JP2016011905A - Guide system, guide method, server, and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a guide system, a guide method, a server, and an electronic device which prevent guide information from becoming stereotype, and are highly convenient for users.SOLUTION: A guide system 10 includes a portable terminal device 100 and a server 200 connected by a network NW. The server 200 selects a particular group from a group of a plurality of guide information based on destination information provided from the portable terminal device 100, and randomly selects guide information out of the selected group. The selected guide information is provided for the portable terminal device 100, and the portable terminal device 100 guides a route by using acquired guide information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a guidance system for guiding a route to a destination using guidance information selected from a plurality of guidance information.

  The navigation device searches for a route to a destination and guides the searched route by image output or voice output. In recent years, various contrivances have also been made in the guidance method. For example, a route is guided using an animated character, or voice guidance is performed in a language or voice quality designated by the user. Patent Document 1 discloses a navigation device with a voice guidance function that can support local dialects and national languages. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system including a map display device and a voice guidance support device connected to a network, in which voice messages of a plurality of speakers are stored in advance in the voice guidance support device, and voices of arbitrary speakers are recorded. A technique for transferring a message to a map display device is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-124092 Japanese Patent No. 3693326

  In the guidance in the navigation device, if the guidance images displayed at the time of guidance are always the same, the user is bored. On the other hand, it is possible to prepare a plurality of guide images and allow the user to select a desired guide image from among them, but it is troublesome to select such a guide image every time navigation is used.

  The present invention solves such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a guidance method, and a guidance system that prevent the guidance information from being fixed and that are convenient for the user. .

  A guidance system according to the present invention includes a server capable of delivering guidance information, and an electronic device that presents guidance information from the server and guides a route to a destination. The server includes a plurality of groups. A plurality of guides are registered for each, storage means for storing a plurality of guide information for each guide, reception means for receiving route search information from the electronic device, and a group of the plurality of groups based on the route search information. Selecting a specific group from the group selection means, and determining a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selection means, and selecting the guide information of the determined specific guide Guidance information selection means, and transmission means for transmitting guidance information of the guide selected by the guidance information selection means to the electronic device, the electronic device comprising the route search information. A transmitting means for transmitting, receiving means for receiving guide information transmitted by the transmitting means of the server, and a guide means for performing route guidance by using the guidance information the receive.

  Preferably, the plurality of groups are classified based on position information, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination included in the route search information. Preferably, the plurality of groups are classified based on a facility, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination facility included in the route search information. Preferably, the guide information selecting means randomly determines a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the selected group. Preferably, the guide information includes at least a plurality of image data of the guide. Preferably, the guidance information selection means selects different guidance information at regular intervals from a plurality of image data of the selected specific guider. Preferably, the guidance information selection means selects different guidance information each time the electronic device moves a certain distance from the selected plurality of image data of the specific guider. Preferably, the guidance information includes image data of a route guideer who performs route guidance and voice data of the route guider. Preferably, the electronic device further includes position detection means for detecting the position of the electronic device, and determination means for determining whether the guide point is before, during, or after passing through the detected position and route information. A switching request unit that requests the server to switch the image data of the specific guide when the determination result is switched by the determination unit before, during, or after the passage. The selection means reselects the image data of the specific guide in response to the switching request. Preferably, the electronic device further includes a direction detecting unit for detecting a direction of the electronic device, a calculating unit for calculating a direction to travel based on the detected direction and route information, and a traveling direction based on the calculating unit. A traveling direction image selecting unit that selects or generates a traveling direction image, and the guiding unit synthesizes the traveling direction image with the image data of the specific guider. Preferably, the server includes route search means for searching for route information to a destination based on the route search information, and the transmission means of the electronic device uses the route search information to request a route search from the server. To the server. Preferably, the electronic device includes route search means for searching for route information to a destination based on the route search information.

  A guidance method according to the present invention is a guidance system including a server capable of delivering guidance information and an electronic device that presents guidance information from the server and guides a route to a destination. A plurality of guides are registered for each group, a step of preparing a plurality of guide information for each guide, a step of sending route search information from the electronic device to a server, and receiving the route search information at the server Selecting a specific group from a plurality of groups based on the received route search information, and selecting a specific guider according to a predetermined rule from a plurality of guiders in the group selected in the server. A step of determining, a step of selecting guide information of a specific guide determined in the server, and a step of selecting the specific guide of the selected guide Transmitting the internal information to the electronic device, in the electronic device comprises a step of performing route guidance using the guidance information received.

  The server according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of guide information for each group, stores a plurality of guide information for each guide, a reception unit that receives route search information from the electronic device, and the route A group selection unit that selects a specific group from the plurality of groups based on search information; and a specific guider is determined from a plurality of guiders in the group selected by the group selection unit. Guidance information selection means for selecting the guidance information of the specific guide, and transmission means for transmitting the guidance information of the guide selected by the guidance information selection means to the electronic device. Preferably, the plurality of groups are classified based on position information, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination included in the route search information. Preferably, the plurality of groups are classified based on a facility, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination facility included in the route search information. Preferably, the guide information selecting means randomly selects a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the selected group. Preferably, the guidance information selection means selects different image data at regular intervals from among the plurality of image data of the selected specific guider.

An electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device that guides a route to a destination,
A plurality of guiders are registered for each of a plurality of groups, a storage means for storing a plurality of guide information for each guide, a route search means for searching for a route to the destination, and the plurality of groups based on the destination A group selecting means for selecting a specific group from among the guides, a guide determining means for determining a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selecting means, and the guide determining means Guidance means for performing route guidance using the guidance information of a specific guide determined by the above. Preferably, the guide determining unit determines a specific guide at random from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selecting unit.

  According to the present invention, a specific group is selected from a plurality of groups based on the route search information, and the guide information of a specific guide is selected from the selected group. The guidance information to be fixed is prevented from being fixed, and the user can be prevented from getting bored. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid complications due to user operations.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the guidance system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the function included by the control part of the portable terminal device which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of the guidance information of a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example when the guide information of guide information DB is grouped based on position information. It is a figure which shows the example of a storage of the data of the grouped guidance information. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control part of the server which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the group selection part of a present Example. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the guidance system which concerns on the 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the control part of the portable terminal device which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the guidance system which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the concrete route guidance concerning the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the route guidance part of the portable terminal device which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of guidance information DB which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of guidance information DB which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the example of route guidance concerning the 4th example of the present invention.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In one preferable aspect of the present invention, the guidance system includes a network-connected electronic device and a server. The electronic device can be, for example, a smart phone (multifunctional mobile phone), a mobile phone, a node type PC, a tablet PC, a personal computer, and other electronic devices having a communication function. Is provided with a function of outputting guidance information and / or voice information delivered from the server using the. In addition, the electronic device can be used while the user is walking or in a moving body such as a vehicle. In the latter case, the electronic device can be brought into the moving body and used. It is also possible to link with on-vehicle equipment. The electronic device is not particularly limited, and can include various functions. In addition to the function of outputting guidance information, the electronic device has a navigation function, a function of reproducing audio / video data, a function of receiving television / radio broadcasts, and the like. It is also possible to provide.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a server that provides information to an electronic device can search for a route to a destination in response to a route search request from the electronic device, and can provide a search result to the electronic device. In another aspect, the electronic device itself can search for a route to the destination without making a route search request to the server. Further, the server can store the guide information used when guiding the route in a database, and the server provides the guide information together with the route information to the electronic device. The guidance information includes, for example, image data and / or voice data of a guider who performs guidance. The guide is not particularly limited, but can include, for example, a person registered in advance, an animated character, or the like.

  Furthermore, in a preferred aspect of the present invention, the server classifies and stores the guidance information for each specific group. In one aspect, a plurality of groups are classified into a plurality based on position information, for example, classified into a plurality of regions, areas, prefectures, etc., and guidance information having each position attribute is classified in each group. And saved. In another aspect, a plurality of groups are classified into a plurality of groups based on facility information, for example, classified into A restaurant, B restaurant... N restaurant, etc., and guidance information having each restaurant attribute is classified in each group. And saved. In addition to the above examples, the guidance information may be classified into groups according to destinations, facility genres, and the like.

  Next, a guidance system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of the guidance system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the guidance system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a portable terminal device 100 and a server 200.

  The portable terminal device 100 includes an input unit 110, a display unit 120, a current position calculation unit 130, a communication unit 140, a storage unit 150 that stores programs and data that control each unit of the portable terminal device 100, and an audio output unit 160. The control unit 170 is configured. In addition, the structure of the portable terminal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not intended to be limited to this.

  The input unit 110 receives an instruction from the user. The input unit 110 can include various input key devices, a touch panel, a voice recognition device, and the like. The display unit 120 includes, for example, a display such as a touch panel, and displays a search result when a facility search or the like is performed, or displays a road map when guiding a guidance route to a destination. In the present embodiment, guidance information transmitted from the server 200 is displayed when the guidance route is displayed.

  The current position calculation unit 130 calculates the current position of the portable terminal device 100 based on GPS information, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, and the like. Moreover, when the portable terminal device 100 is not equipped with such a GPS reception function or sensor, the portable terminal device 100 may acquire position information from another server or the outside. The current position information calculated by the current position calculation unit 130 is used to display the current location of the portable terminal device 100 or transmitted to inform the server 200 of the position of the portable terminal device 100. The current position information is also used when searching for a route from the current position to the destination.

  The communication unit 140 enables data communication with the server 200 via a network NW such as the Internet or an intranet by wireless communication such as a public wireless network or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

  The storage unit 150 can store various data. For example, the storage unit 150 can store a map database and a facility database necessary for the navigation function. Alternatively, when the storage unit 150 does not include such a map database or facility database, necessary map data, facility data, and the like can be obtained from the server 200 and stored in the storage unit 150. . Furthermore, the storage unit 150 can store guidance information when performing route guidance. Alternatively, when the storage unit 150 does not store such guide information, the guide information can be acquired from the server 200 and stored in the storage unit 150. Furthermore, as described in the third embodiment, the storage unit 150 can store image information (for example, arrow images) indicating a plurality of traveling directions to be combined with the guidance information.

  The audio output unit 160 outputs audio data generated by the portable terminal device 100, audio data held in the storage unit 150, and the like. Furthermore, in this embodiment, voice data included in the guidance information provided from the server 200 is output.

  The control unit 170 includes a microcontroller, a central processor, or the like, and preferably controls each function of the portable terminal device 100 by executing application software or a program stored in the ROM, RAM, or the storage unit 150. To do. The portable terminal device 100 preferably includes a navigation function, and FIG. 2 shows functional blocks related to the navigation function. As shown in the figure, the control unit 170 generates route search information when a destination is set via the position information acquisition unit 172 that acquires the current location information calculated by the current position calculation unit 130 and the input unit 110. A route search information generating unit 174 that performs a route search request including the generated route search information to the server 200, and a guide information acquisition unit that acquires route information and guide information transmitted from the server 200 178, including a route guidance unit 180 for guiding the route to the destination using the guidance information.

  When the destination is set, the route search information generation unit 174 generates route search information based on the destination information, the current location information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 172, and the like. The destination information includes location information of the destination, and can include, for example, the latitude and longitude of the destination, the prefecture or area where the destination exists, and the like. Furthermore, the destination information can include the genre, category, etc. of the facility when the destination is a facility. At that time, when the facility is a restaurant or a store, identification information of the restaurant or the store can be included. Moreover, in a certain aspect, destination information can also include the conditions which should be considered when performing the route search input from the user, for example, conditions, such as being the shortest route and not including a toll road. The route search information generation unit 174 generates route search information including destination information and current location information, and provides this to the route search request unit 176.

  The route search request unit 176 makes a route search request to the server 200 when a destination is set by the user. In the case of this example, the portable terminal device 100 does not include a detailed map database and a route search function necessary for performing a route search by itself, and therefore uses the route search function of the server 200. The route search request unit 176 provides the server 200 with a route search request including the route search information.

  When the route search request including the route search information is provided to the server 200, as will be described later, the server 200 searches for a route to the destination based on the route search information, and selects guidance information used there and Generate. The guidance information acquisition unit 178 acquires the route information and guidance information transmitted from the server 200 and provides them to the route guidance unit 180.

  The route guidance unit 180 provides guidance to the destination using the route information and guidance information searched by the server 200. The route information is identified and displayed on the map data, for example, and the guidance information is appropriately displayed as an image showing the traveling direction, for example, at a guidance point such as an intersection or a branch point, and a guidance voice is output.

  Next, a specific configuration example of the server 200 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server 200 includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a control unit 230. The configuration of the server 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an exemplification, and is not necessarily limited to such a configuration.

  The communication unit 210 performs data communication with the portable terminal device 100 via the network NW. The storage unit 220 stores a program for controlling each unit of the server 200 and various data. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 220 includes a map DB (database) 222 used for route search and the like, and a guide information DB 224 in which guide information used for route guidance to the destination is databased.

  The guidance information includes a guidance image and guidance voice for guiding in the traveling direction. FIG. 3 shows an example of a guidance image included in the guidance information. FIG. 3A is a guide image in which the traveling direction indicates straight travel, and the guide image includes a background image B1 and an arrow image S indicating the traveling direction. FIG. 3B is a guide image in which the traveling direction indicates a left turn or a left direction, and the guide image includes an arrow image L indicating the traveling direction and a background image B2. FIG. 3C is a guide image in which the traveling direction indicates a right turn or a right direction, and the guide image includes an arrow image R indicating the traveling direction and a background image B3. FIG. 3D is a guide image in which the traveling direction indicates an oblique left direction, and the guide image includes an arrow image C indicating the traveling direction and a background image B4. The background images B1 to B4 include an image of the guide P who performs guidance. The guide P may be an actual person image or an anthropomorphic character. The guide image is, for example, a composite of a background image and an arrow image, and may store a composite of a background image and an arrow image, or a background image and an arrow image May be stored separately, and the background image and the arrow image may be combined when necessary. Thus, a plurality of guide images can be easily generated by combining the background image and the arrow image. However, the guidance image may be an integrated background image and arrow image. Further, the traveling direction indicated by the guide information shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and may include other traveling directions, or may further include an image indicating arrival at the destination.

  The guidance information DB 224 can further include voice guidance corresponding to the guidance image. For example, in the case of the guidance image shown in FIG. 3A, voice data indicating, for example, “straight ahead” or “straight” is stored in association with the voice guidance indicating the traveling direction. In this case, voice data spoken by the guide P is preferably used.

  Next, a preferred configuration example of the guidance information DB of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the guide information that is made into a database is stored in a plurality of groups. For example, the guidance information is classified into each group based on the position information, or the guidance information is classified into each group based on the genre and category of the facility.

  FIG. 4 shows an example when the guidance information is grouped for each region. As shown in the figure, the guidance information is classified into a plurality of groups G1, G2,... Gn. The group G1 is a set of guide information for the Tohoku region, and the group G1 for the Tohoku region includes a plurality of guide information G1-1, G1-2,... G1-n. The guide information G1-1 includes a guide image and guide voice by the guide P1, the guide information G1-2 includes a guide image and guide voice by the guide P2, and the guide information G1-n includes the guide Pn. Including a guidance image and a guidance voice. Preferably, the guiders P1, P2,... Pn may be composed of persons related to the Tohoku region, but are not necessarily limited thereto. Further, preferably, the guidance voice by the guides P1, P2,... Pn has a dialect or utterance of the Tohoku region, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  The group G2 is a set of guide information in the Kanto region, and includes guide information G2-1, G2-2,... G2-n by guiders Q1, Q2,. The group G3 is a set of guide information in the Kansai region, and includes guide information G3-1, G3-2,... G3-n by guiders R1, R2,. The group Gn is a set of guide information in the Kyushu region, and includes guide information Gn-1, Gn-2,... Gn-n by guiders Z1, Z2,. As will be described later, when a route search request is made from the portable terminal device 100 to the server 200, one group is selected from a plurality of groups based on the route search information included in the request.

  The guide information can be grouped in association with the facility in addition to the position as described above. For example, group according to the type of facility (restaurant, gas station, station, parking, etc.), group according to the type of restaurant (Japanese, Italian, French, ethnic, etc.), or a specific It is also possible to group by facility or specific restaurant. If grouping is performed based on the type of facility, the guidance information included in the group can include a guideer related to the type of facility, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Similarly, when grouping based on the type of restaurant, the guide information included in the group can include guiders related to the restaurant, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a storage example of guidance information included in a group. The upper row shows guide information included in the Tohoku region of group G1 in FIG. In a preferred embodiment, the guidance information includes a guidance image and guidance voice of the guide. For example, the guidance information G1-1 includes an intersection guidance image and guidance voice by the guide P1, and the intersection guidance image includes an arrow image indicating the traveling direction and an image of the guide P1. Note that FIG. 3 shows an example in which the traveling direction is right, straight, left, and left oblique as the traveling direction, but FIG. 5 shows arrival at the destination instead of the traveling direction on the left oblique for convenience. The guide image which shows is shown. The direction of travel of the guidance information is appropriately selected according to the guidance. As will be described later, each group of guidance information shown in FIG. 4 is selected based on route search information related to the destination set by the user, and a plurality of guidance information (for example, group G1 in the selected group) is selected. When selected, the specific guide information is selected from the guide information G1-1, G1-2,... G1-n) in the group G1 according to a predetermined rule. For example, when the guide information of G1-1, that is, the guide information of the guide P1 is selected, when the portable terminal device 100 approaches the guide intersection, the guide image and the guide voice of the guide P1 are output. The

  Next, the control unit 230 of the server 200 will be described. The control unit 230 includes a microcontroller, a central processor, or the like, and controls each unit by executing a program or the like stored in the ROM, RAM, or the storage unit 220. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 230 includes a program for executing a navigation function. FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the navigation function included in the control unit 230.

  6, the control unit 230 includes a route search information acquisition unit 232 that acquires route search information transmitted from the portable terminal device 100, a route search information analysis unit 234 that analyzes the acquired route search information, A group selection unit 236 that selects a specific group from a plurality of groups included in the guidance information DB 224 based on the analysis result of the route search information, and is identified according to a predetermined rule from the plurality of guidance information included in the selected group. Guide information selection unit 238 that selects the guide information of the route, route search unit 240 that searches the map DB 222 based on the analysis result of the acquired route search information, and searches for the optimum route to the destination and / or the waypoint, the selected guide Guide information generating unit 242 for generating guide information used on the route searched using information, and guide information generating unit 242 Configured to include a guidance information transmitting unit 244 transmits the generated route information which is searched by the guidance information and the route search unit 240 to the portable terminal apparatus 100.

  When there is a route search request from the portable terminal device 100, the route search information acquisition unit 232 acquires route search information from the information received via the communication unit 210 and provides this to the route search information analysis unit 234. To do. The route search information analysis unit 234 extracts destination information, current position information, and other conditions necessary for route search, which are included in the route search information, and these analysis results include a group selection unit 236, a guidance information selection unit, and the like. 238, the route search unit 240, and the guidance information generation unit 242.

  The group selection unit 236 selects a group of guidance information used when performing route guidance to the destination. In a preferred embodiment, the group selection unit 236 selects a group that matches the destination position based on the analysis result of the route search information analysis unit 234. For example, if the destination location information (for example, latitude and longitude) is in the Tohoku region, the group G1 shown in FIG. 4 is selected. Here, an example is shown in which a group is selected based on destination position information. However, if the guide information is grouped according to other criteria, the group selection unit 236 may also be based on that criterion. It is also possible to select a group. For example, when the guidance information is grouped according to the type of facility, the group selection unit 236 can also select a group that matches the destination facility.

  The guide information selection unit 238 selects and determines the guide information of a specific guide from a plurality of guide information in the group selected by the group selection unit 236. The selection criterion may be any method that does not fix the selection of guidance information, in other words, any method that does not select the same guidance information every time. In a preferred embodiment, the guide information selection unit 238 can select and determine the guide information in the group at random. For example, when a group G1 in the Tohoku region is selected by the group selection unit 236, the guide information selection unit 238 randomly selects from a plurality of guide information G1-1, G1-2,... G1-n included in the group G1. Select any guidance information. For example, when the guidance information G1-2 is selected, guidance by a guidance image and guidance voice by the guide P2 is performed.

  In another aspect, the guidance information selection unit 238 selects guidance information different from the previously selected guidance information. In yet another aspect, the guidance information selection unit 238 changes the selection of guidance information every time a certain time has elapsed. In yet another aspect, the guidance information selection unit 238 changes the selection of guidance information every time the moving distance of the portable terminal device 100 exceeds a certain distance based on the current position information included in the route search information.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the selection operation of the group selection unit 236 and the guidance information selection unit 238. The group selection unit 236 acquires destination position information included in the route search information (S100), and selects a group corresponding to the destination position (S102). If a group is selected, next, the guidance information selection unit 238 selects one or a plurality of guidance information from the selected group according to a predetermined rule (S104). If no group corresponding to the destination position is found in step S102, the guidance information selection unit 238 selects specific guidance information from the entire group according to a predetermined rule. Also good.

  The route search unit 240 searches for a route from the current position of the portable terminal device 100 to the destination, and provides the searched route information to the guidance information generation unit 242. The route information includes, for example, a set of link data related to roads and node data related to intersections and the like.

  The guide information generation unit 242 generates guide information based on the route information searched by the route search unit 240. Preferably, the guidance information generation unit 242 determines before, during, and after passage of a guidance point (for example, an intersection or a branch point) of the searched route, and generates guidance information used there. For example, when turning left at a guide point, the guide information in the straight direction shown in FIG. 3A is generated before the guide point passes, and FIG. 3B is displayed while the guide point passes. The left turn direction guide information is generated, and after passing the guide point, the straight direction guide information shown in FIG. 3A is generated. As described above, the guide information is composed of the guide image and the guide voice of the guide selected by the guide information selection unit 238.

  The guide information transmitting unit 244 transmits the guide information and route information generated by the guide information generating unit 242 to the portable terminal device 100. The guide information transmitting unit 244 can also transmit all the route information from the current location to the destination and the guide information associated therewith to the portable terminal device 100, or the portable terminal device. Depending on the current position of 100, it is also possible to transmit route information within a certain range and guidance information associated therewith while sequentially dividing it. Further, the guide information transmitting unit 244 can also transmit the map data together with the route information and the guide information when the portable terminal device 100 does not hold the map data. In this case, map data in which the guidance information and route information generated by the server 200 are combined is transmitted to the portable terminal device 100. On the other hand, when the portable terminal device 100 includes map data, the guidance information and the route information transmitted from the server 200 are combined on the map data on the portable terminal device side.

  Next, the overall operation of the guidance system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when a user inputs a desired destination from the input unit 110 included in the portable terminal device 100 (S200), the route search information generation unit 174 includes a route including current position information and destination information of the portable terminal device 100. The search information is generated (S202), and the route search request unit 176 makes a route search request including the route search information to the server 200.

  When the server 200 receives the route search request from the portable terminal device 100, the route search information acquisition unit 232 acquires the route search information (S204), and the route search information analysis unit 234 analyzes the route search information. . The group selection unit 236 selects a guide information group that matches the destination position information based on the destination position information (S206). Next, the guide information selection unit 238 selects guide information of a specific guide from a plurality of guide information in the selected group (S208). Next, the route search unit 240 searches for a route to the destination (S210), and the guide information generation unit 242 generates guide information on the route based on the selected guide information (S212). Next, the guidance information transmission unit 244 transmits the searched route information and the generated guidance information to the portable terminal device 100.

  Next, the guidance information acquisition unit 178 of the portable terminal device 100 acquires route information and guidance information (S214), and the route guidance unit 180 guides the route to the destination using the route information and guidance information. Start (S216). The route guide unit 180 displays map data in which route information is combined on the display unit 120 of the portable terminal device 100. In addition, a necessary guidance voice is output from the voice output unit 160. In a preferred example, when the portable terminal device 100 reaches a certain distance before a guide point such as an intersection, a guide image and a guide voice as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D are output. Further, when the vehicle arrives at the destination, a guide image and a guide voice representing the arrival as shown in FIG. 5 are output.

  The portable terminal device 100 can also receive all of the route information and guidance information from the server 200 to the destination. Otherwise, according to the movement of the position of the portable terminal device 100, The server 200 is requested to update map data and the like. This request includes the current position information of the portable terminal device 100. When the server 200 receives the update request, the server 200 transmits route information and guidance information corresponding to the request to the portable terminal device 100.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the guidance information is classified into a plurality of groups, a group is selected based on the position information of the destination, and the guidance information is selected from the selected group according to a predetermined rule. Since it did in this way, it is prevented that guidance information is fixed and can get tired by the same guide. For example, even if the same destination is repeatedly set, even if the selection of the group is the same, the guidance information selected from the group is different, so guidance is provided by different guides. Moreover, although the example which selects a group based on the positional infomation on the destination was shown in the said Example, not only this but guidance information was grouped according to the kind of facilities etc. which were set up at the destination, This may be selected.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, guidance is performed using the guidance information in the selected group, but the guidance information can be switched while moving along the route. is there.

  FIG. 9 shows a functional configuration of the control unit 170 of the portable terminal device 100. In the second embodiment, the control unit 170 further includes the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182 that determines whether the position of the portable terminal device 100 has passed the specific point and the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182. And a guide information switching request unit 184 that requests the server 200 to switch the guide information.

  The specific point passage determination unit 182 compares the current position of the portable terminal device 100 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 172 with the route information, and reaches the specific point while the portable terminal device 100 is moving on the route. It is determined whether or not. The specific point is a guide point to which guide information is to be output, such as an intersection or a branch point. In a preferred embodiment, the specific point passage determination unit 182 determines a predetermined section before passing through the specific point, a fixed section including the specific point, and a fixed section after passing through the specific section as the specific points, and this determination. The result is provided to the guidance information switching request unit 184.

  The guidance information switching request unit 184 sends a guidance information switching request to the server 200 based on the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182. Preferably, the guidance information switching request unit 184 makes a switching request when the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182 is switched. For example, a switching request is made when the determination result is switched from before passing the guidance point to during the passage, or when the determination result is switched after passing through the guide point. In another preferable aspect, the guidance information switching request unit 184 can also make a switching request when the specific point passage determination unit 182 determines passage of the specific point.

  Next, the operation of the guidance system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The steps from the user setting the destination to starting the route guidance (S200 to S216 in FIG. 8) are the same as those in the first embodiment, and are therefore omitted.

  After starting the guidance, the specific point passage determination unit 182 determines any point before, during, or after the passage of a branch point such as an intersection (S300). Based on the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182, the guidance information switching request unit 184 makes a switching request to the server 200. When the switching request is made, the guide information selecting unit 238 selects another guide information from the selected group (S302). For example, if the predetermined rule is a random selection, the guide information is randomly selected from the guide information excluding the currently selected guide information.

  When the guide information is selected by the guide information selecting unit 238, the guide information generating unit 242 generates guide information according to the selected guide information (S304). For example, if a switching request is made when the group G1 is selected in FIG. 4 and the guidance information G1-2 is selected, the guidance information selection unit 238 selects the guidance information G1-1, for example. As a result, traveling direction guidance information using the guidance image and guidance voice of the guide P1 is generated.

  The guide information transmitting unit 244 transmits the generated guide information to the portable terminal device 100, and the guide information acquiring unit 178 receives this guide information (S306). Next, the route guidance unit 180 performs guidance using the received guidance information (S308). Such processes in steps 300 to S308 are repeated until the destination is reached.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific guidance example of the guidance system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, it is assumed that the portable terminal device 100 moves at points S1, S2, S3, and S4 on the searched route. When the position of the portable terminal device 100 changes from S1 to S2, it is determined that the determination result of the specific point passage determination unit 182 has arrived before passing the intersection K1, which is a guide point. In response to the determination result, the guidance information switching unit 184 makes a switching request to the server 200.

  In response to this switching request, guidance information different from the currently selected guidance information is selected. For example, when the portable terminal device 100 is at the position S1, the guidance information is a guidance image 410 including a guider P1 and an arrow image D1, as shown in FIG. 11B, and this is displayed. When the portable terminal device 100 moves to the position S2, the guidance information is changed to a guidance image 420 including a guider P2 and an arrow image D2, as shown in FIG.

  Next, when the portable terminal device 100 moves to the position S3, the specific point passage determination unit 182 determines that the portable terminal device 100 has arrived while passing the guidance point, and as a result, the guidance information switching request unit 184 is obtained. Makes a request for switching guidance information. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11D, a guide image 430 including a guide P3 and an arrow image D3 is generated and displayed as guide information. Next, when the portable terminal device 100 moves to the position S4, the specific point passage determination unit 182 determines that the portable terminal device 100 has arrived after passing the guidance point, and as a result, the guidance information switching request unit 184 A request for switching guidance information is made. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11 (E), a guide image 440 including a guider P4 and an arrow image D4 is generated and displayed as guide information. Further, along with the change of the guidance image, the guidance voice is changed to the voice of the guide.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the searched route is being guided, the guide information is switched according to the movement state, and thus it is possible to provide the user with novel guide information.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the server 200 transmits a background image including a guide to the portable terminal device 100 as guidance information, and the portable terminal device 100 generates a guidance image by synthesizing an arrow image with the background image. To do.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the route guide unit 180 of the portable terminal device according to the third embodiment. The route guidance unit 180 has an orientation information acquisition unit 500 that acquires orientation information of the portable terminal device 100, and an arrow image storage that stores a plurality of arrow images (S, L, R, C, etc.) as shown in FIG. Unit 510, an arrow image selection unit 520 that selects an arrow image from arrow image storage unit 510 based on the direction information acquired by direction information acquisition unit 500, and the arrow image selected by arrow image selection unit 520 and the server 200 And an image composition unit 530 that composes the received background image.

  The azimuth information acquisition unit 500 can be acquired from detection results of an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, or the like mounted on the portable terminal device 100, for example. For example, when the portable terminal device 100 is at the position S1, it is assumed that the portable terminal device 100 is inclined at an angle θ with respect to a reference orientation (for example, the north orientation or the traveling direction of the route). The direction information acquisition unit 500 acquires the angle θ of the portable terminal device 100 as the direction information, and provides the acquired direction information to the arrow image selection unit 520.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the guidance information DB 224 of the present embodiment. The guidance information of this embodiment is classified into a plurality of groups as in the first and second embodiments, but the guidance information stored in the guidance information DB includes the background image of the guide, It does not include an arrow image. FIG. 13 shows an example of the guide information of the group G1 (Tohoku region). Each guide information G1-1, G1-2,... G1-n is a background image of the guiders P1, P2,. And guidance voice. When the group G1 is selected, the guidance information selection unit 238 selects any guidance information in the group G1, and the guidance information transmission unit 244 displays the background image and guidance voice of the selected guidance information as a portable terminal device. To 100.

  On the other hand, the arrow image storage unit 510 of the portable terminal device 100 stores a set of arrow images (right, straight, left, arrival, etc.) as shown in FIG. An arrow image that matches or approximates the azimuth information (angle θ) provided from the azimuth information acquisition unit 500 is selected. In the example of the position S1 in FIG. 11, an arrow image D1 as shown in FIG. 11B is selected.

  The image composition unit 530 synthesizes the background image selected by the guidance information selection unit 238 and the arrow image selected by the arrow image selection unit 520, thereby guiding as shown in FIGS. Images 410, 420, 430, and 440 are generated. The route guidance unit 180 performs guidance using the generated guidance image. In an aspect, the route guidance unit 180 can interrupt and display the guidance images 410, 420, 430, and 440 while displaying the map data. In another aspect, the route guidance unit 180 always displays the background image of the guide transmitted from the server 200 on the display unit 120, and synthesizes the arrow image selected by the arrow image selection unit 520 there. Can be made. On the other hand, the voice guidance is output when the portable terminal device 100 approaches a certain distance before the intersection.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily generate guidance information of various variations by separating the background image and the arrow image and combining them appropriately. The arrow image storage unit 510 only needs to have a set of arrow images necessary for indicating the traveling direction and the like, and thus a small storage capacity is sufficient. In the above embodiment, the arrow image is stored in the arrow image storage unit 510. However, every time the azimuth information (angle θ) is provided from the azimuth information acquisition unit 500, the arrow image corresponding to the azimuth information is displayed. You may make it produce | generate suitably. Moreover, although the portable terminal device 100 includes the arrow image storage unit 510 and the arrow image is selected on the portable terminal device side in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the server 200 stores the arrow image storage. A unit 510 and an arrow image selection unit 520 can be provided. In this case, the guidance information DB 224 may be configured to include the arrow image storage unit 510. Preferably, the azimuth information acquired by the azimuth information acquisition unit 500 is appropriately transmitted from the portable terminal device 100 to the server 200, and the server 200 selects an arrow image based on the received azimuth information, and the selected arrow image and The background image is synthesized, and the synthesized image is transmitted as guidance information to the portable terminal device.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of guidance information according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the guide information stored in the guide information DB 224 is the background image of the guide and does not include an arrow image, as in the third embodiment. Unlike the example, one guide information includes a plurality of background images. In other words, a plurality of background images are prepared for one guider. For example, the guide information G1-1 includes a plurality of background images (Img-T1-1, Img-T1-2,... Img-T1-i) of the guide P1. When a group is selected, the guide information selection unit 238 of the server 200 selects one guide information in the selected group, and further selects one background from a plurality of background images included in the selected guide information. The image is selected according to a predetermined rule (for example, a random selection or a selection different from the previously selected one). The background image thus selected is combined with the arrow image selected by the arrow image selection unit 520, as in the third embodiment, and a guide image is generated.

  FIG. 15 shows a preferred route guidance example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11 in the second embodiment. When the portable terminal device 100 is at the position S1, the azimuth information acquisition unit 500 acquires the azimuth information (angle θ), and the azimuth information is provided to the arrow image selection unit 520. The arrow image storage unit 510 and the arrow image selection unit 520 may be provided in either the portable terminal device 100 or the server 200. The guide information selection unit 238 of the server 200 selects the guide information G1-1, that is, the guider P1, and selects one background image (for example, FIG. 14) from among a plurality of background images included in the guide information G1-1. Img-T1-1). As a result, as shown in FIG. 15B, the selected arrow image D1 is synthesized with the background image 610 selected by the guide P1, and this is displayed on the display unit 120 of the portable terminal device 100. Next, as the portable terminal device 100 moves to the position S2, a guidance information switching request is made from the portable terminal device 100 to the server 200, as in the second embodiment. In response, the guidance information selection unit 230 selects a different background image (for example, Img-T1-2 in FIG. 14 at random) from the plurality of background images of the currently selected guidance information G1-1. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 15C, the selected arrow image D2 is synthesized with the newly selected background image 620, and this is displayed on the display unit 120. Similarly, the background images 630 and 640 of the guide P1 are selected when moving to the positions S3 and S4, and the guide images as shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D are displayed. In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the arrow image may be appropriately generated every time the azimuth information (angle θ) is provided from the azimuth information acquisition unit 500.

  As described above, in this embodiment, by preparing a plurality of background images in one guide information (guider), it is possible to change the background image by the same guideer while selecting one guide information. it can. This makes it possible to change the guide image of the guide during route guidance without changing the guide and prevent the user from getting bored.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention described in the claims. It can be changed.

  In the above description, the first to fourth embodiments have been described as being independent from each other. However, the present invention may be configured by combining the first to fourth embodiments. Of course.

  In the above embodiment, the server 200 performs a route search and provides the search result to the portable terminal device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the route search may be performed by the portable terminal device. In this case, the server may provide guidance information to the portable terminal device. Further, the map data necessary for navigation may be provided in either the server or the portable terminal device. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the server includes all the guidance information is shown. However, the portable terminal device includes the guidance information, the portable terminal device itself selects a group, and the guidance information is selected from the selected group. It is also possible to select. Furthermore, although the guidance system has been exemplified in the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal device can include all functions necessary for guidance without using a server, and guidance can be performed by the portable terminal device alone.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10: Guidance system 100: Portable terminal device 170: Control part 172: Location information acquisition part 174: Route search information generation part 176: Route search request | requirement part 178: Guidance information acquisition part 180: Route guidance part 182: Specific point passage determination Unit 184: guidance information switching request unit 200: server 232: guidance search information acquisition unit 234: route search information analysis unit 236: group selection unit 238: guidance information selection unit 240: route search unit 242: guidance information generation unit 244: guidance Information transmission part B1-B4: Background image S, L, R, C: Arrow image P, P1, P2, P3, P4: Guide

Claims (19)

A guidance system comprising a server capable of delivering guidance information, and an electronic device for presenting guidance information from the server and guiding a route to a destination,
The server
A plurality of guides are registered for each of a plurality of groups, and storage means for storing a plurality of guide information for each guide,
Receiving means for receiving route search information from the electronic device;
Group selection means for selecting a specific group from the plurality of groups based on the route search information;
Guidance information selection means for determining a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selection means, and selecting the guide information of the determined specific guide;
Transmitting means for transmitting guide information of the guide selected by the guide information selecting means to the electronic device;
The electronic device is
Transmitting means for transmitting the route search information;
Receiving means for receiving the guidance information transmitted by the transmitting means of the server;
Guidance means for performing route guidance using the received guidance information;
Having a guidance system. The guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of groups are classified based on position information, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination included in the route search information. The guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of groups are classified based on a facility, and the selection unit selects a group based on a facility at a destination included in the route search information. The guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the guidance information selection unit determines a specific guider randomly from a plurality of guiders in the selected group. The guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guidance information includes at least a plurality of image data of the guide. The guidance system according to claim 5, wherein the guidance information selection unit selects different image data for each predetermined time from the plurality of image data of the selected specific guider.
6. The guidance system according to claim 5, wherein the guidance information selection unit selects different image data each time the electronic apparatus moves a certain distance from among the plurality of image data of the selected specific guider. The electronic device further includes position detecting means for detecting the position of the electronic device;
Determining means for determining before, during or after passing the guidance point based on the detected position and route information;
Switching request means for requesting the server to switch the image data of the specific guide when the determination result is switched by the determination means before passing, during passing, or after passing;
6. The guidance system according to claim 5, wherein the guidance information selection unit reselects the image data of the specific guide in response to the switching request. The electronic device further includes an orientation detection means for detecting the orientation of the electronic device;
A calculating means for calculating a direction to travel based on the detected direction and route information;
A traveling direction image selecting unit that selects or generates a traveling direction image indicating a traveling direction based on the calculation unit;
The guidance system according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the guidance unit synthesizes the traveling direction image with the image data of the specific guider. The server includes route search means for searching for route information to a destination based on the route search information,
The guidance system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit of the electronic device transmits the route search information to the server in order to request a route search from the server. The guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic device includes route search means for searching for route information to a destination based on the route search information. A guidance method in a guidance system comprising a server capable of delivering guidance information and an electronic device that presents guidance information from the server and guides a route to a destination,
A plurality of guides are registered for a plurality of groups in the server, and a plurality of guide information for each guide is prepared;
Transmitting route search information from the electronic device to a server;
Receiving the route search information at the server, and selecting a specific group from a plurality of groups based on the received route search information;
Determining a specific guider according to a predetermined rule from a plurality of guiders in a group selected in the server;
Selecting guidance information for a specific guide determined in the server;
Transmitting guidance information of the selected specific guide to the electronic device;
In the electronic device, performing route guidance using the received guidance information;
A guide method. A server capable of communicating with an electronic device,
A plurality of guides are registered for each of a plurality of groups, and storage means for storing a plurality of guide information for each guide,
Receiving means for receiving route search information from the electronic device;
Group selection means for selecting a specific group from the plurality of groups based on the route search information;
Guidance information selection means for determining a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selection means, and selecting the guide information of the determined specific guide;
Transmitting means for transmitting guide information of the guide selected by the guide information selecting means to the electronic device;
Server with. The server according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of groups are classified based on position information, and the selection unit selects a group based on a destination included in the route search information. The server according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of groups are classified based on a facility, and the selection unit selects a group based on a facility at a destination included in the route search information. The server according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the guide information selecting unit randomly selects a specific guide from a plurality of guides in the selected group. The server according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the guide information selection unit selects different image data at a predetermined time from a plurality of image data of the selected specific guider. An electronic device for guiding a route to a destination,
A plurality of guides are registered for each of a plurality of groups, and storage means for storing a plurality of guide information for each guide,
Route search means for searching for a route to the destination;
Group selection means for selecting a specific group from the plurality of groups based on the destination;
Guider determining means for determining a specific guider from a plurality of guiders in the group selected by the group selecting means;
Guidance means for performing route guidance using guidance information of a specific guide determined by the guide determination means;
An electronic device. The electronic device according to claim 18, wherein the guide determining unit determines a specific guide at random from a plurality of guides in the group selected by the group selecting unit.

Images