JP2021128787A - Terminal device, display method, server, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a server device capable of appropriately sharing a message in real time in a plurality of terminal devices.SOLUTION: A server device is configured to be communicable with a plurality of terminal devices to be used in a plurality of mobile units. The server device includes: reception means for receiving a message, which is input to the terminal device by a user, from the terminal device; storage means for storing the message received by the reception means in association with a position of the terminal device having received the message; and transmission means for transmitting the message to the terminal device when the position stored in the storage means in association with the message exists on a guidance route set in the terminal device. When the transmission means transmits the message to the terminal device, the storage means further stores the message in association with the position of the terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a server device capable of realizing communication between a plurality of terminal devices used in a mobile body.

In recent years, communication between vehicles has been carried out using mobile terminals and navigation devices. For example, there are known services that distribute traffic information such as traffic jams and tourist information by using radio broadcasting and distribution services on the Internet. In addition, a service for registering a running message is known.

This type of technique is described, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In Patent Document 1, the user terminal transmits a message to which the current position information is added, and the message server transmits a command message to the user terminal based on the message transmitted from the user terminal and executes the command. It is described that a message to be sent to another user terminal is automatically created by doing so. Patent Document 2 describes a voice recognition method and a selection sentence according to the content when a user in the vehicle transmits information in a system in which an in-vehicle terminal arbitrarily communicates with an information storage / providing center to exchange information. Describes the technology that provides configuration and auto-fill support.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-254097 Japanese Patent No. 3771437

The conventional system as described above was able to properly handle information on expressways and highways and tourist information on famous tourist destinations, but such information tends to be concentrated on service providers. there were. In addition, since it was a one-sided distribution / broadcasting performed to an uncertain majority, information from users was not exchanged with each other during actual driving. Therefore, it is not possible to sufficiently handle information closely related to small areas other than expressways and highways, and it is not possible to sufficiently share information between users while driving. In addition, there is a service to register a message while driving on a mobile terminal, but basically only an individual's driving record is registered, and this can be viewed on a personal computer after driving, but with other users. It was difficult to properly share messages in real time on the spot.

The above-mentioned problems can be mentioned as an example of the problems to be solved by the present invention. An object of the present invention is to provide a server device capable of appropriately sharing a message in real time among a plurality of terminal devices, an information processing method performed by the server device, and an information processing program.

The invention according to claim 1 is a terminal device connected so that information on another terminal device can be acquired, and is generated based on a message input by the other terminal device and the position information of the other terminal device. It is characterized by including a receiving means for receiving the message, and a display means for displaying the input message and the generated message.

The invention according to claim 3 is a display method executed by a terminal device connected so that information of another terminal device can be acquired, and a message input by the other terminal device and the other terminal device. It is characterized by including a receiving step of receiving a message generated based on position information, and a display step of displaying the input message and the generated message.

The invention according to claim 4 is a program executed by a terminal device having a computer and connected so that information of another terminal device can be acquired, and includes a message input by the other terminal device and the above-mentioned. It is characterized in that the computer functions as a receiving means for receiving a message generated based on the position information of another terminal and a display means for displaying the input message and the generated message.

The invention according to claim 5 is a server capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices, and is a receiving means for receiving a message input by the one terminal and position information of the one terminal from one terminal. , A decision means for determining a message indicating the position information based on the position information of the one terminal, a message received by the receiving means, and a message determined by the determination means are transmitted to another terminal device. It is characterized in that it is provided with a transmission means for performing.

The invention according to claim 6 is a communication method executed by a server capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices, and is a message input from one terminal to the one terminal and location information of the one terminal. A receiving process for receiving the above, a determination step for determining a message indicating the location information based on the position information of the one terminal, a message received by the receiving process, and a message determined by the determination step. It is characterized by including a transmission step of transmitting to another terminal device.

The invention according to claim 7 is a program executed by a server having a computer and capable of communicating with a plurality of terminal devices, and is a message input from one terminal to the one terminal and the one. A receiving means for receiving the position information of a terminal, a determining means for determining a message indicating the position information based on the position information of the one terminal, a message received by the receiving means, and a message determined by the determining means. It is characterized in that the computer functions as a transmission means for transmitting and to another terminal device.

A schematic configuration example of the system realized by the server device and the terminal device according to this embodiment is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the server device and the terminal device which concerns on this Example. A specific example of message data is shown. An example of the map image displayed on the terminal device is shown. Another example of the map image displayed on the terminal device is shown. An example of an image in which a message is displayed on a map image is shown. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a server device and a terminal device perform in this Example. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition process of a message registration / reception setting information. It is a flowchart which shows the reroute process.

From one aspect of the present invention, the server device configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of terminal devices used in a plurality of mobile bodies is a receiving means for receiving a message input by the user to the terminal device from the terminal device. And the storage means that stores the message received by the receiving means in association with the position of the terminal device that received the message, and the storage means on the guide route set in the terminal device. The storage means includes a transmission means for transmitting the message to the terminal device when the position stored in association with the message exists, and the storage means causes the transmission means to send the message to the terminal device. Is transmitted, the message is further stored in association with the position of the terminal device.

The above-mentioned server device is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of terminal devices used in a plurality of mobile bodies, and realizes communication between the plurality of terminal devices. The receiving means receives the message input by the user to the terminal device, and the storage means stores the received message in association with the position of the terminal device that received the message. Then, the transmitting means transmits the message to the terminal device when there is a position stored in association with the message on the guidance route set in the terminal device. The guidance route may be set by the server device or may be set by the terminal device. Further, when the transmitting means transmits a message to the terminal device as described above, the storage means further stores the message in association with the position of the terminal device. The message data stored in this way is also subject to transmission thereafter. That is, the transmitting means transmits not only the message received by the receiving means (the message input by the user of the terminal device) but also the message stored when the message is transmitted (automatically copied message) to the terminal device. do.

In this way, by first storing the message input by the user and then automatically copying the message each time the message is sent to the terminal device, the same message can be associated with a plurality of positions on the map. Data will be generated. Therefore, once a message is registered, a chain of messages automatically occurs and spreads at once. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned server device, it is possible to realize communication capable of sharing a message in substantially real time among users of a plurality of terminal devices. Specifically, according to the above server device, unlike the information such as "you can understand without actually going" like the distribution information on the Internet, the user actually says "you can get it by going to that place". For example, information such as regional information can be distributed, a local community can be formed, and the use of such a community can be promoted.

In one aspect of the server device, the receiving means further receives the category to which the message belongs, which the user has set for the terminal device to send and / or receive the message, and the storage means. Stores the message, the position, and the category received by the receiving means in association with each other, and the transmitting means stores the message on the guide route set in the terminal device. When the position stored in association with the message exists, and the category set in the terminal device matches the category stored in association with the message by the storage means. , Send the message to the terminal device.

According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately transmit only the messages belonging to the category that the user wants to acquire to the terminal device. The "category" corresponds to the type of message registered / acquired (sent / received) by the user, and examples thereof include traffic jams, construction works, accidents, and sightseeing.

In another aspect of the server device, the receiving means is the number of distances from the current position of the terminal device on the guidance route that the user has set for the terminal device to receive the message. Is further received, and the transmission means stores the position in association with the message within the range defined by the number of distances on the guide route set in the terminal device. Is present, the message is transmitted to the terminal device.

According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately transmit only the message existing by the number of distances set by the user from the current position of the terminal device on the guidance route to the terminal device. The "number of distances" is used to set how far ahead the current position of the terminal device is to acquire a message on the guidance route.

In another aspect of the server device, the storage means stores the message, the position, and a section on the map where the position exists in association with each other, and the transmission means together with the message. The section on the map is transmitted.

In this aspect, the server device transmits a message and a section on the map created based on, for example, the name of an intersection or a road to the terminal device. This makes it possible for the user to easily grasp the position where the message exists (that is, the position on the map closely related to the message).

In another aspect of the server device, the storage means stores the message, the position, and an image taken at the point where the message is input in association with each other, and the transmission means stores the message. The image can be transmitted with the message.

In another aspect of the server device, the route search means for searching the guide route to be set for the terminal device is further provided, and the route search means causes the transmission means to send the message to the terminal device. In the case of transmission, when the action of avoiding the road on the guide route set in the terminal device is performed, a new guide route that does not include the road in which the avoidance action is performed is searched.

According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately avoid traffic jams and accidents, and it is possible to reduce the traffic jam itself.

In another aspect of the server device, the predetermined time has elapsed since the receiving means received the message, or the storage means first stored the message. At that time, an erasing means for erasing the message is further provided.

According to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately stop the guidance of unnecessary messages and guide only the necessary messages in the terminal device.

Preferably, the erasing means sets the predetermined time according to the content of the message. For example, the erasing means can set a predetermined time for erasing the message according to the category associated with the message. In one example, when the category is traffic jam or accident, the predetermined time is set to a relatively short time, and when the category is tourism or the like, the predetermined time is set to a relatively long time.

In another aspect of the present invention, the information processing method performed by a server device configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of terminal devices used in a plurality of mobile bodies is to send a message input by a user to the terminal device to the terminal. A receiving process received from the device, a storage process of storing the message received in the receiving process in association with the position of the terminal device that received the message, and a guide route set in the terminal device. The storage step includes a transmission step of transmitting the message to the terminal device when the position stored in association with the message exists in the storage step. When the message is transmitted to the terminal device, the message is further stored in association with the position of the terminal device.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the information processing program performed by a server device including a computer, which is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of terminal devices used in a plurality of mobile bodies, is such that the computer is used by the user. A receiving means for receiving a message input to the terminal device from the terminal device, a storage means for storing the message received by the receiving means in association with the position of the terminal device receiving the message, and the terminal device. When the position stored by the storage means in association with the message exists on the set guidance route, the terminal device is made to function as a transmission means for transmitting the message. When the transmitting means transmits the message to the terminal device, the storage means further stores the message in association with the position of the terminal device.

The above information processing method and information processing program also make it possible to realize communication in which messages can be shared between users of a plurality of terminal devices in substantially real time.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration example of a system realized by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal devices 2a to 2c are mounted on different vehicles 3a to 3c, and transmit and receive information to and from the server device 1. That is, the system is configured to be able to communicate between the terminal devices 2a to 2c via the server device 1.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, only three terminal devices 2a to 2c are shown, but in reality, there are four or more terminal devices 2. Further, the terminal device 2 can perform communication via such a server device 1 by subscribing to a predetermined service, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the server device 1 and the terminal device 2. The server device 1 and the terminal device 2 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a wireless network or the like. Basically, the server device 1 performs substantive processing such as route search and route guidance, and transmits a route guidance instruction and the like to the terminal device 2. In this case, the terminal device 2 presents necessary information to the user and executes route guidance according to the instruction from the server device 1.

Specifically, the server device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a map database (DB) 13, and a message database (DB) 14.

The communication unit 12 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating with the terminal device 2. Map data is stored in the map database 13. The message database 14 stores data (hereinafter, referred to as "message data") corresponding to the message input by the user of the terminal device 2. The details of the message data will be described later.

The control unit 11 is configured to include a CPU and the like, and controls the entire server device 1. Specifically, the control unit 11 controls other components of the server device 1 by executing a program prepared in advance. For example, the control unit 11 executes processing such as route search and route guidance based on the map data stored in the map database 13.

The control unit 11 controls the communication unit 12 and the message database 14 to cause the communication unit 12 to function as the "receiving means" and the "transmitting means" in the present invention, and the message database 14 is used as the "storage means". To function as. Further, the control unit 11 functions as a "route search means" and a "erasing means" in the present invention.

On the other hand, the terminal device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, a GPS unit 24, a display unit 25, a speaker 26, a microphone 27, an operation unit 28, and a camera 29. .. For example, the terminal device 2 is a portable terminal device having a call function such as a smartphone, and is mounted on a moving body such as a vehicle 3. When the terminal device 2 is mounted on the vehicle 3, the users of the terminal device 2 include a driver and a passenger.

The communication unit 23 is configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating with the server device 1, and is also configured to be capable of wirelessly communicating with another terminal device 2 via a communication network. The GPS unit 24 receives radio waves including positioning data from a plurality of GPS satellites, and calculates the current position of the terminal device 2 based on the positioning data. The display unit 25 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays characters, images, and the like to the user. The speaker 26 outputs voice to the user, and the microphone 27 collects voice and the like emitted by the user.

The operation unit 28 can be configured by an operation button, a touch panel type input device, or the like provided in the housing of the terminal device 2, and various selections and instructions by the user are input. When the display unit 25 is of the touch panel type, the touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 25 also functions as the operation unit 28. The camera 29 is composed of, for example, a CCD camera, and generates a captured image according to a user's operation or the like.

The storage unit 22 is configured to include a ROM, RAM, and the like, and stores a control program and the like for controlling the terminal device 2, and also stores data set by the user via the operation unit 28 so as to be readable. Or provide a working area for the control unit 21. The control unit 21 is configured to include a CPU and the like, and controls the entire terminal device 2.

[Information processing method]
Next, the information processing method performed by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the server device 1 receives a message input by the user to the terminal device 2, and registers the received message in association with the position of the terminal device 2. In this case, the server device 1 generates and stores message data in which the message and the position of the terminal device 2 are associated with each other. Then, when the position of the stored message data exists on the guidance route set in the terminal device 2, the server device 1 transmits the message of the message data to the terminal device 2. do. In other words, the server device 1 selects the terminal device 2 in which the position of the message data exists on the guidance route among the plurality of terminal devices 2, and the message that the message data has for the selected terminal device 2. To send. After that, the terminal device 2 that has received the message from the server device 1 guides the received message to the user.

Further, when the server device 1 transmits the message as described above, the server device 1 further registers the message in association with the position of the terminal device 2 to which the message is transmitted. That is, the server device 1 automatically generates and stores new message data in which the message and the position of the terminal device 2 are associated with each other, regardless of the response of the terminal device 2 that transmitted the message. The message data stored in this way is also a target to be transmitted thereafter. Further, the message data is different from the message data corresponding to the message input by the user of the terminal device 2 (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "original message") as described above. Specifically, the data has the same message, but the position associated with the message is different. In this way, after registering the original message, by automatically copying the message each time the message is transmitted to the terminal device 2, data associated with a plurality of positions on the map is generated for the same message. The Rukoto.

Therefore, once the original message is registered, a chain of messages automatically occurs and spreads at once (specifically, a chain of messages occurs in the terminal device 2 in which the position of the message data exists on the guidance route. ). Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize communication based on word-of-mouth information, which enables messages to be shared among users of a plurality of terminal devices 2 in substantially real time. That is, according to this embodiment, unlike the information such as "you can understand without actually going" like the distribution information on the Internet, for example, the area information such as "obtained by going to the place" by the user. Such information can be distributed, a local community can be formed, and the use of such a community can be promoted.

Hereinafter, the flow of information processing performed by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 described above will be described more specifically.

First, the terminal device 2 refers to information regarding settings for registering a message in the server device 1 and / or setting for receiving (acquiring) a message from the server device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as "message registration / reception setting information"). ) Is acquired from the user, and the acquired message registration / reception setting information is transmitted to the server device 1. Specifically, the terminal device 2 has, as message registration / reception setting information, at least the category to which the message to be transmitted and / or the message to be received belongs, and the current state of the terminal device 2 on the guidance route when receiving the message. Get the number of distances from the position. This category corresponds to the type of message registered / received by the user, and examples thereof include traffic information including information on traffic jams, construction works, accidents, and tourist information including tourist destination information. The number of distances is used to set how far ahead a message exists on the guidance route, for example, "1 (km)", "3 (km)", "5 (km)", or "10 (km)" and the like can be set. In addition, the user can set or edit the template of the character string used when registering the message when the message registration / reception setting is performed as described above. For example, templates include "I'm stuck in a traffic jam!" And "XX was created in such a place!".

Then, when a message is input by the user, the terminal device 2 transmits the message to the server device 1. For example, the user inputs a message to the terminal device 2 by operating the operation unit 28 or inputting voice through the microphone 27. In one example, the user calls a message from the template above to create a string such as "I'm stuck in a traffic jam!" Or "I have a convenience store in a place like this!". Further, the terminal device 2 can transmit the message thus input to the server device 1 together with the image taken by the camera 29 at the point where the message is input. For example, when a message is input, the terminal device 2 asks the user to determine whether or not to capture an image, and when the user determines that the image is to be captured, the terminal device 2 causes the camera 29 to capture the image. In the following, it is assumed that the "message" transmitted by the terminal device 2 to the server device 1 includes not only character string and audio data but also image data by the camera 29.

On the other hand, the server device 1 receives the above-mentioned message registration / reception setting information from the terminal device 2, and generates / stores a message or transmits a message based on the message registration / reception setting information. First, when the server device 1 receives the message input by the user to the terminal device 2, the server device 1 automatically attaches a tag to the message. Specifically, when the server device 1 receives a message from the terminal device 2, at least the message, the position of the terminal device 2, and the message registration / reception setting information received from the terminal device 2 are displayed. Generates and stores message data associated with the included categories. As the position of the terminal device 2, the position coordinates obtained by the GPS unit 24 in the terminal device 2 can be used. In this case, when the server device 1 receives the message from the terminal device 2, it also receives the position coordinates obtained by the GPS unit 24 in the terminal device 2. Further, in addition to such a message, position and category, the server device 1 includes the time when the message is received from the terminal device 2, the section on the map where the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the message exists, and the terminal. It is possible to generate message data in which an image taken by the camera 29 of the device 2 (only when the image exists) is associated with the image. The "section on the map" is set by the server device 1 based on the stored map data. For example, sections on a map are set based on the names of intersections and roads. The "time" to be stored as message data is not limited to the time when the server device 1 receives the message, but also uses the time when the server device 1 registers the message and the time when the user inputs the message to the terminal device 2. Is also good (the same shall apply hereinafter).

After that, the server device 1 refers to the terminal device 2 based on the guidance route set in the terminal device 2 and the category and the number of distances included in the message registration / reception setting information received from the terminal device 2. Send a message. In this case, the server device 1 stores the guidance route set for the terminal device 2, and sets the position coordinates of the terminal device 2 (that is, the current position of the terminal device 2) from the GPS unit 24 of the terminal device 2 for a predetermined time. It is acquired for each, and based on such a guide route and position coordinates, the terminal device 2 to which the message should be transmitted is determined. Specifically, in the server device 1, the category set in the terminal device 2 matches the category of the message data, and the number of distances set in the terminal device 2 and the current position of the terminal device 2 When the position of the message data exists within the range on the guidance route defined by the above, the message is transmitted to the terminal device 2. By doing so, it is possible to appropriately send a message to the terminal device 2 that exists ahead of the guidance route (exists by the number of distances mentioned above) and belongs to the category that the user wants to acquire. Become.

Specifically, when the server device 1 transmits a message to the terminal device 2 as described above, the server device 1 also transmits the position associated with the message and the section on the map. Further, when the message data includes an image taken by the camera 29, the server device 1 also transmits the image to the terminal device 2. In the following, it is assumed that the "message" transmitted by the server device 1 to the terminal device 2 includes not only character string and audio data but also image data by the camera 29.

When the message is transmitted to the terminal device 2 in this way, the terminal device 2 guides the message to the user. Specifically, the terminal device 2 displays an image corresponding to the message on the display unit 25, and outputs a voice corresponding to the message from the speaker 26. When the terminal device 2 displays the message, the character string corresponding to the message is located at the position corresponding to the message (corresponding to the data of the position received from the server device 1) on the map for route guidance. Display the image of. In this case, the terminal device 2 displays an image of the character string corresponding to the section on the map as well as the character string corresponding to the message. Further, when the message received from the server device 1 includes an image taken by the camera 29, the terminal device 2 also causes the display unit 25 to display the image.

On the other hand, when the server device 1 transmits the message to the terminal device 2 as described above, the server device 1 newly generates message data in which the message is associated with the position of the terminal device 2 to which the message is transmitted. Remember. In this case, the server device 1 automatically generates and stores such message data regardless of the response of the terminal device 2 that sent the message. Specifically, the server device 1 associates a message, a position of the terminal device 2, a category, a time, a section on a map, and an image taken by the camera 29 (only when the image exists). Generate message data. In the message data, the original message data (that is, the message data corresponding to the original message) can be used as it is for the message, the category, the section on the map, and the image taken by the camera 29.

After that, the server device 1 also uses the newly stored message data to transmit the message to the terminal device 2 as described above, and when the message is transmitted, stores the new message data. I do. By doing this, a chain of messages can be automatically generated and spread at once. Therefore, it is possible to form a local community and encourage the use of such a community.

Hereinafter, specific examples of information processing performed by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the message data 40 generated and stored by the server device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the message data 40 includes message category data 41, data 42 of the time when the server device 1 received the message from the terminal device 2, and data 43 of the position of the terminal device 2 that sent the message. The data 44 of the section on the map where the terminal device 2 that sent the message exists, the data 45 of the character string corresponding to the message, and the image (captured image) taken by the camera 29 of the terminal device 2 that sent the message. ) With data 46. The category data 41 is, for example, data indicating traffic congestion, construction, accidents, sightseeing, and the like. The position data 43 is, for example, position coordinate data obtained by the GPS unit 24 in the terminal device 2. Examples of the data 44 of the section on the map include data such as "beyond the X-street Y intersection" and "between the X-street Y intersection and the Z intersection". Examples of the character string data 45 include data such as "I got stuck in a traffic jam!" And "A convenience store was created in such a place!".

FIG. 4 shows an example of a map image displayed on the display unit 25 of the terminal device 2. As indicated by reference numeral 51 in FIG. 4, the positions of a plurality of terminal devices 2 (for example, terminal devices 2 subscribed to a predetermined service) that communicate with the server device 1 are displayed on the map by icons. For example, the type of icon represents the category of information registered at that position. As an example, by displaying the icon in red, emergency information such as traffic jams and accidents is expressed.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the map image displayed on the display unit 25 of the terminal device 2. Similar to FIG. 4, as indicated by reference numeral 61, the positions of a plurality of terminal devices 2 (for example, terminal devices 2 subscribed to a predetermined service) that communicate with the server device 1 are displayed on the map. Further, as indicated by reference numeral 62, the guide route set in the terminal device 2 is displayed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an image in which a message is displayed on a map image as shown in FIG. First, as shown by reference numeral 71, it is assumed that the user of the terminal device 2 existing at one place on the map inputs a message (original message) such as "There is a store that is popular". In this case, the server device 1 generates and stores such an original message and message data associated with the position of the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the original message to the server device 1. Note that FIG. 6 shows a diagram after a certain amount of time has passed since the original message was input.

Next, as indicated by reference numeral 72, the server device 1 transmits an original message such as "There is a store that is popular" to the terminal devices 2 existing at a plurality of locations on the map. do. Specifically, the server device 1 is set with a category that matches the category of the message data (not limited to the message data directly generated from the original message, but also includes the message data obtained by automatically copying the message data). A message is transmitted to the terminal device 2 in which the number of distances on the guidance route including the position of the message data is set. In this case, the server device 1 adds a section on the map such as "between the X-street Y intersection and the Z intersection" included in the message data to the message and transmits the message to the terminal device 2. The section on the map is set by the server device 1 by referring to the map data based on the position of the terminal device 2 in which the original message is input. Further, when the server device 1 transmits the message as described above, the server device 1 generates and stores the message data associated with the message and the position of the terminal device 2 to which the message is transmitted. In FIG. 6, such a process is expressed as "listening and copying".

After that, as shown by reference numeral 73, the user of the terminal device 2 existing at one place on the map responds to the message "There is a store that is popular", "It's an XX store! ] (Hereinafter, referred to as "additional message" as appropriate) is input. In this case, the server device 1 generates and stores a message in which an additional message is added to the above-mentioned original message and message data associated with the position of the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the additional message to the server device 1. do. When a plurality of additional messages are input to the original message, the server device 1 stores the history of the input messages.

Next, as indicated by reference numeral 74, the server device 1 refers to the terminal device 2 existing at a plurality of locations on the map, and includes the original message, the section on the map, and the additional message, "X street Y intersection and Send messages such as "There is a store that is popular" and "It's an XX store!" Between the Z intersections. Specifically, the server device 1 matches the category of the message data (not limited to the message data directly generated from the original message and the additional message, but also includes the message data obtained by automatically copying these message data). A message is transmitted to the terminal device 2 in which the category to be used is set and the number of distances on the guidance route including the position of the message data is set. Further, when the server device 1 transmits the message as described above, the server device 1 generates and stores the message data associated with the message and the position of the terminal device 2 to which the message is transmitted. In FIG. 6, such a process is expressed as "listening and copying".

As is clear from FIG. 6, once a message is registered, a chain of messages (chain reaction) automatically occurs and spreads at once. As a result, it is possible to realize communication in which messages can be shared between users of a plurality of terminal devices 2 in substantially real time. Therefore, it is possible to form a local community and encourage the use of such a community. Therefore, for example, it is possible to appropriately avoid traffic jams and accidents, and it is possible to reduce the traffic jam itself.

The server device 1 can perform the following processes in addition to the processes described above.

When the server device 1 transmits a message to the terminal device 2, specifically, when a message indicating a traffic jam, an accident, construction, etc. is transmitted, the server device 1 avoids the road on the guidance route set in the terminal device 2. When an action is taken, a new guidance route that does not include the road on which the action to be avoided is taken can be searched. That is, the server device 1 can search for a guide route that does not include roads such as avoided traffic jams, accidents, and construction work, in other words, can perform reroute. In this case, the server device 1 is based on the category of the message transmitted to the terminal device 2, the position associated with the message, the guidance route set in the terminal device 2, the current position of the terminal device 2, and the like. Then, the terminal device 2 determines whether or not the avoidance action has been performed, and when the avoidance action is performed, the road on which the avoidance action is performed is specified. Then, the server device 1 searches for a new guide route that does not include the specified road. As a result, it is possible to appropriately avoid traffic jams and accidents, and it is possible to reduce the traffic jam itself.

When a new guidance route is set as described above, the message that has been guided up to that point is deleted. Specifically, the image display and voice output corresponding to the message are stopped. Further, when the avoidance action is performed by the terminal device 2, the server device 1 can automatically copy the message transmitted to the terminal device 2.

Further, the server device 1 can delete the above-mentioned message when a predetermined time elapses. Specifically, the server device 1 receives the message transmitted from the terminal device 2, and when a predetermined time elapses, or when a predetermined time elapses after storing the message, the terminal device 2 It is possible to send an instruction to stop the guidance of the message in. That is, it is possible to transmit an instruction to stop the image display or voice output corresponding to the message on the terminal device 2. In one example, the server device 1 can set a predetermined time for erasing a message according to the content of the message, specifically according to the category associated with the message. In this example, the server device 1 sets the predetermined time to a relatively short time when the category is a traffic jam or an accident, and sets the predetermined time to a relatively long time when the category is sightseeing or the like. Set. In another example, the user who entered the original message can set a predetermined time to clear the message. By deleting the message in this way, it is possible to appropriately stop the guidance of unnecessary messages and to guide only the necessary messages.

It should be noted that the terminal device 2 may be configured so that the above-mentioned message can be deleted. For example, the guidance of the message may be stopped in response to the operation of the operation unit 28 by the user or the voice input to the microphone 27.

[Processing flow]
Next, specific processing performed by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the server device 1 and the terminal device 2 in this embodiment. In this process, basically, the control unit 11 in the server device 1 and the control unit 21 in the terminal device 2 execute programs stored in advance in the server device 1 and the terminal device 2, respectively. It is realized by.

First, the terminal device 2 acquires the current position obtained by the GPS unit 24 and also acquires the destination input by the user (step S11). Then, the terminal device 2 designates the current position and the destination and requests the server device 1 for route guidance (step S12).

The server device 1 executes a route search by referring to the map data stored in the map database 13 based on the current position and the destination received from the terminal device 2 (step S13), and is obtained by the search. The guidance route is transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S14). The terminal device 2 receives the guidance route from the server device 1 and displays it on the display unit 25 (step S15).

Next, the terminal device 2 acquires the message registration / reception setting information input by the user (step S16), and transmits the acquired message registration / reception setting information to the server device 1 (step S17).

Here, the process of acquiring the message registration / reception setting information will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a message registration / reception setting information acquisition process executed by the terminal device 2.

First, the terminal device 2 acquires from the user the number of distances from the current position of the terminal device 2 on the guidance route when receiving the message (step S31). This number of distances is used to set how far ahead the current position of the terminal device 2 is to acquire a message on the guidance route. For example, the user can operate the operation unit 28 or input voice via the microphone 27 to set the number of distances to "1 (km)", "3 (km)", or "5 (km)". Or "10 (km)" or the like.

Then, the terminal device 2 acquires from the user the category to which the message to be transmitted and / or the message to be received belongs (step S32). This category corresponds to the type of message registered / acquired by the user. For example, categories include traffic jams, construction, accidents, and tourism. Further, for example, the user sets a category by operating the operation unit 28 or inputting voice through the microphone 27.

Then, the terminal device 2 receives information from the user regarding the setting and editing of the character string template used when registering the message (step S33). For example, templates include "I'm stuck in a traffic jam!" And "XX was created in such a place!". Then, after step S33, the process ends. Information related to template setting and editing does not have to be included in the message registration / reception setting information transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server device 1.

Next, returning to FIG. 7, the processing after step S18 will be described. The terminal device 2 determines whether or not a message has been input by the user (step S18). For example, the terminal device 2 acquires a message input by the user via the operation unit 28 and the microphone 27. In one example, the user calls a message from the above template, creates and inputs a character string such as "I'm stuck in a traffic jam!" Or "A convenience store has been created in such a place!".

When a message is input (step S18; Yes), the terminal device 2 transmits the message to the server device 1 (step S19). In this case, the terminal device 2 transmits the current position determined by the GPS unit 24 together with the message. Further, when the image is taken by the camera 29 (for example, when the user takes a picture using the camera 29 at the time of inputting a message), the terminal device 2 also transmits the taken image.

Next, the server device 1 generates and stores message data based on the message received from the terminal device 2 (step S20). That is, the server device 1 automatically attaches a tag to the received message. Specifically, the server device 1 includes a message received from the terminal device 2, a position received from the terminal device 2 (current position obtained by the GPS unit 24), and an image received from the terminal device 2 (). (Only when the image exists), the category included in the message registration / reception setting information received from the terminal device 2, the time when the message was received from the terminal device 2, and the terminal device 2 that sent the message existed. Message data associated with the section on the map to be used is generated, and the message data is stored in the message database 14. In this case, the server device 1 sets a section on the map by referring to the map data based on the position of the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the message. For example, the server device 1 sets a section on a map based on the names of intersections and roads.

Next, the server device 1 determines whether or not there is a message to be transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S21). Specifically, the server device 1 has a guidance route set in the terminal device 2, a current position of the terminal device 2 (current position obtained by the GPS unit 24), and a message registration / received from the terminal device 2. The determination is made based on the category and the number of distances of the reception setting information. In this case, the server device 1 is defined by the category set in the terminal device 2 matches the category of the message data, the number of distances set in the terminal device 2, and the current position of the terminal device 2. When the position of the message data exists within the range on the guidance route, it is determined that the message of the message data should be transmitted to the terminal device 2.

When there is a message to be transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S21; Yes), the server device 1 transmits the message to the terminal device 2 (step S22). In this case, the server device 1 transmits the message as well as the position associated with the message and the section on the map to the terminal device 2. Further, when the message data includes an image taken by the camera 29, the server device 1 also transmits the image to the terminal device 2. If there is no message to be transmitted to the terminal device 2 (step S21; No), the process proceeds to step S25.

Next, when the terminal device 2 receives the message from the server device 1, the terminal device 2 guides the message to the user (step S23). Specifically, the terminal device 2 displays an image corresponding to the message on the display unit 25, and outputs a voice corresponding to the message from the speaker 26. When the terminal device 2 displays the message, the character string corresponding to the message is located at the position corresponding to the message (corresponding to the data of the position received from the server device 1) on the map for route guidance. Display the image of. In this case, the terminal device 2 displays an image of the character string corresponding to the section on the map as well as the character string corresponding to the message. Further, when the message received from the server device 1 includes an image taken by the camera 29, the terminal device 2 also causes the display unit 25 to display the image.

Further, when the server device 1 transmits a message to the terminal device 2 as described above, the server device 1 newly generates message data in which the message is associated with the position of the terminal device 2 to which the message is transmitted. And memorize (step S24). Specifically, the server device 1 corresponds to a message, a position of the terminal device 2, a category, a time, a section on a map, and an image taken by the camera 29 (only when the image exists). Generate the attached message data. In the message data, the original message data (that is, the message data corresponding to the original message) can be used as it is for the message, the category, the section on the map, and the image taken by the camera 29.

Next, the server device 1 determines whether or not the terminal device 2 has arrived at the route guidance destination based on the position received from the terminal device 2 (current position determined by the GPS unit 24). (Step S25). When arriving at the destination (step S25; Yes), the server device 1 notifies the terminal device 2 of the end of the route guidance (step S26). On the other hand, if the destination has not arrived (step S25; No), the process returns to step S20. In this way, the route guidance is continued until the terminal device 2 arrives at the destination, and during that time, the server device 1 generates and stores the message data, the server device 1 sends a message to the terminal device 2, and the like. The process is repeated.

Here, the reroute process executed by the server device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the reroute process.

First, the server device 1 determines whether or not an action of avoiding the road on the guide route set in the terminal device 2 has been performed (step S41). Specifically, the server device 1 determines whether or not the avoidance action has been performed in the terminal device 2 based on the guidance route set in the terminal device 2 and the current position of the terminal device 2. In this case, as the guidance route set in the terminal device 2, the one stored when the server device 1 sets the guidance route can be used, and the current position of the terminal device 2 is obtained by the GPS unit 24. It is obtained by receiving the current position from the terminal device 2.

When the avoidance action is performed by the terminal device 2 (step S41; Yes), the server device 1 searches for a new guidance route that does not include the road on which the avoidance action is performed (step S42). Specifically, the server device 1 includes the category of the message transmitted to the terminal device 2 (traffic jam, accident, construction, etc.), the position associated with the message, the guidance route set in the terminal device 2, and the guidance route. Based on the current position of the terminal device 2, the road on which the avoidance action is performed is specified. Then, the server device 1 searches for a new guide route that does not include the specified road. Next, the server device 1 transmits the new guidance route obtained by the search in step S42 to the terminal device 2 (step S43), and the process ends. On the other hand, when the avoidance action is not performed in the terminal device 2 (step S41; No), the server device 1 ends the process without searching for a new guidance route.

[Modification example]
In the above, an example is shown in which substantive processing such as route search and route guidance is performed on the server device 1 side, but instead, substantive processing such as route search and route guidance is performed on the terminal device side. May be. In this case, the terminal device can be configured as a so-called navigation device. However, the navigation device needs to be configured to be able to communicate with the server device 1. The navigation device transmits the guide route or the like searched by itself to the server device 1. Further, in this case, the reroute processing as described above is performed on the terminal device side. Specifically, the terminal device includes a road on which an action to avoid is performed when an action to avoid the road on the set guidance route is performed after receiving a message from the server device 1. You can search for new guidance routes. Specifically, the terminal device takes an evasive action based on the category of the message received from the server device 1, the position associated with the message, the set guidance route, the current position of the terminal device, and the like. It is determined whether or not the vehicle has been damaged, and if the avoidance action is performed, the road on which the avoidance action is performed is specified. Then, the terminal device searches for a new guidance route that does not include the specified road.

Further, although the example in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle is shown above, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to various moving objects such as ships, helicopters, and airplanes in addition to vehicles. In addition, the present invention can also be applied to terminal devices used by pedestrians. That is, the "moving body" includes pedestrians.

As described above, the examples are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and can be appropriately changed as long as they do not contradict the gist or idea of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification.

1 Server device 2 Terminal device 11 Control unit 12 Communication unit 13 Map database (DB)
14 Message database (DB)
21 Control unit 22 Storage unit 23 Communication unit 24 GPS unit 25 Display unit 26 Speaker 27 Microphone 28 Operation unit 29 Camera

Claims (1)

A terminal device that is connected so that information on other terminal devices can be acquired.
A receiving means for receiving a message input by another terminal device and a message generated based on the position information of the other terminal.
A display means for displaying the input message and the generated message, and
A terminal device comprising.

Images