JP5240558B2 - Navigation device, vehicle, and navigation program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a navigation device, a vehicle, and a navigation program, for example, to learn a search term set by a user.

In recent years, guiding a vehicle by a navigation device has been actively performed.
The navigation device has a function of searching for a route from a departure place to a destination, a function of detecting a position of the own vehicle using a sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite or a gyro, and a route to the destination and the own vehicle. It has a function to display the current location of the map on the map.

The navigation device accepts input of a search word from a user and searches for a point name (facility name) corresponding to the search word, for example, as in “Vehicle navigation device and storage medium” of Patent Document 1. To set the destination.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-271084

  Also, in order to assist the user in inputting a search term, for example, a keyword such as “Mierein Land” is prepared and displayed for the input character “mi”, and when the user selects the keyword, the keyword is displayed. A navigation device having a keyword input function to be set in the search word setting field has also been developed.

By the way, the inventor of the present application has developed a technique for learning a search term input by a user as a keyword and displaying and selecting the learned keyword as an undisclosed technique.
Thereby, the keyword prepared by the provider of the navigation device can be expanded with the learned keyword.
In the following, the keyword prepared by the provider of the navigation device is called a normal keyword, and the learned keyword is called a learning keyword.

In the undisclosed technology, since the number of characters that can display a keyword is limited, the learned keywords are classified and stored in units of display characters.
For example, if the maximum number of characters that can be displayed is 7 and the learned keyword is “Sukiyabashi Shotenkaireikikan”, the undisclosed technology will be “Sukiyabashisho / Utenkaireki / Kaikan”. And 7 characters.
For this reason, when this is displayed as a keyword next time, there has been a problem that a character string having an unknown meaning such as “Sukiyabashisho”, “Utenkaireki”, or “Kaikankan” has occurred.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to display learned keywords in an easy-to-understand manner.

(1) In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, point information storage means for storing point information including search words divided by semantic units, and character input means for receiving character input And keyword storage means for storing keywords classified by semantic units, keyword display means for acquiring keywords corresponding to the inputted characters from the keyword storage means and displaying them in semantic units, and selection of the displayed keywords A keyword selection unit that accepts the input, a determination unit that determines a search word from the character that has received the input and the keyword that has received the selection, a search unit that searches the stored location information using the determined search word, Guidance target setting means for setting a guidance target from the searched point information, and a character string constituting the determined search word as a keyword. A keyword updating unit that stores the keyword string in the keyword storage unit, and the keyword updating unit divides and stores the character string according to a segment of a search word included in the point information set as the guidance target. A navigation device is provided.
(2) The invention according to claim 2, further comprising: a list display means for displaying the searched spot information as a list; and a spot information selection means for receiving selection of the spot information displayed as the list. The means provides the navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the point information that has received the selection is set as a guidance target.
(3) In the invention described in claim 3, when the character string of the determined search word is less than the category of the searched word, the keyword updating means complements the character string according to the searched word category. A navigation device according to claim 1 or claim 2 is provided.
(4) In the invention described in claim 4, when the character string of the determined search word is less than the category of the searched word, the keyword updating means reads a character from the character string according to the searched word category. The navigation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the navigation device is excluded.
(5) The invention according to claim 5 provides a vehicle including the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
(6) In the invention described in claim 6, the point information storage means for storing the point information including the searched word divided by the semantic unit, and the keyword storage means for storing the keyword divided by the semantic unit, In a computer provided, a character input function for receiving input of a character, a keyword display function for acquiring a keyword corresponding to the input character from the keyword storage means and displaying the keyword in a semantic unit, and receiving a selection of the displayed keyword A keyword selection function; a holding function for holding the input character and keyword; a determination function for determining the stored character and keyword as a search word; and the stored point information using the determined search word. A search function for searching, a guidance target setting function for setting a guidance target from the searched point information, and the confirmation A keyword update function for storing in the keyword storage means as a keyword a character string that constitutes the search word, and the keyword update function is a classification of search words included in the point information set as the guidance target In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a navigation program characterized in that the character string is divided and stored.

(1) In the invention described in claim 1, since the learned keyword is divided into semantic units following the searched word, the learned keyword can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.
(2) In the invention described in claim 2, the spot information is specified by listing the spot information, thereby specifying the spot information intended by the user, and classifying the keywords according to the searched word of the spot information. Can do.
(3) In the invention according to claim 3, the character string constituting the keyword can be complemented following the searched word.
(4) In the invention according to claim 4, a part of the character string constituting the keyword can be excluded following the searched word.
(5) According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to provide a vehicle equipped with the navigation device according to claims 1 to 4.
(6) According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to provide a computer program for realizing the function of the navigation device according to claim 1 by a computer.

(1) Outline of Embodiment When the user inputs a search word, the navigation device 1 searches for point information using the search word and presents it to the user. The user selects the presented point information and sets the destination.
In the point information, a search key for hitting a search word is set, and the search key is divided into semantic units as division units.
The navigation device 1 classifies the search terms input by the user using the segmentation of the search key of the point information set as the destination, and stores this as a learning keyword for learning.

As described above, the navigation device 1 can generate the learning keyword divided into the semantic units by dividing the search word input by the user according to the search key of the point information selected by the user.
Thus, since the learning keyword is divided by the semantic unit, the navigation device 1 can present and store the stored learning keyword to the user in the semantic unit from the next time.

(2) Details of Embodiment First, a mechanism for assisting the navigation apparatus in narrowing down destination candidates will be described with reference to FIG.
The navigation device configures the search term input screen 100 using the learned keyword data file 60, the normal keyword data file 58, etc., and supports the setting of the search term, and configures the search result screen 200 using the destination data file 56. Then, the user is made to select a destination that hits the search term.
This support process is performed in the order of lowercase letters in parentheses in the figure.

First, the navigation device displays a search word input screen 100, accepts input from a character button group or a keyword button from the user, and sets the search word in the search word setting column 101.
In the character button group, it is possible to input individual characters such as “A”, “I”,..., And in the keyword button, “Eki”, “Rizo”, etc. A series of character strings that the user thinks to input can be input.

(A) The navigation apparatus searches the keyword to be displayed on the keyword button using the characters input in the search word setting column 101 in the learning keyword data file 60 and displays the keyword on the keyword button.
(B) Next, the navigation device similarly searches the keyword in the normal keyword data file 58 and displays it on the keyword button.

The learning keyword data file 60 stores the search terms input by the user in the past as keywords, and the normal keyword data file 58 stores keywords prepared in advance.
Then, when displaying the keyword button, the navigation device uses the learning keyword data file 60 in preference to the normal keyword data file 58 as shown in (a) and (b) above.

(C) The navigation device monitors whether the completion button 107 is selected, and recognizes this when the user touches the completion button 107.
(D) When the completion button 107 is selected, the navigation apparatus determines the search word input in the search word setting field 101, stores it in the learning keyword data file 60, and sets it as a new learning keyword.
Since the display of the keyword button is in units of 7 characters, the navigation device classifies the determined search words into units of 7 characters and stores them in the learning keyword data file 60.

(E) The navigation device stores the search term in the learning keyword data file 60 and searches the search term in the destination data file 56 to find the location name (facility name) of the location information that hits the search term. Displayed in the search result display field 201 of the screen 200. In the destination data file 56, point information is stored in association with the search term.
Next, when the user selects a spot name displayed in the search result display field 201, the navigation apparatus sets the spot as a destination.

  In the above example, after the user selects the completion button 107, the narrowing down of the point information in the destination data file 56 is started, but the navigation device is a process in which the user inputs the search word in the search word setting field 101. Thus, by narrowing down the point information in parallel with this, it is possible to speed up the narrowing processing.

  As described above, the navigation device searches the point information while supporting the user's search word input using the learning keyword data file 60 and the normal keyword data file 58, and the search word input by the user is searched. By adding to the learning keyword data file 60, a search term input by the user is learned.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the navigation apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied.
The navigation device 1 is mounted on a vehicle and includes a current position detection device 10, an information processing control device 20, an input / output device 40, and an information storage device 50 as shown in FIG.
First, the current position detection device 10 has the following configuration. The absolute direction sensor 11 is, for example, a geomagnetic sensor that detects in which direction the vehicle is located based on detection of the N direction based on a magnet, and may be any means that detects the absolute direction.

The relative azimuth sensor 12 detects, for example, whether or not an intersection is bent, and may be an optical rotation sensor attached to a rotating part of a handle, a rotational resistance volume, or an angle sensor attached to a wheel part.
Further, a gyro sensor that detects a change in angle using an angular velocity may be used. That is, any means capable of detecting an angle that has changed relative to the reference angle (absolute direction) may be used.
The distance sensor 13 may be, for example, one that detects and counts the rotation of a wheel, or one that detects acceleration and integrates twice. That is, any means capable of measuring the moving distance of the vehicle may be used.

The GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 14 is a device that receives a signal from an artificial satellite, and includes various signals such as signal transmission time, position information of the receiver, moving speed of the receiver, and traveling direction of the receiver. Information can be obtained.
The beacon receiving device 15 is a device that receives a signal transmitted from a transmitting device installed at a specific point. In particular, VICS information can be obtained, and information related to vehicle travel such as traffic jam information, current position information, and parking lot information can be obtained.

The data transmission / reception device 16 is a device for communicating with the outside of the vehicle using a telephone line or radio waves and exchanging information.
For example, there are various usage methods such as a car phone, ATIS, VICS, GPS correction, and inter-vehicle communication, and it is possible to input / output information related to traveling.

  Although not shown, the vehicle includes a vehicle speed sensor that measures the vehicle speed, an acceleration sensor that measures acceleration, an accelerator sensor that measures the amount of depression of the accelerator, a brake sensor that measures the amount of depression of the brake, and the like.

  Next, the information processing control device 20 performs calculation and control based on the information input from the current position detection device 10 and the input / output device 40 and the information stored in the information storage device 50, and displays the calculation result on the display 42. , Means for controlling to output to output means such as the printer 43 or the speaker 44.

The information processing control device 20 has the following configuration.
The central processing unit (CPU) 21 performs overall calculation and control of the entire navigation device 1.
In the present embodiment, a search term input by the user is learned as a learning keyword, or the learning keyword is divided into semantic units following the search key of point information.

The first ROM 22 stores a navigation program, in particular, a navigation program related to current position detection, route search, display guidance, and the like.
The CPU 21 can perform the above-described guidance processing, keyword display processing, and the like by operating according to a program related to navigation.

The input interface 23 is means for receiving information from the current position detection device 10.
The RAM 24 provides a working memory for the CPU 21 to perform information processing, and stores, for example, data for the CPU 21 to display various screens, output values of various sensors, information input by the user, and the like.
More specifically, information input by the user such as destination information and passage point information input by the input device 41 to be described later is stored, and a result calculated by the CPU 21 based on the user input information. Or a storage means for storing a route search result or map information read from the information storage device 50.
The communication interface 25 is a means for inputting / outputting information from the current position detection device 10, particularly information obtained from the outside.

The second ROM 26 stores a program related to navigation, particularly a navigation program related to voice guidance. Note that the first ROM 22 and the second ROM 26 may be configured by one common ROM.
The image processor 27 is processing means for processing the vector information processed by the CPU 21 into image information.

The clock 28 keeps time.
The image memory 29 is means for storing image information processed by the image processor 27.
The audio processor 30 processes the audio information read from the information storage device 50 and outputs it to the speaker 44.

The input / output device 40 includes an input device 41 for inputting data such as a destination, a passage point, and a search condition by a user, a display 42 for displaying an image, a printer 43 for printing information, and a speaker 44 for outputting sound. The The input device 41 includes, for example, a touch panel, a touch switch, a joystick, a key switch, and the like.
The display 42 displays a map around the current location and a travel route to the destination.

The information storage device 50 is connected to the information processing control device 20 via the transmission path 45.
The information storage device 50 includes a map data file 51, an intersection data file 52, a node data file 53, a road data file 54, a photo data file 55, a destination data file 56, a guidance point data file 57, a normal keyword data file 58, an offset. A data file 59, a learning keyword data file 60, and other data files 61 are stored.

The information storage device 50 is generally composed of an optical storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, or a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk, but various types such as a magneto-optical disk and various semiconductor memories. You may comprise with an information storage medium.
Information that needs to be rewritten may be constituted by a rewritable hard disk or flash memory, and other fixed information may be a ROM such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

  The map data file 51 stores map data such as a national road map, a road map of each region, or a house map. The road map is composed of roads such as main arterial roads, expressways, narrow streets, and ground targets (facility etc.). A house map is a city map in which a figure representing an outer shape of a ground building, a road name, and the like are displayed. A narrow street is, for example, a relatively narrow road having a road width equal to or less than a predetermined value below a national road or prefectural road, and road to which traffic regulation information such as “one-way” is not added.

  In the intersection data file 52, data on intersections such as the geographical position coordinates and names of the intersections are stored in the road data file 54. In the node data file 53, the geographical coordinate data of each node used for route search on the map is stored in the road data file 54. Is the road location and type, the number of lanes, and road-related data such as the connection relationship between the roads, and the photo data file 55 indicates various facilities, sightseeing spots, or places where visual indications such as major intersections are required. Each piece of image data of the copied photograph is stored.

The destination data file 56 includes point information consisting of data such as locations and names of places or facilities that are likely to be destinations such as major tourist spots, buildings, and companies / businesses listed in the telephone directory. Is remembered.
As will be described later, the point information is set with search keys divided into semantic units, which are search words for searching by a search word.
As described above, the information storage device 50 stores the destination data file 56, and functions as point information storage means for storing point information including the searched word divided by the semantic unit.
The guidance point data file 57 stores guidance data of points where guidance is required, such as the contents of guidance display boards installed on the road and guidance of branch points.

The normal keyword data file 58 stores keywords to be displayed on the keyword buttons.
In the offset data file 59, when a keyword of the normal keyword data file 58 is selected, an offset keyword for displaying the subsequent keyword on the keyword button is further stored.
The learning keyword data file 60 stores the search keywords determined by the user, and learning keywords classified by semantic units.
As described above, the information storage device 50 stores the learning keyword data file 60, and functions as a keyword storage unit that stores keywords classified by semantic units.

In the navigation device 1 configured as described above, route guidance is performed as follows.
The navigation device 1 detects the current position with the current position detection device 10, reads the map information around the current position from the map data file 51 of the information storage device 50, and displays it on the display 42.
Then, the navigation device 1 displays the search word input screen 100, the search result screen 200, and the like on the display 42, and receives the destination input from the input device 41.
The input device 41 includes a touch panel arranged on the display 42. When the user touches an operation button displayed on the display 42, the input device 41 detects the selection of the operation button and accepts the destination setting from the user. It has become.

  When the destination is input from the input device 41, the information processing control device 20 searches for (calculates) a plurality of travel route candidates from the current position to the destination, and displays them on the map displayed on the display 42. When the driver selects one of the travel routes, the travel route is acquired by storing the selected travel route in the RAM 24 (travel route acquisition means).

The information processing control device 20 travels by transmitting the current vehicle position (or input departure point) and destination to the information processing center and receiving a travel route to the destination searched for by the information processing center. A route may be acquired. In this case, communication of the destination and the travel route is performed by wireless communication via the communication interface 25.
In addition, a travel route from the departure place to the destination is searched using an information processing device such as a personal computer at home, etc., stored in a storage medium such as a USB memory, and obtained via the storage medium reader. You may do it. The storage medium reading device in this case is connected to the information processing control device 20 via the transmission path 45.

When the vehicle travels, route guidance is performed by tracking the current position detected by the current position detection device 10.
The route guidance specifies the vehicle position on the map by map matching between the road data corresponding to the searched travel route and the current position detected by the current position detection device 10, and displays a map around the vehicle current position on the display 42. In addition to the display, the searched travel route and the current position are displayed on the map.
Also, based on the relationship between the searched travel route and the current position, the necessity of guidance, that is, whether or not guidance on a travel route such as a predetermined route change point and direction guidance is necessary when straight ahead continues for a predetermined distance or more, etc. Judgment is made, and if necessary, display on the display 42 and voice guidance are executed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a logical configuration of the destination data file 56.
The destination data file 56 is a database that stores point information related to points that are route guidance targets, and includes items such as “search key”, “point name”, “coordinates”, and “phone number”.
Moreover, although not shown in figure, it is also possible to give ID for each point information to identify this uniquely by CPU21.

The item “search key” stores a search key in which a place name is expressed as a kana, and is divided into semantic units, for example, “Segiwa World / Okazaki Ten”. The classification of semantic units is represented by “/” as an example.
The search key is a search word used as a key for searching for a search word input by the user on the search word input screen 100. For example, the search word can be hit by a match based on a semantic unit.
For example, if the search term is “SEGI WARD”, hit “SEIGO WARD / OKAZAKITEN” by matching the first semantic unit and “Yunomachi / SEGI WARODO” by matching the second semantic unit. Can do.
The navigation device 1 can specify the spot information corresponding to the search word by hitting the search key with the search word.

It should be noted that the search term “Segiwa” can be configured to hit “Segiwarudo / Okazakiten”, “Yunomachi / Segiwawarudo”, etc. by forward matching in the semantic unit.
In addition, a search key including a character string corresponding to a search word instead of a semantic unit can be hit. In this case, for example, when the search word is “segiwa”, “Isegiwakayama” includes the character string “segiwa”, so it can be hit.

The item “coordinates” is the latitude and longitude of the point where the facility related to the point information is located. Note that information other than the latitude and longitude may be used as long as the information can identify the point.
The item “telephone number” is the telephone number of the facility related to the point information.
In addition, the destination data file 56 can be configured to store an address of a facility related to the point information, area information such as “Kanto region”, genre information such as “restaurant”, and the like.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a logical configuration of the normal keyword data file 58.
Normal keywords are divided into character strings with a semantic unit of 7 characters or less (because the maximum number of characters for a keyword button is 7 characters). Here, the first division is called the forward keyword, and the following division is offset. It is called a keyword.

The normal keyword data file 58 includes items such as “forward keyword”, “number of related items”, and “related items”.
The item “forward keyword” is a character string corresponding to the first category of the normal keyword.
The item “number of related items” is the number of offset keywords subsequent to the forward keyword.
For example, there are three offset keywords “Lando”, “Shi”, and “Sutoa” for the forward keyword “Miereinbo”, and related items for the forward keyword “Miereinbo” The number is three.

The item “related item” is an offset number of the subsequent offset keyword, and sub-items “offset 1”, “offset 2”,... Are formed corresponding to the offset keyword.
It functions as an offset keyword address in the offset data file 59.

For example, there are “offset 1” to “offset 3” for the forward keyword “mieleinbo”, and the offset numbers are “25” to “27”, respectively.
In the offset data file 59 described below, the offset keywords with the offset numbers “25” to “27” are “Land”, “Shi”, and “Sutoa”, respectively. Are combined to form keywords such as “Miere-Bandland”, “Miere-Bossie”, and “Miere-Birth Toa”.

  In this way, since the forward keyword and the offset keyword are associated with each other by the item “related item”, for example, when the user selects “viewing” with the keyword button, the keyword button continues to “Lando”, “ "Shi" and "Sutoa" can be displayed.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the offset data file 59.
The offset data file 59 stores a character string following the front keyword.
The item “offset number” is an offset number of the offset keyword.
The item “offset keyword” is an offset keyword that follows the forward keyword, and is a character string of up to seven characters.

The item “configuration level” indicates how many offset keywords are counted from the front keyword.
For example, the keyword “Iseyu Nibasaru Tokyo Tokyo” has the forward keyword “Iseyu Nibasa”, and the offset keyword “Ru” “O” and “Tokyo” are set, “Ru” is the second from the front keyword, and “Sutajio” is the third.

The item “number of related items” is the number of offset keywords further following the offset keyword.
For example, the offset keyword “Land” for the keyword “Miele Rainbow Land” is 0 because there is no subsequent offset keyword, and the offset keyword “Ru” for the keyword “Iseyu Nibasaru Studio Tokyo”. Is 1 because there is a subsequent offset keyword “Stajio”.

The item “related item” records the offset number of the subsequent offset keyword when there is an offset keyword subsequent to the offset keyword. For example, “Ru” of the offset number “156” is followed by “Stajio” of the offset number “157”, and “Sutajio” is further followed by “Tokyo” of the offset number “158”. Follow.
For this reason, selecting “Ise Yuni Basa” as the keyword gives the offset keywords “Ru”, “Sutajio”, “Tokyo”, and the keyword “Ise Yuni Bazaar”. Tokyo "is formed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the learning keyword data file 60.
When the user inputs a new search word on the search word input screen 100, the learning keyword data file 60 is stored by the navigation device 1 as a learning keyword and classified by the semantic unit.
For example, 300 learning keywords can be stored in the learning keyword data file 60. When the number of inputs exceeds 300, the navigation device 1 overwrites the oldest learning keyword to create a new learning keyword. Is stored. Alternatively, the least frequently used one may be overwritten.

When the navigation device 1 stores the learning keywords in the learning keyword data file 60, the navigation device 1 refers to the search key of the destination data file 56 and classifies them into semantic units.
The maximum number of characters for the keyword button is, for example, 7 characters, and the search key is set so that each semantic unit is within the maximum number of characters.

For example, when the learning keyword is “Sukiyabashi Kosten Tenkai”, the navigation device 1 classifies this as “Sukiyabashi / Kousaten / Syotenkai”.
In this way, the navigation device 1 displays “Sukiyabashi” on the keyword button, and when the user selects it, it continues to display “Kousaten” on the keyword button, and further “Shotenkai”. Can be displayed.
Further, the learning keyword “sukiyabashi shotenkai reiki shikan” explained in the prior art becomes “sukiyabashi / shotenkai reiki / reiki / kaikan”.

Next, the search word input screen 100 will be described.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of an aspect of the search word input screen 100 displayed on the display 42.
A touch panel constituting the input device 41 (FIG. 2) is formed on the surface of the display 42. When the user touches and selects a button or the like displayed on the display 42, the navigation device displays information corresponding to the button. 1 can be input.

The search word input screen 100 includes a search word setting field 101, a correction button 102, a return button 103, a character button 108, keyword buttons 104 to 106, a completion button 107, and the like.
The search term setting column 101 is a column for displaying a search term input by the user, and an underscore for prompting input is displayed after the input characters (kana).

The correction button 102 is a button for correcting the input in the search word setting field 101. For example, when the search word setting field 101 is selected, the navigation apparatus 1 selects the search word displayed in the search word setting field 101. to erase.
The return button 103 is a button for returning to the screen before the transition to the search word input screen 100.
The character button 108 is a button for inputting 50 syllabary characters, symbols, and muffled characters, and the navigation device 1 displays the character selected by the user in the search word setting field 101.

The keyword buttons 104 to 106 are buttons for inputting normal keywords and learning keywords into the search word setting field 101.
The keyword buttons 104 to 106 can display a maximum of seven characters.
When a character is input to the search word setting field 101, the navigation device 1 displays a keyword corresponding to the character.

For example, when the user inputs “se” in the search word setting field 101, the navigation apparatus 1 searches the learning keyword data file 60 and the normal keyword data file 58 for a keyword whose first character is “se”, and clicks the keyword button. 104 to 106 are displayed.
At this time, the navigation device 1 searches the learning keyword data file 60 in preference to the normal keyword data file 58, and displays the learning keyword data file 60 on the keyword buttons 104 to 106 in the order in which they are searched with priority.

  In the example of FIG. 6A, for the character “SE” entered by the user in the search word setting field 101, the navigation device 1 first uses the learning keyword data file 60 for the learning keyword “SESOMISUTORI”. Next, the normal keyword data file 58 is searched for the normal keywords “SEGI WARUDO” and “SECHIGARAIYO”, and these are displayed on the keyword buttons 104 to 106.

The completion button 107 is a button for confirming the search word input in the search word setting field 101.
When the completion button 107 is selected, the navigation device 1 searches the destination data file 56 for the search term input in the search term setting field 101, and classifies the search term into units of seven characters to learn keyword data. Store in file 60.
Note that the search of the destination data file 56 is performed in parallel with the destination data file every time a character of the search word is input in the search word setting field 101 even before the completion button 107 is selected. You may comprise so that 56 point information may be narrowed down.

FIG. 6B is a search word input screen 100 displayed when the user selects “SEGISWARUDO” of the keyword button 105 on the search word input screen 100 of FIG.
When the user selects “SEGI WARD” of the keyword button 105 for the character “SE” input in the search word setting field 101, the navigation device 1 replaces the character “SE” with the keyword “SEGI WARO do”. .
For this reason, the user can input the character string “SEGI WARD” by a single selection operation.

In addition, when the user selects the keyword button 105, the navigation device 1 displays the offset keywords “honten”, “okazakiten”, and “kikinzoku” following “SEGI WARD” on the keyword buttons 104 to 106. .
For example, when the learning keyword “Sesomi Sutori” is selected, the navigation device 1 displays “to” following this on the keyword button.

  Thus, when the normal keyword is selected with the keyword button, the navigation device 1 displays the subsequent offset keyword on the keyword button, and when the learning keyword is selected, Next, the character string of the category is displayed on the keyword button.

FIG. 7 is a search word input screen 100 displayed when the user selects “honten” of the keyword button 104 on the search word input screen 100 of FIG.
In the search word setting field 101, “honten” is entered as a keyword after “segi-warudo” that has been inputted previously, and “segi-warudohonten” is entered.
On the keyword buttons 104 to 106, offset keywords “Eki”, “Mae”, and “Minami” following “Hoten” are displayed.

In this state, when the user selects the completion button 107, the navigation apparatus 1 determines “SEGI WARUDO HONTEN” as a search word, searches for the point information, and performs a character string “SEGI WARODO HONTEN”. Are divided into semantic units to obtain “Segi-warudo / honten”, which is stored in the learning keyword data file 60.
In this way, the navigation device 1 can learn the search term input by the user.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the search result screen 200, and shows a result of searching for “Segiwa World” input on the search word input screen 100.
The search result display column 201 is a column for displaying a list of searched spot names with a spot name button.
In the example of the figure, up to five items can be displayed at a time, and the top five point name buttons such as “Seki World Okazaki Store” and “Seki World Shinjuku Store” are displayed in the order of search order. An icon is set for each point name button so that the contents of the facility can be understood intuitively.

Here, when the user selects “Seki World Okazaki Store”, the navigation device 1 searches the information storage device 50 for information such as coordinate values related to “Seki World Okazaki Store”, sets it as the destination, and detects the current position. The vehicle is guided to the destination “Seki World Okazaki Store” using the device 10 or the like.
In addition, the navigation device 1 classifies the search term previously input by the user in a semantic unit following the search key “Segi World Okazaki Ten” selected by the user “Segi World Okazaki Store”.

The area button 204 is a button for narrowing down the spot name buttons displayed in the search result display field 201 by area. In this figure, all areas are set.
The genre button 203 is a button for narrowing down the spot name buttons displayed in the search result display field 201 by genre. In this figure, all genres are set.

The detail button 202 is displayed for each spot name, and when the user touches the detail button 202 of the desired spot name, the navigation apparatus 1 searches for spot information corresponding to the spot name and displays it on the display 42.
The previous button 210 and the next button 214 are buttons for scrolling down and scrolling up the point names in the search result display column 201 one by one.

The previous page button 211 and the next page button 213 are buttons for scrolling up and down the location name in the search result display field 201 in page units, respectively.
The scroll bar 217 represents the position of the currently displayed result among all the search results, and can be scrolled up or down by touching and dragging the scroll bar 217.

Each drawing in FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a search key classification form in the destination data file 56.
In FIG. 9A, the search key “Hakanaru Hikonakashima Jazurorimu” is divided into semantic units by “/” symbol, and is set as “Machine Hikonakajima Jazurorimu”.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, in addition to the item “search key”, it is also possible to set the classification of the semantic unit using the items “number of divisions” and “division position”.
The item “number of divisions” is the number of divided search keys. “Hiko-Nakashima Jazz Dream” is divided into three categories: “Hiko-Naruhiko” in the first category, “Nakashima” in the second category, and “Jazu Dream-M” in the third category. Therefore, the number of divisions is 3.
The item “division position” is a number representing the number of characters from the beginning of the first character of the section. Since “Makaku Nariko” is the first character, “Nakashima” is the eighth character, and “Jazadorime” is the twelfth character, the division positions are 1, 8, and 12.
Although the aspect of recording the search key classification has been described above, other methods may be used.

Next, examples of search word classification will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 10A shows an example of a search word and an example of a search key for point information selected by the user.
The search term that the user selects and confirms the completion button 107 is “Hikanaru Hakanakashi”, and the search key of the point information selected by the user is “Hakanaru Hiko / Nakashima / Jazudorimu”. Suppose that
In this case, there are, for example, the following four methods for classifying search terms. Regardless of which method is used, learning keywords can be divided into semantic units.

FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining an example of a normal case.
In this case, the search word and the search key are simply compared, and the search terms are classified at the locations separated by the search key.
For this reason, the learning keyword is “successful chick / good”.

FIG. 10C is a diagram for explaining an example of complementing a search term in accordance with a division unit (that is, a semantic unit).
Since the second category of the search key is “Nakashima” while the second category of the search term is “Nakashima”, the navigation device 1 complements “ma” in the second category of the search term, “Nakashima”. In the figure, the complement is underlined.
For this reason, the learning keyword is “Neko / Nakashima”.

FIG. 10D is a diagram for explaining an example of complementing a search term in accordance with a search key.
When the search key is compared with the search word, the search word is missing the character “ma” at the end of the second division and the third division. Is complemented by adding a third category “Jazadorime”. In the figure, the complement is underlined.
For this reason, the learning keyword is “Let ’s become chick / Nakashima / Jazz Dream”.

FIG. 10 (e) is an example of excluding those less than the division unit.
When the search key and the search word are compared, the second category “Nakashi” of the search term is less than the “Nakashima” of the second category of the search key, so the navigation device 1 learns “Nakashi” of the search term. Exclude from keywords.
For this reason, the learning keyword is “a chick to become”.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the complemented learning keyword on the keyword buttons 104 to 106.
As shown in FIG. 11A, an item “presence / absence of complementation” is provided in the learning keyword data file 60, and whether or not the learning keyword is complemented is recorded.

Then, the navigation device 1 determines whether or not it is a complemented learning keyword, and in the case of the complemented learning keyword, it is displayed as another keyword button as in the keyword button 104 shown in FIG. Change the state so that the user can recognize that it is a complemented learning keyword.
Here, the display state of the complemented learning keyword is changed, but for example, the display state of the category whose meaning is unknown, such as “Nakashi” in “Neko no Hiko / Nakashi”, is changed. It can also be configured.

Next, the procedure of search processing performed by the navigation device 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG.
The following processing is performed by the CPU 21 (FIG. 2) included in the navigation device 1 according to a predetermined program.
In the following, the RAM 24 is used as a storage medium, but other media may be used.

  First, the CPU 21 creates screen data for displaying the search word input screen 100 (FIG. 7), stores it in the RAM 24, and uses this to display the search word input screen 100 on the display 42 (step 5).

Next, the CPU 21 identifies a character selected by the user with the character button 108 by detecting a part touched by the user with the input device 41 (touch panel), receives the input of the character as a search word, and stores it in the RAM 24. This is held (step 10).
As described above, the navigation device 1 includes character input means for receiving input of characters.
Then, the CPU 21 displays the character stored in the RAM 24 in the search word setting field 101 (step 15).

Next, the CPU 21 searches the learning keyword data file 60 for a learning keyword corresponding to the character selected by the user, and searches the normal keyword data file 58 for a normal keyword corresponding to the character.
Then, the CPU 21 stores the keyword hit in the search in the RAM 24.

Then, the CPU 21 ranks the keywords stored in the RAM 24 by a predetermined algorithm so that the learning keyword is higher than the normal keyword, and displays the highest keyword on the keyword button 104. Next, the second and third keywords are displayed. The keywords are displayed on the keyword button 105 and the keyword button 106 (step 20).
As described above, the navigation device 1 includes keyword display means for acquiring a keyword corresponding to the input character from the keyword storage means and displaying it in a semantic unit.

After displaying the keyword buttons 104 to 106, the CPU 21 monitors the input to the input device 41, and accepts the input when the user touches the touch panel (step 25).
When receiving an input from the user, the CPU 21 determines the input content (step 30).

When the CPU 21 determines that a character is input from the character button 108 or a keyword is input from the keyword buttons 104 to 106 in the determination process (step 30; character, keyword), the CPU 21 stores the character in the RAM 24. The search word (character string) is updated with the input character or keyword, and the updated search word is displayed in the search word setting field 101 (step 15). Thereafter, the CPU 21 performs the processing from step 20 onward.
As described above, the navigation device 1 includes a keyword selection unit that receives selection of a displayed keyword, and a holding unit that holds a character and a keyword that have received an input.

On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the selection of the completion button 107 has been input in the determination process (step 30; completion), the character string stored in the RAM 24 (also displayed in the search word setting column 101). Is determined as a search word (step 35), the destination data file 56 is searched using this, and the point information hit in the search is stored in the RAM 24.
Here, when the character string (character string held in the RAM 24) determined by the CPU 21 as a search word is a character string input from the character button 108, it corresponds to the keyword selected by the keyword buttons 104 to 106. When it is a character string (including a case where keywords are selected continuously), there is a case where the character string corresponding to the selected keyword and a character string input from the character button 108 after the keyword selection are present. . In this way, the CPU 21 determines a search word from the input character string and the character string of the selected keyword.
As described above, the navigation device 1 includes a confirmation unit that confirms the retained characters and keywords as search terms, and a search unit that retrieves stored spot information using the determined search terms.

Next, the CPU 21 forms screen data of the search result screen 200 using the point information stored in the RAM 24 and stores it in the RAM 24.
Then, the CPU 21 displays the search result screen 200 on the display 42 using the screen data stored in the RAM 24 (step 40).
Thus, the navigation apparatus 1 includes a list display unit that displays a list of searched spot information.

Next, when the user selects point information on the search result screen 200, the CPU 21 sets a point related to the point information as a destination (step 45), and guides the vehicle to the destination.
As described above, the navigation device 1 sets the point information selection means for receiving selection of the spot information displayed in the list, and sets the point information that has received the selection as the guidance target, and sets the guidance target from the searched point information. Means.

Further, when the user selects the spot information, the CPU 21 generates a learning keyword by classifying the search words determined in step 35 using the search key classification of the spot information, and stores this in the learning keyword data file 60. Then, the learning keyword is updated (step 50).
As described above, the navigation device 1 includes keyword updating means for storing, in the keyword storage means, the character string constituting the confirmed search word as a keyword, and the keyword updating means includes the search target included in the spot information set as the guidance target. Character strings (determined search words) are classified and stored according to the word classification.

Next, the learning keyword update process in step 50 will be described in more detail using the flowchart of FIG.
When the user selects the completion button 107, the CPU 21 determines the input character string stored in the RAM 24 as a search word.
Then, when the user selects the spot information in the search result display field 201, the CPU 21 refers to the search key of the spot information and stores it in the RAM 24 (step 105), and confirms the category of the search key (step 110). .

Next, the CPU 21 associates the search key stored in the RAM 24 with the search word from the first character, specifies the position corresponding to the position divided by the search key in the search word (step 115), and The search terms are classified by position (step 120).
Next, the CPU 21 normally performs adjustments such as complementation and exclusion on the classified search terms, and generates learning keywords classified by semantic units (step 125).
Then, the CPU 21 stores the learning keyword in the learning keyword data file 60 and updates it (step 130).

In the described embodiment, the navigation device 1 (search device) that is assumed to be used in Japan has been described. In other words, the input of the input device 41 for inputting characters is composed of Japanese syllabary keys, which are Japanese input units. The stored Japanese navigation device 1 has been described.
However, the environment where the navigation device 1 is used is not limited to Japan. By making the specifications of the input device 41 and each data correspond to the region, the above-described screen display can be used in other countries.

For example, as an example of the navigation device 1 (destination input device) for use outside Japan, a device having an alphabet key corresponding to English (English character) input may be used.
Furthermore, the apparatus may be adapted to input any language such as German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian. For example, in the case of the navigation device 1 that supports Chinese input, the input device 41 includes an input keyboard that supports Chinese pinyin input.
Further, when the semantic unit is a word unit as in the Indo-European family, the character string input by the user can be divided into word units.

  The language to be input need not necessarily correspond to the country (region) to be used by the navigation device 1. For example, the navigation device 1 that supports German input may be used in France. In this case, in the destination data file 56 or the like, data to be searched when performing a destination search, that is, data to be compared with input characters (for example, destination name, keyword, address, etc.) are input. Stores data corresponding to the language.

In addition to the input language, data corresponding to the language of the country (region) to be used may be stored in the data to be searched.
In addition, data that is not a search target when performing destination search, for example, additional information data, need not store data corresponding to the input language. For example, data corresponding to the input language, data corresponding to the language of the country (region) to be used are stored as the data that is not the search target, Data corresponding to both languages of a given country (region) may be stored.

It is a figure for demonstrating the mechanism which assists narrowing down of the destination candidate. It is a system configuration figure of a navigation device. It is a figure for demonstrating the destination data file. It is a figure for demonstrating a normal keyword data file. It is a figure for demonstrating a learning keyword data file. It is the figure which showed an example of the search word input screen. It is the figure which showed the other example of the search word input screen. It is a figure for demonstrating a search result screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the division form of a search key. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a division of a search term. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of a display of the complemented learning keyword. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the procedure of a search process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a learning keyword update process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Navigation apparatus 10 Current position detection apparatus 20 Information processing control apparatus 40 Input / output apparatus 41 Input apparatus 42 Display 50 Information storage apparatus 56 Destination data file 58 Normal keyword data file 59 Offset data file 60 Learning keyword data file

Claims (6)

Point information storage means for storing point information including searched words divided by semantic units;
A character input means for accepting character input;
Keyword storage means for storing keywords classified by semantic units;
Keyword display means for acquiring a keyword corresponding to the inputted character from the keyword storage means and displaying the keyword in a semantic unit;
Keyword selection means for receiving selection of the displayed keyword;
Confirming means for confirming a search word from the character that has received the input and the keyword that has received the selection;
Search means for searching the stored point information using the determined search word;
Guidance target setting means for setting a guidance target from the searched spot information;
Keyword updating means for storing, in the keyword storage means, a character string constituting the determined search word as a keyword;
Comprising
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the keyword updating unit classifies and stores the character string according to a segment of a searched word included in the spot information set as the guidance target.
List display means for displaying a list of the searched spot information;
Point information selection means for receiving selection of the point information displayed in the list;
Comprising
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guidance target setting unit sets the point information that has received the selection as a guidance target.   2. The keyword update unit according to claim 1, wherein when the character string of the determined search word is less than the category of the searched word, the keyword updating unit supplements the character string according to the searched word category. 3. The navigation device according to 2.   The keyword update means, when a character string of the confirmed search word is less than the search word category, excludes characters from the character string according to the search word category, or The navigation device according to claim 2. A vehicle comprising the navigation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
In a computer comprising point information storage means for storing point information including searched words divided by semantic units, and keyword storage means for storing keywords divided by semantic units,
A character input function that accepts input of characters,
A keyword display function for acquiring a keyword corresponding to the input character from the keyword storage means and displaying the keyword in a semantic unit;
A keyword selection function for accepting selection of the displayed keyword;
A holding function for holding the character and the keyword that received the input;
A confirmation function for confirming the retained characters and keywords as search terms;
A search function for searching the stored spot information using the determined search word;
A guidance target setting function for setting a guidance target from the searched spot information;
A keyword update function for storing a character string constituting the determined search word as a keyword in the keyword storage means;
With a computer
The keyword updating function classifies and stores the character string according to a segment of a searched word included in the point information set as the guidance target.

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