JP4977000B2 - Map display system, map display device, and map display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a map display system, a map display device, and a map display method having a function of designating a desired point in a route search system or a facility search system and displaying a map image including the point, When displaying the map image including the first input point on the display means, it has a point input interface to add the input point after that, and the map including the first input point and the subsequent input point The present invention relates to a map display system, a map display device, and a map display method that display an image on a display means.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, navigation devices and navigation systems that guide a user by searching for a route from a desired departure point to a destination using map data and road data are known. Such navigation devices and navigation systems are known. As a car navigation device that is installed in an automobile and guides the route to the driver, a communication type that uses a mobile phone as a navigation terminal to send a route search request to the route search server, receives the result, and receives route guidance Navigation systems have been put to practical use.

  In particular, the communication-type navigation system is a system that uses a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone as a navigation terminal, and is also used as a navigation system for pedestrians. As a navigation system for pedestrians, it is preferable to add a route guidance function including transportation, and in addition to searching and guidance for walking routes, the route search server accumulates routes and operation time data of transportation, There is also a navigation system having a function of guiding a route from a desired departure station to a desired destination station (boarding candidate train) 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 of transportation facilities, and trains that can be boarded from an information distribution server without searching for walking routes.

  A general navigation device, a route search device and a route search method used in a communication navigation system are disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-165681). This navigation system is configured to send information on a departure point and a destination from a portable navigation terminal to an information distribution server, and the information distribution server searches and guides a route that matches a search condition from road network and traffic network data. Has been. As the search condition, there are means for moving from the departure place to the destination, for example, walking, automobile, combined use of railroad and walking, and the route is searched as one of the search conditions.

  The information distribution server has roads (routes) of map data as nodes and nodes as the positions of inflection points, links connecting the nodes as links, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links as a database. ing. Then, the information distribution server sequentially searches for a link from the departure node to the destination node with reference to the database, and traces the node and link with the smallest cost information of the link as a guide route. The shortest route can be guided to the portable navigation terminal. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Patent Document 1 also discloses a route search method using this Dijkstra method.

  In providing information on stores and events, a user operates a mobile terminal to input a store or event category and an area to be searched for a search request. The server searches for stores and events that fall into the specified category and exist in the area, and the information is distributed to the map display terminal. In providing the timetable, when the user operates the mobile terminal to designate a route, the timetable of the route is presented on the screen of the display device of the mobile terminal. Further, in the transfer guidance, the recommended route is presented by the user specifying the departure place and the destination.

  In addition, connect to a map server on the Internet from a terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile phone, and enter the desired location, facility, store address, name, telephone number, etc. to determine the location of the location, facility, or store. It is also possible to display a map image on a display device by downloading map data within a predetermined range.

  In the case of a general map display system that displays a map image including a specific point designated by the user on the display means, the user designates a desired facility by an address, name, telephone number, etc. A search is performed to search for a desired facility, map data including the location point of the facility is received from the server, and the facility position is displayed together with the map image on the display means. In such a map display system, when a user designates another facility or point and requests transmission of a map image to the server, the display of the first map image is temporarily terminated, and another map specified by the user The map data including the facility is newly delivered from the server, and the facility position is displayed together with the map image.

  By the way, the user may want to confirm the mutual positional relationship between a certain facility (point) and another facility (point) on a map. In such a case, the map display system as described above cannot designate two facilities and display a map image including those points. Such a problem also occurs when the map display system has a function of scrolling the map image, and the map image is scrolled from the current position to a desired point.

  On the other hand, in a system having a route search function, a map including a route and a route from the departure point to the destination is specified by specifying two desired points as a departure point and a destination and performing a route search between the two points. An image can be displayed on the display means. Here, when a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone or a mobile electronic terminal is used as a map display device, the screen size of the display means is small, so when a map image including two points is displayed, a wide area map is displayed. There is a problem that details of the vicinity of the starting point and the destination are not known.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, in the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-43112), the display screen is divided and a map image including each point is individually displayed on the divided display screen. An invention of a map display method for display is disclosed.

  In the map display method according to the present invention, when the current location or the cursor position reaches a predetermined range close to the outer edge of the screen when the map is scrolled by moving the cursor in the separate window display type map search display unit, the map display scale calculation unit It is configured to calculate a wide-scale map where both the cursor position and the cursor position are displayed on the same screen, and to search and display a predetermined map in the map search and display unit for two-point display. The map search / display unit is configured to display a detailed map centered on the current location and a detailed map centered on the cursor position in a separate window.

  Further, in the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-340578), a navigation device that divides a display screen into two screens and displays a wide area map on one screen and a detailed map on the other screen. Further, an invention is disclosed in which a wide area map is scrolled in synchronization with a detailed map scroll operation.

  This navigation device divides a display screen into two left and right screens when a two-screen map display is specified, displays a detailed map on the left screen, and includes a wide area including a range where the detailed map is displayed on the right screen When the map is displayed and the left screen is scrolled, the wide area map on the right screen is scrolled and displayed in synchronization with the movement of the detailed map on the left screen. When displaying a two-screen map, a frame (display area) that delimits the area where the detailed map of the left screen is displayed is fixed at the center of the right screen, and the map in the display area is relative. It is comprised so that it may display in a display mode which is conspicuous.

  In the inventions disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 described above, the display screen is divided into two screens, and a wide area map and a detailed map are displayed on the respective screens. Patent Document 4 below discloses an invention of a display device that continuously changes (display magnification), zooms out and zooms in a map image, and displays while changing from a detailed map to a wide area map on one screen. . The display device disclosed in Patent Document 4 starts scrolling while zooming out the display of a display target according to a scrolling instruction, zooms in to the original size and ends scrolling, or ends scrolling. It is configured to zoom in to the size of.

JP 2001-165681 A (FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-43112 (FIG. 12) JP 2002-340578 A (FIG. 4) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-146543 (FIGS. 1 and 6)

  In the general map data providing system described above, if a map image including the specified facility is displayed, then if another facility is specified and a map image including the facility is displayed, the map data including the specified facility is displayed first. Since the facility and the map image are cleared and the display is newly switched to a map image including the facility designated later, there is a problem that a plurality of facilities cannot be observed on the map image.

  For example, when a restaurant is searched and the location is displayed on a map, it may be the first place, but it may have been in the vicinity and there may be a land intuition. In this case, it is a common action to try to confirm the location of the restaurant from a spot that has been visited before. Specifically, first, a map of the searched restaurant is displayed, and then a spot that has been visited before is input by name, address, telephone number, etc., and the map is displayed.

  However, if a map of a spot that has been visited before is displayed in the second operation, the map displaying the restaurant position displayed in the first operation disappears and cannot be compared. Moreover, in the technique shown in the said patent document 2 and the patent document 3, since each map will be displayed on a separate map display area | region, this is also not suitable for a comparison.

  That is, according to the map display method using the screen division disclosed in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, detailed map images including a plurality of points can be displayed on different screens, but include a plurality of points. Since map images are displayed separately, there is a problem that the positional relationship between the points cannot be observed.

  It is known that a person skilled in the art of providing a route guidance service can display two points on the same map by inputting a destination and a departure point and performing a route search to display the entire route. However, in this method, the route search is executed one by one. Therefore, particularly in the communication type navigation system, a load is applied to the route search server, and this method is not generally recommended.

  Further, according to the map display method disclosed in Patent Document 4, a desired point or a point indicating the current position of the map display device is designated, a map image including the designated point is displayed, and a scroll operation is performed. When the map image is scrolled to another point, the map image can be zoomed out to a map image with a scale (magnification) that includes the point from the scroll start point to the scroll destination point. Observe the positional relationship between the two points. In this map display method, when the scroll operation is finished, the map image including the scroll destination point is zoomed in and displayed on the map at the magnification before the scroll start, so that the detailed map of the scroll destination can be displayed.

  However, since this map display method requires a scroll operation, it is necessary to know the relationship between the desired facility and the currently displayed map image and to perform a scroll process. For many users, if it is a facility that is used on a daily basis, the relationship between the position and the map image may be known in advance, but it is not realistic to know the location of various facilities. There is a problem that it is difficult to display a map image including a specific facility.

  As a result of various studies to solve the above problems, the inventor of the present application is input first in a map display system having a function of inputting a desired point and displaying a map image including the point. When displaying a map image including a point on the display means, it is equipped with a point input interface for adding the point input after that, calculating the magnification of the map based on the distance between the points, and the first input point If the map image including the point inputted after that can be displayed on the display means, the present invention has been completed by conceiving that the above problems can be solved.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-described problems, and when a map image including a first input point is displayed on the display means, the next input point is added and input first. It is an object of the present invention to provide a map display system in which a map image including a point entered and a point inputted thereafter can be displayed on a display means.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
In a map display system comprising a map database storing map data, and reading out map data including the input desired point from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means,
The map display system includes a point input interface for inputting a desired point, input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
The point-to-point distance calculation means calculates the actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means, The distance between two points with a large actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determination means is a map magnification displayed on the display means based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation means. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data so that the first input point is in the center of the display screen , A map image including the plurality of input points is displayed on the display means.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1, wherein after the display control means displays a map, the input point storage means is additionally inputted from the point input interface. The point-to-point distance calculating means calculates an actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means. The distance between two points with the largest actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determination unit is configured to display a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation unit. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data, and displays the map image including the plurality of points inputted to the display means. It is characterized by displaying.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1, wherein the point input interface is configured to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means. It has the map image display designation | designated means to perform.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1, wherein the point input interface copies other point input information that has already been input and is copied when inputting a plurality of points. A feature is provided that includes means for editing and inputting point information.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1, wherein the map display system includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface When specifying to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means, a route between two desired points among the plurality of input points is displayed on the map image. Therefore, the present invention is characterized by comprising route search request means for requesting the route search means to search for a route between the two points.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is
In a map display device comprising a map database storing map data, and reading out map data including desired input points from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means,
The map display device includes a point input interface for inputting a desired point, input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
The point-to-point distance calculation means calculates the actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means, The distance between two points with a large actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determination means is a map magnification displayed on the display means based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation means. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data so that the first input point is in the center of the display screen , A map image including the plurality of input points is displayed on the display means.

The invention according to claim 7 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 6 , wherein after the display control means displays a map, the input point storage means is additionally inputted from the point input interface. The point-to-point distance calculating means calculates an actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means. The distance between two points with the largest actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determination unit is configured to display a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation unit. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data, and displays the map image including the plurality of points inputted to the display means. It is characterized by displaying.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 6 , wherein the point input interface is configured to display on the display means a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface. It has the map image display designation | designated means to perform.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 6 , wherein the point input interface copies other point input information that has already been input and is copied when inputting a plurality of points. A feature is provided that includes means for editing and inputting point information.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the map display device according to claim 6 , wherein the server includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface of the map display device is: When specifying to display on the display means a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface, a route between two desired points among the plurality of input points is used as the map image. In order to display, the server has route search request means for requesting the route search means of the server to search for a route between the two points.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is
In a map display method in a map display device, comprising a map database storing map data, reading map data including an input desired point from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means;
In the map display method , a point input interface for inputting a desired point, an input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and an input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
Based on the input point information stored in the input point storage unit, the inter-point distance calculation unit calculates an actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter, A point-to-point distance calculating step in which the distance between two points having a large actual distance is a point-to-point distance;
When display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determining unit displays the map magnification displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculating unit. A magnification determination step for determining the map image, and the display control means so that the map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data is the center of the display screen at the first input point. A display step of drawing and displaying a map image including the plurality of input points on the display means.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is the map display method according to claim 11 , wherein after the display control means displays a map, the input point storage means is additionally inputted from the point input interface. And the inter-point distance calculating means calculates the actual distance between the first input point and each input point thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage unit. And a point-to-point distance calculating step in which the distance between the two points having the largest actual distance is the point-to-point distance;
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determining unit displays a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculating unit. A magnification determining step for determining a magnification, and the display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determining means using the map data, and displays the plurality of points input to the display means. And a display step for displaying a map image including the map image.

The invention according to claim 13 of the present application is the map display method according to claim 11 , wherein the point input interface is configured to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means. A map image display designating unit for performing the map image display, wherein the map display method includes a step of designating display of a map image using the map image display designating unit.

The invention according to claim 14 of the present application is the map display method according to claim 11 , wherein the point input interface copies other point input information that has already been input and is copied when inputting a plurality of points. The map display method includes a step of copying and inputting another point input information that has already been input, and editing the copied point information and inputting the point. It is characterized by.

The invention according to claim 15 of the present application is the map display method according to claim 11 , wherein the server includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface of the map display device includes: When specifying to display on the display means a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface, a route between two desired points among the plurality of input points is used as the map image. In order to display, the route search means of the server is requested to search for a route between the two points.

In the invention according to claim 1, a point input interface for inputting a desired point, an input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, A point-to-point distance calculating unit that calculates an actual distance between the input point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining unit, and a display control unit; Based on the input point information stored in the point storage means, the actual distance between the first input point and each subsequent input point is calculated, and the distance between the two points with the largest actual distance is calculated. When displaying the map image including the input point as the distance between points, the map magnification determination unit determines the magnification of the map displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the point distance calculation unit. Plurality, and display control means, said drawing as point input is in the center of the display screen a map image according to the magnification determined by the map magnification determining means to the first using the map data, is input A map image including the point is displayed.

  According to such a configuration, when a map image including the first input point is displayed on the display means, the subsequent input point can be added as the input point, and the first input point and the subsequent input point can be added. It becomes possible to display a map image including the designated point on the display means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the map display system according to the first aspect, after the display control means displays a map, the input point storage means additionally receives the point information inputted from the point input interface. The point-to-point distance calculating means calculates an actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage unit. When the display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the distance between the two points having the largest actual distance is used as the distance between the points. A map magnification to be displayed on the display means is determined based on the calculated maximum actual distance, and the display control means uses the map data according to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means. FIG image drawing, and displays a map image including a plurality of locations where the input to the display unit.

  According to such a configuration, when a map image including the first input point is displayed on the display means, the subsequent input point can be added as the input point, and the first input point and the subsequent input point can be added. It is now possible to display a map image that includes the selected point on the display means, and even after displaying such a map image once, you can add additional points and map it together with points previously entered. The image can be displayed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the map display system according to the first aspect, the point input interface designates display of a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means. It has a map image display designation means.

  According to such a configuration, a point image is input using the point input interface, and a map image including a point that is input first and a point that is input after that is displayed by a simple operation of simply specifying display of the map image. Can be displayed on the means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the map display system according to the first aspect, when the point input interface inputs a plurality of points, the other point input information already input is copied, and the copied point Means for editing and inputting the information.

  According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to input a desired point by a simple copying operation and editing operation.

In the invention according to claim 5 , in the map display system according to claim 1, the map display system includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface includes the point input When displaying a map image including a plurality of points input from the interface on the display means, a route between two desired points among the plurality of input points is displayed on the map image. And route search request means for requesting the route search means to search for a route between the two points.

  According to such a configuration, when a map image including a point input first and a point input thereafter is displayed on the display means, a route between the two specified points can also be displayed.

Moreover, in the invention concerning Claim 6 thru | or 10 , the map display apparatus which comprises the map display system concerning Claim 1 thru | or 5 can be provided, respectively, According to Claim 11 thru | or 15 . In the invention, it is possible to provide a map display method for realizing the map display device according to claims 6 to 10 , respectively.

  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 system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a map display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the map display system 10 includes a map display device 20 and a route search server 30 connected via a network 12. The map display system 10 includes a POI information distribution server 50 that provides detailed information such as the location of POIs (Points of Interest: places of interest) belonging to various categories, service contents, advertisements, map data, traffic route data, and operation times. It is configured with various information distribution servers 51 that provide table data, contents such as music and various images, and other information.

  The route search server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information distribution server 50 or other information distribution server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information distribution server 50 or another information distribution server 51 to obtain a desired search result.

  The map display system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the route search server 30 may have a function of a map distribution server that distributes a map of a POI location together with a navigation service function. It may have only the function of providing facility search and map information. The map display device 20 can also use a mobile phone, and may be a PDA, music player, portable device such as a portable game machine, or a personal computer (PC). Further, it may be a stand-alone type navigation device.

  The route search server 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map database 34 and a route search network database 35. When a route search request is received from the map display device 20, the route search server 30 searches for a route with reference to the route search network database 35. And it has the general navigation function which transmits the guidance route (recommended route) obtained from the result of the route search to the map display device 20. The route search server 30 also includes a POI information database 36 that stores POI information such as the POI location, telephone number, address, and business hours.

  Further, when there is a map data acquisition request by designating a desired point or POI from the map display device 20, the route search server 30 reads the corresponding map data by referring to the map database 34 and sends it to the map display device 20. To deliver. When the map display device 20 requests a route search to the route search server 30 and receives a route guidance service, the map display device 20 sets a desired departure place and destination as described above, and the route search server 30 A route search request is sent to. If there is a stopover point between the departure point and the destination point, the stopover point is also set.

  To set these points, display the route search condition input screen as described above, enter the name, address (location) and phone number of the point, display the map on the display screen, A method of selecting a desired point by selecting the cursor is used. The starting point, waypoint, and destination are generally set as the location of a specific facility or location of interest (POI), but the link or node on the road closest to the facility or POI. The position may be used as the facility or POI location on the route search.

  In this map display system 10, in addition to a method of displaying a route search condition input screen and inputting a point, a desired area is designated, or a POI search is performed to select a POI of interest and a map of the area where the POI is located Is displayed, a desired point is designated on the displayed map, and a departure point, a destination, and a waypoint can be designated. When the map data including the designated point is received from the route search server 30, the map display device 20 displays a map image of a predetermined scale (magnification) on the display means.

  In the map display system 10 according to the first embodiment, the map display device 20 designates desired points and facilities, requests map data from the route search server 30, and then designates other points in order and specifies those points. A map image with a magnification including the point is displayed on the display means. At this time, if the map data is insufficient, the map display device 20 requests the map data for the missing part from the route search server 30.

  In order to display such a map image, the map display device 20 can use the menu screen displayed on the operation input means or the display means to sequentially add and specify a desired point for displaying the map. . The designated points are temporarily stored in order as they are added, and the distance between the point farthest from the first designated point is calculated, and the magnification of the map image displayed on the display means is determined. The display control means displays a map image including a point designated first on the display means and a designated point thereafter, according to the determined map magnification.

  When there is a route search request from the map display device 20, the route search server 30 searches the optimum route (guide route) from the designated departure point to the destination with reference to the route search network database 35, and the map database 34. The guide route data is transmitted to the map display device 20 together with the map data read out from. In the route search, a plurality of candidate routes are searched and presented according to conditions such as cumulative distance, required time, number of transfers, fare, etc., and the route selected by the user is selected as a guide route to the map display device 20. There is also an aspect to do.

  When the map display device 20 receives the map data and the guidance route data from the route search server 30, the map display device 20 displays a map image centered on the current position of the map display device 20 on the display screen. On the map image, a current position mark indicating the current position of the map display device 20 and a guide route image indicating the guide route are superimposed and displayed.

  Hereinafter, the map display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described based on specific examples, but before that, the detailed configuration of the map display system 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the map display system 10 of FIG.

  The route search server 30 includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 31, a route search unit 32, a map database 34, a route search network database 35, a POI information database 36, a distribution request storage unit 37, and a distribution data editing unit 38. Has been. In the route search server 30, the control unit 301 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 31 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving communication data with the map display device 20 and the like via the network 12.

  On the other hand, the map display device 20 is a terminal capable of receiving a navigation service, and includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 21, a GPS reception unit 22, a point-to-point distance calculation unit 23, a map magnification determination unit 231, and a map data request unit 24. The map data storage means 25, the guide data storage means 26, the display means 27, the operation input means 28, the input point storage means 281 and the display control means 29 are provided.

  In the map display device 20, the control means 201 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 21 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving communication data with the route search server 30 and the like via the network 12.

  The GPS receiving means 22 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and calculates the current position by latitude and longitude. The operation input means 28 comprises keys, dials, and the like, performs input for operating the map display device 20, and is also used as an input function for route search conditions such as a departure place and a destination. The display means 27 is composed of a liquid crystal display panel or the like, and is used for displaying a guidance route or a map distributed (transmitted) from the route search server 30. The display means 27 displays a menu screen, and an input means for operating the map display device 20 by selecting a desired item from the menu screen using the operation input means 28 or inputting desired data. Also works.

  When there is a route search, POI search or map distribution request from the map display device 20, the route search server 30 primarily stores it in the distribution request storage means 37. When the request is a route search request, the route search means 32 searches the optimum route or recommended route (guide route) with reference to the route search network database 35. The searched route information is edited by the distribution data editing means 38 and distributed to the map display device 20. Further, map data including the guide route is read from the map database 34 and distributed to the map display device 20.

  If the request from the map display device 20 is a POI search, the route search server 30 searches the POI information database 36 based on the specified condition, searches for the corresponding POI, and distributes it to the map display device 20. When a specific POI is specified and map data is requested, the route search server 30 reads out map data including the location of the corresponding POI from the map database 34 and distributes the map data to the map display device 20.

  When the request from the map display device 20 is a route search request in which route search conditions such as a departure place and a destination are set, the route search means 32 refers to the route search network database 35 as described above. The optimum route (guide route) from the departure point to the destination is searched. Then, the route search server 30 transmits the guide route data to the map display device 20 together with the map data read from the map database 34.

  When the map display device 20 requests a route search to the route search server 30, the operation input means 28 is operated, or the menu screen displayed on the display means 27 is operated to obtain a desired departure place, destination, and waypoint. And other route search conditions (time condition, number of searched routes, etc.) are set, and a route search is requested. Further, when searching for a desired POI or requesting a map by designating a specific point or POI, the map data requesting unit 24 uses the specific point or POI data (position information, address, etc.). A map request is transmitted to the route search server 30.

  The map data distributed from the route search server 30 to the map display device 20 is temporarily stored in the map data storage means 25, and the guide route data is temporarily stored in the guidance data storage means 26. Map data and guide route data stored in the map data storage means 25 and the guide data storage means 26 are read out as necessary, and a map image and a guide route are displayed on the display means 27. At that time, a map image of a predetermined range is displayed around the current position of the map display device 20, and the current position mark and the image of the guide route are superimposed and displayed.

  The map data stored in the map database 34 is composed of unit map data divided by a predetermined latitude / longitude range as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the map data is divided into map areas in units of predetermined latitude and longitude, and is configured as mesh unit map data M11 to M33. When distributed to the map display device 20, the unit map data M21, M23, and M12 adjacent to the unit map data M22 including the current position PP of the map display device 20 in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the diagonal direction are centered. , M32, M11, M13, M31, and M33, a total of nine unit maps are distributed.

  When the map display device 20 moves and the map data is insufficient, the moving direction of the map display device 20 is determined, and the route search server 30 delivers the insufficient unit map data. The same applies when the map display device 20 designates a specific point or POI position and makes a map data distribution request. The guide route data is distributed to the map display device 20 together with the vector map data. The map display device 20 thus receives the map data and the guidance route data from the route search server 30 and displays the map image and the guidance route image on the display means 27.

  The input point storage unit 281 stores the information on the points input from the menu screen displayed on the operation unit 28 or the display unit 27 for the map display in the order of input. The point-to-point distance calculating unit 23 calculates the actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the information of the input point stored in the input point storage unit 281. The distance between the far point and the first input point is the distance between the points.

  The map magnification determination means 231 determines the magnification of the map image to be displayed on the display means 27 based on the distance between points calculated by the distance calculation means 23 between points. The display control means 29 draws a map image on the display means 27 using the map data in accordance with the map magnification determined by the map magnification determination means 231. As a result, it is possible to display a map image including the first input point and the subsequent input point added.

  The map display device 20 has a configuration in which a point input and a map display are selected by a point input screen displayed on the display means 27 as a point input interface for inputting a point and displaying a map image. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a point input screen constituting the point input interface. Like the input screen shown in FIG. 4, this input screen is configured so that at least two points can be input per page of the application. Free words such as addresses, telephone numbers, and spot names can be input, The position (facility: POI) can be specified by pressing the “search” button in the column. If it is the same name or an incomplete address, it is guided by narrowing down until it can be identified.

  If the desired facility or point can be specified, the input field disappears and an “edit” button is displayed instead. FIG. 5 shows an example of the input screen transitioned in this way. The “edit” button is a button for returning to the input state again.

  4 or FIG. 5, when a similar (neighboring) address is input in the second column, (in the application as in this embodiment, a plurality of points to be specified are close to each other. In many cases, the upper part of the address information is often the same.) The next column can be filled with the button “#Copy to next column”. After that, you can enter the second point just by editing the address and other details.

  In addition, if there are two or more points you want to enter, you can request the next page from the server with “#Add next column” or “Copy to next column” in the last column. Even if pressed, it automatically requests the next page.

  If “search” is confirmed even at one point and the state is “edit”, a displayable point is determined, and a “map display” button is displayed as shown in the screen of FIG. When this “map display” button is pressed, information on the points determined from the map display device 20 is collectively sent to the route search server 30, and the map data that can display all points is displayed from the route search server 30. I get a reply.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a concept of a map image display method in the map display device 20 at that time. Since the point 1 is the first input position, the position is specially displayed in the center of the map image, and the farthest point from the point 1 among the determined points is located on the circumference of the predetermined radius r from the center. (In this case, only two points are input). In addition, it is possible to set one of the points input by the user and display the point as the center of the map image, regardless of the mode in which the center of the map image is initially input. it can.

  When an input interface as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 is used, a map including a plurality of input points is determined by one-touch operation of operating a button for designating a map display after sequentially inputting desired points. An image can be displayed.

  In order to perform such display, as described above, the input point storage unit 281 stores information on the input points in the order of input, and the inter-point distance calculation unit 23 stores the input stored in the input point storage unit 281. Based on the point information, the actual distance between the first input point and each input point after that is calculated, and the distance between the farthest point and the first input point is the distance between points. And Then, the map magnification determination unit 231 determines the magnification of the map image to be displayed on the display unit 27 based on the distance between points calculated by the point distance calculation unit 23. The display control means 29 draws a map image on the display means 27 using the map data in accordance with the map magnification determined by the map magnification determination means 231.

  Enter two points using the input screen shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 and operate the “copy to next column” or “add next column” button to enter the third point step Transition to the input screen of FIG. This input screen has a button for selecting “map display” and a link (selection button) for selecting route display between points. A map can be displayed and a route from the point to the point can be displayed. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a link for issuing a request to display a combination route between specific points input, for example, a combination route of the first point input first and the second point input second. When a link for issuing a request to be displayed, “Display route # 2 → 1” is selected, a route connecting points 1 and 2 is displayed as shown in FIG. Similarly, when “Display route # 3 → 1” is selected, a route connecting the first input point 1 and the third input point 3 is displayed as shown in FIG. When the display of the route is selected, the map display device 20 requests the route search server 30 to search for a route between the designated points, obtains information on the searched route from the route search server 30, and The route is displayed on the map image.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the map display device 20 in the map display system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above. FIG. 10 shows a case where a point input map display operation for inputting a desired point using the name, address, telephone number, etc. of a desired facility on the map display device 20 and displaying a map including the point is designated. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of.

  First, in the map display device 20, it is determined whether or not there is a point input in step S101. The point input is performed using, for example, an input screen shown in FIG. If there is no point input, the determination process in step S101 is repeated. If there is a point input, the process proceeds to step S102, and the input point information is stored in the input point storage unit 281 together with the point input order.

  Next, the map display device 20 determines whether or not there are a plurality of points input based on the information of the input points stored in the input point storage unit 281 in the process of step S103. If there is only one input point, the map magnification determination unit 231 determines the map image magnification displayed on the display unit 27 when the map display is designated as the standard map magnification (step S104).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the number of input points is plural, the point-to-point distance calculation unit 23 first calculates the input point information stored in the input point information storage unit 281 based on the input order. The actual distance from the input first point to each of the second and subsequent input points is calculated (step S105), and in the process of step S106, between the two points having the maximum actual distance among the distances between the points. Is determined as the distance between points.

  Next, the map magnification determining means 231 determines the map magnification based on the distance between points (maximum distance between two points) determined by the distance calculation means 23 in step S106 (step S107). That is, if a map image is displayed on the display means 27 at the map magnification determined here, a map image including all of the points input first and each point input after that can be displayed.

  Next, in the process of step S108, the map display device 20 determines whether or not there is an additional point input. If there is an additional point input, the process returns to step S102, and the processes from step S103 to step S107 are repeated. If there is no additional point input, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In the process of step S109, it is determined whether or not map display has been selected. If the map display is selected, the process proceeds to step S110, and the map data requesting unit 24 requests the route search server 30 for map data necessary for displaying the map image including all the input points. The display control unit 29 acquires the map image on the display unit 27 using the acquired map data in accordance with the map magnification determined by the map magnification determination unit 231.

  If it is determined that the map display is not selected in the determination process of step S109, it is determined whether or not the point input map display is ended in the process of step S111. If the end of the point input map display is not determined, the process returns to step S101. If the end of the point input map display is determined, the process of the map display device 20 ends.

  In the first embodiment, the map data is vector data, and an example in which a map image including a plurality of points input by determining a magnification for displaying the map image has been described. In this case, the map magnification is determined according to the actual distance between the two points. However, if the map magnification is determined continuously and discretely at predetermined intervals to display the map image, the magnification gradually differs. So-called zoom-out and zoom-in display can be performed to display a map image.

  When the map data is raster data, map data having different scales (magnifications) is accumulated, and map data including the map magnification determined by the map magnification determination means 231 is provided to the map display device 20. What is necessary is just to comprise so that it may display. For example, the route search server 30 stores detailed city maps, mid-range maps, and wide-area map data in the map database 34, reads out map data corresponding to the map magnification, and provides it to the map display device 20. What is necessary is just to comprise. Furthermore, each of the city map, the middle map, and the wide map may be accumulated as a plurality of scale map data.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration in which a map image is displayed by inputting a desired point using the point input screen displayed on the display unit 27 in the map display device 20 has been described. Is not limited to the first embodiment. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where a conventional facility or point is designated and a map image including the point is displayed. Such a conventional map display method is called POI search or spot search.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a concept of a display image when a point 1 is designated by a normal spot search and a map image including the point 1 is displayed. A “menu” selection button is provided on this screen, and a point input screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display means 27 by menu selection so that a point input can be added. The point input screen shown in FIG. 12 has the same configuration as the point input screen shown in FIG. 5, but since the first point (point 1) has already been input in the spot search in FIG. Is input.

  In the point input screen shown in FIG. 12, when the second point is input and the input point is added, the first point (point 1) specified in the spot search and the first point input using the point input screen are displayed. Information on the second point (point 2) (information on the point and the input order) is stored in the input point storage unit 281 (see FIG. 2). When the “map display” button is selected on the point input screen of FIG. 12 and map display is designated, the map image shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display means 27. The map magnification for displaying the map image is determined by the point-to-point distance calculating means 23 and the map magnification determining means 231 (see FIG. 2) in the same procedure as described in the first embodiment. change.

  In inputting the point 2, the information close to the point 1 may be automatically displayed in the menu format from the search history of the individual user of the map display device 20, and may be selected. The map image shown in FIG. 13 includes the second point (point 2) additionally input on the point input screen of FIG. 12 with the first point (point 1) input first in the spot search as the center. A map image is displayed on the display means 27. FIG. 13 shows an example in which a route between point 1 and point 2 is also displayed.

  According to such a configuration, for example, when a specific gourmet spot (POI) is searched by a normal spot search, even if the POI is the first place, a nearby place where the local intuition is found, for example, traffic It is possible to display the map including both points by additionally inputting the points of institutional stations and nearby landmarks, and display two points at the same time so that the mutual positional relationship can be known. Therefore, it is possible to visit the gourmet spot (POI) searched by the spot search with peace of mind.

  Next, in the first or second embodiment, the route search server 30 in the case where a route search request is set to the route search server 30 by setting the route search conditions including the departure place and the destination from the map display device 20. The route search process will be described. The route search network database 35 stores road network data for route search for cars and pedestrians and traffic network data for route search for transportation facilities.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of road network data. The road network data includes roads (routes) as their nodes and inflection points as nodes, routes connecting each node as links, node data, link data, and cost information (distance and required time) of all links. ) And is made into a database.

  For example, when the road is composed of roads A, B, and C as shown in FIG. 14, the end points, intersections, and inflection points of the roads A, B, and C are nodes, and the roads connecting the nodes are directed links. Link cost data with node data (node latitude / longitude), link data (link number) and link cost of each link (link distance or time required to travel the link) as data Composed.

  That is, in FIG. 14, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, and Nm (◎ mark) indicates a road intersection. Directional links connecting the nodes are indicated by arrow lines (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the road, but in FIG. 14, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  When a route search is performed using such road network data as route search data, the link that is linked from the departure node to the destination node is traced and the link cost is accumulated, so that the accumulated link cost is minimized. Search for and guide. That is, in FIG. 14, when a route search is performed with the departure point as the node AX and the destination as the node CY, the road travels from the node AX to the road A, turns right at the second intersection, enters the road C, and reaches the node CY. The link cost is accumulated sequentially, and a route that minimizes the accumulated link cost is searched for and guided.

  Although other routes from the node AX to the node CY are not shown in FIG. 14, there are actually other such routes, so a plurality of routes that can be reached from the node AX to the node CY are displayed. A search is performed in the same manner, and a route with the lowest link cost is determined as the optimum route. This method is performed by, for example, a known method called the Dijkstra method.

  On the other hand, the traffic network data for route search of transportation facilities is configured as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, in the case of traffic routes A, B, and C, each station (each airport on an aircraft route) provided on each traffic route A, B, and C is a node, and the nodes are connected. A section is represented by a directional link, and node data (latitude / longitude) and link data (link number) are network data. In FIG. 15, Nn (◯ mark) and Nm (◎ mark) indicate nodes, Nm (◎ mark) indicates a transit point (such as a transfer station) of a traffic route, and a directional link connecting each node. It is indicated by an arrow line (solid line, dotted line, two-dot chain line). As for the links, there are links facing in the upward and downward directions of the traffic route, but in FIG. 15, only the links in the direction of the arrows are shown for the sake of simplicity.

  However, the traffic network basically has a different link cost compared to the road network. That is, in the road network, the link cost is fixed and static. However, in the traffic network, as shown in FIG. 15, trains and airplanes (hereinafter referred to as individual trains and airplanes) that operate traffic routes are used. A plurality of means of transportation). The time of departure from one node and the time of arrival at the next node are determined for each means of transportation (specified by timetable data and operation data), and individual routes do not necessarily link to adjacent nodes. There is a case. This is the case, for example, with express trains and trains that stop at each station. In such a case, a plurality of different links exist on the same traffic route, and the required time between nodes may differ depending on the transportation means.

  In the transportation network illustrated in FIG. 15, a plurality of transportation means (routes) Aa to Ac... Exist on the same link of the transportation route A, and a plurality of transportation means (routes) Ca to Cc. Will do. Therefore, unlike a simple road network, the transportation network of a transportation facility has a data amount proportional to the total number of transportation means (routes such as individual airplanes and trains). For this reason, the data of the traffic network becomes a huge amount of data compared to the data amount of the road network. Accordingly, much time is required for route search accordingly.

  In order to search for a route from a certain departure point to a certain destination using such traffic network data, all the means of transportation that can be used (ride) when arriving from the departure point to the destination are searched. It is necessary to specify the means of transportation that matches the search conditions.

  For example, in FIG. 15, when performing a route search in which the departure point is a node AX of the traffic route A and a specific departure time is specified and the node CY of the traffic route C is the destination, the route operates on the traffic route A. Of the transportation means Aa to Ac..., All transportation means after the departure time are sequentially selected as the departure route. Based on the arrival time at the transit node on the transit route C, among all the transit means Ca to Cc... Operating on the transit route C, all combinations of transit means after the time that can be boarded at the transit node. The total time required for each route, the number of transfers, and the like are guided.

  When there is a route search request from the map display device 20, the route search server 30 performs a route search by combining road network data and traffic network data in a route search using walking and transportation. At this time, when the arrival time at the destination is designated, an optimum route or a plurality of candidate routes that arrive at the destination by that time is searched.

  The result of the route search is transmitted to the map display device 20 together with the map data, and a map image centered on the current position of the map display device 20 is displayed on the display means 27. On this map display screen, a point input screen for inputting additional points can be displayed in the same manner as in the second embodiment, and a desired point can be additionally input as the second point. In this case, the first point is the current position of the map display device 20.

  As described above in detail, according to the map display system according to the present invention, when a map image including the first designated point is displayed on the display means, the designated point is added to the map display condition thereafter. Thus, a map image including the first designated point and the designated point thereafter can be displayed on the display means.

  The present invention can be implemented as a map providing system having no navigation function, and can be implemented without being limited to the system of the navigation system. Moreover, the aspect of Example 2 can display the map image containing a some point more conveniently by combining with the search result of the conventional one point.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of a map display system according to Example 1 of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the map display system concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the map data accumulate | stored in a map database. It is a figure which shows an example of the point input screen displayed on the map display apparatus in the map display system concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the point input screen which changed the screen from the point input screen of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the map image displayed when map display is selected on the point input screen of FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the point input screen which changed the screen from the point input screen of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the map image displayed when the map display with a route display is selected on the point input screen of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of the map image displayed when the map display with a route display is selected on the point input screen of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the map display apparatus concerning Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the concept of the display image at the time of designating the point 1 by normal spot search and displaying the map image containing the point 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the point input screen displayed when it changes to the point input screen by menu selection from the map display screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the concept of the map image displayed on a display means when a 2nd point is input in the point input screen of FIG. 12, and map display is selected. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of road network data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the concept of traffic network data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map display system 12 ... Network 20 ... Map display device 201 ... Control means 21 ... Communication means 22 ... GPS receiving means 23 ... Between points Distance calculation means 231 ... Map magnification determination means 24 ... Map data request means 25 ... Map data storage means 26 ... Guide data storage means 27 ... Display means 28 ... Operation input means 281 ... input point storage means 29 ... display control means 30 ... route search server 301 ... control means 31 ... communication means 32 ... route search means 34 ... Map database 35 .... Route search network database 36 ... POI information database 37 ... Delivery request storage means 38 ... Delivery data editing means

Claims (15)

In a map display system comprising a map database storing map data, and reading out map data including the input desired point from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means,
The map display system includes a point input interface for inputting a desired point, input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
The point-to-point distance calculation means calculates the actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means, The distance between two points with a large actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determination means is a map magnification displayed on the display means based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation means. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data so that the first input point is in the center of the display screen , A map display system, characterized in that a map image including the plurality of input points is displayed on a display means. After the display control means displays the map, the input point storage means stores the point information additionally input from the point input interface, and the inter-point distance calculation means is stored in the input point storage means. Based on the input point information, the actual distance between the first input point and each subsequent input point is calculated, and the distance between the two points with the largest actual distance is set as the inter-point distance.
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determination unit is configured to display a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation unit. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data, and displays the map image including the plurality of points inputted to the display means. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein the map display system displays the map.   2. The map according to claim 1, wherein the point input interface includes map image display designation means for performing designation to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means. Display system.   The point input interface comprises means for copying other point input information that has already been input and editing and inputting the copied point information when inputting a plurality of points. The map display system according to 1.   The map display system includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface displays a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display means. A route for requesting the route search means to search for a route between the two points in order to display a route between the desired two points among the plurality of inputted points on the map image. The map display system according to claim 1, further comprising a search request unit. In a map display device comprising a map database storing map data, and reading out map data including desired input points from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means,
The map display device includes a point input interface for inputting a desired point, input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
The point-to-point distance calculation means calculates the actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter based on the input point information stored in the input point storage means, The distance between two points with a large actual distance is the distance between the points.
When a display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determination means is a map magnification displayed on the display means based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation means. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data so that the first input point is in the center of the display screen , A map display device that displays a map image including the plurality of input points on a display means. After the display control means displays the map, the input point storage means stores the point information additionally input from the point input interface, and the inter-point distance calculation means is stored in the input point storage means. Based on the input point information, the actual distance between the first input point and each subsequent input point is calculated, and the distance between the two points with the largest actual distance is set as the inter-point distance.
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determination unit is configured to display a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculation unit. The display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data, and displays the map image including the plurality of points inputted to the display means. The map display device according to claim 6 , wherein the map display device displays the map. The map according to claim 6 , wherein the point input interface includes a map image display designation unit for performing designation to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface on the display unit. Display device. The point input interface comprises means for copying other point input information that has already been input and editing and inputting the copied point information when inputting a plurality of points. 6. The map display device according to 6 . The server includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the point input interface of the map display device uses the display means to display a map image including a plurality of points input from the point input interface. In order to display the map image, a route between two desired points out of the plurality of input points is displayed on the map image search means when searching for a route between the two points. 7. The map display device according to claim 6 , further comprising a route search request means for requesting. In a map display method in a map display device, comprising a map database storing map data, reading map data including an input desired point from the map database and displaying a map image on a display means;
The map display device includes a point input interface for inputting a desired point, input point storage means for storing point information and an input order of the desired point input from the point input interface, and input first A point-to-point distance calculating means for calculating an actual distance between the point and each point input thereafter, a map magnification determining means, and a display control means,
Based on the input point information stored in the input point storage unit, the inter-point distance calculation unit calculates an actual distance between the point input first and each point input thereafter, A point-to-point distance calculating step in which the distance between two points having a large actual distance is a point-to-point distance;
When display of a map image including the input point is requested, the map magnification determining unit displays the map magnification displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculating unit. A magnification determination step for determining the map image, and the display control means so that the map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determination means using the map data is the center of the display screen at the first input point. And a display step of displaying a map image including the plurality of input points on the display means. After the display control unit displays the map, the input point storage unit stores the point information additionally input from the point input interface, and the inter-point distance calculation unit is stored in the input point storage unit. Based on the input point information, the actual distance between the first input point and each subsequent input point is calculated, and the distance between the two points with the largest actual distance is set as the distance between points. A distance calculation step;
When a display of a map image including the additionally input point is requested, the map magnification determining unit displays a map to be displayed on the display unit based on the maximum actual distance calculated by the inter-point distance calculating unit. A magnification determining step for determining a magnification, and the display control means draws a map image corresponding to the magnification determined by the map magnification determining means using the map data, and displays the plurality of points input to the display means. A map display method according to claim 11 , further comprising a display step of displaying a map image including the map image. The point input interface has map image display designation means for performing designation to display a map image including a plurality of points inputted from the point input interface on the display means, and the map display method includes the map image display The map display method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of designating display of a map image using a designation unit. The point input interface comprises means for copying other point input information that has already been input when inputting a plurality of points, and editing and inputting the copied point information. The map display method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of copying another input point input information, editing the copied point information, and inputting the point. The server includes route search means for searching for a route between two designated points, and the map display method includes a map including a plurality of points input from the point input interface in the point input interface of the map display device. When specifying to display an image on the display means, the two points are displayed on the route search means of the server in order to display the desired route between the two points on the map image. The map display method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of requesting a search for a route between them.

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