JP4454032B2 - Map display system, map distribution device, map display device, and map display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display system used for a navigation system or the like for receiving a guidance route from a departure point to a destination and map data to guide a pedestrian or the like to the destination, and in particular, a walk, an escalator, and an elevator. , A map display system, a map distribution device, and a map distribution system that improve visibility for a user who uses a mobile phone as a map display terminal by displaying a moving image such as a taxi, a bus, a train, etc. The present invention relates to a map display device and a map display method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a map display device and a map display system that search for a route from a desired departure place to a destination by using map data and road data and guide a user are known.
As such a map display device and map display system, a car navigation device (map display device) that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a route search request is sent to the route search server using a mobile phone as a navigation terminal. A communication-type map display system that receives the route and receives the route guidance has been put into practical use.

  In particular, the communication type map display system uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a map display system for pedestrians. As a map display system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching for and guiding automobiles and walking routes using road network data, Route and operation time data are stored as traffic network data.

Such a map display system for pedestrians has a function of guiding a route (boarding candidate train) from a desired departure station to a desired destination station in addition to searching for a walking route and guidance. There is also a traffic guidance system that receives and displays information such as routes, timetables, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.
There is also known a route search system that searches and guides a route from a departure place to a destination using transportation means such as an airplane, a train, a train, and a bus. Such a route search system generally performs route search based on route search conditions such as departure date and time, departure place, destination, arrival time specified by the user.

  In other words, by referring to the traffic network data in which the route data and operation time data of each transportation system are made into a database, the route search is performed by sequentially using each available transportation means connecting the departure point and the destination including the connection as a route. One or more candidate guide routes (transportation means such as trains) that meet the conditions are presented. In general, the route search condition is configured such that conditions such as required time, number of transfers, and fare can be designated.

  In the route search system as described above, of the routes from the departure point to the destination obtained by route search using road network data and traffic network data, the route whose accumulated cost (distance or time) is the smallest Is determined as the optimum guide route, and guide route data is created. The guidance route data includes guidance data such as map data and voice guidance in addition to the optimum route data, and the guidance route data is read from the guidance data storage means as necessary and displayed on the display unit.

  In general, on a map of a certain scale and a certain range including the current position of the map display device measured using the GPS receiver of the map display device, a guide route and a mark indicating the current position of the map display device Are displayed so that the current position mark is at the center of the display screen, and guidance such as voice guidance is output at guidance points such as intersections to guide the user.

  Further, in general, in a map display device, icons are used to display a starting point, a destination, a current position, etc. in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. The POI mark displayed on a map or the like generally uses a still image called an “icon”, but the icon is used not only for a map but also for display on a display screen of a computer. (Animation) is often used, and moving pictograms frequently used in e-mails on mobile phones are known as “moving icons”.

  For example, the present applicant has already disclosed a map display system that displays an icon together with a map and a guide route on a map display device in the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-39887). In general, a limited type of pattern is prepared for this icon, and is preinstalled in the map display device or downloaded from the map distribution device and stored in the map display device. For example, the departure place is indicated by a letter icon “S”, the destination is indicated by a letter icon “G”, and the current position is indicated by a graphic icon such as a star.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 11, this map display system stores easy-to-understand icon patterns corresponding to the attributes of the entrance nodes of links connecting floors such as elevators, escalators, and stairs in the icon DB. By displaying this icon together with a map and a guide route when it arrives at a node that is an end point of the corresponding link, it is configured to display easily. Here, a node is an end point or a branch point of a passage or a route, and the branch point includes a branch point that branches to a route connecting floors of a building such as stairs, escalators, and elevators.

  Each node is given a node number, and “node number” in which the node exists is set as a parameter for each node. A link is a path connecting nodes, and is associated with a link type and a link attribute representing the characteristics of each link. The link type includes “passage”, “elevator”, “escalator”, “stair”, and the like of the link type, and the width of the passage, the number of steps of the staircase, and the presence or absence of a step are set as the link attributes.

  That is, in FIG. 11, (a) is an icon that means going up to the 8th floor by an escalator, (b) is an icon that means going up the floor by an escalator, and (c) means that going up the floor by a stairs. Icon. FIG. 11D is an icon indicating that the elevator goes up to the 8th floor, and FIG. 11E is an icon indicating that the elevator is barrier-free and the elevator goes up to the 8th floor. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the departure place is displayed as an icon “S”, and the node at the end point of the link by the elevator, which is the temporary goal point, goes up to the eighth floor by the elevator as shown in FIG. 11 (e). By displaying the icon, it is possible to provide easy guidance for the user.

  Such icons can also be applied to ordinary map display systems, such as taxi icons, icons representing the color and feature points of vehicles for each railway company, icons indicating station numbers such as subways, etc. Can be used.

  On the other hand, guidance marks that are actually displayed in facilities or outdoors are called “pictograms” and have been mainly considered as still images. In relation to this pictogram, the following non-patent document 1 (the press release material titled “Moveable symbol design has been decided”, September 2000) was devised to make it look comfortable and stand out. A symbol design that moves with a strong design element is disclosed.

  The following non-patent document 2 (a paper entitled “Pictogram Grammar Structure”, April 2002) discloses an academic study that the pictogram has a grammatical structure with noun phrases and semantic features. ing. Among them, the example of a pictogram that restricts the person who sees the pictogram and requests a specific action is `` skier gets down '', and by combining a symbol like an arrow with a figure that can not express movement originally, "Expression" is realized.

Further, as a technique for displaying an animation of the traveling direction at an intersection, for example, there is a map display device disclosed in the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-42989). This map display device displays a road on the display screen, and displays a guide to the road to be traveled. Ah, when the vehicle position is in front of an intersection, the map display device should proceed on the display screen. A character having a predetermined shape (a human character simulating a human or a car character simulating a car) moving along the road display is displayed.
By configuring in this way, the route guidance is performed with a dynamic display such as guidance, so the route to be taken can be determined immediately, and the visibility is improved.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-39887 (FIGS. 8 and 9) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-42989 (FIG. 2) Press release material "" moving "symbol design has been decided", [online], September 8, 2000, Tokyo Transportation Bureau, [January 24, 2006], Internet <URL: http: // www.metro.tokyo.jp/INET/OSHIRASE/2000/09/20A9B200.HTM> Yumiko Shimizu, “grammatical structure of pictogram”, Journal of Information Media Center, Faculty of Environmental Information, Musashino Institute of Technology, April 2002, No. 3, p. 58-63

  However, in the conventional pictogram, the moving floor of escalators and elevators is expressed as a still image. For example, when walking toward the escalator pictogram in a department store or the like, the up and down of the escalator are reversed. This often improves the experience of having to bypass the floor to the desired escalator. This is because “up” and “down” are not represented in the pictogram.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-39887) discloses an arrow icon indicating the direction of an escalator, and Non-Patent Document 2 (thesis entitled “Pictogram Grammar Structure”, 2002). (April) discloses that the motion of a skier getting off a lift is represented by an arrow, and all of these represent directions using arrows, but the display screen of the display unit for displaying icons is small. In some cases, icons and pictograms are so small that even the arrows cannot be seen.

  In particular, in the display screen of a map display device using a mobile phone, the number of dots of an icon is 20 × 20, and the display size is about 4 mm × 4 mm. There is a problem that it is difficult and also very difficult for the user to read.

  As described above, since it is very difficult to provide a large display screen on a mobile phone because it causes a decrease in portability, depending on the content displayed on the screen, it is difficult to see fine parts or the visibility is remarkably reduced. Sometimes. For this reason, it will be important to consider not only convenience but also visibility in the future.

  In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-42989), an advancing direction is displayed at an intersection. This is an image (icon) corresponding to the user in order to guide the user's next action. The technical idea of expressing the moving direction of the moving means represented by the icon by moving the content of the icon (pictograph) is not disclosed.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies to solve the above problems, and as a result, if the icon is configured with a moving image corresponding to node attribute information indicating the moving means constituting the link, the above problems will occur. Thus, the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a map display that can display the guidance information desired by the user in an easy-to-view manner while inheriting the point that the pictogram is excellent as an expression means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a system, a map distribution device, a map display device, and a map display method.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A map display system comprising a map display device and a map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the image figure and the doll figure showing the icon image composed of the moving image in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is stored together with the map data requested from the map display device , A node whose transportation means changes according to the attribute information of the node If the attribute of the node as the point is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, delivers icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. In the case of a node to be connected, the icon in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is displayed as a moving image.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1 , wherein the map display device further includes an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the map display device,
When the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map according to the direction of the map display device detected by the azimuth detecting unit.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is
A map distribution device connected to a map display device that displays a map on the display unit and displays an icon corresponding to the guidance point based on the map data and the guidance point received from the map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the image figure and the doll figure showing the icon image composed of the moving image in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is stored together with the map data requested from the map display device , A node whose transportation means changes according to the attribute information of the node If the attribute of the node as the point is a node that uplink or downlink escalator is connected, characterized by distributing the icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the map distribution device according to claim 3 , wherein the map display device further includes an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the map display device,
When the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map according to the direction of the map display device detected by the azimuth detecting unit.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is
A map database storing node data representing roads by nodes and links and map data including link data and an icon database, the node data being nodes to which an up or down escalator is connected In this case, node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an image figure and a doll indicating the escalator corresponding to the node attribute information are added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the figure is accumulated as the icon data composed of the moving image of the doll figure moving along the moving direction of the escalator , and in the attribute information of the node together with the map data requested from the map display device. Depending on the node where the means of transportation changes If over time the attribute is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, the icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device connected to the map distributing device that distributes to the map display device There,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. In the case of a node to be connected, the icon in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is displayed as a moving image.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 5 , wherein the map display device further includes an azimuth detecting unit that detects the direction of the map display device,
When the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map according to the direction of the map display device detected by the azimuth detecting unit.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is
A map display method in a map display system comprising a map display device and a map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. An icon image composed of an image figure and a doll figure indicating the icon data composed of a video in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator ,
The escalator movement direction when the attribute of the node is connected to an up or down escalator with the map data requested from the map display device as a guide point according to the attribute information of the node. And delivering the icon that the doll figure moves along to the map display device,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. In the case of a connected node, there is a step of displaying a moving image of the icon in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator .

In the invention according to claim 1, when the node attribute information indicates a node to which an up or down escalator is connected in the icon database in the map distribution device, an image figure and a doll indicating the escalator corresponding to the node The icon image composed of the figure is accumulated as the icon data composed of the moving image of the doll figure moving along the moving direction of the escalator , and in the attribute information of the node together with the map data requested from the map display device. Accordingly, when a node whose moving means changes is a guide point and the attribute of the node is a node to which an up or down escalator is connected, an icon in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is distributed to the map display device. The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and the map distribution device Based on the map data and guide point has et received, and displays a map on the display unit, when the guidance point is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, dolls shapes along the direction of movement of the escalator move The icon to be displayed is displayed as a movie .
Therefore, since the moving means in the node that is the guide point is displayed to the user of the map display device with the icon composed of the moving image, it can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user. That is, the user of the map displaying apparatus, when a guidance point node is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, because video displaying an icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator, comprehensible icons You will be able to guide at. In addition, it is possible to display using icons that can easily understand the moving direction and operation of the moving means ahead of the node.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2 , in the invention according to claim 1, the map display device further includes an azimuth detector that detects the orientation of the map display device,
When the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map in accordance with the direction of the map display device detected by the direction detection unit. Accordingly, it is possible to display the guidance at the node as the guidance point with an easy-to-understand icon for the user of the map display device. In addition, the icon can be displayed in accordance with the map display direction which is the direction of the map display device.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a map distribution device that constitutes the map display system according to the first and second aspects. Therefore, it is possible to provide a map distribution device that distributes guide data that can display guidance at a node that is a guide point with easy-to-understand icons to the user of the map display device.

In the invention according to claims 5 and 6 , it is possible to provide a map display device constituting the map display system according to claims 1 and 2 . Accordingly, it is possible to provide a map display device that displays an icon that makes it easy to understand the guidance at the node that is the guide point to the user of the map display device.

In the invention concerning Claim 7 , the map display method implement | achieved by the map display system concerning Claim 1 can be provided now. Therefore, it is possible to provide a map display method that can display the guidance at the node as the guidance point with an easy-to-understand icon to the user of the map display device.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, the embodiment shown below exemplifies a map display system for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and is not intended to identify the present invention as this map display system. The present invention is equally applicable to the map display systems of other embodiments included in the scope of claims.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention and a map display device and a map distribution device according to the present invention which are components thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the map display system 10 is configured as a communication type map display system in which a map display device 20 and a map distribution device 30 are connected via a network 12. In the present embodiment, the map display device 20 and the map distribution device 30 are described as devices having a navigation function for performing route search and providing a guide route.

  The map display device 20 is a terminal that is carried by a pedestrian or used by a user mounted in a passenger seat of an automobile. For example, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a PDA can be used. When the mobile phone is a mobile phone, the map display device 20 communicates with the base station wirelessly, establishes a connection relationship with the map distribution device 30 via the network 12 such as the Internet via the base station, and searches for a route. A service request such as a request is sent to the map distribution device 30, and the map distribution device 30 receives distribution such as map information and a route search result.

  The map display device 20 includes a main control unit 21, an operation unit 22 including key buttons, a display unit 23 including a liquid crystal display module, a route search request unit 24, a guidance data storage unit 25, a map / route storage unit 26, a position The information acquisition unit 27 and the direction detection unit 28 are included. In the map display device 20, the user performs a desired input and operation instruction from the operation unit 22, and displays a map, a guidance route, and guidance (icons and guidance data) distributed from the map distribution device 30 on the display unit 23. The main control unit 21 is mainly composed of a microprocessor, and includes storage means such as a RAM and a ROM like a general computer device, and controls each part by a program stored in these storage means.

  The route search request unit 24 sends route search requirements such as a departure point, a destination, and a moving means to the map distribution device 30 and requests a route search. The starting point and destination are generally specified by latitude and longitude, but an address or telephone number is input and converted into latitude and longitude information in the database of the map distribution device 30, or the map display device 20 A method may be used in which a point is designated on the map displayed in, and converted into latitude and longitude information. As the departure point information, information on the latitude and longitude of the positioning point received from the position information acquisition unit 27 described later can be used. The moving means is, for example, walking, a car, or a combination of walking and transportation.

  When the map display device 20 transmits a route search request to the map distribution device 30, the direction to which the map display device 20 detected by the azimuth detection unit 28, which will be described later, is directed to the departure point, current location, destination, or movement It is configured so as to be added to route search requirements such as means.

  In the guidance data storage unit 25, when the map display device 20 approaches a guidance of a route downloaded or preinstalled from the information distribution device 30, for example, an intersection or a branching point (guidance point), "Further left turn" And the guidance pattern by voice are stored, and the map display device 20 displays the guidance (guide) set in the guidance data according to the guidance data received from the map distribution device 30, or the voice guide. Or an icon can be displayed at the guidance point node.

The map / route storage unit 26 stores map data and guide route data distributed to the map display device 20 as a result of the route search by the map distribution device 30 based on the route search request, and displays the map and route on the display unit 23. Is to do.
The position information acquisition unit 27 is composed of a GPS positioning device, like a normal navigation terminal (portable terminal), for receiving and processing GPS satellite signals to measure the current position.

  The azimuth detecting unit 28 includes an electronic compass, a three-dimensional geomagnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like, and detects the azimuth (orientation) that the map display device 20 faces. The direction information detected by the direction detection unit 28 is added to the route search requirement, and a route search request is transmitted to the map distribution device 20.

  On the other hand, the map distribution device 30 includes a main control unit 31, a transmission / reception unit 32, a map database (DB) 33, a route search unit 34, a data distribution unit 35, a guidance point data creation unit 36, a guidance database (DB) 37, an icon database. (DB) 38. The main control unit 31 is configured around a microprocessor, and includes storage means such as a RAM and a ROM, as in a general computer device, and controls each part by a program stored in these storage means.

  The transmission / reception unit 32 receives data and a service request from the map display device 20, and requests the map display device 20 for the shortest guide route data, map data, and guide data searched by the route search unit 34 described later. This is for transmitting (distributing) the necessary data and data necessary for the service.

  The map database (DB) 33 is a database in which map information for distribution and display on the map display device 20 and map data (node data, link data, cost data) for route search are accumulated. 34 searches the shortest guide route from the departure point to the destination with reference to the map DB 33 according to the route search requirement sent from the map display device 20. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Such a configuration is the same as that of a general route search system and map display system.

  Further, the route search unit 34 divides the searched guide route into several sections, creates guide route data, and distributes it to the map display device 20 together with map data and guide data described later. As a unit for dividing, there are a method of dividing into a route section using a transportation facility and a route section using other moving means in addition to a method of dividing into a route section for each floor of a building. Among the nodes included in the guide route, nodes that change transportation means, such as nodes that change from walking to escalators and elevators, nodes that change from walking to taxis, nodes that change from walking to trains, nodes that change trains, etc. A guide point for displaying an icon. Further, since the moving means often changes at the end point of each section into which the guide route is divided, this node is also used as a guide point for displaying an icon.

  The data distribution unit 35 is for distributing data such as the shortest guide route data, map data, and guide data searched by the route search unit 34 to the map display device 20. It is created as vector data, is added to the map data and distributed to the map display device 20, and the map display device 20 displays a map and a guide route on the display unit 33 in accordance with the distributed map data and guide route data.

  The guide point data creation unit 36, when the searched guide route includes an intersection or a branch point, data indicating a voice or display guide pattern and a point (guide point) for executing this voice or display pattern And the data for the icon displayed at the guidance point which is the node where the moving means changes are created.

  The guidance database (DB) 37 is a database in which guidance (guide) patterns to be downloaded or preinstalled in the map display device 20 are accumulated. The map display device 20 receives this map point data along with the map data and guide route data, and can receive a predetermined guide when it arrives at the guide point.

  The icon database (DB) 38 is used when using the current location or destination displayed on the map display device 20, nodes at the entrance of stairs, escalators, elevators, etc., which are links connecting floors existing in the guide route, or transportation. It is a database that accumulates icon patterns for easily representing the transportation system to be used, and is downloaded or preinstalled in advance on the map display device 20 in the same manner as the voice pattern and display pattern for the guide. This icon is displayed on the node that is the guidance point. The icon data may be distributed from the map distribution device 30 to the map display device 20 each time together with the map data.

  The icon stored in the icon DB 38 corresponds to the attribute of the node that serves as a guide point (attribute indicating whether the link from the node is a moving means such as a staircase, an elevator, an escalator, or a moving means such as a transportation facility). Corresponding node attributes (such as moving means) are stored as icons having a display pattern that is easily visible to the user.

  2-6 is a figure which shows the icon displayed on a map display apparatus by a guidance point, FIG. 2 is a figure which shows the display pattern of the icon according to "uphill of an uphill escalator" which is a node attribute, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an icon display pattern corresponding to the node attribute “moving sidewalk entrance”, and FIG. 4 is a node attribute “moving sidewalk entrance and the right side of the sidewalk is an overtaking passage”. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an icon display pattern corresponding to the node attribute “Taxi stop”, and FIG. 6 is a node attribute “Train in a certain traveling direction”. It is a figure which shows the display pattern of the icon according to.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, easy-to-understand icon moving image patterns corresponding to node attributes such as escalators, moving walkways, taxi ranks, and trains are accumulated in the icon DB 38, and displayed on a map. By displaying this icon together with a map and a guide route when the device 20 arrives at a node that is an end point of the corresponding link, a display that is easy to visually recognize is performed.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, easy-to-understand icon moving image patterns corresponding to node attributes such as escalators, moving walkways, taxi ranks, and trains are accumulated in the icon DB 38 to display the map. By displaying this icon together with a map and a guide route when the device 20 arrives at a node that is an end point of the corresponding link, a display that is easy to visually recognize is performed.

The icons of the present invention are appropriately set according to the platform of the system using, for example, a number of existing formats such as GIF animation and motion JPEG in order to express the icons displayed on the map as moving images. Can do.
Further, the icon of the present invention is created not only by displaying an animation from a design standpoint, but by sufficiently studying so that the moving direction and operation of the moving means can be visually recognized.

  FIG. 2 is an icon indicating that the ascending exit of the ascending escalator. This icon is entered when a person enters the escalator upstairs (see Fig. 2 (a)), rides on the escalator and moves upstairs (see Fig. 2 (b)-(d)). The moving direction of the escalator is represented by composing the images representing the exit from the exit (FIGS. 2 (e) and 2 (f)). By displaying an animated icon representing that a person is going up as shown in FIG. 2 at the elevator exit, it is possible to provide easy guidance for the user. Conversely, an animated icon is displayed at the exit of the elevator.

  FIG. 3 is an icon indicating that it is an entrance of a moving sidewalk. This icon enters from the entrance of the sidewalk where the person moves (see FIG. 3A), the person gradually gets smaller and moves farther (see FIGS. 3B to 3D), and the exit of the moving sidewalk The movement direction of the moving sidewalk is expressed by composing the images representing the images of the movements of the camera (FIGS. 3E and 3F). By displaying an animated icon representing the movement of a person as shown in FIG. 3 at the entrance of the sidewalk, it is possible to provide easy guidance for the user.

  FIG. 4 is an icon indicating that it is an entrance to a moving sidewalk and that the right side of the sidewalk is an overtaking passage. This icon is entered from the left side of the entrance to the sidewalk where the person moves (see Fig. 4 (a)), and the next person enters from the right side of the entrance to the sidewalk where the person moves (see Fig. 4 (b)). Images representing each person standing on the left (see FIGS. 4 (c) and 4 (d)) and exiting from the exit of the moving walk (FIGS. 4 (e) and (f)). The moving direction of the moving sidewalk is expressed by comprising. As shown in Fig. 4, it is easy for the user to visually recognize that the person who appeared on the right side with a little delay passes the person who stood on the left side. You will be able to give guidance.

  FIG. 5 is an icon indicating a taxi stand. This icon is used when a person approaches an empty taxi (see FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b)), gets into the taxi (see FIGS. 5 (c) and 5 (d)), and the taxi starts moving with passengers (FIG. 5 (e)). ) (F)) represents the operation of getting into the taxi by composing the images. At a node (guidance point) where the moving means changes from walking to taxi, guidance that is easy for the user to visually recognize is shown by displaying animated icons representing the movement of the passenger and the movement of the taxi as shown in FIG. You will be able to Conversely, an animated icon representing the movement of the passenger getting off the taxi and the movement of the taxi is displayed at the taxi exit.

  FIG. 6 is an icon indicating a train in a certain traveling direction. This icon indicates that the train enters from the left to the right (see FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b)), stops or passes (see FIGS. 6 (c) and 6 (d)) and runs to the right (see FIG. 6). 6 (e) (f)) is composed of images representing the above, and the traveling direction of the train is represented. At a node (guidance point) where the moving means changes from a walk to a train (guidance point), an easy-to-view guidance for the user can be provided by displaying an animated icon representing the movement of the train as shown in FIG. . When the traveling direction of the train is reverse, an animation icon is displayed in which the train moves from right to left.

  7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of display screens of a map and icons displayed on the map display device 20 as an example in which the map display system 10 according to the present invention provides a route guidance service.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the guidance map in front of the ABC station displays icons indicating the positions of the taxi stand 71 and the up escalator 72 to the station building. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the home guide map inside the station displays icons indicating the position of the ascending escalator 81 from the platform and the arrival positions (numbered lines) of the ascending train 82 and the descending train 83. The icons 82 and 83 can express the direction of the train with respect to the platform, so the user knows from which direction the train enters the platform, so in either direction when passing the stairs on the platform or the narrow passage next to the escalator. You can be careful if you should pay attention.

  In this way, icon data representing node attributes and moving directions (movements) is prepared, and when displaying a map, an icon corresponding to the attribute of the place is displayed to provide easy guidance for the user. Will be able to. A message indicating the attribute of the place, for example, data such as “uphill escalator entrance” may be added to the map data.

  Therefore, when the location information of the departure node and the destination node is specified as a route search requirement from the map display device 20 via the operation unit 22 and walking is designated as the moving means and sent to the map distribution device 30, the route search is performed. The unit 34 refers to the node data, link data, and cost data stored in the map DB 33, traces the link starting from the departure node, and selects the guide route with the shortest required time or the shortest link length. I will explore. When searching for the entire guide route, the route search unit 34 divides the guide route into, for example, floors, and creates map data and guide route data. In addition, the guidance point data creation unit 36 sets at least a node that becomes the end point of the divided guidance route as a guidance point, and sets an icon pattern to be displayed at the guidance point.

  The guidance route data searched by the map distribution device 30 in this way is distributed to the map display device 20 together with the map data. Further, the guidance point data creation unit 36 creates guidance point data that designates a guidance pattern by voice guidance or the like used for guidance at the guidance point, which is a branch point in the guidance route, and distributes the data. It can be distributed to the map display device 20 by the unit 35. The above-described icon image is added to the distribution data at the guidance point which is a node where the moving means changes. If an icon pattern has been downloaded to the map display device 20 in advance, an identification code for specifying the icon pattern may be added.

  For example, the guidance point data creation unit 36 uses the node corresponding to the position of the stairs as a guidance point, and creates guidance point data specifying a guidance pattern such as “Please get down this stairs to the first basement”. In addition, an easy-to-view icon corresponding to the moving means (node attribute) is selected for this node, and guide data for designating the guide point and the icon display pattern is created so that the icon can be displayed.

  Upon receiving the distribution of the map data, the guide route data, and the guide point data from the map delivery device 30, the map display device 20 stores the map data and the guide route data in the map / route storage unit 26 and converts the guide point data into the guide data. Store in the storage unit 25. The map display device 20 reads the data from the map / route storage unit 26 and the guidance data storage unit 25, displays the map and route guidance on the display unit 23, and provides voice guidance and the like every time it arrives at the guidance point. Guidance is given and the user can move accordingly. Since a user-friendly video icon is displayed at the node that is the guide point, the user can easily see what moving means to use and how to move at the node where the moving means changes. Will be able to.

  In order to determine when the map display device 20 is currently located on the guidance route and whether or not the map display device 20 has arrived at a point for reproducing guidance by voice guidance or the like, the map display device 20 It is necessary to know the current position of the map 20, and the map display device 20 normally measures the current position by the GPS function of the position information acquisition unit 27. However, in a building such as an underground mall or a building, a GPS satellite is used. Positioning cannot be performed because the signal cannot be received. For this reason, you may comprise so that the positional information which consists of the longitude of the installation position transmitted from the positional information transmission unit installed in the building, the latitude, and the information of a floor may be received by radio | wireless communication.

  In addition, a guide route and a mark indicating the current position of the map display device 20 are superimposed on a map of a certain scale and a certain range including the current position of the map display device 20 measured by the position information acquisition unit 27 to superimpose the current position. You may display so that a position mark may become the center of a display screen. Furthermore, since the position information obtained by positioning includes an error, route matching processing may be performed to correct the current position on the guide route when the current position is deviated from the guide route.

  When the map display device 20 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, the orientation and direction of the map display device 20 vary depending on the orientation that the user is facing, how the map display device 20 is held, the direction of the arm, and the like. Look in different directions. For this reason, it is preferable that the direction of the map displayed on the display unit 23 is displayed in accordance with the direction of the map display device 20. The upward direction of the map is displayed in the direction corresponding to the direction of the map display device 20, that is, the upward direction of the display unit 23. This is called heading-up display.

  When heading-up display is performed, the orientation of the map displayed on the display unit 23 is rotated according to the orientation of the map display device 20 detected by the azimuth detection unit 28, and the map is displayed on the display unit 23. Match and display. At this time, the direction of the icon at the guidance point is rotated and displayed so as to match the direction of the map. If the icon is not rotated and displayed in a state that does not match the direction of the map, the moving direction of the moving image does not match the direction of the actual guide route, resulting in an unnatural and unintelligible display.

  Various methods can be used for rotating the icon image. When the icon distributed from the map distribution device 30 is rotated on the map display device 20 based on the direction detected by the direction detection unit 28, the icon image may be rotated. Alternatively, a plurality of types of icons corresponding to directions are prepared in advance in the icon database of the map distribution device 30, and the icons in the corresponding directions are distributed to the map display device based on the direction information transmitted from the map display device 20. It may be.

Next, a route search and guidance procedure in the map display system according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a route search procedure in the map display system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for performing guidance route guidance.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 9, the map display device 20 inputs and determines the route search requirements such as the departure point, the destination, and the moving means by the user in step S90. Next, the map display apparatus 20 transmits these requirements to the map distribution apparatus 30 as a route search request in step S91. In accordance with the route search requirements sent from the map display device 20, the map distribution device 30 refers to the map data by the route search unit 34 in step S92 and searches for a route from the departure point to the destination. As the search method, a method such as the Dijkstra method described above can be used. As a result of the search, the shortest route is set as the guide route. At the same time, guidance data in which guidance route data, guidance points and guidance patterns for voice guidance are set is created.

  Next, the map distribution apparatus 30 receives the current position information (consisting of longitude, latitude, and floor information) from the map display apparatus 20 in step S93. If there is a request for map / route data (map data, guidance route data, guidance data) from the map display device 20 in step S94, the map delivery device 30 performs data delivery based on the position information received from the map display device 20. In step S95, the unit 35 distributes the map data, the guide route data, and the guide data where the map display device 20 is located to the map display device 20 and ends the process.

  If there is no map / route data request from the map display device 20, the process is terminated. When the map display device 20 moves to measure new position information, the processing from step S91 to step S95 is repeated, and new map data, guide route data, and guide data are distributed to the map display device 20.

  Next, a map, route display, and guidance (guidance) procedure in the map display device 20 that has received map data, guidance route data, and guidance data from the map distribution device 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the map display device 20 receives distribution of map data, guidance route data, and the like, the route search requirements such as the location information of the departure and destination locations and the moving means are sent from the map display device 20 to the map distribution device 30. It is assumed that the route search from the departure place to the target place has already been completed in the map distribution device 30. In such a state, route guidance is started, and GPS positioning by the position information acquisition unit 27 is requested in step S100. If GPS positioning is not completed in step S101, the positioning of step S100 is repeated, and if completed, the process proceeds to step S103. If there is an error in GPS positioning in step S101, an error is displayed in step S102 and the process is terminated.

  Next, in step S103, the map display device 20 communicates with the map distribution device 30, transmits the position information measured by the position information acquisition unit 27 to the map distribution device 30, and the location where the map display device 20 is located (latitude, route, Floor) map data, guide route data, or guide data including guide points is requested. If the reception of the data requested in step S104 is not completed, the reception process in step S104 is repeated. If the reception is completed in step S104, the map received from the map distribution device 30 in step S105 is displayed on the map display device 20. Displayed on the unit 23.

  In step S106, it is determined whether the position of the map display device 20 is a guidance point. If it is a guidance point, the voice guidance and icon set in the guidance point are displayed in step S107, and the process proceeds to step S108. If it is not a point, the guidance process of step S107 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, it is determined whether or not the position of the map display device 20 is the target location (destination). If the location has arrived at the target location, the process is terminated. If the location has not arrived at the target location, The process returns to step S100.

  In addition, when rotating the map displayed on the display part 23 by the direction of the map display apparatus 20, the direction of the icon displayed on a guidance point is rotated and displayed according to the direction of a map as demonstrated previously. When receiving an icon that matches the map display direction from the map distribution device 30, the direction information detected by the direction detection unit 28 may be transmitted to the map distribution device 30 to receive the corresponding icon. In addition, when there are a plurality of guidance points on the map displayed on the display unit 23, all icons may be displayed. However, the guidance that is closest to the current position according to the current direction and the current direction depends on the current position and the current direction. Only the point icon may be displayed.

  As described above in detail, according to the map display system according to the present invention, map data, guide route data, and guide data are created by dividing the guide route searched by the map distribution device into several sections and displayed on the map. When distributing to the device, the end point of the classified guide route is used as a guide point, including data of the guide point, node attribute information of the node serving as the guide point, and data specifying a moving image icon according to the direction of the map display device Guide data is created and distributed. Therefore, it becomes possible to display the guidance at the node that is the guidance point to the user of the map display device 20 with an easy-to-understand video icon.

  In addition, the navigation system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be a system that does not have a navigation service function. The navigation device 20 may also be a mobile phone or GPS positioning means that does not support the navigation service. It may be a mobile phone without it. In the case of a mobile phone that does not have GPS positioning means, the location information of the communication area is obtained by location registration with respect to the base station, and the route search device 30 may receive this location information from the mobile phone and determine the location.

  According to the present invention, it can be used as an icon expression on a display screen of not only a map display device but also an electronic map display device in general. Therefore, the convenience of the electronic map can be improved, the transition from the paper map to the electronic map can be promoted, and the paper resources can be saved. Therefore, it is useful as a system that provides services suitable for social needs. .

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention and the map display device and map distribution device according to the present invention which are constituent elements thereof. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing icons displayed on the map display device at the guidance points, and is a diagram showing a display pattern of icons according to the node attribute “uphill of the up escalator”. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing icons displayed on the map display device at the guide points, and is a diagram showing icon display patterns according to the node attribute “moving sidewalk entrance”. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing icons displayed on the map display device at the guidance point, and is a diagram showing a display pattern of icons according to the node attribute “moving sidewalk entrance and the right side of the sidewalk is an overtaking passage”. is there. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing icons displayed on the map display device at the guide points, and is a diagram showing a display pattern of icons according to the “taxi stop” which is the node attribute. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing icons displayed on the map display device at the guidance points, and is a diagram showing a display pattern of icons according to the node attribute “train in a certain traveling direction”. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen example of a map and an icon displayed on the map display device as an example in which the map display system 10 according to the present invention provides a route guidance service. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen example of a map and an icon displayed on the map display device as an example in which the map display system 10 according to the present invention provides a route guidance service. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a route search procedure in the map display system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for performing guidance on the guidance route in the map display system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of an icon image at a conventional guidance point. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of an icon image at a conventional guidance point.

Explanation of symbols

10 .... Map display system 12 .... Network 20 ... Map display device (mobile terminal device)
30... Map distribution device 21, 31... Main control unit 22... Operation unit 23... Display unit 24 ... route search request unit 25. 26 .... Map / route storage unit 27 ... Position information acquisition unit 28 ... Direction detection unit 32 ... Transmission / reception unit 33 ... Map database DB
34 ··· Route search unit 35 ··· Data distribution unit 36 ··· Guide point data creation unit 37 ··· Guide data database DB
38 ... Icon database DB

Claims (7)

A map display system comprising a map display device and a map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the image figure and the doll figure showing the icon image composed of the moving image in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is stored together with the map data requested from the map display device , A node whose transportation means changes according to the attribute information of the node If the attribute of the node as the point is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, delivers icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. In the case of a connected node, the map display system displays a moving image of the icon in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator . The map display device further includes an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the map display device,
The map display system according to claim 1, wherein when the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map in accordance with the direction of the map display device detected by the direction detection unit. A map distribution device connected to a map display device that displays a map on the display unit and displays an icon corresponding to the guidance point based on the map data and the guidance point received from the map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the image figure and the doll figure showing the icon image composed of the moving image in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator is stored together with the map data requested from the map display device , A node whose transportation means changes according to the attribute information of the node If the attribute of the node as the point is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, map distribution apparatus characterized by distributing the icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device . The map display device further includes an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the map display device,
The map distribution apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map according to the direction of the map display device detected by the direction detection unit. A map database storing node data representing roads by nodes and links and map data including link data and an icon database, the node data being nodes to which an up or down escalator is connected In this case, node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an image figure and a doll indicating the escalator corresponding to the node attribute information are added to the icon database. The icon image composed of the figure is accumulated as the icon data composed of the moving image of the doll figure moving along the moving direction of the escalator , and in the attribute information of the node together with the map data requested from the map display device. Depending on the node where the means of transportation changes If over time the attribute is a node that uplink or downlink escalator are connected, the icon doll figure moves along the direction of movement of the escalator in the map display device connected to the map distributing device that distributes to the map display device There,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. A map display device that displays a moving image of the icon in which a doll figure moves along a moving direction of an escalator when the node is a connected node . The map display device further includes an orientation detection unit that detects the orientation of the map display device,
6. The map display device according to claim 5, wherein when the map is displayed on the display unit, the icon is rotated and displayed together with the map in accordance with the direction of the map display device detected by the direction detection unit. A map display method in a map display system comprising a map display device and a map distribution device,
The map distribution device includes a map database in which map data including link data and node data representing roads as nodes and links, and an icon database, and the node data includes an ascending or descending escalator for the node. In the case of a connected node , node attribute information indicating an up or down escalator which is a moving means constituting a link connected to the node is added, and an escalator corresponding to the node attribute information is added to the icon database. An icon image composed of an image figure and a doll figure indicating the icon data composed of a video in which the doll figure moves along the moving direction of the escalator ,
The escalator movement direction when the attribute of the node is a node to which an up or down escalator is connected , with the map data requested from the map display device as a guide point, according to the attribute information of the node. And delivering the icon that the doll figure moves along to the map display device,
The map display device includes a display unit for displaying a map, and displays a map on the display unit based on the map data and guide points received from the map distribution device, and the guide point is an up or down escalator. A map display method comprising a step of displaying a moving image of the icon in which a doll figure moves along a moving direction of an escalator when the node is a connected node .

Images