search target range using a scope (graphic element for designating a predetermined range on the screen). Thereby, POI information in the designated search target range is searched (details will be described later).

The navigation server 105 includes a Web application (Web / AP) server 106 and a database (DB) server 107.
The Web / AP server 106 has a function as a Web server linked to the browser of the terminal 103 and a function as an application server that executes an application program for a server related to the present system. In response to a request from the terminal 103, the Web / AP server 106 executes POI information search processing described later, searches for POI information from a database managed by the DB server 107, and returns a search result to the terminal 103.

  The DB server 107 is linked with the Web / AP server 106 and manages a database storing information related to the present system. The DB server 107 provides the Web / AP server 106 with an interface for searching for POI information and POI information data as a search result.

  FIG. 2 is an example of the configuration of the main part of the terminal 103. The terminal 103 includes a network interface (I / F) unit 203, a processing unit 202, and a storage unit 204. The terminal 103 is connected to the Internet 109 via the network I / F unit 203.

  The storage unit 204 stores map data to be displayed on the screen of the terminal 103 as a map database (DB) 213. In addition, keyword information 214 related to POI information based on user preferences is registered. The keyword information 214 includes one or a plurality of keywords input to the terminal 103 by the user at an arbitrary timing.

  The processing unit 202 includes a CPU 205 and a memory 206. The CPU 205 executes each function of the terminal application program stored in the memory 206. As main functions, there are a scope display unit 207, a response reception unit 212, a scope operation determination unit 208, a POI information display unit 209, a request transmission unit 210, and a map display unit 211.

  The map display unit 211 cooperates with the map DB 213 in the storage unit 204 to display a map including a current location or a predetermined point according to the user's operation on the screen of the terminal 103.

  The scope display unit 207 performs processing for displaying a scope on the screen in response to a user operation. The scope is layered on the map. The scope is a graphic element for designating a predetermined range on the map, and is preferably a polygon that can be dragged. The predetermined range specified by the scope is the POI information search target range.

  When the scope operation determination unit 208 detects that the specification of the scope by the user's operation is completed or the movement of the scope being displayed is completed by the user's operation, the scope operation determination unit 208 requests predetermined information including the POI information search condition. The data is sent to the transmission unit 210. The POI information search condition includes at least information on the search target range specified by the scope. Furthermore, it is preferable that the POI information search condition includes one or more keywords for POI information search.

  The request transmission unit 210 transmits predetermined information received from the scope operation determination unit 208 to the navigation server 105 as a Web request.

  The response receiving unit 212 receives the POI information search result returned from the navigation server 105 as a Web response.

  The POI information display unit 209 performs processing for displaying POI information on a map in a layered manner based on the POI information search result received by the response receiving unit 212.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the configuration of the main part of the navigation server 105. The navigation server 105 includes a network I / F unit 305, a Web / AP server 106, and a DB server 107. The navigation server 105 is connected to the Internet 109 via the network I / F unit 305.

  The Web / AP server 106 includes a CPU 303 and a memory 304. The CPU 303 executes each function of the server application program stored in the memory 304. The Web / AP server 106 receives the Web request from the terminal 103, executes POI information search, and returns the POI information search result as a Web response.

The memory 304 includes functions of a request reception unit 307, a POI information search unit 308, and a response response unit 309.
The request receiving unit 307 receives a Web request.
The response response unit 309 transmits a Web response.

  The POI information search unit 308 performs POI information search based on the POI information search condition included in the Web request received by the request reception unit 307 from the terminal 103. Specifically, an SQL request is transmitted to the DB server 107 using the search target range specified by the scope included in the POI information search condition as a search key. Further, when a POI information search keyword is included in the POI information search condition, this is also used as a search key. Then, the POI information as a search result is received from the DB server 107 and passed to the response response unit 309.

  The DB server 107 receives the SQL request from the Web / AP server 106, searches the POI information DB 310, and passes the POI information as a search result to the Web / AP server 106. The POI information stored in the POI information DB 310 includes detailed information regarding each facility or event, and is associated with position information (for example, latitude and longitude information of the map) of the facility or event. The POI information DB 310 is updated at any time and always stores the latest POI information.

  4A and 4B are examples of terminal display screens in the POI information search system by scope designation. With reference to these drawings, a method for specifying a search target range using a scope in a terminal will be described.

  FIG. 4A is an example of a screen that displays a search result of POI information in the search target range received from the server after specifying the search target range with one scope 404. A map including the current location 401 of the user is displayed on the terminal screen. The map is displayed by linking with the map DB shown in FIG. When the user touches an arbitrary position on the screen, a second position (starting from the first position 402 where the user touches the finger with the current position 401 of the user as a base point) Up to (end point) 403 is drawn as one scope 404. In the illustrated example, one scope 404 forms a polygon surrounded by a straight line connecting the base point and the fulcrum, a straight line connecting the base point and the end point, and an arc connecting the start point and the end point. The scope 404 is designated as a search target range. The shape of the polygon is not limited to the illustrated example.

  The user's current location is acquired and displayed automatically by GPS, for example, or displayed by the user specifying a corresponding point on the map. Further, the scope base point is not limited to the current location of the user. A map of an area desired by the user may be displayed, and a desired point on the map may be designated as a base point.

  As described above, the POI information is searched for the search target range specified by one scope 404. When the corresponding POI information exists, appropriate graphic elements (black circles in the illustrated example) are superimposed on the POI location positions 405, 406, and 407 on the map and displayed in layers. The display format of the POI location is arbitrary, such as graphics and characters. When each of the displayed POI location positions 405, 406, and 407 is selected, details of the POI information may be displayed.

  FIG. 4B is a screen showing an example of an operation for deforming or moving the scope. By dragging the scope 404 displayed on the screen of the terminal, the user can change or move the scope 404 in an arbitrary direction 411, 412, or 413 indicated by the solid line arrow with the current location 401 of the user as a base point. When one scope 404 undergoes deformation and movement operations as indicated by a dotted arrow 414, a polygon of a new scope 410 is formed. A new search target range is designated by the new scope 410. As a result, the POI information is searched again for the new search target range, and the POI location positions 415 and 416 existing in the search target range are displayed in layers.

  FIG. 5 is a processing flow in the POI information search system by scope designation. In the following description of FIGS. 5 to 7, the above-mentioned drawings are also referred to and the reference numerals in those drawings are also referred to.

  First, when the user touches any point on the map while the map is displayed on the screen of the terminal 103, the scope display unit 207 recognizes the start of scope drawing (step 501). The scope display unit 207 starts drawing a polygon of the scope with the current point 401 of the user as the base point and the point selected by the user first as the start point 402 (step 502). During drawing, the scope is extended or reduced according to the movement of the finger of the user who keeps contact with the screen. Then, it is determined that the designation of the scope 404 is completed with the point where the user releases the finger as the end point 403, and the drawing is completed (step 503).

  Completion of specification of the search target range by the scope 404 is detected by the scope operation determination unit 208. The scope motion determination unit 208 first acquires one or more keywords from the keyword information 214 registered in the storage unit 204 (step 504). Here, if the keyword information 214 is not registered, the drawing of the scope is deleted and the process returns to the scope input waiting state (step 505). At this time, a screen for prompting keyword registration is displayed, and if the user registers a keyword, the processing is continued in the same manner as when the keyword information 214 exists. If the user cancels keyword registration, the scope may be deleted.

  Next, the scope motion determination unit 208 acquires coordinates on the screen of the scope 404 designated by the user (a set of coordinates representing a range surrounded by polygons). And the acquired coordinate is converted into the information of the search object range matched with the positional information on the map currently displayed. For example, the coordinates on the screen are converted into longitude and latitude information on the map. In this manner, search range information is created based on the coordinates of the scope 404 (step 506). Then, the scope operation determination unit 208 sends the search target range information and one or more keywords for POI information search to the request transmission unit 210. The request transmission unit 210 creates a POI information search Web request including such information and transmits it to the navigation server 105 via the network (step 507).

  In this embodiment, the Web request is transmitted to the navigation server 105 including the POI information search keyword, but whether or not the POI information search keyword is included is arbitrary. On the other hand, the information of the search target range designated by the scope is indispensable.

  Note that steps 501 to 503 are substantially the same when the scope 410 is drawn by deforming or moving the drawn scope 404 once. A case will be described in which the scope 404 has already been displayed and the user arbitrarily transforms or moves the scope 404 (arrow 414 in FIG. 4B). When the user touches the scope 404 drawn on the screen, the scope operation determination unit 208 determines that the scope is deformed or moved (step 501). Then, the scope display unit 207 draws the scope 410 that is deformed (expanded or reduced) and moved in accordance with the movement of the user's finger (step 502). The position where the user releases the finger is set as the end point, and it is determined that the movement of the scope is completed, and the drawing is completed (step 503). After the scope operation determination unit 208 detects that the movement to the scope 410 has been completed, the same processing as the above-described POI information retrieval keyword acquisition (step 504) and the subsequent steps is performed.

  FIG. 6 is a processing flow of the navigation server 105 when a Web request for POI information search is received from the terminal.

  The request receiving unit 307 of the navigation server 105 accepts a Web request for POI information search from the terminal 103 (step 601). The search target range information and the POI information search keyword included in the Web request are passed to the POI information search unit 308.

  The POI information search unit 308 issues an SQL request to the POI information DB server 310 using the search range information and keywords as search keys (step 602). The POI information DB server 310 searches for and extracts POI information including corresponding position information based on the information of the search target range. Further, POI information having detailed information including the keyword is searched and extracted from the extracted POI information based on the keyword. When the search is completed, the acquired POI information search result is passed to the response response unit 309.

  The response response unit 309 transmits a Web response including the POI information search result to the terminal 103 via the network (step 603). If there is no corresponding POI information as a result of the search, the POI information search result is emptied and a Web response is transmitted.

FIG. 7 is a processing flow relating to the display of the POI information search result in the terminal.
The response receiving unit 212 of the terminal 103 waits for a Web response from the navigation server 105 and receives the Web response (Step 701). The POI information search result included in the Web response is passed to the POI display unit 308. The POI display unit 308 determines whether one or more POI information is included in the POI information search result (step 702). When one or more POI information is included, the longitude and latitude information of the POI location of the POI information is converted into the coordinates on the corresponding screen based on the position information of the map currently displayed on the terminal. Conversion is performed, and the POI location is superimposed on the screen and displayed as a layer (step 703).

  The POI information may be displayed as an icon related to individual POI information, or may be an arbitrary character or graphic, and may display detailed information about the POI only when selected by the user. . As detailed information, facility information such as business hours or event information can be considered. Further, when the searched day and day of the week are compared with the detailed information of the POI, and it is determined that it is a regular holiday, it may be displayed so that it can be distinguished from others.

  101, 102: User, 103, 104: Terminal, 105: Navigation server, 106: Web application server, 107: Database server, 109: Internet, 202: Processing unit, 203: Network I / F unit, 204: Storage unit 205: CPU, 206: Memory, 207: Scope display unit, 208: Scope operation determination unit, 209: POI information display unit, 210: Request transmission unit, 211: Map display unit, 212: Response reception unit, 213: Map Database, 214: Keyword information, 303: CPU, 304: Memory, 305: Network I / F unit, 307: Request reception unit, 308: POI information search unit, 309: Response response unit, 310: POI information database

Claims (4)

In a terminal connected via a network to a server having a database storing POI information including position information,
A means of displaying a map;
Means for designating a search target range for POI information by displaying a scope superimposed on the map;
Means for transmitting information of a search target range designated by the scope to the server;
Means for receiving a search result of the database based on the information of the search target range from the server, and displaying the POI information included in the search result superimposed on the map. POI information search terminal by designation. The POI information search by scope designation according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for transforming or moving the displayed scope so as to change a search target range once designated by the scope. Terminal. In a POI information retrieval system comprising a server having a database and a terminal connected to the server via a network,
The terminal
A means of displaying a map;
Means for designating a search target range for POI information by displaying a scope superimposed on the map;
Means for transmitting information of a search target range designated by the scope to the server;
Means for receiving a search result of the database based on the information of the search target range from the server, and displaying the POI information included in the search result on the map, and the server includes:
Means for storing POI information including location information in the database;
Means for searching the database based on the information of the search target range received from the terminal and obtaining the corresponding POI information;
Means for transmitting a search result including the acquired POI information to the terminal, and a POI information search system by scope designation. When the terminal transmits information on the search target range to the server, it transmits one or more keywords together, and
The scope according to claim 3, wherein when the server searches the database based on the information of the search target range, the POI information is acquired by using the one or more keywords together. POI information retrieval system by designation.

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