JP4045303B2 - Map information updating apparatus and map information updating method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a map information updating apparatus that updates map information stored therein, and more particularly, to an apparatus that updates map information upon receiving a plurality of different types of update map information.

  In recent years, map information stored in a car navigation system or the like can be updated via communication or a recording medium, and is being realized. By updating the map information, the user can obtain the latest information and the like on which a new road has been created without purchasing a new car navigation system body. On the other hand, since map information is composed of a large amount of data and the cost of communicating map information is enormous, a technique for partially updating the map has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG. The vehicle position detection unit 18 detects the position of the vehicle and accumulates the position history in the storage device 20. In order to update only the map of the area where the position history exists, the use range storage processing unit 26 calculates the map to be updated, the transmission / reception unit 24 acquires the update map, and the map update processing unit 22 performs the map update process. It is carried out. As a result, only the map of the area where the history exists is updated to reduce the communication cost.
JP 2000-121371 A

  However, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 merely updates the map information partially, and it is assumed that only one type of map is provided. There is a problem that it can no longer be applied when there are multiple.

  In other words, with the expansion of services that provide map information in the future, the number of types of map information provided is not limited to one, and it depends on the user's use and preference among the different types of map information provided. Need to be selected and updated.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a map information updating apparatus capable of automatically selecting and updating the optimum map information for the user from a plurality of pieces of map information based on information obtained from the user's movement history. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a map information updating apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of map information providing apparatuses that provide a plurality of different types of update map information, and updates map information to be accumulated. A map information storage unit that stores map information; a position detection unit that detects a current position; a movement history storage unit that stores a position detected by the position detection unit as a movement history; Map information selection updating means for selecting one of the plurality of types of update map information based on the movement history stored in the history storage means and acquiring the selected update map information from the corresponding map information providing device And update map information storage means for storing the updated map information acquired by the map information selection update means, and the update location of the map information stored in the map information storage means For the geographical location indicated by the updated map information stored in the information storage means, combined display means for combining and displaying the map information and the updated map information so that the updated map information is displayed. wherein the map information selecting updating means further the update map information storing update map information stored in the unit is have you to display on the screen when it is displayed by the composite display means, of the plurality of types The updated map information is selected in accordance with an occupation rate indicating which type of updated map information is displayed in a large amount .

  According to the present invention, based on the information obtained from the user's movement history, the optimum map information for the user is automatically selected and acquired from a plurality of update map information, and the original map information is updated. Is done.

  As a result, a map information updating device corresponding to a variety of map information providing services is realized, and the practical value of the present invention is high today when mobile communication and car navigation systems have become widespread.

  A map information update device according to the present invention is connected to a plurality of map information providing devices that provide a plurality of different types of map information for update, for example, via a wireless communication path, and updates the map information stored by itself. The map information storage means for storing the map information, the position detection means for detecting the current position, the movement history storage means for storing a series of positions detected by the position detection means as a movement history, and the movement Map information selection update means for selecting one of the plurality of update map information based on the movement history stored in the history storage means, and acquiring the selected update map information from the corresponding map information providing device; Of the map information stored in the map information storage means, the update map information storage means for storing the update map information acquired by the map information selection update means, and the update map information. For the geographical location indicated by the updated map information stored in the information storage means, combined display means for combining and displaying the map information and the updated map information so that the updated map information is displayed. It is characterized by providing. As a result, the updated map information of a type that matches the user's movement history is automatically selected from a plurality of types of updated map information and reflected in the original map information.

  Here, as a more specific first configuration example, the map information stored in the map information storage means includes landmark information relating to landmarks, and the map information update device further includes the movement history storage. Landmark information extracting means for extracting landmark information of the map information corresponding to the destination in the movement history from the movement history accumulated in the means and the map information accumulated in the map information accumulation means, The map information selection / update means can be configured to select the updated map information based on the landmark information extracted by the landmark information extraction means. For example, the landmark information includes category information indicating the type of the landmark, and the map information selection / update means indicates the category information included in the landmark information extracted by the landmark information extraction means. The updated map information belonging to the category can be selected. As a result, from among a plurality of types of updated map information, a type of updated map information that matches the frequently used destination category, that is, a type of updated map information that matches the user's preference is automatically selected. .

  As a more specific second configuration example, the map information stored in the map information storage means includes route information indicating the type of route, and the map information update device further includes the movement history storage. Route information extracting means for extracting route information of the map information corresponding to a route included in the movement history from the movement history accumulated in the means and the map information accumulated in the map information accumulation means, The information selection / update means may be configured to select the updated map information based on a route type indicated by the route information extracted by the route information extraction means. For example, the type of route includes “narrow road”, and the map information selection / update unit is configured such that the type of route indicated by the route information extracted by the route information extraction unit is “narrow road”. Can select updated map information including detailed information about “narrow road”. As a result, update map information suitable for the type of route in the user's movement history is automatically selected from a plurality of types of update map information.

  Further, as a more specific third configuration example, the plurality of map information providing devices search for an optimum route connecting those points with respect to a given departure place and arrival place, and the search results are obtained. A route search request for requesting the plurality of map information providing devices to search for a route connecting the departure point and the arrival point of the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit. And a route comparison means for comparing a route indicated by a search result output from the plurality of map information providing devices in response to a request from the route search request unit and a route of the movement history related to the request, The map information selection updating means is provided by a map information providing apparatus that outputs, as a search result, a route closest to the route of the movement history related to the request based on the comparison result by the route comparison means. It may be configured to select the map information. At this time, the plurality of map information providing devices further includes means for calculating a time required for moving the route obtained by the search, and outputting the calculated result. The required time output from a plurality of map information providing devices and the required time in the travel history related to the request are compared, and the map information selection / update means relates to the request based on the comparison result by the route comparison means. The route closest to the route of the movement history is output as a search result, and the updated map information provided by the map information providing device that outputs the required time closest to the required time in the movement history may be selected, The route search requesting unit is a route connecting the starting point and the arriving point of the movement history having the longest movement time among the movement histories accumulated in the movement history accumulating unit. Preferably requests a search to the plurality of map information providing apparatus. As a result, update map information for performing a route search that matches the user's movement history is automatically selected from a plurality of types of update map information.

  The updated map information includes voice name information related to the names of routes and points, and the map information selection updating means further updates the updated map information based on the voice name information included in the updated map information. You may choose.

  By the way, when map information of a different type from the currently used map is acquired and the map information is partially updated, an inconsistency occurs when trying to display it by combining it with the currently used map information. There is a case. For example, if the landmark icon of the currently used map is different from the icon of the updated map landmark, the user is confused.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a map information update device and the like that can display updated map information in a format that is consistent with already acquired map information even when updated with different types of map information The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve such an object, the composite display means includes various differences between the map information stored in the map information storage means and the updated map information, such as seams, landmark sizes, landmarks, and the like. The map information and the updated map information are combined and displayed after absorbing differences such as the font size, background color, and scale of the information.

  Specifically, in order to combine and display the original map information and the updated map information, the combined display means includes the route included in the map information stored in the map information storage means and the updated map information. The map information and the updated map information are combined and displayed so that the shift at the joint with the corresponding route included in the map is minimized, or the land included in the map information stored in the map information storage means is displayed. In order to display the mark and the landmark included in the updated map information with the same size icon, the size of any landmark icon is adjusted to perform the composite display or the map information storage Any of the labels is displayed so that the landmark information included in the map information stored in the means and the landmark information included in the updated map information are displayed in the same size font. The updated map information is adjusted so that the composite information is displayed by adjusting the font size of the mark information, or the map information stored in the map information storage means and the updated map information are displayed in the same background color. The scale of the updated map information is adjusted so that the map information stored in the map information storage means and the updated map information are displayed at the same scale. It is preferable that the composite display is performed. As a result, the composite map is displayed without a sense of incongruity in a state where the original map information and the updated map information match.

  The map information selection / updating unit is further configured to select the updated map information in accordance with an occupancy ratio on a screen when the map information stored in the map information storage unit is displayed by the composite display unit. It is good. Specifically, the map information selection / update means may select the updated map information of the same type as the updated map information when the vicinity of the place to be updated has already been updated with the updated map information. Good. This makes it possible to display a consistent and unified map.

  Further, as a more specific fourth configuration example, the map information update device further calculates an action model indicating a behavior characteristic of the user based on the movement history stored in the movement history storage means. The map information selection update means selects update map information that matches the behavior model calculated by the behavior model calculation means, and acquires the selected update map information from the corresponding map information providing device. It can be set as the structure to do. As a result, the map is updated in a manner that matches the behavioral characteristics of the user, and convenience for the user is improved.

  Here, as a specific example of the behavior model, the behavior model calculation means uses the behavior range of the user for each category of the destination to be moved as the behavior model based on the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation means. The map information selection updating unit may calculate a map related to the behavior range indicated by the behavior model calculated by the behavior model calculation unit, and select a detailed map for the category as the updated map information. Thereby, for each user's action range, the map is updated to a detailed map for the facility category frequently used by the user, and a map update that matches the user's action specification is realized.

  Hereinafter, a map information updating apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This mobile terminal 100 is a mobile terminal as an example of a map information updating apparatus according to the present invention, such as a car navigation system, and selects and acquires a plurality of map information provided via a communication network, It is a device that updates a map owned by itself, and includes a position information detection unit 101, a movement history storage unit 102, a map information storage unit 103, a map information selection unit 104, a map information update unit 105, an update map information storage unit 106, and update information. A notification unit 107, a landmark information extraction unit 110, and a composite display unit 117 are provided. In addition, in this figure, the 1st update map information provision part 108 and the 2nd update map information provision part 109 which are connected with this mobile terminal 100 via the communication network are also shown collectively.

  The position information detection unit 101 is a sensor or the like that detects the current position of the mobile terminal 100, and is, for example, a GPS antenna or the like provided in the mobile terminal, and detects the latitude and longitude information of the user. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of position information detected by the position information detection unit 101. Here, it is detected that “position is 135 degrees 20 minutes 35 seconds east longitude 34 degrees 44 minutes 35 seconds north latitude” at “8:10 on May 10, 2004”. In addition, it is good also as providing the time obtained from GPS, or a calendar clock etc., and detecting the date time information from which the positional information was detected simultaneously.

  FIG. 4 is a map showing an example of the position information detected by the position information detection unit 101 and the current user position. The detected position information is indicated by a white circle, the current user position is indicated by an arrow, the destination “Maruyama Golf Course”, and the route to the destination is indicated by a black line.

  The map information storage unit 103 is a hard disk or the like that stores map information in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the map information is used at the time of navigation for displaying the position of the user detected by the position information detection unit 101 on the display screen of the car navigation system or guiding the route. As shown in FIG. 4, the map information is divided for each predetermined mesh area. For example, in this embodiment, it is assumed that it is divided by mesh IDs “M11”, “M12”, and the like. In addition, for each mesh, the map information is stored in a hierarchical structure such as landmark information existing in the area, route information indicating the network structure of intersections and routes, or image information such as background.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of detailed information of the mesh ID “M21” shown in FIG. The map information has a hierarchical structure such as landmark information, route information, background information, and the like, for example, landmark information “L51”, “L52” and the like in the mesh ID “M21” are accumulated. In addition, road network information is accumulated as route information. Further, as background information, for example, a background color “green” and the like are also accumulated. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing more detailed information of the landmark information. The landmark ID “L51” is “Maruyama Golf Course”, and node information such as the position “135 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds east longitude 34 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds north latitude” and the category “golf facility” is listed (arrows). It is accumulated).

  The movement history accumulation unit 102 is a memory or the like that accumulates the movement history of the user. In the present embodiment, the position information detection unit 101 extracts the user's destination based on the detected position information and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103, and displays a series of position information as a movement history. Is stored in the movement history storage unit 102. The destination is extracted, for example, by using a landmark located in the vicinity of the point where the engine is stopped (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) as the destination.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining destination extraction, and shows an area corresponding to the mesh ID “M21”. In this area, there are “Comvinyson” and “Maruyama Golf Course”. On the other hand, white circles indicate detected position information. For example, it is assumed that the user stops the engine in the vicinity of “Maruyama Golf Course”. Then, since there is a landmark “Maruyama Golf Course” at the position where the engine is stopped and in the vicinity thereof (for example, within a radius of 50 meters), the user's destination is determined as the Maruyama Golf Course and extracted. It becomes.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user's movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. For example, the movement history is accumulated by giving a movement history ID to each movement of the user. For example, a user's movement toward the destination “Maruyama Golf Course” at “10:00 on May 10, 2004” is accumulated as a movement history ID “001”.

  The first updated map information providing unit 108 and the second updated map information providing unit 109 are a Web server or the like that accumulates update map information. For example, when a new store is created and the map is updated as a landmark, the old map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 is different from the actual map information, and the new information is reflected. There is a need to update the map information (hereinafter referred to as updated map information). The first updated map information providing unit 108 and the second updated map information providing unit 109 accumulate such updated map information. Furthermore, the means for providing updated map information is not limited to one. There are cases where different map companies are provided, and even if the same company is provided, a plurality of different types of maps are provided. Here, the first updated map information providing unit 108 provides the map information provided from the company A (hereinafter, the updated map information provided from the first updated map information providing unit 108 is referred to as “first updated map information”). On the other hand, the second updated map information providing unit 109 provides the map information provided by the company B (hereinafter, the updated map information provided by the second updated map information providing unit 109 is referred to as “second updated map”). Information ”).

  For example, it is assumed that there is a change in the map information corresponding to the mesh ID “M11” at a certain time. Each map information providing company accumulates each updated map information in each providing means. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a part of the original map information is updated by the first updated map information provided from the company A that provides a standard map. Compared with the old map shown in FIG. 4, the mesh ID “M11” reflects new information, and it can be seen that a new landmark “Convenience store Kmart” has been newly established. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the first updated map information. As landmark information in mesh ID “M11”, landmark ID “L61”, name “convenience store K mart”, position “134 degrees 59 minutes 00 seconds east 35 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds north latitude”, category “convenience store”, etc. Information is accumulated. “Map type” indicating the type of map is “standard” indicating a standard map.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 is the 2nd update map information provided from B company. The second updated map information reflects new information as compared with the old map shown in FIG. 4, for example, a new landmark is newly provided. Furthermore, the second updated map information is “golf-only” map information created for those who frequently go to golf, and is different from the first updated map information described above. For example, landmarks “Miyazato Golf Course” and “Katayama Golf Shop” have been newly established. These landmarks are map information with the same mesh ID “M11”, but are not shown in the first updated map information. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of the second updated map information. The second updated map information has a “map type” of “golf only” and, as the landmark information in the mesh ID “M11”, for example, the landmark ID “L71”, the name “Miyazato Golf Course”, and the position “Eastern” Information such as “134 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds, north latitude 35 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds” is stored.

  Thus, the provided map information is not limited to one type in the present embodiment, and a plurality of map information may be provided. Further, the provided maps are not necessarily the same contents, and the contents may differ depending on the maps.

  In general, map information not only represents a route or terrain but also searches for and displays landmarks, thereby playing a role of making the user's behavior more comfortable. At this time, the presence / absence of landmarks, the number of existing landmarks, or detailed information of the same landmarks is generally different depending on the application. Therefore, in an environment where map information is provided via a server or the like, the user needs to select from the plurality of provided map information. When there are a plurality of map information to be provided, the user needs to determine which map is convenient for the user by comparing them. In general, the user thinks that the currently used map information is optimal. However, if there are many services that provide map information, the currently used map information is not always optimal. Of the provided map information, which map information is most suitable for the user cannot be determined unless compared. Further, map information may be provided with map information having different levels of detail depending on the region. For example, the map information provided by the local government in Nara Prefecture provides detailed information for “Nara Prefecture”, but may not provide detailed map information for the surrounding area. In addition, the map information provided by the golf association provides detailed information regarding the golf course, the route from the main road such as an expressway to the golf course, and the map information regarding the facilities around the golf course. There is a case. As described above, the level of detail of the map information often differs depending on the service company or group to be provided.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, map information useful for the user can be automatically selected from the user's movement history, the user's operation history with respect to the car navigation, and the like. The user can automatically select the optimal map information without downloading the map information and comparing which map information is useful for each landmark or road. In addition, in the car navigation system provided in the car, the operability is limited, and it is not preferable to prevent the driving operation. Therefore, excessive operation is not preferable. Also from this point of view, in the present embodiment, map information corresponding to the user is automatically selected based on the user's movement history for convenience.

  The map information selection unit 104 is a processing unit that selects map information according to the user from the map information provided by the first and second update map information providing units 108 and 109. The map information update unit 105 controls the map information selection unit 104. Select the map information. The selected map information is downloaded via the network by the map information selection unit 104 under the control of the map information update unit 105 and stored in the updated map information storage unit 106 via the map information update unit 105. In the present embodiment, for example, the map information selection unit 104 extracts the user's preference from the landmark that is the user's destination accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102, and selects the map information according to the preference. To do.

  The landmark information extraction unit 110 extracts the frequency of the category to which the destination belongs from the user's destination accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102, and determines, for example, a frequent one as the user's preference. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining user preference extraction. Similar to the movement history shown in FIG. 4, the user's destination is, for example, that the destination “Maruyama Golf Course” was reached at “10:00 on May 10, 2004 (Sunday)” in the movement history ID “001”. Is accumulated. Further, it can be understood that this “Maruyama golf course” (landmark ID “L51”) is a category “golf facility” by referring to the map information (FIG. 6). Therefore, the landmark information extraction unit 110 calculates the category “golf facility” that is the user's destination as one time. Similarly, the destination category of the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102 is calculated. For example, the destination of the movement history ID “005” is different from “Ozaki Golf Course” (landmark ID “L53”) and “Maruyama Golf Course”, but the category to which the destination belongs is “ Since it is the same as “golf facility”, it is counted as “golf facility”. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, since the six destinations of the movement history IDs “001” to “006” belong to the category “golf facility”, the landmark information extraction unit 110 determines the frequency of the golf facility. Extract “6 times”. From this result, it can be understood that the user frequently goes to the “golf facility”. Therefore, the map information selection unit 104 identifies the user's preference from the information (here, the frequency for each destination category) obtained by the landmark information extraction unit 110, and based on the identified user's preference, Select map information.

  For example, when a threshold value or the like is provided and the threshold value (for example, 5 times) or more is set, the category is regarded as a user's favorite category. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the category “golf facility” is 6 times and is equal to or greater than the threshold value, so the map information selection unit 104 has map information related to this “golf facility”, that is, company B (second The updated map information providing unit 109) selects second updated map information that is a golf-only map. The selected second update map information is acquired by the map information selection unit 104 under the control of the map information update unit 105 (that is, an update process is performed), and the acquired second update map information is the map information. The update unit 105 stores the updated map information storage unit 106. As shown in FIG. 10, the map type of the map information provided by the company A is “standard”, whereas the map provided by the company B as shown in FIG. This is determined from the fact that the map type of the information is “golf facility”.

  In this example, there is an attribute such as a map type as an attribute of the map information provided by the company A and the company B, and the map information is selected according to the attribute. If not, the map information may be selected using the number of registered landmarks in the specific section. For example, in the mesh ID “M11” in the map information provided by the company A shown in FIG. 9, the number of facilities related to golf and the mesh ID “M11” provided by the company B shown in FIG. Compare the number of facilities related to golf. In the map information of FIG. 11, “Miyazato Golf Course” and “Katayama Golf Shop” are registered as landmark information, whereas in the map information of FIG. 9, there is a facility at that point. The name of the facility is not registered as a landmark. As a result, the map information selection unit 104 determines that the map information of company B is more likely to be registered with many landmarks related to the golf facility, and can select the map information of company B. it can. Thus, map information may be selected according to the number of landmarks registered in a certain predetermined section.

  The update information notification unit 107 presents notification of update map information stored in the update map information storage unit 106 to the user based on the update of the map information, that is, based on the update notification from the map information update unit 105. Device. The notification to the user is performed, for example, via a display unit such as an LCD provided in the car navigation system.

  The composite display unit 117 is a processing unit that synthesizes and displays the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 and the update map information stored in the update map information storage unit 106. Specifically, as shown in the composite display examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the geographic information indicated by the updated map information stored in the updated map information storage unit 106 among the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103. For a specific location (mesh ID “M11” in FIGS. 9 and 11), the map information and the updated map information are combined and displayed so that the updated map information is displayed. The display is performed, for example, on a display unit such as an LCD provided in the car navigation system.

  Next, the operation of mobile terminal 100 in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to flowcharts (FIGS. 15 to 18).

  First, the position information detection unit 101 detects the current position (step S101). Accordingly, position information is detected at predetermined intervals as the user moves (white circles in FIG. 4).

  Next, the position information detection unit 101 extracts a destination based on the detected position information (step S102). The position information detection unit 101 extracts a destination using the detected position information and the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103. Specifically, the position information detection unit 101 determines whether or not the engine has been stopped (step S201 in FIG. 16). If the engine has been stopped (Yes in step S201), the position information detection unit 101 refers to the position information of that point. In step S202, the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 is referred to (step S203).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the point is within the predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) (step S204). If the point is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S204), the landmark is determined. Is extracted as a destination (step S205). On the other hand, if it is out of range (No in step S204), the process ends. For example, in the case of FIG. 5, the point where the engine is stopped is within a predetermined range of the landmark “Maruyama Golf Course”, so the destination is determined to be “Maruyama Golf Course”.

  Subsequently, the position information detection unit 101 accumulates the destination thus extracted as a history in the movement history accumulation unit 102 (step S103 in FIG. 15). FIG. 8 shows an example of a movement history. Here, the destination “Maruyama Golf Course” is stored as the movement history ID “001”.

  On the other hand, the landmark information extraction unit 110 extracts the user's preference from the travel history stored in the travel history storage unit 102 in order to select the updated map information to be provided. In this embodiment, extraction is performed based on landmark information (step S104 in FIG. 15). Specifically, the landmark information extraction unit 110 first refers to the movement history (step S301 in FIG. 17), and refers to the destination of each movement history (step S302). Next, the category to which the destination belongs is determined based on the map information (step S303). The corresponding category is counted (step S304), and the destination category of the user's movement history is calculated by repeating for each movement history (Yes in step S305). For example, in the case of the movement history ID “001” shown in FIG. 13, the destination is “Maruyama Golf Course”, while “Maruyama Golf Course” is classified into the category “Golf Facility” from the map information shown in FIG. Therefore, “golf facility” becomes a corresponding category, and 1 count is added. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the frequency of the category “golf facility” is calculated as “6 times” by repeating this step for each movement history.

  Next, based on the information extracted by the landmark information extraction unit 110, the map information selection unit 104 selects updated map information (step S105 in FIG. 15). Specifically, the map information selection unit 104 first refers to the frequency of the category extracted by the landmark information extraction unit 110 (step S401 in FIG. 18), and the category whose frequency is equal to or higher than a threshold (for example, 5 times). It is determined whether or not it exists (step S402). If it exists (Yes in step S402), the updated map information stored in the first and second updated map information providing units 108 and 109 is referred to (step S403). On the other hand, if it does not exist (No in step S402), the process ends. In the case of FIG. 13, since the category “golf facility” with the frequency “6 times” corresponds, the updated map information accumulated in the first and second updated map information providing units 108 and 109 is referred.

  Subsequently, the map information selection unit 104 determines whether or not there is updated map information related to the category from the updated map information (step S404). If the corresponding updated map information exists (Yes in step S404), the corresponding updated map information is selected (step S405). However, the date and time when the currently used map information is registered is compared with the provided update date and time of the corresponding updated map information, and the updated map information is selected only when the updated map information is newer. On the other hand, if it does not exist (No in step S404), the process ends. In the present embodiment, since the second update map information is “golf-only” map information (from FIG. 12), the second update map information is selected.

  Next, the selected updated map information is acquired and updated via the network by the map information selection unit 104 under the control of the map information update unit 105 (step S106 in FIG. 15), and is updated by the map information update unit 105. It is stored in the updated map information storage unit 106 (step S107).

  Finally, the update information notification unit 107 notifies the user of the updated map information (step S108). FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen display example indicating notification of updated map information, and notification that the golf-only map information provided from Company B has been updated is provided. Thereafter, in the map display in the car navigation display or the like, the composite display unit 117 displays a composite map in which the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 is overwritten with the map information stored in the updated map information storage unit 106. Generate and display.

  In the present embodiment, an example regarding a golf facility has been described. However, other landmark information may be used. For example, for a user who frequently visits a convenience store, a map in which detailed map information regarding the convenience store is registered may be preferentially updated. By using the landmark classification information registered in this way, map information can be selected in accordance with the movement of the user.

  In the present embodiment, map information suitable for the user is selected and updated from a plurality of updated map information to be provided. In addition to this, the source information stored in the map information storage unit 103 is added. The updated map information may be processed in consideration of the map information.

  When map information is provided from different providers, for example, the appearance of landmarks, backgrounds, and the like are not necessarily the same and may differ. On the other hand, even if the map information suitable for the user is partially updated from each company as in the present embodiment, there is a great need for the user who wants to inherit the landmark and overview of the map that has been used conventionally. In addition, it is preferable in driving that the landmarks and appearance familiar to the user are inherited and the user can easily grasp the information. Therefore, the composite display unit 117 may process the updated map information in consideration of the old map information that has been conventionally used. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS. 11 and 19.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11 described above, it is assumed that the mesh ID “M11” is updated with the second updated map information (the golf-only map provided by Company B). On the other hand, it is assumed that the user has conventionally used map information of company C different from company B. That is, mesh IDs “M21”, “M22”, “M12”, etc. that have not been updated become map information of company C different from company B. At this time, the landmark and background of the mesh ID “M11 (Company B)” and, for example, “M21 (Company C)” are different. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing details of map information of the mesh ID “M11 (Company B)” and the mesh ID “M21 (Company C)”. For example, even if the landmark is the same golf course, the mark is different and the background is also different. Therefore, the landmark of “M11”, which is the updated map information, the background, the color of the road, and the like are changed to the same as “M21”. Further, not only the colors but also the size of characters may be unified so that the driving driver can grasp the information more easily.

  Here, for the icons on the map indicating landmarks and the like, the following display devices may be further added. In other words, in the above-described map information processing example, the updated map information icon is transformed in accordance with the map icon used before the map update. However, there is a high possibility that a lot of landmarks and a lot of information are registered in the newly updated map as compared with the conventional map information. As a result, since many landmarks are registered per unit map, a map may be displayed using a smaller icon or a smaller font than a conventional map. For this reason, if the icon is displayed in the size of the landmark icon of the conventional map, it is difficult to confirm the overlapping of many parts. Therefore, the conventional landmark icon of the map information is transformed according to the size of the landmark icon of the updated map information. As a result, even in new map information in which many landmarks are registered, the conventional landmark icons can be displayed with reduced icons, and many landmarks are registered. Even in this case, it is possible to avoid overlapping landmarks on the map.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20A, a case will be described in which M11 is a newly updated map of company B, and M21, M12, and M22 are maps conventionally used by company C. In the map of Company B, since information on golf-related facilities is substantial, icons relating to many landmarks are displayed on the map. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20B, the icon of the golf related information is 8Pt × 6Pt. On the other hand, it is assumed that a golf-related landmark icon is represented by 14 Pt × 10 Pt on a map that is conventionally used by Company C. Therefore, when the map of company B is displayed using the golf-related landmark icon on the map of company C, many golf-related landmarks are overlapped. On the other hand, even if it is displayed with a golf-related landmark icon on the map of company B, it may not be recognized that the facility is a golf-related facility because the icon is not familiar to the user. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20B, the size of the icon of the company C that has been used conventionally is changed so as to be the size of the icon of the landmark related to golf on the map of the company B. This makes it possible to display the screen without overlapping each other by using golf-related icons that are familiar to the user. The same processing can be performed for information displayed on the screen such as a font. Also, regarding the size of icons and fonts, not only can the original map information be adjusted to match the updated map information, but conversely, the updated map information can be adjusted to the original map information. You may combine them. When a lot of original map information is displayed on the display screen, adjusting the icon and font of the updated map information may balance the display with the surrounding map and make it easier to see. .

  These processes, that is, the process of processing the updated map information based on the original map information or the movement history of the user are updated by the map information selection unit 104 under the control of the map information update unit 105. After the map information is acquired, the composite display unit 117 may apply the acquired updated map information to store the updated updated map information in the updated map information storage unit 106. Alternatively, since the update of the map information is generally performed via a network, considering the communication cost, the provided update map information is temporarily stored in the update map information storage unit 106 to notify the update information. When the unit 107 notifies the updated map information, the composite display unit 117 may read the updated map information from the updated map information storage unit 106 and process the read updated map information.

  In the present embodiment, the update map information is selected based on the frequency of the landmark category, but the present invention is not limited to such a selection criterion. For example, the update may be performed in consideration of the area where the update map information exists and the surrounding use map information. A specific example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 21, the mesh IDs “M12”, “M13”, “M21”, “M23”, “M31”, “M32”, and “M33” used the second updated map information provided by the company B. To do. On the other hand, it is assumed that the mesh ID “M22” uses map information of company C different from company B. It is assumed that “M11” is updated with the second updated map information provided from the B company by the method described above. At this time, all nine locations around “M22” become map information provided by Company B. Therefore, in order to unify the map information and make it easier to grasp the information, the composite display unit 117 may update the mesh ID “M22” to the map information provided by the company B in the same manner as the surroundings. In this way, the map information is updated with updated map information of the same type as the updated map information having a large occupation rate in consideration of the occupation ratio in the display on the screen, so that the map becomes uniform and easy to see.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the size and the cut end of the some update map information provided were the same. Specifically, the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 4 and used by the user in the past, and the mesh information of the map information provided by each company shown in FIGS. Were the same. What is different is the landmark information and the like. Therefore, when updating the mesh ID “M11” portion of the old map information, the mesh ID “M11” of the provided update map information is selected as the first selected. You only have to replace it with updated map information or second updated map information. In general, the map information has a hierarchical structure as described in the above embodiment, and the basic structure is the same. Only the landmark information and background information are unique to each company. Can be considered. Therefore, when updating only a predetermined part, for example, when updating the mesh ID “M11”, it is possible to update the map information by updating the mesh ID “M11” of each company.

  However, not all map information necessarily has the same basic structure. For example, the case where the method of cutting the mesh ID varies depending on each company may be considered. In this case, the map can be updated by selecting a plurality of meshes and cutting out the corresponding part. Hereinafter, a method for updating the existing map information with the updated map information with different map meshes will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 22.

  The mesh ID “M11” of the map information shown in FIG. 4 is updated. When updating, the trigger for selecting the map information, that is, the user's preference is “golf facility” as in the above case. Therefore, it becomes the 2nd update map information.

  Here, it is assumed that the mesh ID of the second updated map information is different from the old map information. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing second updated map information as an example. The second update map information is assumed to be divided by predetermined areas “P (parcel) 11”, “P12”, “P13”, and the like. At this time, when the part corresponding to the mesh ID “M11” is to be updated, the four parts “P11”, “P12”, “P21”, and “P22” are selected, the corresponding part is cut, and a new mesh is selected. It is necessary to update the ID as “M11”.

  As a countermeasure for this, information on the latitude and longitude of the four corner points (M11A, M11B, M11C, M11D) of M11 in FIG. 22 is extracted, and in the second updated map information, the area classification including the position coordinates of these four points Select. As a result, P11, P12, P21, and P22 are selected and updated using their partial maps. This makes it possible to update the map even if it is updated map information that differs from existing map information.

  In updating the map, it may be necessary to consider not only the mesh cut but also the difference in the scale of the map information. For example, there are cases where the map information corresponding to the scale of the map information used by the user does not exist in the provided update map information. In this case, the updated map information is changed to the scale of the user's map information. Thus, the map can be updated. Hereinafter, a method of updating existing map information with updated map information having different scales will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 23 shows second updated map information (golf only) corresponding to the mesh ID “M11” shown in FIG. It is assumed that the map information used by the user is 1/3000, and the provided second update map information does not have a 1/3000 scale map. At this time, for example, the scale information is converted into a scale of 1/13000 based on map information of 1/2000 which is more detailed map information than 1/13000. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the second updated map information converted into 1/13000 is stored in the updated map information storage unit 106 as an updated map. This makes it possible to update existing map information with updated map information with different scales.

  Even when the mesh ID cuts are unified or the scales are unified, the consistency of the map information is not always obtained due to a slight positional shift or the like when drawing the map. At this time, for example, the map information may be matched based on the main road that the user will often use. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 shows the mesh ID “M11” updated by the second updated map information. On the other hand, the mesh ID “M12” is assumed to be map information of company C that has been used by the user. Here, the providers are different and partially updated, so the maps do not match completely. For example, the mesh IDs “M11” and “M12” are different, such as a narrow road shown in FIG. Therefore, we will place importance on the main roads and make them coincide. For example, a color boundary is differentiated, an edge is extracted, and a road is extracted. As described above, the map information has a hierarchical structure of several layers. For example, the route information can be extracted by using the route information. Next, we will focus on the main roads and make a correlation and match them. In FIG. 25, the narrow roads do not match, but the main roads match. In this way, by aligning the map information and the updated map information so that the shift at the joint between the route included in the original map information and the corresponding route included in the updated map information is minimized, consistency is achieved. A composite map can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the type of dedicated map information is uniquely determined based on the “map type” written in the map information. Specifically, for example, map information dedicated to golf is described as a map type “golf only”. However, the determination of the type of map information is not limited to this. For example, the determination may be made automatically by analyzing text written in the map information. For example, an updated map type determining means for determining the type of map information is newly provided, and the updated map type determining means can automatically determine by analyzing text written in the map information. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

  FIG. 26 shows the second updated map information of the mesh ID “M11” stored in the second updated map information providing unit 109. Unlike the second update map information described above, “map type” is not written in the second update map information. On the other hand, “detailed information” is described as a detailed description of each landmark information. For example, a description related to golf is described as a detailed description of the landmark, such as “all 18 holes of the golf course” as detailed information of “Miyazato Golf Course”. Or, as detailed information of “Katayama Golf Shop”, information related to golf such as “New Driver Release”, “Iron Set”, etc. is described. Therefore, the type of map information may be determined by performing morphological analysis on the text information and extracting keywords such as nouns. In this case, it is possible to determine that the information can be used exclusively for golf because there is a lot of information regarding golf. The map information provided from different providers does not always use a common format, and the type of map information as shown in this embodiment is not always specified. Therefore, it is possible to automatically determine the type of map information by analyzing the text information accumulated in the map information as described above. It is also possible to determine the amount or density of the landmarks related to golf by referring to the information amount or category of text information. For example, by calculating the density of landmarks such as golf courses and golf shops that exist within a predetermined section, a map dedicated to golf is used, or the amount of information described in the detailed information is large, and information about golf is detailed. Automatic determination as a map is possible.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the optimum updated map information is selected from the updated map information provided by using the landmark information. In the present embodiment, a method for selecting optimal updated map information from a plurality of updated map information provided using route information will be described.

  FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 100a according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This mobile terminal 100a is an apparatus that selects update map information that is most suitable for the user from a plurality of provided update map information using route information, and includes a position information detection unit 101, a node information extraction unit 111, a map An information storage unit 103, a movement history storage unit 102, a route type extraction unit 112, a map information selection unit 104, a map information update unit 105, an update map information storage unit 106, an update information notification unit 107, and a composite display unit 117 are provided. In addition, in this figure, the 1st update map information provision part 108 and the 2nd update map information provision part 109 which are connected with this mobile terminal 100a via the communication network are also shown collectively. Hereinafter, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The map information storage unit 103 is a hard disk or the like that stores map information in advance, and is divided into predetermined areas and stored in a hierarchical structure as described in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 5). However, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the map information shown in FIG. 28 is accumulated.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing route information of the mesh ID “M41” of the map information shown in FIG. FIG. 29 shows an intersection “Green 1 intersection”, a landmark “ABC company”, a road “National highway 163”, and the like existing in the mesh ID “M41”. The route information of the map information is expressed by a network structure in which the road information is indicated by nodes and links. For example, intersections and landmarks are represented by nodes (square marks in FIG. 29). In FIG. 29, the intersection “Green 1 intersection” has a node ID “N (node) 14”, and the landmark “ABC company” has a node ID “N81”. Also, the black thick line in FIG. 29 is a link connecting nodes, and is along the center line of the road. In FIG. 29, a road “National highway 163” connecting node IDs “N14 (green 1 intersection)” and “N15 (green 2 intersection)” is represented by a link ID “L (link) 31”. This link has a “shape point” for indicating the shape. The shape point has coordinates “x coordinate, y coordinate” for displaying the link shape (for example, an absolute value coordinate based on a node at one end). The number will change accordingly. For example, the link ID “L31 (National Route 163)” has four shape points such as shape points “s (shape) 1”, “s2”, and the shape point represents the curve of the link ID “L31”. Yes.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating node information of route information with the mesh ID “M41”. In the mesh ID “M41”, node IDs “N14”, “N15”, “N81”, and the like exist as node information, and detailed information of each node, for example, the name “ABC company” of the node ID “N81”, Detailed information of the node such as the position “135 degrees 34 minutes 30 seconds east longitude, 34 degrees 36 minutes 05 seconds north latitude”, the peripheral link “L32”, and the like are listed (stored by arrows in FIG. 30) and accumulated.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram showing detailed information of a link. As link information, link IDs “L31”, “L32”, and the like exist. Further, detailed information of each link, for example, the name “National highway 163” of the link ID “L31”, the shape point and its coordinates “s1 (x coordinate 10 , Y-coordinate 10) ”, peripheral nodes“ N14, N15 ”and the like serving as both ends of the link. In addition, as information on the route cost used for route search or the like, the distance “800 m” of the entire link and the average time “8 minutes” required to pass through the link are also stored. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the route type “national road” and the like are included as the link information. As described above, the route information is generally accumulated in a network structure of nodes and links connecting the nodes. In the present embodiment, map information provided by each map information provider is also stored in such a network structure, and each ID is also common. On the other hand, only attribute information attached to each node or link is independent of each company, and the nature of the map differs depending on this attribute information. Hereinafter, maps of each company will be described using specific examples.

  The first updated map information providing unit 108 and the second updated map information providing unit 109 are a plurality of Web servers that provide updated map information. Here, the first updated map information providing unit 108 is a means for providing general map information with priority on main roads (hereinafter referred to as “general map information”), and the second updated map information providing unit 109 is a main map information. It is a means for providing not only simple roads but also map information dedicated to people using the back road (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated map information”).

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of general map information with the mesh ID “M31” accumulated in the first updated map information providing unit 108. Of the route information in the mesh ID “M31”, details of the link information are shown. For example, the route type of the link ID “L35” is “narrow road”, and nodes “N21”, “N22”, and the like are accumulated as peripheral nodes. However, the route cost information used for route search or the like is the distance “impossible” and the passage average time “impossible”. Here, the cost information for route search is used for route search. For example, the search for the shortest route is generally calculated by the Dijkstra method using this cost information. However, in general map information, narrow roads or the like do not have this cost information or are not used even if they exist, and therefore are not used for calculating the shortest route. In other words, even if it exists on the map, the main road or generally wide road is used for route search, and the “narrow road” is not reflected. Therefore, “impossible” is written because it cannot be used for route search.

  On the other hand, FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of dedicated map information with the same mesh ID “M31” accumulated in the second updated map information providing unit 109. In the map information shown in FIG. 33, unlike the general map information accumulated in the first updated map information providing unit 108, the distance “50 m” is used as the cost information for route search of the link ID “L35” that is the same narrow road. ”, The average passing time“ 1 minute ”and the like are accumulated, and therefore, these“ narrow roads ”are also reflected in the route search. That is, since not only main roads but also these “narrow roads” are reflected, it is positioned as map information (dedicated map information) dedicated to people who use the back road. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 100a appropriately selects the general map information and the dedicated map information based on the movement history. Hereinafter, a method for selecting the map information using the movement history will be described.

  The movement history accumulating unit 102 is a memory or the like for accumulating the user's movement history. In this embodiment, the movement history accumulating unit 102 accumulates a user's departure and destination node IDs and a series of link IDs indicating a route to the destination. The Node and link extraction is performed by the node information extraction unit 111 using the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103.

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing the mesh ID “M41”. In FIG. 34, white circles are position information detected by the position information detection unit 101 as in the first embodiment. It is shown that the user passes through the green 1 intersection and the green 2 intersection and is heading for the ABC company. On the other hand, the map information includes location information of the green 1 intersection, the green 2 intersection, the ABC company, and the like. Based on these, the node information extraction unit 111 extracts the node ID. For example, with respect to the destination, as in the first embodiment, a node located near the point where the engine is stopped (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) is assumed to be the destination. Similarly, a node near the point where the engine is started is set as the departure point. Furthermore, regarding a passing node, when passing through a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) from the position of each node in the route information, the node is determined as a passing node.

  The node information extraction unit 111 identifies the passing link from the nodes at both ends that have passed, and accumulates it as the user's travel route. For example, in FIG. 34, since the position information exists within a predetermined range (radius 50 meters) centering on the node ID “N14 (green 1 intersection)”, the node ID “N14” is determined to pass. Similarly, the node ID “N15 (green 2 intersection)” is also determined to pass. Therefore, the link ID “L31 (National Highway 163)” having both node IDs “N14 (Green 1 intersection)” and “N15 (Green 2 intersection)” has passed, and a series of passing link IDs is accumulated as a movement history. Will be.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. A starting point, a destination, a route that has passed through, and the like extracted by the above-described method are accumulated. For example, it is indicated that the movement history ID “001” is the departure place “N100 (home)”, passes the routes “L11”, “L12”, etc., and has moved to the destination “N81 (ABC company)”. Yes.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the node information extraction unit 111 accumulates “route type” in the movement history accumulation unit 102 as the movement history. For example, the link ID “L11” corresponds to the route type “narrow road”, and the node information extraction unit 111 accumulates the link ID “L11” as a movement history using the “narrow road”.

  The route type extraction unit 112 is a processing unit that extracts the type of route used by the user from the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. The route type extraction unit 112 calculates, for example, the ratio (utilization rate) of the route type “narrow road” among all link IDs in the movement history. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 36, the number of “narrow roads” such as the link “L11” is 8 with respect to the total number of links 10, and thus 80% (8 ÷ 10). Here, a threshold value (for example, 60%) is provided, and when this ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the user uses a narrow road with priority. Since the user normally uses a narrow road preferentially, the updated map information also selects a map that preferentially uses the narrow road, that is, dedicated map information. That is, the map information selection unit 104 selects and acquires the update map information corresponding to the route type extracted by the route type extraction unit 112 from the first update map information providing unit 108 and the second update map information providing unit 109. .

  When the dedicated map information is selected, when a route is searched or a new road is created, the information that normally uses a narrow road is reflected in the new map. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, the dedicated map information is selected and updated for the mesh ID “M31” from the movement history that normally uses “narrow roads”, and this information is reflected in the route search. It is shown that narrow roads are prioritized and routed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 38, the general map information is selected and updated for the mesh ID “M31” from the movement history using a relatively wide road such as “National road”. In the route search, it is shown that a general road is preferentially routed.

  A mobile terminal such as a car navigation system generally has the same map information and generally the same information and a constant setting in order to cope with all users. For example, as described above, the route search generally prioritizes the main road. On the other hand, there are various user driving tasks, and there are various map information used depending on the region. In an environment where a plurality of map information is provided, there is a high need to customize these map information according to the user. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to update the map information based on the usual usage situation and customize it without complicated operations by the user.

  The “narrow road” shown in the present embodiment is route information given in advance to the map information, but is not limited to this. For example, the map information may be given information indicating the road width of the route, such as “3 meters or more and less than 5.5 meters”, and can be automatically determined from these road widths. It is also possible to use traffic regulation information. For example, even if the road width is the same, a one-way route is relatively easy because an oncoming vehicle does not come. It is possible to provide map information more suitable for the user to a user who usually avoids a general road or a national road that is likely to be congested and selects these routes.

  Further, not only the route information but also the landmark information shown in the first embodiment can be used to determine the route that the user usually likes. For example, the number of intersections that have passed can be used. In order to avoid waiting for a signal, it is also possible to provide dedicated map information shown in this embodiment to a user who selects a detour route.

  In this embodiment, the route type is accumulated together with the movement history, but the route type may be extracted later from the movement history and the map information accumulated in the map information accumulation unit 103.

  Next, the operation of mobile terminal 100a in the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, the position information detection unit 101 detects current position information (step S101 in FIG. 40).

  Next, the node information extraction unit 111 extracts a passage route as a link sequence from the departure point, destination node, and passage node based on the detected position information (step S1021). Specifically, the node information extraction unit 111 performs departure point extraction (step S2001 in FIG. 41), passing link extraction (step S2002), and destination extraction (step S2003) as node information extraction.

  Regarding the extraction of the departure place, the node information extraction unit 111 first refers to the position information of the point where the engine is started (step S2101 in FIG. 42), and refers to the map information (step S2102). Then, it is determined whether or not the position information is within a predetermined range of the node position information (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) (step S2103). If the position information is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S2103), the node ID is departed. The ground is set (step S2104).

  About extraction of a passage link, the node information extraction part 111 extracts from the passage node of both ends. First, as in the case of destination extraction, each position information (step S2201 in FIG. 43), map information is referenced (step S2202), and whether or not the node position information is within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 50 meters). (Step S2203), and if it is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S2203), the node ID is extracted as a passing node. Next, the previous passing node is referred to (step S2205), and a link including both node IDs is extracted as a passing link. For example, in FIG. 34, the node ID “N15” is extracted as the passing node ID. The previous node ID is “N14”, and the link ID “L31” including “N14” and “N15” is the passing link. In addition, the both ends of a link are accumulate | stored in the link information of map information, and it can be judged by using this (from FIG. 31).

  For the destination extraction, the node information extraction unit 111 refers to the position information of the point where the engine is stopped (step S2301 in FIG. 44), and refers to the map information (step S2302). Then, it is determined whether or not the position information is within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 50 meters) of the position information of the node (step S2303). If the position information is within the predetermined range (Yes in step S2303), the node ID is set as the purpose. The ground.

  Next, the node information extraction unit 111 accumulates the obtained departure place, destination, and route in the movement history accumulation unit 102 (step S103 in FIG. 40). FIG. 35 shows the accumulated movement history. Further, in the present embodiment, the link type “narrow road” and the like are accumulated.

  Then, the route type extraction unit 112 extracts the type of route used by the user (step S1041 in FIG. 40). Specifically, the route type extraction unit 112 refers to the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102 (step S501 in FIG. 45), and refers to each route (passed link) (step S502). Then, the route type of each link is determined (step S503). In the present embodiment, the usage rate of the route type “narrow road” for all nodes is calculated. In the movement history shown in FIG. 36, a utilization rate of 80% is calculated.

  Subsequently, the map information selection unit 104 selects map information in the map information selection unit 104 based on the determined utilization rate of the route type (step S1051 in FIG. 40). Specifically, the map information selection unit 104 determines whether or not the calculated usage rate is greater than or equal to a threshold (for example, 60%) (step S601 in FIG. 46), and if greater than the threshold (Yes in step S601). ), Dedicated map information is selected from the second updated map information providing unit 109 (step S602). On the other hand, if it is less than the threshold value (No in step S601), general map information is selected from the first updated map information providing unit 108 (step S603).

  FIG. 37 shows an example in which the dedicated map information is reflected when the route is set when the dedicated map information is selected, while FIG. 38 shows the route setting when the general map information is selected. In this case, an example in which general map information is reflected is shown. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the map information is updated using the updated map information of a type suitable for the user based on the route information.

  In the present embodiment, the utilization rate is calculated by the number of route types “narrow roads” with respect to the total number of nodes, but the present invention is not limited to such a calculation method. For example, calculation may be performed for each prefecture, city, or area, and a dedicated map may be selected in an area where the usage rate of “narrow roads” is high, and general map information may be selected in an area where the usage is low. For example, even a user who has an excellent driving task that normally uses a “narrow road” may update general map information in an unfamiliar area or a distant area. Therefore, the usage rate may be calculated for each area, and selection may be controlled according to the usage rate and the area.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the map information to be selected is dedicated map information and general map information using a back road or the like, but the present invention is not limited to such types of map information. For example, map information detailed in restaurant information that stores detailed restaurant information is used as dedicated map information, and updated map information is selected based on information stored in the movement history, for example, the category of the destination in the history It is good. Alternatively, not only the movement history but also the search and browsing history may be accumulated, the user's preference may be determined from the history, and updated map information suitable for the user may be selected.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example in which the feature of the user selected using the present embodiment is reflected in the map information. For the mesh ID “M41”, since the user usually uses a restaurant or the like, the dedicated map information dedicated to the restaurant is selected. Detailed traveling map information is selected on the back road. Thus, the update map information reflecting the user's characteristics can be selected by using the history.

  Moreover, you may select update map information based on the ratio and usage frequency which use predetermined map information. For example, as shown in FIG. 39, when there is a relatively large amount of map information dedicated to the back road, all other general map information is updated to the back road dedicated map information either automatically or by prompting a change. May be. At this time, after changing the map, it may be possible to return to the original map information used. As a result, in the environment where map information with various features is provided from each providing means, the user's preference also varies, but based on the user's history, the map information suitable for the user is automatically selected. At the same time, it is possible to reflect the user's preferences from the usage frequency and ratio.

  Moreover, when the update time of map information differs, it is good also as selecting the newest map information. For example, when a new road or landmark is created, the update time when each map information is provided may be different. At this time, if the dedicated map information provided from the second updated map information providing unit 109 that is normally used has not yet been updated, the latest provided from the first updated map information providing unit 108 is provisionally provided. The general map information may be acquired and updated when the dedicated map information is updated.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, information on landmarks such as destinations is accumulated, and map information is selected based on the information. In the second embodiment, the movement history of the user is accumulated, the type of road that is normally used is determined therefrom, and map information is selected using the information.

  By the way, when a route is searched using the departure point and the destination as input and map information is used, the provided route may differ depending on the registered map information and the route search algorithm. Also, route guidance includes guidance that is easy for the user to understand and guidance that is difficult to understand. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the map information is selected by automatically determining which map information should be used by using the movement history of the user and the provided route information. .

  FIG. 47 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 100b according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The mobile terminal 100b is a device that selectively uses map information based on a user's movement history and provided route information, and includes a position information acquisition unit 4501, a movement history accumulation unit 4502, and a first map. Information storage unit 4503, second map information storage unit 4504, third map information storage unit 4505, fourth map information storage unit 4506, route search request generation unit 4507, route search result reception unit 4508, route comparison unit 4509 And a map information selection unit 4510.

  The location information acquisition unit 4501 is a processing unit that acquires location information using a sensor such as a GPS antenna, as in the first and second embodiments.

  The movement history accumulation unit 4502 accumulates the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 4501 as a vehicle movement history using a medium such as a hard disk. The movement history of the vehicle is accumulated as the time series data of nodes such as intersections using the latitude and longitude values acquired by the position information acquisition unit 4501. Further, when an identifier is given to the route in the road information, it may be accumulated as a history of the route that the user has passed. For example, as shown in FIG. 48, information on the departure point, the arrival point, and the time at each point is accumulated for the date and time of travel, and information on the route from the departure point to the arrival point is accumulated. Shall. In FIG. 48, in the movement history ID 001, it is stored that the departure place is home and the arrival place is a company, and the routes used at that time are the routes L099 and L105.

  The first to fourth map information storage units 4503 to 4506 are Web servers that store map information provided by the company X1, the company X2, the company X3, and the company X4, respectively. These first to fourth map information storage units 4503 to 4506 store cost information and the like for the roads of the stored map information, and when the departure point and the arrival point are input, the required estimated time And a function for outputting information on a route passing from the departure point to the arrival point.

  The route search request generation unit 4507 extracts the position information of the departure point and the arrival point from the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 4502, and uses the position information to obtain the first to fourth map information accumulation units 4503. The route accumulated at ˜4506 is searched. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 48, the departure point and the arrival point are searched from the accumulated history information, and the latitude and longitude values of each point are extracted. Then, the route search is requested to each piece of map information (first to fourth map information storage units 4503 to 4506) for the set of the departure place and the arrival place. As will be described later, the obtained route search is compared by a route comparison unit 4509, and an optimum one is selected by a map information selection unit 4510. Therefore, it is preferable that the set of the departure point and the arrival point to be extracted have different routes to be searched depending on the map information to be used. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the route search request generation unit 4507 selects the travel history with the longest travel time because the range (variation) of selection of the route to be searched for the travel history with the long travel time is widened. In the example shown in FIG. 48, the movement history ID 006 with the longest required time is selected. In addition, when the calculation amount is sufficiently small and the calculation time (route search time) is sufficiently short, that is, when there is a sufficient margin in the processing capability of the mobile terminal 100b, the selection criterion is replaced. , All stored departure and arrival pairs may be selected.

  The route search result receiving unit 4508 uses the map information stored in the first to fourth map information storage units 4503 to 4506 and uses the map information stored in the route search request generation unit 4507 to start and end points of the route search. This is a communication interface that receives the result of the route search using the above information. The result is shown in FIG. FIG. 50 shows the result of the route search of FIG. 49 expressed by movement on the map.

  In FIG. 49, when the departure place is home and the arrival place is Maruyama Golf Course, the movement history of FIG. 48 arrives via L099, L105, L104, L300, L301, and L501. On the other hand, the result of the route search using each map information with the home as the departure point and the Maruyama golf course as the arrival point is the actual result when the first map and the third map are used. The same route as traveling is being searched. On the other hand, when the second map and the fourth map are used, the search results are the same departure place and the same arrival place, but different routes are searched.

  As shown in FIG. 50, according to the first map and the third map, when going to Maruyama Golf Course, get on the toll road from Ikeda Minami Interchange or Ikeda Kita Interchange and get off at Maruyama Inter. The search results for the golf course. This search result is a result intended to reduce the toll road usage distance and save the toll, and matches the actual travel (movement history) of the user. On the other hand, according to the 2nd map and the 4th map, since the purpose is to drive the toll road from near the home and go to the arrival place in a short time, there is a route using the toll road from the Ikeda Minami Interchange. It is a search result.

  Based on the travel history accumulated in the travel history accumulation unit 4502 and the search result notified from the route search result receiving unit 4508, the route comparison unit 4509 determines the travel route for the same departure point and the same arrival point. The coincidence of travel times (matching or closeness) is determined.

  The map information selection unit 4510 is a processing unit that selects the map information that gives the search result closest to the actual travel, based on the result compared by the route comparison unit 4509. Specifically, based on the comparison result of the route comparison unit 4509, the map information having the same travel route as the actual travel and the travel time closest to the actual travel as the search results is displayed in the first to fourth map information. Select from the map information. In the example shown in FIG. 49, a route search result using the first map and the third map is output as a search result for the same route as the actual travel, and is closest to the actual travel time of 101 minutes. The third map information with the estimated time required (99 minutes) is selected.

  Thereafter, by using the selected map information in the user's travel and route search, it is possible to perform a route search suitable for the user's actual travel and estimate the required time to the destination. In the above-described example, for the user who prioritizes the reduction of the fare cost for reducing the distance traveled on the toll road rather than the required time to the destination, the map information suitable for the user is selected. It will be.

  The contents of the above processing will be described using the flowchart of FIG. The position information acquisition unit 4501 converts the acquired position information into a movement sequence and stores it in the movement history storage unit 4502 (step S4901). If the vehicle has traveled for a predetermined travel time (for example, 5 hours), the process proceeds to the next step (step S4902). If the running is not satisfied, step S4901 is repeated. When traveling for a predetermined time or longer, the route search request generation unit 4507 selects a set of a departure place and an arrival place of the travel having the longest travel time from the travel history accumulated in the travel history accumulation unit 4502. (Step S4903). A route search request is then made to the map information accumulated in the first map information accumulation unit 4503 to the fourth map information accumulation unit 4506 using the latitude and longitude information of the selected departure place and arrival place. (Step S4904). The route search result receiving unit 4508 receives the route search result from each map information, and the route comparison unit 4509 has the same route as the actual travel history stored in the movement history storage unit 4502 in the received search result. It is determined whether there is a search result (step S4905). In the example of the search result shown in FIG. 49, since the search results of the first map information and the third map information are the same as the actual travel, the map information selection unit 4510 selects and selects those map information as candidates. To do. Further, the route comparison unit 4509 compares that the estimated time required for the route search of the first map information is 105 minutes, whereas it is 99 minutes for the route search of the third map information. Is done. Therefore, the map information selection unit 4510 has a travel time of 101 minutes, and the 99 minutes of the third map information is closer, so the third map information is closer to the user's actual travel. It is determined that the search can be performed, and finally the third map information is selected (step S4906).

  On the other hand, if a route search result that matches the user's travel in the fourth map information is not obtained from the first map information (NO in step S4905), the map information selection unit 4510 displays a route comparison unit 4509. Based on the comparison in step S4907, the map information that outputs the route search result that matches the travel of the main road is selected (step S4907). If there are a plurality of pieces of map information that coincide with the main roads, the map information with the estimated estimated time is selected (step S4908). As a result, it is possible to select map information for performing a route search in which the detailed portions of the user movement history are different but the outlines are the same. For example, in a normal travel history, a user may visit a friend's house that lives near the user's home and then travel for a long time. At this time, the detailed route information to the friend's house does not match, but the map information that outputs the route search result that matches the main road is selected. This makes it possible to select map information that matches the main movement pattern of the user.

  As a result of the route search using a plurality of map information, if there is no matching route on the main road (NO in step S4907), the travel history accumulation unit 4502 has the next longest travel time. The group of the departure place and the arrival place in the movement history is selected again (step S4909), and the process returns to step S4904. As a result, even when the user's movement history is a special movement history and the result of the route search does not match no matter which map information is used, the route search is executed using another movement history, and the user The map information can be selected according to the movement pattern.

  In the present embodiment, the travel history with the longest travel time is selected from the travel histories stored in the travel history storage unit 4502 in FIG. 48. Instead, the travel frequency is high. You may select the departure place and the arrival place of the movement history. This makes it possible to select map information that matches the movement pattern of the user in the route that the user uses most frequently. In particular, it is possible to select map information that is similar to a user's actual movement pattern in map information related to a route frequently used for commuting or attending school.

  In the present embodiment, the map is selected using only the travel history having the longest travel time with respect to the travel history accumulated in the travel history accumulation unit 4502 in FIG. 48. It is also possible to select all the accumulated movement histories and select map information that outputs a matching route search result for the entire movement history. At that time, map information that is the closest to the actual travel time may be selected. As a result, even a user who normally travels safely and has a modest speed can select map information suitable for the user.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of map information is accumulated, route search is performed for each map information, and the result is compared with the result of actual travel, so that the map information suitable for the user is obtained. However, instead of this, when there is one map information and a plurality of route search modules using the map information, a set of departure and arrival points is input to each route search module. By comparing these results, it becomes possible to select the route search module that best matches the movement pattern of the user. At this time, the route search module that can perform the route search in the shortest time may be selected using the search time when the route search is performed.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, the optimal map information was selected from the 1st-4th map information storage parts 4503-4506, without depending on the geographical location of a movement history. However, depending on the map information, there is a case where there is detailed and highly accurate map information for a specific area. Therefore, a combination of a departure place and an arrival place may be selected according to the area, and map information according to the movement pattern of the user may be selected for each area. For example, it is possible to select the map information of company X1 for Osaka Prefecture and the map information of company X2 for Hyogo Prefecture.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the optimal map information for the user is selected from the plurality of map information. However, instead of or in addition to this, the optimal (correct) audio guidance is also used for the audio guidance. You may choose what you want to do. Generally, in route search, route guidance may be performed for a user using voice guidance or the like. However, when the map information is different, there are cases where the reading in voice guidance, for example, how to read an intersection is different. For example, as shown in FIG. 52, only the second map information reads “Higasiko satin” for an intersection having the same latitude and longitude, and other map information includes “Azuma Kosatin”. May be obtained as a route guidance result. In this case, when it is determined that the voice guidance of the second map information is read out in error, and the navigation is performed for the user using the route search result of the second map information, “Higasiko satin” May be read as "Azumakou satin" for guidance. At this time, instead of determining correct reading based on the principle of majority decision, update information of the map may be used. That is, the reading information of the map information with the newest update date may be used as correct. In this way, by using a plurality of map information, erroneous reading of a place name or the like in voice guidance is automatically corrected.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the mobile terminal 100b selected and acquired the map information suitable for a user from the user's movement history and the search result which a some map information storage part provides, this technique is acquired. The present invention may be applied to selection of updated map information in the first and second embodiments. In other words, one update map information storage unit is selected from among a plurality of update map information storage units according to the determination criteria in the present embodiment, and the update map information acquired from the selected map information storage unit is already held. You may update the map information.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In Embodiment 1, the category information of the destination where the user arrived is extracted from the accumulated movement history, and the type of map desired by the user is automatically selected and updated. In the second embodiment, it has been shown that the type may be selected depending on the region. Specifically, in FIG. 38, in the familiar areas such as “M62”, “M63”, “M64” and the like where the user often uses the back road, the back road dedicated map is updated and is an area where meals are served. In M41, the restaurant-only map is updated. By selecting and updating different types of maps according to the user's tendency in this way, it can be customized to a map that more reflects the user's behavior characteristics, especially when there are limited tasks such as driving The user can easily obtain necessary information without performing complicated operations.

  In the present embodiment, a mobile terminal that selects map information according to an area or the like will be described.

  FIG. 53 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 100c in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This mobile terminal 100c is a device that selects update map information that is most suitable for the user from a plurality of provided update map information using route information, and includes a position information detection unit 101, a movement history storage unit 102, a map, The information storage unit 103, the behavior model calculation unit 122, the map information selection unit 104 a, the map information update unit 105, the update map information storage unit 106, the update information notification unit 107, and the composite display unit 117 are provided. In addition, in this figure, the 1st update map information provision part 108 and the 2nd update map information provision part 109 which are connected with this mobile terminal 100c via the communication network are also shown collectively.

  The mobile terminal 100c has substantially the same configuration as the mobile terminal 100 in the first embodiment, and includes a map information selection unit 104a instead of the map information selection unit 104 in the first embodiment. The point which is further provided with the calculation part 122 differs from Embodiment 1. FIG. The landmark information extraction unit 110 included in the mobile terminal 100 according to Embodiment 1 is a constituent element of the behavior model calculation unit 122 as described later. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as those in the first embodiment, and different points will be mainly described.

  As in the first embodiment, the position information detection unit 101 is configured by GPS, for example, and detects latitude and longitude information that is the position of the user. The position information detection unit 101 converts latitude / longitude information into a node series based on the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103 and stores it as a movement history in the movement history storage unit 102.

  FIG. 54 is a diagram showing the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. In the present embodiment, the movement history is accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102, for example, with a point where the engine is started as a departure point and a point where the engine is stopped as a destination. Date and time information detected by GPS is also accumulated. For example, the movement history ID “001” in the figure includes a date “September 20, 2003 (Sunday)”, a departure place “Home (landmark ID“ L100 ”)”, a destination “Maruyama Golf Course ( L51) ". In addition, the passing time of each node such as the time “6:45” leaving the home and the time “8:50” arriving at the Maruyama golf course is also stored. Similarly, for the travel history ID “002”, the date and time “September 20, 2003 (Sunday)” and “Maruyama Golf Course” depart at “16:45” and go to “Home” at “19:05”. The history of arriving at "is stored. Thus, the movement detected with the movement of the user is accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102 as a movement history.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 100c calculates a model (hereinafter referred to as “behavior model”) that reflects the characteristics of the user's behavior based on the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. Then, the map information necessary for the user is selected and updated based on the behavior model.

  The behavior model calculation unit 122 is a processing unit that calculates a behavior model based on the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. As illustrated in FIG. 55, the main base point extraction unit 123, the destination reference Unit 124, movement cost calculation unit 125, landmark information extraction unit 110, behavior range classification unit 127, behavior model generation unit 128, and behavior model accumulation unit 129.

  The main base point extraction unit 123 is a processing unit that extracts a point serving as a base point of action, such as a home, from the movement history as a main base point. For example, there are some patterns in the movement of a user by car, and there are many cases where the user moves to various points from a main point such as a home or a company. Therefore, the main base point extraction unit 123 first extracts these main points as main base points. For example, the main base point is extracted based on the arrival frequency and stay time of the point.

  As shown in FIG. 54, when the destination is accumulated as the movement history, the behavior model calculation unit 122 calculates a frequency for each destination, and calculates a high frequency as a main base point. Alternatively, it is possible to calculate in consideration of the staying time instead of or in addition to the frequency. For example, the arrival time of the destination “home” indicated by the movement history ID “002” is “19:05”, and the departure time of the departure place “home” indicated by the next movement history ID “003” is the next day. “7:10”, and the difference of 12 hours and 05 minutes is the staying time at home on that day. Therefore, the behavior model calculation unit 122 may calculate an average of these stay times and extract a point having a long average stay time as a main base point.

  FIG. 56 shows the arrival frequency and average stay time at each point. For example, “home” of the spot ID “001” has a stay frequency of 320 times and an average stay time of 16 hours and 20 minutes, and is extracted as a main base point. Further, the “company” of the spot ID “002” has a stay frequency of 189 times and an average stay time “12 hours 20 minutes”, and is extracted as a main base point. At this time, it is good also as extracting by providing threshold values, such as stay frequency 100 times and average stay time 3 hours. In general, a point where a user acts as a base point of action, such as a home or a company, is extracted as a main base point.

  The destination reference unit 124 is a processing unit that refers to the destination of the movement history, and refers to the destination for each main base point calculated by the main base point extraction unit 123 from the movement history stored in the movement history storage unit 102. (read out).

  FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating the destination referred to by the destination reference unit 124 in the case of leaving “home” extracted as the main base point. 54, the travel history ID that departed from the main base point “home” and its destination are “Maruyama Golf Course” with the travel history ID “001” and “Company” with the travel history ID “003”. , “Maruyama Golf Course” with a movement history ID “021”, “Daiei A” with a movement history ID “025”, “Yokado A” with a movement history ID “031”, etc., and these are shown in FIG. .

  The movement cost calculation unit 125 is a processing unit that calculates a movement cost to each destination, such as a distance. The landmark information extraction unit 110 is a processing unit that identifies the category of each destination. The action range classification unit 127 calculates the user's action range (here, the destination range) from the distance for each destination obtained by the movement cost calculation unit 125 and the destination category obtained by the landmark information extraction unit 110. It is a processing unit for classifying action ranges for each category). The behavior model generation unit 128 generates a result of the behavior range classification unit 127, that is, a table in which the destination category and the behavior range are associated with each main base point, and stores the behavior model as a behavior model in the behavior model storage unit 129. accumulate. The behavior model accumulation unit 129 is a hard disk or the like that accumulates the behavior model generated by the behavior model generation unit 128, and is referred to by the map information selection unit 104a. Hereinafter, generation of an action model will be described using a specific example.

  First, the movement cost calculation unit 125 calculates a movement cost (here, distance) from the main base point for each destination referred to by the destination reference unit 124. In parallel with this, the landmark information extraction unit 110 specifies the category of the destination referred to by the destination reference unit 124. This category and distance can be obtained from the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103, for example. FIG. 58 shows detailed information of each facility registered in the map information stored in the map information storage unit 103. As shown in FIG. 58, the map information in the present invention includes the facility node ID, the position represented by the latitude and longitude, the name of the node, and the category of the node, as described in the first embodiment. Accumulated. 57, the destination “Maruyama Golf Course” of the movement history ID “001”, which is one of the destinations shown in FIG. 57, is located at the position “135 degrees 34:00 east longitude, 34 degrees 40:00 pm north latitude from FIG. The category is “golf facility”. Similarly, the destination “Daiei A” of the movement history ID “025” is located at a position “135 ° 54'00” and 34 ° 50'00 ”, and the category is“ Super ”. It has become. The movement cost calculation unit 125 calculates, as the movement cost, the linear distance between the home, which is the main base point, and each node from the position information.

  FIG. 59 is a map showing the positional relationship between “Maruyama Golf Course” and your home. Here, it is calculated as 20 km from the position of the home and the position of the Maruyama golf course.

  On the other hand, FIG. 60 is a map showing the positional relationship between “Daiei A” and “Yokado A” and the home. The distance to the home is calculated such that the distance between the home and “Daiei A” is 3 km and the distance between “Yokado A” is 5 km.

  As described above, the user usually visits various facilities from a base point such as home, and the category of the facility generally reflects the user's preference. The user shown in this example is a golf hobby and often visits golf courses. In addition, the user often goes shopping to a supermarket or the like, and the user's preference can be determined based on the history. On the other hand, a facility that is simply accumulated as a movement history does not always reflect the user's behavior. In the case of a golf course, the user of this example visits even if it is as far as 20 km, but about a supermarket, 20 km does not visit the supermarket of the past, and is visiting a relatively close supermarket such as 5 km. Therefore, even if a new supermarket is built and the type of map that reflects it (for example, a shopping-only map) is updated, it can be said that it is an appropriate map in the area near home, but it is an area far away. In this case, the shopping-only map is not necessarily an appropriate map for the user. In addition, even if a golf course is newly created and the golf-only map reflecting it is updated, since the user visits up to 20 km, such a golf-only map is beneficial to the user, but the user is allowed For an area that is far away from 20 km, which is a possible range, it is not necessarily beneficial for the user to update with a golf-only map.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, a distance range (hereinafter referred to as “allowable range”) that can be allowed by the user for each destination category using these destination categories and their travel costs (here, distances). And calculate it as an action model.

  For this purpose, the behavior range classification unit 127 calculates an allowable range for each destination category, and the behavior model generation unit 128 generates a table indicating the allowable range as a behavior model and stores it in the behavior model accumulation unit 129. . Here, the distance to “Maruyama Golf Course”, which is the category “Golf Facility”, is 20 km, and the allowable range for “Golf Facility” is 20 km. Further, the distance to “Daiei A”, which is the category “Super”, is 3 km, the distance to “Yokado A” is 5 km, and the allowable range for “Super” is 5 km. This is because at least 5 km, which is far away, can be considered as an allowable range. Thus, the farthest distance among the plurality of facilities corresponding to each category is set as the allowable range. An average distance may be calculated from the distances to a plurality of facilities corresponding to each category, and the average distance may be set as an allowable range. This is because by calculating the average distance of facilities that fall in a certain category that are frequently visited, it is possible to calculate an allowable range that more effectively reflects the user's behavior with noise removed. Further, instead of simply calculating the straight line distance, a route search or the like may be performed and the required time may be used. For example, in the case of a golf course or the like, since the start time is important, the required time may be set as an allowable range, for example, a range that can be reached within 2 hours based on a normal travel instead of a straight distance of 20 km. . As a result, it is possible to generate an action model that takes into consideration the actual route situation rather than a straight line distance.

  FIG. 61 is a table showing a user behavior model generated by the behavior model generation unit 128. Here, with “home” as the main base point, the allowable range of the destination category “golf facility” is “20 km”, the allowable range of “super” is “5 km”, and the allowable range is calculated for each category.

  FIG. 62 is a map showing the allowable range shown in FIG. Here, an allowable range centering on the home and the corresponding facility are shown. Within the allowable range of 5 km, “Daiei A” and “Yokado A” as categories “Super” are shown on the map. In addition, the category “golf facility” “Maruyama Golf Course” is shown on the map within the allowable range of 20 km. In general, facilities visited by the user have a range that can be allowed in terms of distance and time according to the purpose, category, and the like. In the case of the user of this example, if it is a golf course, even if it is a long distance of about 20 km, it goes to the supermarket, etc. A behavior model reflecting these behavioral characteristics is shown.

  Based on the behavior model accumulated in the behavior model accumulation unit 129, the map information selection unit 104a provides each type of map information such as the first update map information provision unit 108 and the second update map information provision unit 109. It is a processing unit for selecting an appropriate map from the processing unit. The selected map is accumulated and updated in the updated map information accumulating unit 106 as updated map information by the map information updating unit 105 as in the first embodiment. The updated map information accumulated in the updated map information accumulating unit 106 is notified to the user by the update information notifying unit 107, or is displayed by being synthesized with the map information accumulated in the map information accumulating unit 103 by the composite display unit 117. The

  FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the map information selection unit 104a. The map information selection unit 104a in the present embodiment includes an update area specifying unit 130, a map type determination unit 131, a behavior model reference unit 132, and a selected map determination unit 133.

  The update area specifying unit 130 is a processing unit that specifies the area where the map is updated. As described in the first embodiment, the map is generally divided into predetermined areas. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, each predetermined area is divided into meshes, and information is stored in a hierarchical structure in each mesh as shown in FIG. The update area specifying unit 130 specifies which area of the map updated from each provider is updated.

  FIG. 64 is a map showing the same area as FIG. Here, map information is shown that is divided into meshes, and IDs such as “M11” and “M12” are assigned to each mesh. The map provided by Company A stored in the first updated map information providing unit 108 and the map provided by Company B stored in the second updated map information providing unit 109 are thus separated in a mesh shape. A map shall be provided for each region. The update area specifying unit 130 specifies an update area (for example, mesh ID) of a map provided from each company.

  FIG. 65 is a diagram showing a map provided by Company A. The map from Company A is a map dedicated to “shopping”, and is a map rich in supermarket facilities and commercial information. Compared to FIG. 64, mesh IDs “M22” and “M33” are updated. For the mesh ID “M22”, a new super “JASKO A” is created, and a map reflecting the information and landmarks of the facility is provided. In addition, the mesh ID “M33” is newly provided with “Marue A”, and information and landmarks of the facility are indicated.

  FIG. 66 is a diagram showing a map provided by B company. The map from Company B is a dedicated map for “golf”, and is a map rich in golf course facilities and golf shop information. Compared to FIG. 64, mesh IDs “M11”, “M33”, and “M44” are updated. The mesh ID “M11” has a new golf course “Miyazato Golf Course”, the mesh ID “M33” has a new “Sakura Golf Course”, and the mesh ID “M44” has a new “Ozaki Golf Course”. The facility information and landmarks are shown. The update area specifying unit 130 is a processing unit for specifying the area of the map partially updated from each company in this way. As for the map provided from the company A, “M22” and “M33” are provided from the company B. This map specifies that “M11”, “M33”, and “M44” have been updated.

  The map type determination unit 131 is a processing unit that determines the type of map provided by each company. As shown also in FIG. 9 in the first embodiment, it is assumed that information on “map type” is accumulated in the provided map, and the map type determination unit 131 uses this information to determine the map type. Is identified. Here, the type of map is specified such that the map from company A shown in FIG. 65 is dedicated to “shopping”, the map from company B is dedicated to “golf”, and the like.

  The behavior model reference unit 132 is a read processing unit that refers to the behavior model stored in the behavior model storage unit 129.

  The selection map determination unit 133 determines an update map to be selected using the referenced behavior model. For example, if the updated map includes at least part of the range calculated as the behavior model, the selected map determination unit 133 determines that the map of the region is a type of map corresponding to the behavior model (the update region specifying unit 130 specifies , The area is determined to be updated with the area of the type determined by the map type determination unit 131. In addition, when there are a plurality of corresponding types, it is possible to select a type having a large occupation ratio. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 61, the user has calculated a behavior model indicating a golf facility within an allowable range of 20 km, a supermarket within an allowable range of 5 km, and the like. FIG. 67 shows this behavior model on the map shown in FIG. In FIG. 67, a behavior model indicating a golf facility within an allowable range of 20 km, a supermarket within an allowable range of 5 km, and the like is indicated by a circle surrounded by a dotted line. Since the mesh ID “M11” falls within the allowable range of 20 km, which is one of the behavior models, the mesh ID “M11” is updated on the golf map. Similarly, since the mesh IDs “M12”, “M13”, “M21”, “M23”, “M24”, “M31”, “M32”, and “M33” include many regions within the allowable range of 20 km, golf It will be updated with a dedicated map. On the other hand, since the mesh ID “M22” includes many areas within the allowable range of 5 km, the mesh ID “M22” is updated with the “shopping” dedicated map.

  FIG. 68 shows a map updated by the behavior model. Specifically, since the mesh ID “M11” is updated on the golf-only map, it is updated with the mesh ID “M11” provided by company B, and a new Miyazato golf course is created on the map. Yes. According to the behavior model, the mesh ID “M22” is updated on the shopping-only map, so it is updated with the mesh ID “M22” provided by company A, and a new “JASKO A” is created on the map. I understand that.

  According to the behavior model, the mesh ID “M33” is updated on the golf-only map, so it is updated with the mesh ID “M33” provided by Company B, and a new “Sakura Golf Course” is created on the map. I understand that This “M33” can be updated with an updated map provided by company A as shown in FIG. 65, but the user has updated the golf-only map provided by company B. This is because referring to an action model reflecting the user's action characteristics may not always be suitable. In other words, the user of this example may move for the purpose of shopping in a neighborhood such as within 5 km near his home, but he does not shop farther, so it is not always appropriate to update with this shopping-only map. Sometimes it is unnecessary. On the other hand, for golf, the player may act up to 20 km, and these characteristics are reflected and calculated as a behavior model. Therefore, the mesh ID “M33” is updated on the golf map based on the behavior model.

  On the other hand, in the mesh ID “M44” further away, the golf-only map is updated, but the user is not updated. This also reflects the behavior model. That is, although the mesh ID “M33” belonging to within 20 km may move for the purpose of golf, it is not necessary for this user because it does not travel further away even for golf.

  In general, the movement history can reflect the preferences of each user, and facilities, categories, genres, and the like such as golf courses that the user likes can be determined. However, all of these may not be user preferences. There is a range that can be allowed for each user, for example, if you want to go to about 20km away at a golf course, but just want to go to the supermarket etc. in the neighborhood. Therefore, by selecting and updating a map according to the behavior model using the behavior model, it is possible to provide a map according to the needs of the user.

  In the future, it will be necessary to partially acquire only a map necessary for the user in an environment in which information to be provided is updated in real time and can be acquired at an arbitrary timing. On the other hand, in the case of car navigation etc., it is not preferable to disturb the driver's driving attention especially during driving, so the user can select the necessary plan map automatically based on the behavior model and update it more safely The effect of the present invention can be exhibited more effectively.

  FIG. 69 is a diagram illustrating an update map notification example by the update information notification unit 107. As in the first embodiment, the map provided by the company B is updated on the left side of the car navigation screen, and it is notified that “Miyazato Golf Course” has been newly created.

  In the present embodiment, a category and an allowable range are calculated for each main base point. Therefore, it is possible to update the map according to the user's behavior characteristics more flexibly. Hereinafter, the significance of the main base points will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 70 is a diagram showing an example of a destination category and allowable range table (behavior model) calculated based on another main base point “company”. “Restaurant” or “supermarket” is specified as the destination category, and an allowable range corresponding to each user's action is calculated. In other words, this user may visit a supermarket on the way home from the office, or may go to a restaurant or the like for dinner.

  FIG. 71 is a map showing the allowable range of “super” among the behavior models on the map, as in FIG. 67 and the like. The allowable range of the supermarket is indicated within a radius of 3 km from the company. This user may go to “JASKO B” on the way home from the company, and an action model reflecting these is shown.

  FIG. 72 is a map showing the area updated by the “shopping” dedicated map provided by company A. Compared to FIG. 71, mesh IDs “M14”, “M33”, and “M34” are updated. Specifically, the mesh ID “M14” has a new super “Dae B”, the mesh ID “M33” has a new “JASKO A”, and the mesh ID “M34” has a new “Marue A”. , Information and landmarks of the facility are shown.

  FIG. 73 shows the behavior model shown in FIG. 71 corresponding to the map provided by Company A shown in FIG. Since the mesh IDs “M22”, “M32”, and “M33” include the area of the destination category “super” within a radius of 5 km centered on the home as shown in FIG. 61, the type of map to be updated is “shopping”. Is dedicated. Furthermore, within a radius of 3 km centered on the company, as shown in FIG. 70, the destination category is “supermarket”, so “M14” including this area is also updated with the “shopping” dedicated map. It has become. Since there is no corresponding behavior model for mesh IDs “M11”, “M12”, etc., the map type is updated with “general map”. “M34” is also updated with the “general map”. In this manner, the behavior model accumulated in the behavior model accumulation unit 129 is referred to, the map is determined by the selected map determination unit 133, and the map is updated by the map information update unit 105.

  74 is a diagram showing an example of updating the map with reference to the behavior model shown in FIG. 73 among the provided maps shown in FIG. 72 with respect to the map shown in FIG. In FIG. 74, the areas of mesh IDs “M14” and “M33” are updated. As shown in FIG. 72, a map updated by newly creating a store is provided over a plurality of mesh IDs “M14”, “M33”, and “M34”. Areas that indicate the range of action for each purpose, such as within 5 km centered on the home and within 3 km centered on the company, are calculated for each purpose. Based on this behavior model, only the necessary parts are selected. Will be updated. Unlike Marue A, which is just outside 5 km, it is important for the user as a supermarket after returning to the company, so this newly created “JASKO B” is likely to be necessary information for the user. As described above, by using the behavior model calculated for each main base point, it is possible to notify more appropriate information according to the user's behavior.

  Next, the operation of mobile terminal 100c in the present embodiment will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 75, 76, 77, and 78. In the flowchart in the present embodiment, steps S101 to S103 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  First, the position information detection unit 101 detects the position of the mobile terminal 100c (step S101). Next, the position information detection unit 101 extracts a destination by referring to a map based on the detected position information (step S102). Details of the destination are as shown in FIG.

  Subsequently, the position information detection unit 101 accumulates the destination as a movement history in the movement history accumulation unit 102 (step S103). As in the example of the movement history shown in FIG. 54, the destination “Maruyama Golf Course”, the arrival time “8:50”, and the like are accumulated as the movement history ID “001”.

  Next, the behavior model calculation unit 122 calculates a behavior model from the movement history (step S1041).

  More specifically, the main base point extraction unit 123 first calculates the main base point. Here, it is performed based on the arrival frequency of the destination and the average stay time. Specifically, the main base point extraction unit 123 refers to the destination ID and arrival time of the movement history (step S901 in FIG. 76). Then, the departure time of the departure place of the next movement history is referred to (step S902). Then, the stay time of the ID is calculated (step S903). In the movement history shown in FIG. 71, the main base point extraction unit 123 receives the arrival time of 8:50 at “Maruyama Golf Course (N51)”, which is the destination of the movement history ID “001”, and the next movement history ID “002”. From the departure time of 16:45, the stay time is calculated as 5 hours 55 minutes (16: 45-8: 50).

  Next, the main base point extraction unit 123 increments the frequency of the ID by 1 (step S904) and adds the staying time (step S905). Then, the main base point extraction unit 123 determines whether or not all the histories have been referred to (step S906), and if so (Yes in step S906), proceeds to step S908, and if not (No in step S906). ), Loops to step S901, and repeats the calculation of the frequency and stay time of each ID.

  When the calculation of the frequency and stay time of all IDs is completed (Yes in step S906), the main base point extraction unit 123 refers to the frequency and stay time of each ID (step S908), and divides the stay time by the frequency. (Step S909), the average stay time of the ID is calculated (Step S910). Then, the main base point extraction unit 123 determines whether the frequency and the average stay time are equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S911). If the frequency and average stay time are equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes in step S911), the ID (node) is set as the main point ( Step S912). If it is less than the threshold (No in step S911), the process moves to step S913. The main base point extraction unit 123 determines whether or not all the IDs have been referred to (step S913). When the main base point extraction unit 123 does not refer to all the IDs (No in step S913), the main ID extraction unit 123 refers to the next ID (step S914). If the determination is made (Yes in step S913), the process ends. By repeating this operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 56, points where the user is mainly the base point of action such as the frequency (320 times) of the home (N100) and the average stay time “16 hours 20 minutes” are extracted. The Rukoto.

  Next, the destination reference unit 124 refers to the destination for each extracted main base point (step S915 in FIG. 77). Then, the movement cost calculation unit 125 refers to the position of the departure place (step S916), and calculates the movement cost (here, distance) from the destination and the position of the departure place (step S917). Also, the landmark information extraction unit 110 identifies the category of the destination (step S918).

  The action range classification unit 127 determines whether or not the movement cost (distance) of the category is larger than the movement cost of the category calculated so far in order to classify the action range (initial value is 0). Is determined (step S919). If larger, the process returns to step S920, and if smaller, the process returns to step S915. If it is larger (Yes in step S919), the allowable range of the category is set (step S920). The action range classification unit 127 determines whether or not all movement histories have been performed (step S921). If not yet performed (No in step S921), the process proceeds to step S915 for all histories (Yes in step S921). Proceed to step S922. Then, the obtained category and allowable range are accumulated in the behavior model accumulation unit 129 by the behavior model generation unit 128 as a behavior model (step S922). The action range classifying unit 127 determines whether all categories have been performed (step S923), and if not yet (No in step S923), refers to the next category (step S924) and returns to step S922. On the other hand, when it performed about all the categories (step S923 Yes), the produced | generated action model is accumulate | stored in the action model storage part 129 by the action model production | generation part 128 (step S925).

  Next, the map information selection unit 104 refers to the generated behavior model and selects map information (step S1051).

  More specifically, first, the update area specifying unit 130 specifies an update map from the provided map information (step S801 in FIG. 78). The update area specifying unit 130 determines whether or not an update area exists (step S802). If it exists (Yes in step S802), the process proceeds to step S803, and if it does not exist (No in step S802), the process ends. If it exists (Yes in step S802), the map type determination unit 131 determines the type of the updated map (step S803). On the other hand, the behavior model reference unit 132 refers to the behavior model stored in the behavior model storage unit 129 (step S804). Then, the selected map determination unit 133 determines whether or not the type of the update region specified by the update region specification unit 130 (the type determined by the map type determination unit 131) corresponds to the type of map based on the behavior model. (Step S805) If applicable (Yes in Step S805), the map is selected (Step S806). If not applicable (No in Step S805), the process ends.

  Note that steps S106 to S108 in FIG. 75 are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the map information selection unit 104a updates the selected map (step S106) and stores it in the updated map information storage unit 106 (step S107). Then, the update information notification unit 107 notifies the updated map information (step S108).

  In addition, extraction of the main base point in this Embodiment was performed based on the destination which the user arrived in the past. That is, the main base point extraction unit 123 extracts a point serving as a main base point from the destination of the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102. And the behavior model was calculated | required by calculating | requiring the tolerance | permissible_range with respect to each category from the said point. However, the point that the user uses as a base point is not limited to the destination. For example, a route that is usually used for commuting, a major intersection, or the like may be used as a major base point. Hereinafter, another example of the main base point will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the map shown in FIG. 79, as in FIG. 71 and the like, the movement of the user when commuting from home to the office is indicated by a thick black line. This travel route is shown as “National Route 100”. It is assumed that the user shown in this example may stop by the restaurant “Sant Zeria” on the way home from work. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54, the movement history includes only the starting point and the destination, but as shown in FIG. It is also possible to extract main routes and the like reflecting behavioral characteristics. In the case of the user of this example, “National highway 100” is extracted as the main base point. Then, as the behavior model, the category “Restaurant” is calculated corresponding to the main base point “National Route 100”. Further, when the main base point is a route, the allowable range may be along the route. Thus, a behavior model reflecting the user's behavior is calculated, for example, the user uses the national highway No. 100 when commuting, and further uses the restaurant to eat on the national highway 100.

  Now, it is assumed that the map shown in FIG. 79 is updated and information indicating that a new restaurant “Regal Host” has been opened is obtained. In this case, “National Route 100” and “Restaurant” are calculated corresponding to the behavior model, and the new store “Regal Host” corresponds to the behavior model, so the map of the area is updated and notified to the user. It will be. For users who normally eat at restaurants during commuting, if a new restaurant is created along the commuting route, the information is often necessary and is automatically updated, so there is no complicated operation and a useful map. Information can be acquired.

  In this embodiment, the behavior model is calculated by determining the permissible range for each category of the point based on the point and its distance. However, the calculation of the behavior model is not limited to such a method. Absent. For example, the behavior model may be calculated using date information from the movement history. Generally, a user often has different action areas on weekdays and holidays. For example, for commuting to work on weekdays, the commuting route and its surroundings are areas of action, holidays move to recreational facilities and urban areas, etc., and users move around the home regardless of holidays or weekdays. The behavior of is often dependent on the date and time. In view of this, it is possible to classify the behavior area based on whether the movement is a weekday or a holiday and calculate a behavior model from the movement history. Specific examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The map shown in FIG. 80 shows an area in which “holiday area” and “weekday area” enclosed by dotted lines are classified. These can be specified based on the date and time information accumulated as the movement history. The user shown in this example has a round trip between his / her home and company and the surrounding area on weekdays as the range of action, and by mapping the weekday history, these weekday areas can be specified. On the other hand, holidays often act for entertainment such as shopping and movies, and the holiday area can be specified by mapping the history of these holidays.

  FIG. 81 is a diagram showing an example of an action model in which categories corresponding to these areas are extracted. For the weekday area, the category “restaurant” is stored correspondingly. On the other hand, for the holiday area, the categories “movie theater” and “department store” are stored. Depending on the user, the area where actions are mainly performed may differ depending on the date and time. Therefore, even if a new movie theater is created in the vicinity of the company that goes only on weekdays, it is not always necessary information for the user. However, when a new movie theater is created in an area that mainly acts on holidays, information about the movie theater is often necessary. Therefore, when a specialized movie theater map, etc., that contains detailed information on movies, etc., is updated, it is selected and updated for the holiday area. On the other hand, it is not necessary for the weekday area, so it is not updated. The map can be updated.

  Moreover, it becomes possible to suppress a charge and communication cost by selecting and updating. For example, a dedicated map that is familiar to a certain specialized field has an added value, and may be more expensive than a general map. Updating all regions with a dedicated map costs that much, but by updating the necessary types of maps according to the required area for each user, it is also possible to reduce communication costs and map acquisition costs It becomes.

  In this embodiment, when map information is selected based on the calculated behavior model, information indicating the type of the map is given to the map information in advance, and the map corresponding to the behavior model is selected. Updated by selecting the type. Further, when the map is selectively updated based on the landmark information extracted by the landmark information extraction unit 110 as in the first embodiment, the selection is made based on the type of map described in advance. Therefore, in an environment where different types of maps are provided from different map providers, it is necessary to specify the type of the map and select an appropriate map for the user. For example, as shown in the map type “golf only” shown in FIG. 11, when a clear type is written on the map, it can be selected and updated based on the type. The type of is not always written. Therefore, in the first embodiment, it has been described that the text described in the map information can be analyzed to determine the type of the map (see FIG. 25). Here, a method of identifying a facility common to both maps and determining a map type from information regarding the characterized facility will be described.

  FIG. 82 is a block diagram showing a configuration of mobile terminal 100d in a modification of the present embodiment. This mobile terminal 100d has substantially the same configuration as the mobile terminal 100c in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 53, and includes a map information selection unit 104b instead of the map information selection unit 104a in the fourth embodiment. And the point further provided with the map kind determination part 131 differs from Embodiment 4. FIG. Hereinafter, the same constituent elements as those of the fourth embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and different points will be mainly described.

  The map type determination unit 131 is a processing unit that determines the type of each update map information provided from the first update map information providing unit 108 and the second update map information providing unit 109. As shown in FIG. Further, the comparison area selection unit 134, the same facility identification unit 135, the category density calculation unit 136, the category information rule generation unit 137, and the category information rule storage unit 138 are configured.

  The comparison area selection unit 134 is a processing unit that selects an area to be compared between the first map provided from the first updated map information providing unit 108 and the second map provided from the second updated map information providing unit 109. is there. For example, an area in which the map is updated and a common area is selected as an area to be compared.

  FIG. 84 is an updated map stored in the first updated map information providing unit 108, and is a map provided from Company A. The first map provided by this company A is a specialized map that is particularly relevant to golf. Assume that there is an update in the area of mesh ID “M11”. On the other hand, FIG. 85 is an updated map stored in the second updated map information providing unit 109, and is a map provided from Company B. The second map provided by Company B is a specialized map that is detailed in commercial information such as a convenience store. Assume that there is an update in the area of mesh ID “M11”. In this example, the comparison area selection unit 134 identifies “M11” as an area to be compared.

The same facility specifying unit 135 is a processing unit that specifies the same facility on the map to be compared.
The category information rule generation unit 137 is a processing unit that generates a rule for information related to a category so that even different map information can be compared from the information related to the facilities identified as the same, and the rule for the information related to the generated category Are stored in the category information rule storage unit 138.

  The category density calculation unit 136 calculates the density of landmarks belonging to the category based on the category information rule generated by the category information rule generation unit 137, and determines the type of the map. Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

  Now, it is assumed that the map information has a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. A landmark information layer indicating detailed information on facilities and the like is provided. FIG. 86 is a diagram showing the landmark information layers of the first map shown in FIG. 84 and the second map shown in FIG. 85 in a contrasted manner. Here, information regarding “Katayama Golf Course”, which is one of the facilities, is accumulated in each map. Specifically, the ID “L51”, the position “135 degrees 00 minutes east, 34 degrees 00 north latitude”, the name “Katayama golf course”, and the category “golf facility” are stored in the first map. In the second map, an ID “P101”, a position “135 ° 00 east longitude, 34 ° 00 ° north latitude”, a name “Katayama Golf Course”, and a category “Golf Course” are accumulated. Similarly, information about “Luson Hakusan” is also stored in each map. Specifically, the ID “L52”, the position “135 degrees east longitude, 34 degrees 10 minutes north latitude”, the name “Luson Hakusan branch”, and the category “convenience store” are stored in the first map. In the second map, an ID “P102”, a position “135 degrees 10 minutes east longitude, 34 degrees 10 minutes north latitude”, a name “Luson Hakusan store”, and a category “convenience store” are accumulated.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, when the map information is provided with information related to the type of the map, the corresponding type of map is selectively updated based on the extracted user behavior characteristics. Yes, but the map type is not always specified. In this case, it is necessary to compare each map information, for example, compare the number of landmarks belonging to the category of facilities that the user often visits, determine the type of map, and select and update. However, because the maps are different, the category of the facility itself is not necessarily common, and it may be difficult to accurately compare. In the case of this example, in each map information, since “Maruyama golf course” indicates the same facility, it can be seen that the positions are the same. On the other hand, as “category” indicating the attribute of the facility, it is understood that “golf facility” is accumulated in the first map, whereas “golf course” is accumulated in the second map. In this way, even if the map information shows the same geographic information, it is stored in different systems depending on the map, such as when the provider is different, so simply the number and density of landmarks belonging to the category Even if they are compared, the systems of both maps are not unified, so they cannot be compared. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the same facility is specified, and the category information rule is generated so that the map can be compared from the information of the specified same facility.

  The same facility specifying unit 135 specifies the same facility based on the information regarding the location of the facility among the landmark information. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 86, the facilities indicating “Maruyama Golf Course” are located at the same location at the position “135 degrees 00 minutes east, 34 degrees 00 minutes north latitude”, so these are specified as the same facilities. .

  The category information rule generation unit 137 generates a category rule based on the facilities identified as the same. For example, in the first map provided by Company A, it is understood that “Maruyama Golf Course” is in the category “Golf Facility”, and in the first map, the golf course is stored as the category “Golf Facility”. On the other hand, in the second map provided by Company B, “Maruyama Golf Course” is a category “golf course”, and in the second map, it is understood that golf courses are accumulated as a category “golf course”. . Therefore, the category information rule generation unit 137 sets a rule that the category “golf facility” and the category “golf course” represent the same type of facility so that the landmarks of both map fields can be accurately compared. It is generated and stored in the category information rule storage unit 138.

  FIG. 87 is a diagram illustrating an example of rules relating to category information generated by the category information rule generation unit 137 and stored in the category information rule storage unit 138. A rule that the category “golf facility” and the category “golf course” represent the same type of facility (hereinafter, the category indicating the same type of facility is referred to as “similar category”) is generated and stored. ing. In the first map, “Lucson Hakusan store” is in the category “convenience store”, and in the first map, convenience stores are stored as the category “convenience store”. On the other hand, in the second map, “Lucson Hakusan store” is a category “convenience store”, and in the second map, convenience stores are stored as a category “convenience store”. In this example, a rule that the category “convenience store” and the category “convenience store” represent the same kind of facility is generated and stored so that the landmarks of both map fields can be accurately compared. That is, as shown in FIG. 87, it is indicated that the category “convenience store” and the category “convenience store” are similar categories.

  The category density calculation unit 136 is a processing unit that calculates the density of landmarks on the comparison region selected by the comparison region selection unit 134 and determines the type of map based on the landmark density.

  FIG. 88 is a first map shown in FIG. 84 and displays a list of landmarks present on the mesh ID “M11”, which is a comparison area, and the landmarks for each category calculated by the category density calculation unit 136. It is a figure which shows a number (category density). In the mesh ID “M11” of the first map, it is calculated that there are “five places” belonging to the category “golf facility” such as “Maruyama golf course” and “Sakura golf course”. On the other hand, it is calculated that the category “convenience store” has “one place” of “Luson Hakusan store”. Since the areas are the same, the density of landmarks and the number of landmarks are proportional to each other, and therefore are represented by numbers (locations).

  On the other hand, FIG. 89 is a second map shown in FIG. 85 and displays a list of landmarks present on the mesh ID “M11”, which is a comparison area, and the land for each category calculated by the category density calculation unit 136. It is a figure which shows the number (category density) of a mark. It is calculated that the facility belonging to the category “golf course” has “one place” of “Maruyama golf course” in the mesh ID “M11” of the second map. On the other hand, it is calculated that the category “convenience store” includes “4 locations” in addition to “Luson Hakusan store”.

  Here, when trying to compare both maps, simply comparing each category cannot be compared accurately. Depending on the map, the term indicating the category of the facility is not necessarily common, and in this example, the categories “golf facility” and “golf course” are different, or the categories “convenience store” and “convenience store”. Because it is different. In the present modification, the category information rule generation unit 137 generates the fact that they are the same as the category information rule, and the generated category information rule is stored in the category information rule storage unit 138. Therefore, by referring to these category information rules, both maps can be compared, and the specialty of the map can be determined.

  For example, it is possible to compare the first map and the second map because the category “golf facility” and “golf course” are stored as category information rules that are similar categories. The map information selection unit 104b can determine that the first map is more specialized in the category “golf facility” as a map related to golf, and through these processes, Similarly, the first map is selected and updated by the map information update unit 105. Alternatively, the fact that the categories “convenience store” and “convenience store” are similar categories is stored as a category information rule, so that the first map and the second map can be compared. The map information selection unit 104b can determine that the second map is more specialized in the category “convenience store” as the map related to the convenience store, so that the map information selection unit 104b selects the second map and updates the map information. It is updated by the unit 105.

  In this way, each map information provided is generally stored in a different format for each map, and in order to select and update these maps according to the user's behavior model, Need to determine which field has expertise. Therefore, in this modification, it is possible to identify the same facility on the map for comparison, and to generate a rule indicating the relationship between the category of facilities, so that it is possible to accurately compare and judge the expertise of the map. It becomes possible to do.

  Next, the operation of determining the type of the figure by the map type determination unit 131 of the mobile terminal 100d in this modification will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the comparison area selection unit 134 refers to the first map (step S1001), refers to the second map (step S1002), and specifies an area to be compared (step S1003).

  Then, in order to identify the same facility, the same facility specifying unit 135 refers to the position of a predetermined facility on the first map, for example, the position of the facility in ascending order of ID (step S1004), and then on the second map. By referring to the same position (step S1005), it is determined whether or not a facility exists (step S1006). If it exists (Yes in step S1006), the process proceeds to step S1009. On the other hand, if it does not exist (No in step S1006), it is determined whether all facilities have been referenced (step S1008). If not yet (No in step S1008), the next facility is referenced (step S1009) and again. The process returns to step S1005. If all facilities have been referenced (Yes in step S1008), the process ends.

  When the facility exists (Yes in step S1008), the same facility specifying unit 135 specifies the same facility (step S1009). Then, the category information rule generation unit 137 refers to the facility of the category (step S1010), generates a category information rule (step S1011), and stores the generated category information rule in the category information rule storage unit 138 (step S1012). ).

  Next, the category density calculation unit 136 calculates the density of facilities belonging to the category (step S1013). Then, the category density calculation unit 136 refers to the category information rule (step S1014) and determines the map type by comparing the maps (step S1015).

  In this modification, the generated category information rules are stored in the category information rule storage unit 138. This is to take into account the updated map. The significance of this will be described below. That is, in the first embodiment, landmarks are extracted from the user's destination accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit 102 and a map is selected. At this time, the destination category is calculated using the landmark category of the facility stored in the map information storage unit 103. However, as the mobile terminal is used, a plurality of maps are gradually mixed, and the destination category preferred by the user cannot always be calculated. In other words, even if a user who likes golf visits the same golf-related facility, it is accumulated as a “golf facility” in a certain place, is accumulated as a “golf course” in a certain place, and both are counted as different facilities. It will be. Therefore, the generated category information rule is accumulated in the category information rule accumulation unit 138, and the category information rule is obtained by the landmark information extraction unit 110 in the first embodiment or the behavior model calculation unit 122 in the fourth embodiment. May be referred to. This makes it possible to accurately extract user behavior characteristics from a system in which different maps are mixed.

  The map information updating apparatus according to the present invention has been described based on the first to fourth embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, the present invention includes those in which those skilled in the art have modified the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, a map information updating apparatus realized by arbitrarily combining the components described in the first to fourth embodiments within a functionally consistent range is also included in the present invention.

  The present invention provides a map information update device for updating the built-in map information, for example, a car navigation system, a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, etc. It is useful as a map information updating device in a mobile terminal provided to the user.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional map information updating apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of position information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of map information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of hierarchical map information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of landmark information. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating destination extraction processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a movement history. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first updated map information. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the first updated map information. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second updated map information. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of the second updated map information. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating landmark information extraction processing. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of update information. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of step S102 in FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of step S104 in FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of step S105 in FIG. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of inheritance of landmarks. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another update example (icon and font) of the map information. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing another update example of the map information (considering the surrounding map). FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating another update example of map information (considering cut edges). FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining another update example (considering the scale) of the map information. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing another update example (considering the scale) of the map information. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing another example of updating map information (matching main roads). FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating dedicated map information. FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of map information. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating links in map information. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining node information in map information. FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining the link information in the map information. FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of map information provided by the first updated map information providing unit. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of map information provided by the second updated map information providing unit. FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating node extraction processing. FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation unit. FIG. 36 is a diagram for explaining processing for determining the route type from the movement history. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of a composite display using the second updated map information. FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating an example of a composite display using the first updated map information. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example in which a plurality of map information is selected and combined and displayed. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing details of step S1021 in FIG. FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing details of step S2001 in FIG. FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing details of step S2002 in FIG. FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing details of step S2003 in FIG. FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing details of step S1041 in FIG. FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing details of step S1051 in FIG. FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement history. FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a route search result based on each map information. FIG. 50 is a map showing a route search result based on each piece of map information. FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a sound output result of each map information. FIG. 53 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement history. FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the behavior model calculation unit. FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating a calculation example of main base points. FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a destination for each main base point. FIG. 58 is a diagram illustrating an example of map information. FIG. 59 is a diagram for explaining an example of behavior model calculation. FIG. 60 is a diagram for explaining an example of behavior model calculation. FIG. 61 is a diagram illustrating an example of the calculated behavior model. FIG. 62 is a map showing a behavior model. FIG. 63 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the map information selection unit. FIG. 64 is a diagram for explaining update map selection processing. FIG. 65 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 66 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 67 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 68 is a diagram for explaining update map selection processing. FIG. 69 is a diagram illustrating a notification example of an update map. FIG. 70 is a diagram illustrating another example of the behavior model. FIG. 71 is a map showing the behavior model. FIG. 72 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 73 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 74 is a diagram for explaining an update map selection process. FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal (calculation of behavior model). FIG. 77 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal (calculation of behavior model). FIG. 78 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal (selection of updated map information). FIG. 79 is a map for explaining another example of the behavior model. FIG. 80 is a map for explaining another example of the behavior model. FIG. 81 is a diagram illustrating an example of a behavior model. FIG. 82 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile terminal in a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 83 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the map type determination unit. FIG. 84 is a diagram illustrating an example of the first map information. FIG. 85 is a diagram illustrating an example of the second map information. FIG. 86 is a diagram showing a landmark determination method for first and second map information. FIG. 87 is a diagram illustrating an example of the category information rule. FIG. 88 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the category density calculation unit for the first map. FIG. 89 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the category density calculation unit for the second map. FIG. 90 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal in the modified example.

Explanation of symbols

100, 100a to d Mobile terminal 101 Position information detection unit 102 Movement history storage unit 103 Map information storage unit 104, 104a, 104b Map information selection unit 105 Map information update unit 106 Update map information storage unit 107 Update information notification unit 108 1 updated map information providing unit 109 second updated map information providing unit 110 landmark information extracting unit 111 node information extracting unit 112 route type extracting unit 117 composite display unit 122 behavior model calculating unit 123 main base point extracting unit 124 destination reference unit 125 Movement cost calculation unit 127 Action range classification unit 128 Action model generation unit 129 Action model storage unit 130 Update region specification unit 131 Map type determination unit 132 Action model reference unit 133 Selected map determination unit 134 Comparison region selection unit 135 Same facility specification unit 136 Category density calculator 37 Category information rule generation unit 138 Category information rule accumulation unit 4501 Position information acquisition unit 4502 Movement history accumulation unit 4503 Map information accumulation unit 4503 to 4506 First to fourth map information accumulation units 4507 Route search request generation unit 4508 Route search result Reception unit 4509 Route comparison unit 4510 Map information selection unit

Claims (3)

A map information update device that is connected to a plurality of map information providing devices that provide a plurality of different types of update map information and updates the accumulated map information,
Map information storage means for storing map information;
Position detection means for detecting the current position;
Movement history storage means for storing the position detected by the position detection means as a movement history;
Map information selection for selecting one of the plurality of types of update map information based on the movement history stored in the movement history storage means and acquiring the selected update map information from the corresponding map information providing device Update means;
Updated map information storage means for storing updated map information acquired by the map information selection update means;
Of the map information stored in the map information storage means, for the geographical location indicated by the update map information stored in the update map information storage means, the map information is displayed so that the update map information is displayed. And composite display means for combining and displaying the updated map information.
The map information selecting updating means further the update map information storing update map information stored in the unit is have you to display on the screen when it is displayed by the combination display device, what type of the plurality of types The updated map information is selected according to an occupancy ratio indicating whether a large amount of updated map information is displayed . A map information update method for updating accumulated map information by communicating with a plurality of map information providing devices that provide a plurality of different types of update map information via a communication path,
A position detecting step in which the position detecting means detects the current position;
A movement history accumulating means for accumulating the position detected in the position detection step as a movement history;
The map information selection / update means selects one of the plurality of types of update map information based on the movement history accumulated in the movement history accumulation step, and provides the selected update map information to the corresponding map information A map information selection update step acquired from the device;
An updated map information storage means for storing updated map information acquired by the map information selection update step;
For the geographical location indicated by the updated map information stored in the updated map information storage step among the map information stored in advance, the combined display means displays the map information so that the updated map information is displayed. And a combined display step of combining and displaying the updated map information,
The map information selecting updating means, the map information selecting updating further step, the updated map information is have you to display on the screen when it is displayed by the composite display step, any type of the plurality of types The map information updating method, wherein the updated map information is selected in accordance with an occupation ratio indicating whether a large amount of updated map information is displayed . A program for a map information update device that is connected to a plurality of map information providing devices that provide a plurality of different types of map information for updating, and updates the stored map information.
A program that causes a computer included in the map information updating apparatus to execute the steps included in the map information updating method according to claim 2.

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