JP2015017922A - Navigation device, navigation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a conventional problem of being incapable of searching for and guiding an intra-building route that is a route from a present position in a building with two or more stories to a destination in a story different from the present position.SOLUTION: A navigation device includes: a building map information storage part for storing building map information indicating a map of a building with two or more stories; a present position information obtainment part for obtaining present position information indicating a present position in the building; a reception part for receiving destination related information that is information related to a destination in the building; a route search part for searching, by using the building map information, for an intra-building route that is a route from the present position to a destination on a story different from the present position and a route using a normal passageway and inter-story movement means, and obtaining intra-building route information indicating an intra-building route; and an output part for outputting the intra-building route information obtained by the route search part. Using the device makes it possible to search for and guide the intra-building route.

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a map service has been developed that searches a route on foot from a departure point to a destination and provides route guidance to the destination (see Non-Patent Document 1).

“Google Maps”, [online], Google, [Search June 14, 2013], Internet [URL; https://maps.google.co.jp/]

  In the conventional map service, it has been impossible to search and guide a route in the building which is a route from a current position in a building having two or more floors to a destination on a floor different from the current position.

  The navigation device according to the first aspect of the invention is information indicating a building map that is a map of a building having two or more floors, and includes one or more normal passage information indicating a normal passage that is a passage for moving on the same floor. A building map information storage unit for storing building map information, which is information having one or more floor moving means information indicating a floor moving means that is a means for moving between different floors; When the current position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating the current position, the reception unit that receives destination related information that is information about the destination in the building, and the floor at the current position and the floor at the destination are different In addition, the route from the current position to the destination, and the route in the building, which is the route using the normal passage and the means for moving between floors, is searched using the building map information, and the route information in the building indicating the route in the building A route search unit for acquiring A navigation device and an output unit for outputting the building routing information searching unit has acquired.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to search and guide a route in a building from a current position in a building having two or more floors to a destination on a floor different from the current position.

  In addition, the navigation device of the second invention is a navigation device having two or more types of inter-story moving means compared to the first invention.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to search and guide an in-building route using two or more kinds of inter-floor moving means.

  Further, in the navigation device of the third aspect of the invention, the building map information has one or more types of scores corresponding to two or more types of inter-floor moving means, and the route search unit, Navigation that searches for a route in a building using building map information and one or more types of scores and obtains in-building route information that indicates the route in the building when the current floor and the destination floor are different Device.

  With such a configuration, the route in the building can be searched using the scores of the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means.

  The navigation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a navigation device in which the inter-level movement means is three types of stairs, escalators, and elevators, as compared to the second or third aspect.

  With such a configuration, the route in the building can be searched using the scores of normal passages, stairs, elevators, and escalators.

  In the navigation device of the fifth aspect of the invention, in contrast to the fourth aspect of the invention, the accepting unit accepts elevator current status information indicating the current status of the elevator, and the route search unit includes the floor and destination of the current position. If the floor is different from the current floor, the route from the current position to the destination, and the in-building route using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means corresponding to the current situation of the elevator indicated by the elevator current situation information It is a navigation device that searches using information and acquires in-building route information indicating the in-building route.

  With such a configuration, a route in the building can be searched according to the current situation of the elevator.

  Further, the navigation device of the sixth aspect of the invention is a change unit that changes one or more types of scores corresponding to the elevator according to the current situation of the elevator indicated by the elevator current situation information with respect to the fifth aspect of the invention. A navigation device further comprising:

  With such a configuration, a route in the building can be searched according to the current situation of the elevator.

  The navigation device of the seventh invention further comprises a disabled person information storage unit for storing disabled person information indicating whether or not the user is disabled for any one of the first to sixth inventions, The route search unit is a route from the current position to the destination when the disabled information indicates that the user is disabled and the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination. The navigation device searches for an in-building route using building map information using an inter-floor moving unit that satisfies a predetermined condition, and acquires in-building route information indicating the in-building route.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to search for an in-building route using an inter-floor moving means that can be used with peace of mind by persons with disabilities.

  In the navigation device of the eighth invention, in contrast to any one of the first to sixth inventions, the normal passage information has width information indicating the width of the normal passage, and whether the user is disabled or not. A disabled person information storage unit for storing disabled person information indicating whether the disabled person information indicates that the user is disabled, and the current position floor and the destination floor are different. In this case, it is a route from the current position to the destination, and the building map information is used for the route in the building using the normal passageway and the means for moving between floors so that the width indicated by the width information satisfies the predetermined condition. The navigation device acquires the route information in the building indicating the route in the building.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to search for an in-building route using a normal passage that allows a handicapped person to pass safely.

  The navigation device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention provides a building map image storage unit for storing a building map image, which is an image showing a building map, and a building map image. Image processing is performed, one or more normal passage information and one or more floor moving means information are acquired, and building map information having one or more normal passage information and one or more floor moving means information is configured. The navigation apparatus further includes a building map information configuration unit that performs and a storage unit that stores the building map information configured by the building map information configuration unit in the building map information storage unit.

  With such a configuration, information indicating the map in the building can be created from the image indicating the map in the building.

  Further, the navigation device of the tenth aspect of the invention relates to the eighth aspect of the invention, in which a pattern image that is an image showing the design of the floor moving means is associated with type information that is information indicating the type. A type management information storage unit that stores two or more types of type management information is further provided, and the building map information configuration unit corresponds to a position in the building map image where the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image is arranged. This is a navigation device that acquires inter-story moving means information indicating the type of inter-story moving means indicated by the type information associated with the symbol image, and constructs building map information using the inter-story moving means information.

  With such a configuration, information indicating the map in the building can be created using the image of the pattern indicating the type of the floor moving means arranged in the image indicating the map in the building.

  According to the navigation device or the like according to the present invention, it is possible to search and guide a route in a building from a current position in a building having two or more floors to a destination on a floor different from the current position.

Block diagram of navigation device 1 according to Embodiment 1 The figure which shows the example of the same building map image The figure which shows the acquisition example of the division information and normal passage information A flowchart for explaining the overall operation of the navigation device 1 The flowchart explaining the composition processing of the building map information The figure which shows the example of the same building map image The figure which shows the example of the same kind management information The figure which shows the example of a detection of the rectangle from the normal passage area | region The figure which shows the example of the passage base information The figure which shows the example of the same building map information Figure showing current location and destination in the building Figure showing an example of the same normal route The figure which shows the example of the route for the same person Figure showing current location and destination in the building Figure showing an example of the same normal route Figure showing an example of the same building Block diagram of the building map information composition device 2 Overview of the computer system in the above embodiment Block diagram of a computer system in the above embodiment

  Embodiments of a navigation device and the like according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, since the component which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in embodiment performs the same operation | movement, description may be abbreviate | omitted again. In addition, the format, content, and the like of each information described in this embodiment are merely examples, and the format, content, and the like are not limited as long as the meaning of each information can be indicated.

(Embodiment 1)
In this embodiment, a navigation device 1 that searches for a route from a current position to a destination on a floor different from the current position in a building having two or more floors will be described.

  In addition, the navigation apparatus 1 in this Embodiment is a portable terminal etc. provided with a navigation function, for example. The navigation device 1 is usually owned by a person.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation device 1 in the present embodiment. The navigation device 1 includes a building map image storage unit 101, a type management information storage unit 102, a building map information configuration unit 103, a storage unit 104, a building map information storage unit 105, a disabled person information storage unit 106, a current position information acquisition unit 107, A reception unit 108, a change unit 109, a route search unit 110, and an output unit 111 are provided.

  The building map image storage unit 101 stores a building map image that is an image showing a building map. A building map is a map of a building having two or more floors. The building map is, for example, a so-called floor map or a floor plan of a station or airport. The building map is usually preferably a so-called plan view. The building map may be a so-called three-dimensional map, for example. The building is, for example, a station, an airport, a shopping center, a department store, a general leisure facility, a sports gym, a hospital, an office building, a commercial facility, or the like. The building may be anything as long as it has two or more floors.

  Also, a building usually has one or more passages. The passage is usually a normal passage where people or the like come and go (hereinafter referred to as a normal passage as appropriate) and a means for moving between floors (hereinafter referred to as a floor movement means as appropriate). The floor moving means is, for example, a staircase, an escalator, an elevator or the like. In addition, there are usually two or more types of floor moving means, but these three types are preferable. Moreover, a building has one or more divisions, such as a store, a facility, and a room, for example. Facilities are, for example, toilets, doorways, vending machine corners, and smoking areas.

  Moreover, the buildings may be dispersed, for example. “Dispersed” means, for example, that two or more buildings are connected by a passage for going back and forth between the two or more buildings. The “passage for going back and forth between two or more buildings” is, for example, a transit corridor or a crossover.

  Moreover, the building map image may be associated with, for example, information for identifying a building (hereinafter, appropriately, building identification information). The building identification information is, for example, a building name, an address, or any other character string.

  Moreover, it is usually preferable that the building map image is an image showing one floor. That is, it is preferable that the building map corresponding to one building is usually indicated by a set of two or more building map images. In other words, it is preferable that one set of building identification information is associated with the set of the two or more building map images. Moreover, the building map corresponding to each floor of the building identified by the building identification information is indicated by the two or more building map images. In addition, floor information indicating a floor may be associated with a building map image indicating one floor.

  Moreover, the process in which a building map image is accumulate | stored in the building map image storage part 101 does not ask | require. The building map image may be, for example, an image acquired by shooting by a shooting unit (not shown). The said imaging | photography part can be normally implement | achieved by what is called a camera. Moreover, the said building map image may be the image which the receiving part which is not shown in figure received, for example. The image is, for example, an image downloaded from a so-called Web. In addition, the receiving unit is usually realized by a wireless or wired communication means, but may be realized by a means for receiving a broadcast.

  The type management information storage unit 102 stores two or more type management information, which are information in which a symbol image is associated with type information. The symbol image is an image indicating the symbol of the floor moving means. The type information is information indicating the type of the inter-floor moving means.

  The symbol image is usually an icon indicating a floor moving means. An icon represents a pattern, a pattern, a symbol, a character, or the like. The icon is usually a so-called image. The format of the image is not limited. That is, the image may be raster data, vector data, or other data. The icon may have one or more pieces of attribute information indicating the icon attributes. The attribute is, for example, color, size, shape, or the like. The icon may have an icon identifier for identifying the icon. In addition, the symbol image may be, for example, an image that abstracts the floor moving means, or an image that looks like the appearance and shape of the floor moving means.

  The type information is, for example, “stairs”, “escalator”, “elevator”, and the like.

  The building map information configuration unit 103 configures building map information using the building map image. Building map information is information indicating a building map. The building map information usually includes one or more passage information that is information indicating the passage. The passage information can be classified into normal passage information that is information indicating a normal passage and inter-floor moving means information that is information indicating an inter-floor moving means. Further, the “configuration” includes “creation”, “generation”, and the like and is widely understood.

  The passage information includes, for example, position information indicating positions at both ends of the passage, name information indicating names corresponding to the positions, and the like. The position is usually longitude and latitude, but may be coordinates on a building map. In addition, the position usually includes a so-called height (altitude). The height may be, for example, the number of floors. The name is, for example, a store name, a facility name in the building, the number of floors, and the like.

  The passage information includes, for example, passage identification information that is information for identifying the passage, a score of the passage, and the like. The “score” is information that the route search unit 110 described later normally uses for route search. That is, the “score” may be considered as “cost” used for route search. Further, the “score” is based on the distance of the passage, or based on the width of the passage, for example. In addition, the “score” may be based on, for example, the congestion situation of the passage. Further, the “score” may indicate a priority order, for example.

  The passage information may include, for example, handicapped person passability information indicating whether the handicapped person can pass. A disabled person is usually a person who has difficulty walking. Specifically, the disabled person is, for example, a person using a wheelchair or a person using a crutch. Moreover, the disabled person passability information is usually a so-called flag. Further, the passage information may have, for example, type information indicating the type of passage. In this case, whether or not the passage information is normal passage information or floor moving means information is indicated by the type information.

  Further, the normal passage information usually has width information indicating the width of the normal passage.

  Further, the floor moving means information usually has type information indicating the type of the floor moving means. Further, the inter-level moving means information may include information indicating the attributes of the inter-level moving means, for example.

  For example, the inter-floor moving means information indicating the “stairs” that is the inter-floor moving means may include information indicating the attributes of the stairs, for example. The “information indicating the attribute of the staircase” is information indicating the width of the staircase, the number of steps of the staircase, and the like.

  Further, for example, the floor moving means information indicating “escalator” which is the floor moving means may have information indicating the attribute of the escalator, for example. The “information indicating the attribute of the escalator” is information indicating, for example, the width of the escalator, the number of stages of the escalator, the traveling direction of the escalator, the time required for movement on the escalator, and the like.

  Further, for example, the inter-floor moving means information indicating “elevator” which is the inter-floor moving means may include information indicating the attribute of the elevator, for example. The “information indicating elevator attributes” is information indicating, for example, the number of elevators, the maximum load capacity of the elevators, and the time required for the elevator to move.

  Further, the information included in the passage information may be included in the building map information. In this case, the building map information includes, for example, a correspondence table between passage identification information and information included in the passage information.

  In addition, the building map information may include, for example, section information that is information indicating the sections in the building. The section information includes, for example, information indicating the position of the section, the name of the section, the type of the section, and the like.

  The format of the building map information may be the same format as map information used for so-called car navigation (hereinafter referred to as normal map information as appropriate). This format is usually the KIWI format. In this case, the passage information included in the building map information can be considered to be the same as the road information included in the normal map information. Moreover, it can be considered that the block information that the building map information has is the same as the point information that the normal map information has.

  Here, the road information is information indicating a road on the map, and includes information indicating the positions, names, types, and the like of both ends of the road. In addition, the road information usually includes information for identifying the road. The point information is information indicating a point on the map, and includes information indicating the position, name, type, and the like of the point. In addition, the point information usually includes information for identifying the point.

  Specifically, for example, the building map information configuration unit 103 performs image processing on a building map image, and acquires one or more passage information, one or more section information, and the like. In the building map image, the passage portion and the partition portion usually have different colors. Moreover, the boundary line of the part from which the said color differs is normally comprised with a straight line or a curve. Therefore, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects a passage portion or a section portion from the building map image using, for example, a straight line detection algorithm, a curve detection algorithm, pattern recognition, or the like. And the building map information structure part 103 is the positional information which shows the position on the building map where the detected passage part or division part is arrange | positioned, name information which shows the name arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the said position, etc. Acquired using a building map image. And the building map information structure part 103 comprises passage information, division information, etc. by matching these acquired information.

  For example, when acquiring position information, the building map information structure part 103 acquires the coordinate on the building map in which the detected passage part or division part is arrange | positioned, for example using a building map image. And the building map information structure part 103 acquires the longitude and latitude which show the area | region of the building identified by the building identification information corresponding to a building map image. There is no limitation on the method or procedure for acquiring the longitude and latitude. And the building map information structure part 103 calculates the longitude and latitude where the detected passage part or division part is arrange | positioned using the acquired coordinate and the acquired longitude and latitude.

  For example, when acquiring name information, the building map information structure part 103 performs what is called OCR (Optical Character Recognition) with respect to a building map image, for example. And the building map information structure part 103 acquires the character acquired by the said OCR as name information. At this time, the building map information structure part 103 acquires the coordinate on the building map in which the said character is arrange | positioned using a building map image, for example.

For example, when composing passage information, building map information constituent part 103 constitutes passage information by the following procedures, for example.
(1) Acquire name information together with position information from a building map image.
(2) A passage part is detected from a building map image.
(3) The center line of the passage portion detected in (2) is detected.
(4) Position information indicating the positions of both ends of the center line detected in (3), the position of the intersection of the center lines, and the position at predetermined intervals on the center line is acquired.
(5) With respect to one or more pieces of position information acquired in (4), two pieces of position information adjacent to each other on the center line detected in (3) are associated.
(6) Name information associated with position information indicating a position where the distance between the positions indicated by the two pieces of position information associated in (4) is equal to or less than a predetermined distance is associated with 2 Path information is configured by associating with one piece of position information.

  In the above (6), the name information associated with “two pieces of positional information associated with each other” is the name information acquired in (1) above.

For example, when composing block information, the building map information configuration unit 103 configures block information by the following procedure, for example.
(1) Acquire name information together with position information from a building map image.
(2) A section is detected from the building map image.
(3) The center point of the section detected in (2) is detected.
(4) Position information indicating the position of the center point detected in (3) is acquired.
(5) By associating name information associated with position information indicating a position whose distance from the position indicated by the position information acquired in (4) is equal to or less than a predetermined distance with the acquired position information, Configure passage information.

  In the above (3), points other than the center point may be detected. The “point other than the center point” is, for example, a point on the contour line of the partition portion.

  In (6) above, the name information associated with “acquired position information” is the name information acquired in (1) above.

  In addition, the building map information configuration unit 103 may calculate other information included in the passage information and the block information using, for example, the longitude and latitude indicating the area of the building, the size (dimension) of the building map image, and the like. .

  In the above, the image used for “pattern recognition” is, for example, a symbol image stored in the type management information storage unit 102. In this case, the building map information configuration unit 103 indicates, for example, the type information associated with the symbol image from the image corresponding to the position in the building image where the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image is arranged. Acquire floor moving means information indicating the type of floor moving means. Specifically, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires, for example, position information indicating the position in the building map image where the symbol image is arranged using the building map image. And the building map information structure part 103 matches the acquired said positional information and the type information matched with the said symbol image, and comprises floor moving means information.

  For example, it is assumed that the building map image shown in FIG. The building map image shows four sections whose names are “Store A”, “Store B”, “Store C”, and “Store D”, and a normal passage between the sections. In such a case, the building map information configuration unit 103 first detects a boundary line between the normal passage and the section by image processing, and acquires an image indicating the boundary line. And the building map information structure part 103 calculates the coordinate which shows the said boundary line using the acquired image which shows the boundary line. The coordinates are usually the coordinates of the vertices of the figure in FIG. And the building map information structure part 103 calculates the coordinate of the center of each division, the both ends of the centerline of a passage, and the coordinate of an intersection, as shown in FIG. 3, using the calculated vertex coordinate, Are acquired as section information and normal passage information. Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 may acquire the name of the division which the building map image of FIG. 2 shows, for example, and may match | combine the said name with the acquired division information.

  For example, when a passage or a section exists at the same position on different floors, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires, for example, the number of floors as a height corresponding to the passage or section. In this case, the building map information configuration unit 103 may calculate the height based on the floor number, for example. The calculation method of the height is usually determined in advance. The building map information configuration unit 103 holds, for example, a calculation formula for calculating the height. The calculation formula usually has a variable for substituting the rank. And the building map information structure part 103 calculates height by substituting a floor for the variable which the said calculation formula has, and calculating the said calculation formula.

  The inter-floor moving means is means for moving between different floors. Therefore, the building map information configuration unit 103 calculates two heights, for example, according to the floor where the inter-floor moving means is located. Then, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the two heights with the position information indicating the positions of both ends of the floor moving means according to the traveling direction of the floor moving means, thereby obtaining the floor moving means information. Configure.

  For example, when the inter-story moving means is located between the second floor and the third floor, the building map information configuration unit 103 calculates a height corresponding to the second floor and a height corresponding to the third floor. Further, for example, it is assumed that the building map image indicates that the inter-floor moving means moves from the second floor to the third floor. In such a case, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the height corresponding to the second floor with the position information indicating the position of the starting point of the inter-floor moving means. Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 matches the height corresponding to the 3rd floor with the positional information which shows the position of the end point of the said inter-floor moving means.

  Further, for example, when floor information is associated with a building map image, the building map information configuration unit 103 may acquire the floor information as the height.

  Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 may calculate the score which passage information may have based on the distance between the positions which the two positional information which the said passage information has, for example. In this case, the calculation method of the score is usually determined in advance. For example, the building map information configuration unit 103 holds a calculation formula for calculating the score. The calculation formula usually has a variable for substituting the distance. And the building map information structure part 103 calculates a score by substituting distance into the variable which the said calculation formula has, and calculating the said calculation formula.

  In addition, the building map information configuration unit 103 may create passage identification information that the passage information may have, for example, by a predetermined method. “Predetermined method” refers to, for example, acquiring information indicating the order in which passage information is constructed as passage identification information, or linking two pieces of name information obtained to form passage information. It is. The method and procedure for creating the passage identification information are not limited.

  In addition, for example, when the configured passage information is inter-floor moving means information indicating an elevator, the building map information configuration unit 103, for example, displays information indicating elevator attributes that the inter-floor moving means information may have, for example, It may be received from the elevator, a device controlling the elevator, or the like.

  Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 may acquire the disabled accessibility information which passage information has, for example according to the information which passage information has. The “information included in the passage information” is, for example, width information or type information. Usually, when the width is narrow, it is difficult for the disabled to pass. Therefore, for example, when the width indicated by the width information included in the passage information is narrow enough to satisfy a predetermined condition, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires disabled person passability information indicating that the disabled person cannot pass. . Also, it is usually difficult for people with disabilities to pass if there are steps. Therefore, for example, when the type indicated by the type information included in the passage information is a type that satisfies a predetermined condition, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires information on whether or not a disabled person can pass, indicating that the disabled person cannot pass. To do. Such passages are usually stairs and escalators.

  As described above, the building map information configuration unit 103 normally acquires position information indicating positions of a normal passage, an inter-floor moving unit, a section, and the like using a building map image. Then, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the acquired position information with each of the normal passage, the inter-floor moving means, the sections, etc., and obtains the normal passage information, the inter-floor moving means information, the section information, etc. Configure. And the building map information structure part 103 comprises the building map information which has the said normal passage information, inter-story moving means information, division information, etc.

  For example, when building identification information is associated with a building map image, the building map information configuration unit 103 may associate the building identification information with the configured building map information.

  The accumulation unit 104 accumulates the building map information configured by the building map information configuration unit 103 in the building map information storage unit 105.

  The building map information storage unit 105 stores one or more building map information. The building map information is usually building map information stored in advance in the building map information storage unit 105. The building map information may be, for example, building map information configured by the building map information configuration unit 103 and accumulated in the building map information storage unit 105 by the accumulation unit 104. Further, the one or more building map information is usually associated with building identification information.

  The disabled person information storage unit 106 stores disabled person information indicating whether or not the user is disabled. The disabled information is usually a so-called flag.

  The current position information acquisition unit 107 acquires current position information indicating the current position in the building. The current position indicated by the current position information is usually longitude and latitude. The current position usually includes a so-called height (altitude). The height may be, for example, the number of floors. Since the method and procedure for calculating the floor from the height are as described above, the description thereof is omitted. Further, the current position information acquisition unit 107 normally acquires current position information periodically. The current position information acquisition unit 107 usually acquires current position information from a device that receives current position information from a mobile communication base station or a device that receives current position information from a wireless LAN access point. To do. In this case, the current position information acquisition unit 107 may have these devices or may be realized by these devices. The processing procedure of the current position information acquisition unit 107 is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded on a recording medium such as a ROM.

  The reception unit 108 receives destination related information that is information related to a destination in the building. The destination related information is, for example, information indicating the position of a section in a building, the name of the section, the type of section, the position in the building, and the like. The destination related information includes, for example, “3rd floor vending machine corner”, “2nd floor north elevator platform”, “XX shop”, “(x1, y1, 2F)”, and the like.

  Further, the destination floor indicated by the destination related information received by the receiving unit 108 is, for example, a floor different from the floor at the current position of the user.

  Moreover, the reception part 108 may receive the elevator present condition information which shows the present condition of an elevator. “The current situation of the elevator” is, for example, the situation of movement of the elevator or the situation of congestion of the elevator. Elevator movement status is whether the elevator is moving, the floor the elevator is moving, the direction the elevator is moving, the floor where the elevator is stopped, and the elevator arrives at the floor where the user is Time. Moreover, the situation of the congestion of an elevator is, for example, whether or not the elevator is congested and the degree of congestion of the elevator.

  Further, the receiving unit 108 may receive, for example, a power-on instruction or a power-off instruction. When the reception unit 108 receives these instructions, the navigation device 1 normally performs a process according to the received instructions.

  Acceptance refers to acquisition of information input from an input device such as a touch panel or a keyboard, acquisition of information stored in a recording medium such as an optical disk, magnetic disk, or semiconductor memory, via a wired or wireless communication line. It is a concept that includes reception of information transmitted in the same manner.

  Further, for example, when receiving elevator current situation information, the reception unit 108 usually receives current situation information from an elevator or a device that controls the elevator. In this case, the elevator current situation information is usually associated with passage identification information for identifying the elevator.

  Also, the input means such as information and instructions in the reception unit 108 may be anything such as a menu screen or a keyboard. The accepting unit 108 can be realized by control software for a menu screen, a device driver for input means such as a keyboard, and the like.

  The changing unit 109 changes one or more types of scores corresponding to the elevator according to the current status of the elevator indicated by the current elevator status information. “Changing the score” means increasing the score or decreasing the score.

  For example, when the elevator is congested, it is preferable to search for a route that does not use the elevator. In addition, when the elevator is not congested, it is preferable to search for a route using the elevator. Therefore, for example, when the elevator current situation information indicates the degree of congestion of the elevator, the changing unit 109 increases or decreases the score according to the degree of congestion.

  Moreover, the calculation method of the increment or decrement of the score is usually determined in advance. For example, the changing unit 109 holds a calculation formula for calculating the increment or decrement. The calculation formula has a variable for substituting a numerical value. When the elevator current situation information is a numerical value, the changing unit 109 calculates the increment or decrement by, for example, substituting the numerical value into a variable included in the calculation formula and calculating the calculation formula. When the elevator current situation information is not a numerical value, for example, the changing unit 109 calculates a numerical value corresponding to the elevator current situation information, substitutes the numerical value for a variable included in the calculation formula, and calculates the calculation formula. To calculate the increment or decrement. In addition, the method and procedure etc. which calculate the numerical value corresponding to an elevator present condition information are not ask | required. For example, the changing unit 109 acquires a numerical value using a correspondence table between elevator current situation information and numerical values.

  For example, the changing unit 109 may calculate the changed score without calculating the increment or decrement of the score. Since the method for calculating the score after the change is the same as the method for calculating the increment or decrement of the score, description thereof is omitted.

  Moreover, the change part 109 changes the score which the floor moving means information which has the identification information same as the identification information normally associated with the elevator present condition information has. That is, the changing unit 109 normally searches the building map information storage unit 105 for the inter-floor moving means information having the same identification information as the identification information associated with the elevator current situation information. And the change part 109 changes the score which the said searched floor movement means information has.

  The route search unit 110 searches for an in-building route, and acquires in-building route information that is information indicating the in-building route. The in-building route is a route from the current position in one building to the destination in the same building. The in-building route is usually a route using a normal passage and an inter-floor moving means. Also, the floor at the current position in the building and the destination floor in the building are usually different. In other words, the in-building route is a route that always passes through the inter-floor moving means. Therefore, it can be said that the route search unit 110 performs a route search with a route point condition (route search in which a condition for the route point is set). The in-building route information usually includes one or more normal passage information and one or more inter-story moving means information.

  Specifically, the route search unit 110 normally stores the current position information, the destination related information, and the inter-story moving means information that satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a “via condition” as appropriate), as building map information. This is applied to the building map information stored in the unit 105. The current position information is current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit 107. The destination related information is the destination related information received by the receiving unit 108. In addition, the transit condition is a condition for determining whether or not to transit. The route conditions are, for example, that the distance from the current position is the shortest, that the congestion situation satisfies a predetermined congestion situation, that the width and the number of seats meet a predetermined width and the number of persons, For example, it is a predetermined type. Further, the inter-floor moving means information satisfying the route condition is usually the inter-floor moving means information included in the building map information.

  For example, it is assumed that the route condition is “distance = shortest”. The route condition means that the distance from the current position is the shortest. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route that passes through the floor moving means that has the shortest distance from the current position.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the route condition is “congestion level ≦ 40%”. The route condition means that the degree of congestion is 40% or less. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route that passes through the inter-floor moving means whose degree of congestion is 40% or less. The inter-floor moving means is usually an elevator.

  Also, for example, it is assumed that the route condition is “type = stair or escalator”. The route condition means that the type is a staircase or an escalator. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route that passes through the stairs or escalator.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the route condition is “step difference = none”. The route condition means that there is no step. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route that passes through the floor moving means without a step. The inter-floor moving means is usually an elevator or an escalator without a step.

  In addition, the route condition may be determined in advance or not, for example. Otherwise, the route search unit 110 creates the route condition. In this case, for example, the route search unit 110 creates a route condition according to the current status of the elevator indicated by the current elevator status information. That is, the route search unit 110 determines whether to use the elevator according to the current situation of the elevator, and creates a route condition according to the result.

  For example, it is assumed that the elevator current situation information is “South 1st: 1st floor: 5 minutes”. The elevator current situation information means that the time required for the elevator identified by the identification information “South 1st” (hereinafter referred to as “South 1st elevator”) to reach the first floor is 3 minutes. Further, it is assumed that the user is in the vicinity of the south first elevator on the first floor. In such a case, the route search unit 110 determines that the south first elevator is not used because the time until the south first elevator arrives on the first floor is long. Then, the route search unit 110 creates a route condition indicating that the route does not pass through the south first elevator (not used). The route condition is, for example, “identification information ≠ south first”.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the elevator current situation information is “North second: 4th floor to 5th floor: up”. The elevator current status information means that the elevator identified by the identification information “North Second” (hereinafter, the North Second Elevator as appropriate) is moving upward from the fourth floor to the fifth floor. Further, it is assumed that the user is near the north second elevator on the first floor. In such a case, the route search unit 110 determines that the north second elevator is not used because the time until the north second elevator arrives on the first floor is long. Then, the route search unit 110 creates a route condition indicating that the route does not pass through the north second elevator (not used). The route condition is, for example, “identification information ≠ north second”.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the current elevator status information is “all elevators: under inspection”. The elevator current status information means that all elevators in the building are being inspected and are not operating. In such a case, the route search unit 110 determines that the elevator is not used because the elevator is not operating. Then, the route search unit 110 creates a route condition indicating that the route is not routed (not used) via the elevator. The route condition is, for example, “type ≠ elevator”.

  In addition, the above-mentioned “creating a via condition” is, in other words, searching for a route in the building using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means corresponding to the current status of the elevator indicated by the current status information of the elevator. . The “normal passage and floor moving means according to the current situation of the elevator” are “normal passage according to the current situation of the elevator” and “a floor moving means according to the current situation of the elevator”. Further, the “normal path according to the current situation of the elevator” is different from the normal path in the path that uses the elevator as a result of searching for a route that does not use the elevator according to the current situation of the elevator, for example. This means that a normal passage is necessarily selected.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned “applying the current position information to the building map information” means that the position on the building map indicated by the current position information is set as the departure place. In addition, the above-mentioned “apply destination related information to building map information” means that the position corresponding to the position indicated by the destination related information or the name indicated by the destination related information is set as the destination. . The above-mentioned “applying the inter-floor moving means information to the building map information” means that the inter-floor moving means indicated by the inter-floor moving means information, the position of the inter-floor moving means, etc. is there.

  Then, the route search unit 110 searches for a route in the building from the departure point to the destination via the waypoint. At this time, the route search unit 110 normally uses the normal passage information included in the building map information and the score included in the inter-floor moving unit information as the cost of the route. In this case, the route search unit 110 normally searches for an in-building route that minimizes the total score. At this time, the route search unit 110 may use the score as the priority of the route. In this case, the route search unit 110 normally selects the passage with the highest priority when there are two or more passage options. Then, the route search unit 110 acquires in-building route information indicating the in-building route.

  It should be noted that a solution (algorithm) for the shortest route problem is usually used for route search (in this case, search for a route in a building). “Solving the shortest path problem” is, for example, the Dijkstra method or the A * algorithm. Since these solutions are well-known, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, since a method and a procedure for acquiring route information (here, in-building route information) are known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Further, when the user is a handicapped person, the route searching unit 110 normally searches for a route using a normal passage that is wide enough to satisfy a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as width condition as appropriate). Note that “when the user is disabled” refers to a case where the disabled information stored in the disabled information storage unit 106 indicates that the user is disabled.

  For example, it is assumed that the width condition is “width ≧ 2 m”. The width condition means that the width of the normal passage is 2 m or more. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route using a normal passage having a width of 2 m or more.

  For example, it is assumed that the width condition is “1.5 m ≦ width ≦ 3.0 m”. The width condition means that the width of the normal passage is 1.5 m or more and 3 m or less. In such a case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route using a normal passage having a width of 1.5 m or more and 3 m or less.

  When the user is a handicapped person, the route search unit 110, for example, the normal passage information and the inter-floor movement indicated by the normal passage information and the inter-floor moving means information including information on whether or not the disabled person can pass the handicapped. A route using the means may be searched.

  In addition, the in-building route to be searched when the user is not a handicapped person will be appropriately referred to as a normal route below. Further, information indicating the normal route is assumed to be normal route information. In addition, the in-building route searched when the user is a handicapped person will hereinafter be referred to as a handicapped person route as appropriate. In addition, the information indicating the route for the physically handicapped is hereinafter referred to as the route information for the handicapped as appropriate.

  The output unit 111 outputs in-building route information acquired by the route search unit 110. Output refers to display on a display, projection using a projector, printing on a printer, sound output, transmission to an external device, storage on a recording medium, processing results to other processing devices or other programs, etc. It is a concept that includes delivery. In addition, regarding transmission, accumulation, and delivery of processing results, an output target is finally presented to the user.

  Further, the output unit 111 may output in-building route information together with the building map information stored in the building map information storage unit 105, for example. As a result, the in-building route is displayed on the building map.

  The output unit 111 may be considered to include an output device such as a display or a speaker, or may not be included. The output unit 111 can be implemented by output device driver software, or output device driver software and an output device.

  The building map image storage unit 101, the type management information storage unit 102, the building map information storage unit 105, and the handicapped person information storage unit 106 are preferably non-volatile recording media, but can also be realized by volatile recording media. is there. Moreover, the process in which predetermined information is memorize | stored in the building map image storage part 101 etc. does not ask | require. For example, the predetermined information may be stored in the building map image storage unit 101 or the like via a recording medium, a communication line, an input device, or the like.

  Further, the building map information configuration unit 103, the storage unit 104, the change unit 109, and the route search unit 110 can be usually realized by an MPU, a memory, or the like. Further, the processing procedure of the building map information configuration unit 103 and the like is usually realized by software, and the software is recorded in a recording medium such as a ROM. The building map information configuration unit 103 and the like may be realized by hardware (dedicated circuit).

  Next, the overall operation of the navigation device 1 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the navigation device 1.

  (Step S401) The navigation device 1 determines whether or not the reception unit 108 has received a power-on instruction. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S402; otherwise, the process returns to step S401.

  (Step S402) The navigation device 1 performs a power-on process.

  (Step S403) The current position information acquisition unit 107 starts acquiring current position information. Thereafter, the current position information acquisition unit 107 normally continues to acquire the current position information regularly until the navigation apparatus 1 is turned off.

  (Step S <b> 404) The building map information configuration unit 103 determines whether a building map image is stored in the building map image storage unit 101. If stored, the process proceeds to step S405, and if not, the process proceeds to step S407.

  (Step S405) The building map information configuration unit 103 configures building map information using the building map image. Details of this processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S <b> 406) The storage unit 104 stores the building map image configured in step S <b> 405 in the building map information storage unit 105.

  (Step S <b> 407) The changing unit 109 determines whether or not building map information is stored in the building map information storage unit 105. If stored, the process proceeds to step S408, and if not, the process proceeds to step S415.

  (Step S408) The change unit 109 determines whether or not the reception unit 108 has received elevator current status information. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S409, and if not, the process proceeds to step S410.

  (Step S409) The changing unit 109 changes the score corresponding to the elevator according to the current status of the elevator indicated by the current elevator status information received in step S408. In addition, the said score is a score which the floor movement means information which shows the said elevator which building map information has has.

  (Step S410) The route search unit 110 determines whether or not the reception unit 108 has received destination related information. If accepted, the process proceeds to step S411, and if not, the process proceeds to step S415.

  (Step S411) The route search unit 110 determines whether or not the user is a disabled person. This determination is usually made using the disabled information stored in the disabled information storage unit 106. If it is a handicapped person, the process proceeds to step S412. If not, the process proceeds to step S413.

  (Step S412) The route search unit 110 searches for a route for the disabled. And the route search part 110 acquires the route information for disabled people which shows the said route for disabled people.

  (Step S413) The route search unit 110 searches for a normal route. Then, the route search unit 110 acquires normal route information indicating the normal route.

  (Step S414) The output unit 111 outputs the in-building route information acquired in Step S412 or Step S413.

  (Step S415) The navigation apparatus 1 determines whether or not the reception unit 108 has received a power-off instruction. When it receives, it progresses to step S416, and when that is not right, it returns to step S404.

  (Step S416) The navigation device 1 performs a power-off process. Then, the process returns to step S401.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 4, the process may be terminated by powering off or a process termination interrupt.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the building map information configuration process in step S405 of the flowchart of FIG.

  (Step S501) The building map information configuration unit 103 acquires one or more pieces of name information from the building map image stored in the building map image storage unit 101.

  (Step S502) The building map information structure part 103 acquires the positional information corresponding to one or more each name information acquired by step S501 using a building map image.

  (Step S503) The building map information configuration unit 103 detects a line from the building map image. The line is usually a straight line or a curve.

  (Step S504) The building map information structure part 103 detects the passage part in a building map from a building map image using the line detected by step S503.

  (Step S505) The building map information configuration unit 103 detects the center line of the passage portion using the passage portion detected in Step S504.

  (Step S506) The building map information configuration unit 103 acquires one or more pieces of position information indicating the position on the center line detected in Step S505.

  (Step S507) The building map information configuration unit 103 configures passage information by associating two adjacent position information on the center line detected in Step S505 with name information corresponding to each of the two position information. The name information and the position information corresponding to the name information are the name information and position information acquired in steps S501 and S502.

  (Step S508) The building map information structure part 103 detects the division part in a building map from a building map image using the line detected by step S503.

  (Step S509) The building map information structure part 103 detects the center point of the said division part using the division part detected by step S508.

  (Step S510) The building map information structure part 103 acquires the positional information which shows the position of the center point detected by step S509.

  (Step S511) The building map information configuration unit 103 configures partition information by associating the position information acquired in Step S510 with the name information corresponding to the position information. The name information and the position information corresponding to the name information are the name information and position information acquired in steps S501 and S502.

(Concrete example)
Next, a specific example of the operation of the navigation device 1 will be described.

(Example 1)
In this example, an example of configuring building map information will be described. In this example, it is assumed that the building map image storage unit 101 stores the building map image shown in FIG. The building map image is an image showing a map of each floor of a building having two floors (the first floor and the second floor). In addition, each floor has one or more sections as shown in FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, characters from “1A” to “1V” are given to one or more sections on the first floor. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, characters from “2A” to “2P” are given to one or more sections on the second floor. The character is a store name. The character may be information for identifying each section. In addition, the building map image is an image acquired by photographing by a photographing unit (not shown) as a result of the user operating the navigation device 1. Also, it is assumed that the type management information storage unit 102 stores the type management information shown in FIG. The type management information includes an ID for uniquely identifying a record, a design image (item name: image), and type information (item name: type).

  First, the building map information structure part 103 detects the normal passage area | region which is an area | region of a normal passage part from the building map image of FIG. “Detecting a normal passage area” means obtaining the coordinates of one or more vertices constituting the normal passage area. The normal passage area is detected by, for example, so-called edge detection.

  Next, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects one or more rectangles included in the detected normal passage area. The “one or more rectangles included in the normal passage region” are one or more rectangles constituting the normal passage region. The one or more rectangles usually indicate a series of passages. Moreover, the said rectangle may be a figure of another shape, for example. “Detecting a rectangle” means obtaining the coordinates of each of the four vertices constituting the rectangle. The one or more rectangles are detected, for example, by sequentially acquiring one or more rectangles constituting the normal passage area one by one as shown in FIG. At this time, the building map information configuration unit 103 usually detects a rectangle that partially overlaps another rectangle.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 detects the centerline of the said rectangle for every one or more detected rectangles. “Detecting the center line” means obtaining the coordinates of both ends of the center line. The center line is usually a line parallel to the long side of the rectangle. That is, the center line is a line connecting the center points of the two short sides of the rectangle. Therefore, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires the coordinates of the center points of the two short sides of the rectangle. In addition, the detected center line is hereinafter appropriately referred to as a component line.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 detects the intersection of the detected component lines, and the end point of the said component line. “Detecting the intersection” means obtaining the coordinates of the intersection. “Detecting an end point” means obtaining the coordinates of the end point. Moreover, the detected intersection and end point are points on the building map.

  Next, the building map information configuration unit 103 uses the symbol image included in the type management information in FIG. 7 from the building map image in FIG. 6 in an area where the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image is arranged. A certain floor moving means area is detected. “Detecting an inter-floor moving means region” means obtaining the coordinates of one or more vertices constituting the inter-floor moving means region. Moreover, the detection of the said floor movement means area | region is performed by what is called pattern recognition etc., for example. Further, the inter-floor moving means area is usually rectangular. Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 matches the type information corresponding to the symbol image used for the detection of the said floor movement means area | region with respect to the detected floor movement means area | region. Thereby, it is possible to determine which type of floor moving means the detected floor moving means area corresponds to.

  For example, it is assumed that the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image “ID = 011” in FIG. 7 is arranged in the building map image. In such a case, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects the area as an inter-story moving means area. Then, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the type information “stair” of “ID = 011” in FIG. 7 with the detected floor moving means region.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image “ID = 015” in FIG. 7 is arranged in the building map image. In such a case, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects the area as an inter-story moving means area. Then, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the type information “elevator” of “ID = 015” in FIG. 7 with the detected floor moving means region.

  Note that the same symbol as the symbol indicated by the symbol image “ID = 015” in FIG. 7 is arranged near the center of the building map image on each floor in FIG. 6.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 detects the centerline or center point of the detected floor moving means area | region. “Detecting the center point” means obtaining the coordinates of the center point. Of the three types of inter-floor moving means, stairs and escalators are usually means for moving in a so-called diagonally vertical direction. That is, the stairs and the escalator are different in the position and height of the start point and the end point. The elevator is usually a means for moving in the vertical direction. That is, the elevators have the same start point and end point, but differ only in height. Therefore, for example, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects the center line for the inter-level moving means area corresponding to the stairs and the escalator among the detected inter-level moving means areas. Moreover, the building map information structure part 103 detects a center point about the floor movement means area | region corresponding to an elevator among the detected floor movement means area | regions, for example. In addition, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the detected center line and center point with the type information associated with the inter-floor moving means region. The detected center line is a constituent line.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 detects the division area which is an area | region of a division part from the building map image of FIG. “Detecting a partitioned area” means obtaining the coordinates of one or more vertices constituting the partitioned area. The partition area is detected by, for example, so-called edge detection. The partition area is usually rectangular.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 detects the center point of the detected division area.

  Next, the building map information configuration unit 103 has a configuration closest to each of the end points of the detected center line of the floor moving means area, the center point of the floor moving means area, and the center point of the partition area. The perpendicular to the line and the intersection of the perpendicular and the component line are detected. Further, the detected perpendicular line is a constituent line.

  Next, the building map information configuration unit 103 associates the floor moving means area detected on one floor with the floor moving means area on another floor corresponding to the floor moving means area. Specifically, the building map information configuration unit 103, for example, for the floor moving means area detected from the building map image on the first floor in FIG. 6, the point corresponding to the floor moving means area and the second floor in FIG. Are associated with points corresponding to the floor moving means areas detected from the building map image. The “point corresponding to the floor moving means region” is either one of the end points of the center line of the floor moving means region or the center point of the floor moving means region. At this time, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects a movement line that is a line connecting the end points to be associated. “Detecting a moving line” means obtaining the coordinates of the end points of the moving line. The detected movement line is a component line.

  With the above processing, the building map information configuration unit 103 detects a point on the building map and a constituent line connecting the points. Hereinafter, the information acquired by the detection is referred to as appropriate place and passage base information. Further, the passage base information is, for example, FIG. FIG. 9 shows passage base information corresponding to the building map image on the first floor of FIG. That is, FIG. 9 is information in which a normal passage, an inter-floor moving means, a section, and the like indicated by the building map image of FIG. 6 are simplified. In FIG. 9, the center line of the floor moving means region corresponding to the stairs is shown by a solid line to distinguish it from other constituent lines.

Next, in FIG. 9, the building map information configuration unit 103 sequentially performs the following processing for every two points adjacent to each other by the configuration line.
(1) The longitude and latitude corresponding to the coordinates of two points are acquired.
(2) The type information corresponding to the coordinates of the two points is acquired.
(3) The distance between two points is calculated using the longitude and latitude acquired in (1).
(4) A score is calculated using the distance calculated in (3).
(5) The width or capacity of the passage corresponding to the coordinates of the two points is calculated.
(6) Depending on the width or capacity acquired in (5), information on whether or not disabled persons can pass is created.

  The longitude and latitude of the above (1) is acquired by using, for example, the latitude and longitude indicating the position where the user has taken a building map image, the position of the building, and the like.

  Further, regarding the acquisition of the type information (2), for example, when the type information is associated with the coordinates indicating the two points, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires the type information. When the type information is not associated with the coordinates indicating the two points, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires the type information stored in a predetermined storage area, for example.

  Further, the width or capacity of (5) above is acquired by using, for example, the size of the normal passage area or the floor moving means area.

  In (6) above, the building map information configuration unit 103 may create handicapped person communication availability information according to the type indicated by the type information acquired in (2) above, for example.

  Next, the building map information structure part 103 matches the longitude and latitude etc. which were acquired as mentioned above, and comprises one or more passage information. Then, the accumulation unit 104 accumulates the configured passage information in the building map information storage unit 105 as building map information having the passage information. The one or more accumulated passage information is, for example, FIG.

  In FIG. 10, the passage information is associated with an ID for uniquely identifying the record. The passage information includes passage identification information (item name: identifier), two position information (item name: position 1, position 2), type information (item name: type), score, width, It has capacity and information on whether or not disabled persons can pass (item name: disabled or not).

  In FIG. 10, the passage identification information is automatically generated, for example, in the order in which the passage information is configured or in the order in which the passage information is stored.

  In FIG. 10, the position information includes information such as “1F” and “2F” indicating the height. The height is the number of floors. For example, the building map information configuration unit 103 acquires characters such as “1F” and “2F” arranged in the building map image of FIG. 6 by OCR. And the building map information structure part 103 matches the acquired character with the longitude and latitude acquired above, and comprises position information.

(Example 2)
In this example, an example of searching for an in-building route and acquiring in-building route information will be described. In this example, it is assumed that the building map information storage unit 105 stores building map information having one or more pieces of passage information as shown in FIG. Moreover, the building map shown by the said building map information is FIG. 6, for example. Further, in this example, it is assumed that the route in the building from the current position shown in FIG. 11 to the destination is searched.

  First, an example of searching for a normal route will be described. In this case, the handicapped person information storage unit 106 stores handicapped person information indicating that the user is not a handicapped person. In this case, the route search unit 110 searches for a route in the building having the shortest distance using, for example, one or more pieces of passage information as shown in FIG. At this time, the route search unit 110 uses, for example, a score included in the passage information as a cost or a distance. The normal route searched in this way is, for example, FIG.

  Next, an example of searching for a disabled route will be described. In this case, the disabled person information storage unit 106 stores disabled person information indicating that the user is disabled. Further, in this case, the route search unit 110, for example, one or more passage information as shown in FIG. The route for the physically handicapped is searched using the passage information having the passability information. For example, in the case of the passage information in FIG. 10, the route search unit 110 performs “ID = 011”, “ID = 017”, “ID = 018”, “ID = 019”, “ID = 020”, “ID = 021”. ”And“ ID = 022 ”are used to search for a route for the disabled. At this time, the route search unit 110 uses the score of the passage information as the cost or distance, as in the above-described search for the normal route. The path for the handicapped searched in this way is, for example, FIG.

  In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the portion using the normal passage in the in-building route is indicated by a solid line. Moreover, the part which uses the floor moving means among the in-building routes is indicated by a dotted line.

  Also, comparing FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, in FIG. 12, since the user is not handicapped, priority is given to the shortest distance, and the staircase is selected as the means for moving between the floors. However, in FIG. 13, since the user is a handicapped person, priority is given to the passage of the handicapped person, and the elevator is selected as the means for moving between floors.

(Example 3)
In this example, an example in which the in-building route is searched according to the elevator current situation information and the in-building route information is acquired will be described. In this example, it is assumed that the building map information storage unit 105 stores building map information having one or more pieces of passage information as shown in FIG. Moreover, the building map shown by the said building map information is FIG. 6, for example. Further, in this example, it is assumed that the route in the building from the current position shown in FIG. 14 to the destination is searched.

  First, it is assumed that the reception unit 108 receives elevator current status information “all elevators: under inspection” from an apparatus that controls the elevators. Then, the route search unit 110 creates a route condition “type ≠ elevator”.

  Next, the route search unit 110 searches for an in-building route that satisfies the route condition “type ≠ elevator” using, for example, one or more pieces of passage information as shown in FIG. The in-building route is usually a normal route. Further, the searched ordinary route is, for example, FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the normal route uses a stair far from the current position without using an elevator existing near the current position.

  As described above, according to the navigation device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to search and guide a route in a building from a current position in a building having two or more floors to a destination on a floor different from the current position. it can. Thereby, the user can reach the destination in the building without hesitation in the building.

  In the present embodiment, the building may be, for example, a building having a structure as shown in FIG. The building is composed of two buildings (building 1 and building 2). In addition, the two buildings are connected by a passage corridor.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, building map information may be comprised by the building map information structure apparatus 2 which comprises building map information, for example. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the building map information configuration apparatus 2. The building map information configuration apparatus 2 includes a building map image storage unit 101, a type management information storage unit 102, and a building map information configuration unit 103. The operations and processes in the building map image storage unit 101, the type management information storage unit 102, and the building map information configuration unit 103 are the same as described above, and thus description thereof is omitted. The building map information configured by the building map information configuration device 2 is accumulated in the building map information storage unit 105 provided in the navigation device 1. In this case, the navigation apparatus 1 normally does not include the building map image storage unit 101, the type management information storage unit 102, the building map information configuration unit 103, and the storage unit 104.

  In each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that two or more communication means existing in one apparatus may be physically realized by one medium.

  The navigation device in each of the above embodiments may be, for example, a stand-alone device or a server device in a server / client system.

  In each of the above embodiments, each process or each function may be realized by centralized processing by a single device or a single system, or distributed by a plurality of devices or a plurality of systems. It may be realized by being processed.

  In each of the above embodiments, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware, or a component that can be realized by software may be realized by executing a program. For example, each component can be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

  Moreover, the software which implement | achieves the navigation apparatus in each said embodiment is the following programs, for example. In other words, this program is information indicating a building map that is a map of a building having two or more floors, and one or more normal passage information indicating a normal passage that is a passage for moving on the same floor, and different floors. A computer capable of accessing a building map information storage unit in which building map information, which is information having at least one floor moving means information indicating a floor moving means, which is means for moving the floor, is stored in the building. A current position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position in the building, a reception unit that receives destination related information that is information related to a destination in the building, a floor of the current position, and the destination When the floor is different, a route in the building that is a route from the current position to the destination and that uses the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means is searched using the building map information. This A route searching unit for obtaining building path information indicating a building path, a program for functioning as an output unit for outputting the building routing information the route search unit has acquired.

  In the program, the functions realized by the program do not include functions that can be realized only by hardware.

  The program may be executed by being downloaded from a server or the like, or a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, or the like) is read out. May be executed. Further, this program may be used as a program constituting a program product.

  Moreover, the computer which performs the said program may be single, and plural may be sufficient as it. That is, centralized processing may be performed, or distributed processing may be performed.

  FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a computer system 9 that executes the above-described program to realize the navigation device or the like of the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiments can be realized by computer hardware and a computer program executed thereon.

  In FIG. 18, the computer system 9 includes a computer 901 including a CD-ROM drive 9011 and an FD drive 9012, a keyboard 902, a mouse 903, and a monitor 904.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the computer system 9. In FIG. 19, in addition to a CD-ROM drive 9011 and an FD drive 9012, a computer 901 is connected to an MPU 9013, a ROM 9014 for storing a program such as a boot-up program, and an MPU 9013, and temporarily commands the application program. And a hard disk 9016 for storing application programs, system programs, and data, a CD-ROM drive 9011, an FD drive 9012, an MPU 9013, etc. 9017. Although not shown here, the computer 901 may further include a network card that provides connection to a LAN.

  A program that causes the computer system 9 to execute the functions of the navigation device or the like of the above-described embodiment is stored in the CD-ROM 9101 or FD 9102, inserted into the CD-ROM drive 9011 or FD drive 9012, and further stored in the hard disk 9016. May be forwarded. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 901 via a network (not shown) and stored in the hard disk 9016. The program is loaded into the RAM 9015 when executed. The program may be loaded directly from the CD-ROM 9101, the FD 9102, or the network.

  The program does not necessarily include an operating system (OS), a third-party program, or the like that causes the computer 901 to execute the functions of the navigation device of the above-described embodiment. The program only needs to include an instruction portion that calls an appropriate function (module) in a controlled manner and obtains a desired result. How the computer system 9 operates is well known and will not be described in detail.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible, and it goes without saying that these are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the navigation device according to the present invention can search and guide a route in a building from a current position in a building having two or more floors to a destination on a floor different from the current position. It is effective as a navigation device or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 101 Building map image storage part 102 Type management information storage part 103 Building map information structure part 104 Accumulation part 105 Building map information storage part 106 Handicapped person information storage part 107 Present position information acquisition part 108 Reception part 109 Change part 110 Route search Part 111 Output part

Claims (12)

Information indicating a building map that is a map of a building having two or more floors, one or more normal passage information indicating a normal passage that is a passage for moving on the same floor, and means for moving between different floors A building map information storage unit for storing building map information, which is information having one or more floor moving means information indicating the floor moving means.
A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information indicating a current position in the building;
A reception unit that receives destination-related information that is information about a destination in the building;
When the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination, the path in the building is a path from the current position to the destination and is a path using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means. A route search unit that searches using the building map information and acquires in-building route information indicating the in-building route;
A navigation apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs in-building route information acquired by the route search unit. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are two or more types of inter-floor moving means. The building map information has one or more types of scores corresponding to the two or more types of inter-floor moving means,
The route search unit
When the current location floor and the destination floor are different, the in-building route is searched using the building map information and the one or more types of scores, and the inside of the building indicating the in-building route is shown. The navigation device according to claim 2, wherein route information is acquired. The navigation apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inter-floor moving means includes three types of stairs, escalators, and elevators. The reception unit
Receiving elevator current status information indicating the current status of the elevator;
The route search unit
When the floor at the current position and the floor at the destination are different, the route from the current position to the destination, the normal path according to the current situation of the elevator indicated by the elevator current situation information, and the 5. The navigation apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an in-building route using inter-floor moving means is searched using the building map information, and in-building route information indicating the in-building route is acquired. The navigation device according to claim 5, further comprising: a changing unit that changes one or more types of scores corresponding to the elevator according to a current situation of the elevator indicated by the elevator current situation information. A disabled person information storage unit for storing disabled person information indicating whether the user is disabled or not;
The route search unit
When the handicapped person information indicates that the user is a handicapped person, and the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination, the path from the current position to the destination, and the normal path 2. The in-building route using the building map information is acquired by using the building map information, and the in-building route information indicating the in-building route is acquired. The navigation device according to any one of 6. The normal passage information has width information indicating the width of the normal passage,
A disabled person information storage unit for storing disabled person information indicating whether the user is disabled or not;
The route search unit
When the disabled information indicates that the user is disabled, and the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination, the path information from the current position to the destination, and the width information In-building route information indicating a route in the building using the building map information by searching for a route in the building using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means that are wide enough to satisfy a predetermined width. The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the navigation device is acquired. A building map image storage unit in which a building map image that is an image showing a building map is stored;
The building map image is subjected to image processing, the one or more normal passage information and the one or more inter-floor moving means information are acquired, the one or more normal passage information and the one or more inter-floor moving means information. A building map information constituting unit constituting building map information having
The navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an accumulation unit that accumulates the building map information configured by the building map information configuration unit in the building map information storage unit. A type management information storage unit for storing two or more type management information, which is information in which a symbol image that is an image showing a symbol of the floor moving means and type information that is information indicating the type is associated, is further provided. Prepared,
The building map information component is
The floor indicating the floor moving means of the type indicated by the type information associated with the symbol image from the image corresponding to the position in the building map image where the symbol identical to the symbol indicated by the symbol image is arranged The navigation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the navigation device information is acquired, and the building map information is configured using the inter-floor moving device information. Information indicating a building map that is a map of a building having two or more floors, one or more normal passage information indicating a normal passage that is a passage for moving on the same floor, and means for moving between different floors A building map information storage unit for storing building map information, which is information including one or more inter-level moving unit information indicating the inter-level moving unit, a current position information acquisition unit, a reception unit, and a route search unit And a navigation method performed using the output unit,
The current position information acquisition unit,
A current position information acquisition step for acquiring current position information indicating a current position in the building;
The reception unit
A reception step of receiving destination-related information that is information about the destination in the building;
The route search unit
When the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination, the path in the building is a path from the current position to the destination and is a path using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means. A route search step for searching using the building map information and acquiring in-building route information indicating the in-building route;
The output unit is
A navigation method comprising: an output step of outputting in-building route information acquired by the route search unit. Information indicating a building map that is a map of a building having two or more floors, one or more normal passage information indicating a normal passage that is a passage for moving on the same floor, and means for moving between different floors A computer that can access a building map information storage unit that stores building map information, which is information having one or more floor moving means information indicating the floor moving means.
A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information indicating a current position in the building;
A reception unit that receives destination-related information that is information about a destination in the building;
When the floor at the current position is different from the floor at the destination, the path in the building is a path from the current position to the destination and is a path using the normal passage and the inter-floor moving means. A route search unit that searches using the building map information and acquires in-building route information indicating the in-building route;
The program for functioning as an output part which outputs the route information in a building which the said route search part acquired.

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