JP5433315B2 - Map image display device, map image display method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for providing guidance information related to an object that can be enjoyed in a predetermined area on a map including a route, together with route guidance information for guiding a route from a starting point to a destination.

  Conventionally, navigation systems that perform route search and route guidance from a departure point to a destination have become widespread. In such a navigation system, on the display screen of the image display device, route guidance information, that is, a map and a route from the departure place to the destination are displayed, and for example, information for advertisement / advertisement of goods and services. A technique for providing various kinds of information to a user of a navigation system by displaying and the like has been proposed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, information on a store located near a route from a departure place to a destination is transmitted from an external station to the navigation device, thereby providing information on the store to the user of the navigation device. Techniques to do this have been proposed.

JP 2005-241379 A

  By the way, information that a navigation device or navigation system user wants to obtain along with route guidance information is diversified. For example, in addition to the store information as described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the user can provide information on various genres and categories such as restaurants, amusement facilities, sights, and sightseeing spots, in addition to route guidance information. For example, the user desires guidance information regarding various objects that can be enjoyed while moving from the departure place to the destination.

  Furthermore, the user may want to know roughly how many spots of which genre and category exist in which area on the map. However, a technique for the user to obtain such information has not been proposed so far, and there is room for further improving the convenience of the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and relates to an object that can be enjoyed within a predetermined area on a map including a route, together with route guidance information for guiding a route from a departure place to a destination. It aims at improving the convenience of the user at the time of obtaining guidance information.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.
[Mode 1] A map image display device that displays a map image composed of a plurality of unit areas, a display unit that displays at least part of a route from a departure point to a destination, and controls the display unit A control unit, wherein the control unit uses the attributes of the objects that can be enjoyed in the plurality of unit regions included in the predetermined region on the map including the route, on the map image, For each of the predetermined regions, each unit region is displayed three-dimensionally based on the attribute of the object, and the more objects included in the attribute of the object, the more at least one of the unit regions. The volume of a part is displayed large; when there are a plurality of types of objects in the unit area, the unit area is overlapped with a plurality of blocks for each type of the object in the height direction, Displayed on the map image When stacking the plurality of blocks in the height direction, according to the priority order for the type of the object determined based on the user's preference, the higher priority block is positioned higher. The plurality of blocks are stacked in the height direction; a map image display device.

  Application Example 1 A map image display device that displays a map image composed of a plurality of unit areas, a display unit that displays at least a part of a route from a departure point to a destination, and controls the display unit Control unit, and the control unit uses the attributes of the object that can be enjoyed in a plurality of unit areas included in a predetermined area on the map including the route, and For each of the predetermined areas, each unit area is displayed three-dimensionally based on the attribute of the object, and the more objects included in the attribute of the object, the more the unit area A map image display device that displays a large part of the volume.

  In the map image display device of Application Example 1, at least a part of the route from the departure place to the destination is displayed on the map image. Furthermore, for each of a plurality of unit areas (so-called “mesh”) included in a predetermined area on the map including the route, each unit area is three-dimensionally based on the attribute of the object. Is displayed. Here, the “attribute of the object” includes, for example, the number of objects, the number of word-of-mouth information related to the object, evaluation of the object, and other data. Furthermore, in the map image display device of Application Example 1, as the number of objects included in the attribute of the object increases, the volume of at least a part of the unit region is displayed larger on the map image. Accordingly, when the user of the map image display device obtains the guidance information together with the route guidance information, it is visually determined which genre and category spot exist in which area (unit area) on the map. It becomes possible to visually perceive sensuously. As a result, the convenience of the user of the map image display device can be improved.

  Here, “a predetermined area on the map including the route” means “an area on the map within a predetermined distance from the route”. Therefore, “a plurality of unit regions included in a predetermined region on a map including a route” includes, for example, “a plurality of unit regions including a route” and “a plurality of unit regions within a predetermined distance from the route”.

  In the present specification, “subjects that can be enjoyed” include tangible and intangible objects. Examples of such “subjects that can be enjoyed” include, for example, the stores, restaurants, amusement facilities, sights, sightseeing spots, etc., exemplified above. Further, in the present specification, the word “guidance information” means, in a narrow sense, attribute information of the object, such as a store name, an address, and a telephone number of a restaurant, in a broad sense, It also means information indicating the number of objects existing in the unit area. Further, the information indicating the number of objects present in the unit area may be a specific number of the objects, whether or not the objects are present, or the objects are present. In this case, the information may be information that allows the user to visually recognize whether there are many or few objects.

  In addition, as a mode in which the unit area is displayed in a three-dimensional manner, for example, a mode in which the entire unit area is displayed in a three-dimensional block form, or a predetermined position in the unit area (for example, a central point in the unit area). ), For example, a mode of displaying a sphere such as a balloon having a size corresponding to the attribute of the object. As the aspect of displaying at least a part of the volume of the unit area larger as the number of attributes of the object increases, for example, with the increase in the number of the object and the number of word-of-mouth information related to the object The volume may be displayed so as to increase continuously, or the volume may be displayed so as to increase stepwise.

  Application Example 2 The map image display device according to Application Example 1, wherein the attribute is the number of the objects.

  When the map image display device of application example 2 obtains guidance information together with route guidance information, what kind of genre and category spot is in which area (unit region) on the map It is possible to roughly visually recognize whether it exists.

  Application Example 3 The map image display device according to Application Example 21, wherein the control unit displays the number of the objects when the unit areas are three-dimensionally displayed on the map image. The map image display apparatus which displays the height of the said unit area | region higher, so that there are many.

  With the map image display device of application example 3, the user can easily recognize that the object is present in the unit area displayed three-dimensionally. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of three-dimensionally displayed unit areas, the number of the objects can be easily visually recognized by comparing their heights.

  [Application Example 4] The map image display device according to Application Example 3, wherein the object includes a plurality of types of objects, and the control unit includes the plurality of types of objects in the unit region. In this case, the unit region is further overlapped on the map image by overlapping a plurality of blocks each having a height determined based on the number of the objects for each type of the object in the height direction. Displayed on a map image display device.

  With the map image display device according to the application example 4, the user can easily recognize that there are a plurality of types of the objects in a certain unit area.

  Application Example 5 The map image display device according to Application Example 3, wherein the object includes a plurality of types of objects, and the control unit further includes the plurality of types of objects in the unit region. When the unit area exists, the unit area is displayed on the map image by horizontally arranging a plurality of blocks each having a height determined based on the number of the objects for each type of the object. , Map image display device.

  Also with the map image display device of Application Example 5, similarly to the map image display device of Application Example 3, the user can easily recognize that a plurality of types of the above-described objects exist within a certain unit area.

  [Application Example 6] The map image display device according to Application Example 4, wherein the control unit further determines the unit area where the plurality of types of objects are present based on user preference. A map image display device that displays the plurality of blocks in the height direction so as to be superimposed on the map image in accordance with the priority order of the types of objects.

  With the map image display device of Application Example 6, the user can more easily recognize the block representing the presence of the high-priority type object than the block representing the low-priority type object. can do.

  In the map image display device of Application Example 6, the priority order can be determined in various ways. For example, the map image display device may be provided with a function of searching for guidance information about the object, and the priority order may be determined based on the search history. Generally, the greater the number of searches for a certain type of object, the more the user can determine that the interest in that type of object is higher than the interest in other types of objects. Therefore, according to such an aspect, it is possible to increase the priority order of the types of objects that the user's interest will be relatively high without making the user aware of it.

  The priority order may be specified by the user. According to such an aspect, the display according to the said priority order specified consciously by the user can be performed reliably.

  In the map image display device according to Application Example 4 or 5, the user may select the target to be used for three-dimensional display of the unit region from a plurality of types of the target. According to such an aspect, only the number of the objects of the type selected by the user is used, in other words, the unit area without using the number of the objects of the type not selected by the user. The three-dimensional display can be performed. Therefore, the processing time required for the three-dimensional display of the unit area can be shortened. In addition, since the unit area where the target object determined to be unnecessary by the user is not displayed three-dimensionally, the visibility of the target object by the user can be improved.

  In the map image display device according to any one of the application examples 4 to 6, it is preferable that the display color of the unit area displayed three-dimensionally is different for each type of the object. By doing so, the visibility of the type of the object by the user can be improved.

  Application Example 7 The map image display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, wherein the control unit further includes a unit region adjacent to the unit region that displays the at least part of the volume larger. A map image display device that displays a lower saturation than other unit areas.

  When a unit area is displayed three-dimensionally, when the unit area displayed three-dimensionally overlaps a display object (such as a building) in an adjacent unit area, the unit area displayed three-dimensionally Visibility by the user may be impaired. In the map image display device of Application Example 7, at least a part of the volume is displayed because the unit area adjacent to the unit area that displays at least a part of the volume is displayed with lower saturation than the other unit areas. It is possible to prevent the visibility of the unit area (unit area displayed three-dimensionally) from being impaired by the user.

  Application Example 8 The map image display device according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 7, further comprising a current location detection unit that detects a current location of the image display device, wherein the control unit is configured to detect the detected current location. A map image display device that switches the plurality of unit areas to be displayed on the map image in accordance with progress from the current location to the destination.

  With the map image display device according to the application example 8, the user can visually recognize at any time that there is an area where the object exists in the vicinity of the current location while traveling from the current location to the destination.

  The present invention does not necessarily have all the various features described above, and may be configured by omitting some of them or combining them appropriately. Moreover, the present invention can be configured as an invention of a map image display method for displaying a map image on a display unit in addition to the above-described configuration as a map image display device. Further, the present invention can be realized in various modes such as a computer program that realizes these, a recording medium that records the program, and a data signal that includes the program and is embodied in a carrier wave. In addition, in each aspect, it is possible to apply the various additional elements shown above.

  When the present invention is configured as a computer program or a recording medium that records the program, the entire program for controlling the operation of the map image display device may be configured, or only the portion that performs the function of the present invention. It may be configured. The recording medium includes a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, a printed matter on which a code such as a barcode is printed, a computer internal storage device (RAM or Various types of computer-readable media such as a memory such as a ROM and an external storage device can be used.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the information provision navigation system 1000 as one Example of this invention. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing navigation server 100. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a map server 150. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a guidance information server 180. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile phone 200. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the flow of a display data generation process. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic map display screen SCR displayed on the display panel 202 by the main control unit 210 of the mobile phone 200 based on display image data received from the information providing navigation server 100. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic map display screen SCR displayed on the display panel 202 by the main control unit 210 of the mobile phone 200 based on display image data received from the information providing navigation server 100. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information regarding the restaurant displayed on the display screen SCR of an electronic map. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the detailed information regarding the restaurant displayed on the display screen SCR of an electronic map. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen SCR of the electronic map displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile telephone 200 based on the display image data as a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Information providing navigation system configuration:
B. Configuration of the information providing navigation server:
C. Map server configuration:
D. Guide information server configuration:
E. Mobile phone configuration:
F. Display image data generation processing and other processing:
G. Effects of the embodiment:
H. Variations:

A. Information providing navigation system configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information providing navigation system 1000 as an embodiment of the present invention. The information providing navigation system 1000 includes an information providing navigation server 100, a map server 150, a guidance information server 180, and a mobile phone 200. These are connected to each other via the Internet INT and a relay station (not shown).

  In the information providing navigation system 1000 of this embodiment, as will be described later, the information providing navigation server 100 searches for a route from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination in response to a request from the mobile phone 200. Based on the route obtained by the search, various data is acquired from the map server 150 and the guidance information server according to the progress from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination, and the route guidance information and the guidance information are obtained. Display image data is generated, and the display image data is transmitted to the mobile phone 200 including the display panel 202. The display image data including route guidance information and guidance information will be described in detail later. As will be described later, the information providing navigation server 100 can also generate display image data that includes route information and does not include guidance information, and can transmit this to the mobile phone 200.

  The mobile phone 200 receives display image data including route guidance information and guidance information from the information providing navigation server 100, and displays an electronic map including the route guidance information and guidance information on the display panel based on the display image data. 202. The user of the mobile phone 200 can obtain route guidance information and guidance information from the electronic map displayed on the display panel 202. Further, the user of the mobile phone 200 can also search for the details of the guidance information from the electronic map including the route guidance information and the guidance information displayed on the display panel 202.

  In this embodiment, the route guidance information is information for guiding a route from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination. Further, the guidance information is information related to an object that can be enjoyed by the user of the mobile phone 200 in a predetermined area including a route from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination. Examples of such guidance information include information on various genres and categories such as information on restaurants, information on amusement facilities, information on sights and sightseeing spots, and the like. The guide information also includes information indicating the number of the objects present in the unit area. Further, the information indicating the number of the objects present in the unit area includes the specific number of the objects, whether or not the objects are present, or the objects if the objects are present. It contains information that allows the user to visually recognize whether there are many or few things.

B. Configuration of the information providing navigation server:
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information providing navigation server 100. The information providing navigation server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a control unit 120, and a route network data storage unit 130.

  The communication unit 110 communicates with the map server 150, the guidance information server 180, and the mobile phone 200 via the Internet INT.

  The route network data storage unit 130 stores node data used for route search, arc data, cost data, node data used for route guidance including map matching, and arc data. The node data is data representing the end points of the passage on the map (for example, intersections, dead ends, etc.), and includes coordinate data (latitude, longitude) representing the position of each end point and attribute information regarding each end point. The arc data is data representing a passage on the map, and is associated with nodes representing the start point and end point of the passage. The cost data is data representing an evaluation value such as the average travel time of each passage, and is associated with the arc data for route search. In the route network data storage unit 130, each of these data is stored for each unit area (mesh) on the map. In this embodiment, the mesh has a square shape, but may have other shapes (for example, a rectangular shape, a polygon such as a hexagon, or an elliptical shape).

  Each mesh is assigned an ID for identifying the mesh. Also, an ID for identifying each node data and each arc data is assigned. Also, route search node data and route guidance node data, and route search arc data and route guidance arc data are associated with each other by the ID.

  The control unit 120 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and functions as a route search unit 122, a display image data generation unit 124, a guide information search unit 126, and a search history storage unit 128. The display image data generation unit 124 includes a priority order storage unit 124a and a generation mode storage unit 124b.

  The route search unit 122 refers to the route network data storage unit 130 and performs a route search from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination based on the current location and destination of the mobile phone 200 received from the mobile phone 200. In this embodiment, the route search is performed by a well-known Dijkstra method. The current location and the destination of the mobile phone 200 can be specified from coordinate data (latitude, longitude) on the map, xy coordinate values on the electronic map, an address, and the like.

  The display image data generation unit 124 generates display image data for performing route guidance to be transmitted to the mobile phone 200 based on the result of the route search. In this embodiment, a first display image generation mode for generating display image data including route guidance information and guidance information, and a second display for generating display image data including route guidance information and not including guidance information. Two types of display image generation modes are prepared: an image generation mode. These display image generation mode settings are stored in the generation mode storage unit 124b for each individual number of the mobile phone 200 using the information providing navigation system 1000, and can be switched by a mode switching instruction from each mobile phone 200. .

  When the display image generation mode stored in the generation mode storage unit 124b is the first display image generation mode for the mobile phone 200 that has accessed the information providing navigation server 100, the display image data generation unit 124 Based on the route obtained by the route search by the search unit 122, route network data (route guidance node data and arc data) corresponding to this route is acquired from the route network data storage unit 130. Further, the display image data generation unit 124 acquires map image data corresponding to each of a plurality of meshes included in the predetermined region including the route from the map server 150 described later via the communication unit 110. Further, the display image data generation unit 124 acquires guide information corresponding to each of the plurality of meshes included in the predetermined area from the guide information server 180 described later via the communication unit 110. Then, the display image data generation unit 124 generates display image data including route guidance information and guidance information using the acquired route network data, map image data, and guidance information. In this embodiment, when the display image data generation unit 124 acquires guide information corresponding to each of a plurality of meshes included in the predetermined area from the guide information server 180 described later via the communication unit 110. Only the guidance information corresponding to the mesh within a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) from the route is acquired, and the guidance information corresponding to the mesh farther than the predetermined distance from the route is not acquired.

  In addition, when the display image data generation unit 124 generates display image data including route guidance information and guidance information, the display image data generation unit 124, for each individual number of the mobile phone 200, as will be described later. Display image data including route guidance information and guide information is generated in accordance with the priority order of the display order of the guide information stored in the priority order storage unit 124a. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the guide information search unit 126 can search for guide information designated by the user, and the search history is searched for each individual number of the mobile phone 200. It is stored in the storage unit 128. The priority order for the display order of the guide information for each individual number of the mobile phone 200 stored in the priority order storage unit 124a is based on each search history for the guide information stored in the search history storage unit 128. To be determined. A genre with a larger search history (number of searches) has a higher priority regarding the display of guidance information. Each priority stored in the priority storage unit 124a can be set by an instruction from the mobile phone 200 by the user.

  When the display image generation mode stored in the generation mode storage unit 124b is the second display image generation mode for the mobile phone 200 that has accessed the information providing navigation server 100, the display image data generation unit 124 Based on the route obtained by the route search, route network data (route guidance node data and arc data) corresponding to this route is acquired from the route network data storage unit 130. Further, the display image data generation unit 124 acquires map image data corresponding to each of a plurality of meshes included in the predetermined region including the route from the map server 150 described later via the communication unit 110. Note that the display image data generation unit 124 does not acquire guide information from the guide information server 180. Then, the display image data generation unit 124 uses the acquired route network data and map image data to generate display image data that includes route guidance information and does not include guidance information.

C. Map server configuration:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the map server 150. The map server 150 includes a communication unit 152, a control unit 154, and a map image data storage unit 156.

  The communication unit 152 communicates with the information providing navigation server 100 via the Internet INT. The map image data storage unit 156 stores map image data used for the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 to generate display image data for each mesh. The map image data is image data of roads, buildings, and other features on the map. In this embodiment, vector data that is relatively easy to process in the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 is used as the map image data. The control unit 154 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and transmits map image data to the information providing navigation server 100 via the communication unit 152 in response to a request from the information providing navigation server 100.

D. Guide information server configuration:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the guidance information server 180. The guidance information server 180 includes a communication unit 182, a control unit 184, and a guidance information storage unit 186. The control unit 184 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM, and functions as, for example, a guide information collection unit 184a and a registration unit 184b. The communication unit 182 communicates with the information providing navigation server 100 and another Web server (not shown) via the Internet INT.

  The guide information storage unit 186 stores guide information for each mesh. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of a guidance information database stored in the guidance information storage unit 186. In this embodiment, the guide information storage unit 186 stores a guide information database related to restaurants. In addition to the guide information database about restaurants, the guide information storage unit 186 is a guide information database about information on various genres and categories, such as information on amusement facilities, information on sights, and sightseeing spots described above. Can be stored.

  As shown in the figure, the guidance information database includes, for each mesh ID, restaurant genre, store name, location information (latitude, longitude), and attribute information (address, telephone number, business hours, menu, evaluation, etc.). Reviews information, access rankings in genres and categories, etc.) are registered. These pieces of information are collected by the guide information collection unit 184a from blogs on other web servers and gourmet information sites. Then, the registration unit 184b determines in which mesh the restaurant is present from the address and telephone number included in each information collected by the guidance information collection unit 184a, and distributes each mesh ID for guidance. Register in the information database.

E. Mobile phone configuration:
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile phone 200. The cellular phone 200 includes a current location detection unit 201, a display panel 202, an audio output unit 203, a vibration mechanism 204, a communication unit 205, a command input unit 206, a clock unit 209, a main control unit 210, a call And a control unit 220.

  The current location detection unit 201 detects the current position of the mobile phone 200. In this embodiment, a GPS unit is used as the current location detection unit 201. The GPS unit is a unit including a GPS antenna for receiving a radio wave from an artificial satellite of GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). Based on the radio wave from the artificial satellite received by a GPS antenna (not shown), The current position of the mobile phone 200 is detected. The current position of the mobile phone 200 is detected by a method using DGPS (differential GPS), a method using radio waves from a radio base station such as a mobile phone or PHS, or a method using or using a gyro sensor. May be applied.

  The display panel 202 is a device that displays an image. Examples of the display panel 202 include a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL panel. The voice output unit 203 is a device including a speaker, and is a device that outputs a message to a user such as route guidance, a melody, and the like by voice. The vibration mechanism 204 is a device that can prompt the user's attention with a predetermined pattern of vibration.

  The communication unit 205 communicates with the information providing navigation server 100 via the Internet INT to transmit / receive information. The command input unit 206 includes a numeric keypad 206a and a cursor key 206b (see FIG. 1). Further, the command input unit 206 may be provided with a touch sensor (touch panel) on the display panel 202 and input an output of the touch sensor. The user of the mobile phone 200 inputs information and instructions to the mobile phone 200 by operating the numeric keys 206a, the cursor keys 206b, and the touch panel.

  The clock unit 209 outputs current time information indicating the current time in response to a request from the main control unit 210. The call control unit 220 is a circuit that performs an incoming call for a call, a voice / electrical signal conversion, and the like.

  The main control unit 210 is a control unit for controlling each unit of the mobile phone 200. The main control unit 210 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM that are used to control each unit of the mobile phone 200. The main control unit 210 controls each unit of the mobile phone 200 by causing the CPU to execute application software for navigation, for example, and displays the route guidance information from the information providing navigation server 100 to the destination from the current position. Image data can be acquired and an electronic map can be displayed on the display panel 202 based on the display image data.

F. Display image data generation processing and other processing:
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of display data generation processing. The flow of processing executed by the mobile phone 200 is shown on the left side of FIG. Moreover, the flow of the process performed by the information provision navigation server 100 was shown on the right side of FIG. FIG. 6 shows processing when the display image data generation mode stored in the generation mode storage unit 124b of the information providing navigation server 100 is the first display image data generation mode. Then, illustration and description of processing when the display image data generation mode is the second display image data generation mode are omitted.

  When application software for navigation is activated in the mobile phone 200, the current location detection unit 201 detects the coordinates of the current location of the mobile phone 200 (step S100). When a destination is specified by the user of the mobile phone 200 and a route search instruction from the current location to the destination is input, the mobile phone 200 stores the coordinate data (latitude, longitude) of the current location and the destination. The information for specifying the position of is transmitted to the information providing navigation server 100 (step S110). As information for specifying the position of the destination, for example, a destination name, an address, a telephone number, or an xy coordinate value on electronic map data acquired in advance can be used. In addition, it is possible to specify a waypoint if necessary. In addition, the current position as the departure point can be input and designated.

  When the information providing navigation server 100 receives the coordinate data of the current location of the mobile phone 200 and the information for specifying the position of the destination from the mobile phone 200 (step S200), the route search unit 122 causes the route search unit 122 to receive route network data. With reference to route search data (node data, arc data, cost data) stored in the storage unit 130, a route search process from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination designated by the user is executed ( Step S210). By this route search processing, a route from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination is obtained.

  Next, as described above, the display image data generation unit 124 corresponds to the route guidance data corresponding to the route obtained by the route search process and the plurality of meshes included in the predetermined area including the route. Map image data and guidance information respectively corresponding to a plurality of meshes included in a predetermined area including the route are acquired from the route network data storage unit 130, the map server 150, and the guidance information server 180, respectively (step S230). ). When the display image data generation mode is the second display image data generation mode, the display image data generation unit 124 guides the route corresponding to the route obtained by the route search process as described above. Data and map image data respectively corresponding to a plurality of meshes included in a predetermined area including the route are acquired from the route network data storage unit 130 and the map server 150, respectively, and guidance information from the guidance information server 180 is obtained. Is not acquired.

  Then, the display image data generation unit 124 generates display image data including route guidance information and guidance information using each acquired data (step S240). And the information provision navigation server 100 transmits the display image data produced | generated by the display image data production | generation part 124 to the mobile telephone 200 (step S250).

  When receiving display image data from the information providing navigation server 100 (step S120), the mobile phone 200 displays an electronic map on the display panel 202 based on the display image data (step S130).

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an electronic map display screen SCR displayed on the display panel 202 by the main control unit 210 of the mobile phone 200 based on display image data received from the information providing navigation server 100. FIG. 7 shows an example of an electronic map display screen SCR on which all routes from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination are drawn. When the route guidance from the current location to the destination is performed, as shown in FIG. 8, the current location PP is drawn at the lower center of the display screen SCR, and the route RT from the current location PP to the traveling direction is from the current location PP. It is drawn to extend directly above. The electronic map at the time of route guidance shown in FIG. 8 is displayed when the main control unit 210 of the mobile phone 200 appropriately rotates and processes the map image data and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the electronic map displayed on the display screen SCR is a bird's eye view of a two-dimensional map. Each region indicated by a broken line in the figure represents a mesh. In the illustrated example, the electronic map shows a current location PP, a destination GP, and a route RT from the current location PP to the destination GP. In the electronic map shown in FIG. 7, drawing of features such as roads and buildings is omitted for easy understanding. Further, as described above, the map image data of each mesh is vector data and is relatively easy to process. Therefore, the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 performs the illustrated two-dimensional map. Display image data for displaying the bird's-eye view can be generated relatively easily.

  In this electronic map, the mesh Ma and the mesh Mb shown with reference numerals are drawn three-dimensionally. This indicates that there are objects that can be enjoyed by the user of the mobile phone 200 in the mesh Ma and the mesh Mb. In this embodiment, the meshes Ma and Mb are three-dimensionally displayed by drawing three-dimensional blocks on the mesh Ma and the mesh Mb, respectively. On the mesh Ma, the block BLa1 and the block BLa2 are displayed so as to overlap in the height direction. The block BLa1 represents that there is a restaurant that provides Japanese food in the mesh Ma. The block BLa2 represents that there is a restaurant that provides Italian cuisine in the mesh Ma. The block BLb1 drawn on the mesh Mb represents that there is a restaurant that provides French cuisine in the mesh Mb.

  Note that the heights h1, h2, and h3 of the blocks BLa1, BLa2, and BLb1 represent the approximate number of restaurants of each genre, respectively. That is, the higher the height of the block, the greater the number of restaurants present in the mesh on which the block is drawn. Moreover, when the genre of the restaurant is designated, the same display method can be performed according to the number of reviews, evaluation, etc. of the store included in the genre. The heights h1, h2, and h3 of the blocks BLa1, BLa2, and BLb1 are the meshes acquired from the guidance information server 180 when the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 generates display image data. It is determined according to the number of guide information. The display image data generation unit 124 may determine these heights so as to increase continuously, for example, as the number of pieces of guidance information increases, or determine such heights so as to increase stepwise. You may make it do.

  In addition, in the mesh Ma, a block BLa2 indicating that there is a restaurant that provides Italian cuisine is drawn above the block BLa1 that indicates that there is a restaurant that provides Japanese cuisine. This is because, in the priority storage unit 124a in the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100, the priority for displaying the presence of restaurants that provide Italian cuisine is the display of the presence of restaurants that provide Japanese cuisine. This is because the priority is set higher than the priority. The display image data generation unit 124 determines the order in which the blocks BLa1 and BLa2 are stacked according to the priority order stored in the priority order storage unit 124a.

  In the electronic map of the present embodiment, the display colors of the blocks BLa1, BLa2, and BLb1 are different from each other. FIG. 7 shows that the display colors are different by changing the types of hatching assigned to the respective blocks BLa1, BLa2, and BLb1. Each display color is determined by the display image data generation unit 124. Further, in the electronic map of the present embodiment, although omitted for convenience of illustration, the map image in the mesh adjacent to the mesh Ma, Mb displayed three-dimensionally is lower than the map image in the other mesh. Displayed in saturation.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is also possible to display information about restaurants that exist in any one of the meshes displayed three-dimensionally on the above-described electronic map display screen SCR. In this process, first, the user of the mobile phone 200 operates, for example, the cursor key 206b on the electronic map display screen SCR to move the cursor CUR onto one of the blocks, and the block is drawn. An instruction to acquire information relating to a restaurant corresponding to the block existing in the mesh is input to the command input unit 206 of the mobile phone 200. Then, the mobile phone 200 transmits to the information providing navigation server 100 a request for information relating to the restaurant corresponding to the block that exists in the mesh. The information providing navigation server 100 that has received this request searches the guide information search unit 126 for information about the requested restaurant, and determines the priority order for displaying the guide information stored in the priority storage unit 124a later. Therefore, the search history is stored in the search history storage unit 128, and information related to the searched restaurant is transmitted to the mobile phone 200. Then, the mobile phone 200 displays information on the restaurant corresponding to the specified block, which exists in the mesh specified by the user, acquired from the information providing navigation server 100 on the display screen SCR.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information about a restaurant displayed on the electronic map display screen SCR. In FIG. 9, in the electronic map display screen SCR shown in FIG. 7, the cursor CUR is moved onto the block BLa1 and an instruction to acquire information related to a restaurant that provides Japanese food in the mesh Ma is input. An example of the display screen SCR is shown. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the graphical user interface GUI1 is displayed on the display screen SCR. The graphical user interface GUI1 displays a “decision” button BT1 and a “return” button BT2 together with a list of restaurant names that provide Japanese food in the mesh Ma.

  The user of the mobile phone 200 can also obtain detailed information on a desired restaurant using the graphical user interface GUI1. For example, in the list of restaurant names shown in the figure, when the user of the mobile phone 200 selects the hatched “3. ΔΔ store” and presses the “decision” button BT1, detailed information on “ΔΔ store” is displayed. An instruction to acquire information is input to the command input unit 206. Then, the cellular phone 200 transmits a request for detailed information regarding “△△ 屋” to the information providing navigation server 100. Receiving this request, the information providing navigation server 100 transmits detailed information about “ΔΔya” to the mobile phone 200. The mobile phone 200 receives detailed information about “ΔΔya” from the information providing navigation server 100 and displays it on the display screen SCR. When the “return” button BT2 is pressed in the graphical user interface GUI1, the display returns to the display of the display screen SCR shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of detailed information regarding a restaurant displayed on the electronic map display screen SCR. 10, in the graphical user interface GUI1 shown in FIG. 9, the user of the mobile phone 200 selects “3.ΔΔya” and presses the “OK” button BT1 on the display screen SCR. An example is shown. In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the graphical user interface GUI2 is displayed on the display screen SCR. The graphical user interface GUI 2 includes a restaurant name, an address, a telephone number, business hours, and items capable of acquiring more detailed information (in the illustrated example, “menu”, “word-of-mouth information”), A “decision” button BT1, a “return” button BT2, and a “go here” button BT3 are displayed.

  When “Menu” or “Word of mouth information” is selected and the “OK” button BT1 is pressed, the corresponding information is acquired from the information providing navigation server 100 and displayed. When the “return” button BT2 is pressed, the screen returns to the display screen SCR shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, illustration and description of a display example when “menu” or “word-of-mouth information” is selected and the “decision” button BT1 is pressed in the graphical user interface GUI 2 are omitted. In addition, when the “go here” button BT3 is pressed, the fact that “△△ ya” is designated as a transit location and that “△△ ya” is designated as a transit location is indicated by the mobile phone 200 as an information providing navigation server. 100. When the information providing navigation server 100 receives that “△△ 屋” is designated as a waypoint in the mobile phone 200, the information providing navigation server 100 executes the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. Then, on the display screen SCR displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile phone 200, a route RT from the current location PP to the destination GP via “ΔΔ shop” is displayed (not shown).

G. Effects of the embodiment:
According to the information providing navigation system 1000 of the present embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the display panel 202 (display screen SCR) of the mobile phone 200 is changed from the current location PP of the mobile phone 200 to the destination GP. At least a part of the route RT to reach is displayed. Furthermore, on the display screen SCR, for each of a plurality of meshes included in a predetermined area on the map including the route RT, each mesh is displayed in a three-dimensional manner by blocks based on the number of pieces of guidance information. Furthermore, the larger the number of pieces of guidance information in each mesh, the larger the volume is displayed on the display screen SCR. In this way, when the user of the mobile phone 200 obtains the guidance information together with the route guidance information, it is possible to visually determine what genre and category spot exists in which area (mesh) on the map. , Sensuously, it becomes possible to know roughly. As a result, the convenience of the user of the mobile phone 200, that is, the user of the information providing navigation system 1000 can be improved.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when each mesh is displayed three-dimensionally on the display screen SCR, the higher the number of pieces of guidance information, the higher the height of the block on the mesh. . By doing so, the user of the mobile phone 200 can easily visually recognize that the object is present in the mesh displayed three-dimensionally. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of meshes displayed three-dimensionally, the number of the objects can be easily visually recognized by comparing their heights.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, when there are a plurality of types of guidance information in a certain mesh on the display screen SCR, the mesh is further determined based on the number of pieces of guidance information for each type of guidance information. A plurality of blocks having a predetermined height are displayed so as to overlap each other in the height direction. By doing so, the user of the mobile phone 200 can easily recognize that there are a plurality of types of objects in a certain mesh.

  Further, as shown in the mesh Ma in FIG. 7, the mesh having a plurality of types of objects on the display screen SCR has priority on the types of objects determined based on the preference of the user of the mobile phone 200. A plurality of blocks are displayed in the height direction according to the order. By doing so, the user of the mobile phone 200 can make it easier to visually recognize a block representing the presence of a high-priority type object than a block representing a low-priority type object.

  The priority order is determined based on a search history of guidance information designated by the user of the mobile phone 200. Therefore, without making the user of the mobile phone 200 aware of it, it is possible to increase the priority for the type of guidance information that the user's interest will be relatively high.

  Further, as described above, in the information providing navigation server 100, the priority order stored in the priority order storage unit 124a can be changed by an instruction from the user of the mobile phone 200. By doing so, the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 can perform display in accordance with the above priority order consciously specified by the user.

  Further, as described above, on the display screen SCR, the display color of the block is displayed so as to be different for each type of the object. By doing so, the visibility of the type of the object by the user of the mobile phone 200 can be improved.

  Further, as described above, on the display screen SCR, the map image in the mesh adjacent to the meshes Ma and Mb displayed three-dimensionally is displayed with lower saturation than the map image in the other mesh. . By doing this, when the mesh displayed three-dimensionally overlaps with the display object (building etc.) of the adjacent mesh, it suppresses impairing the visibility by the user of the mesh displayed three-dimensionally. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 includes a generation mode storage unit 124 b. The display image mode is changed according to an instruction from the mobile phone 200. The display image generation mode can be switched to the first display image generation mode or the second display image generation mode. In this way, the user of the mobile phone 200 can appropriately switch the display mode of the electronic map displayed on the display panel 202 according to the purpose of use of the information providing navigation system 1000.

H. Variations:
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications are possible.

H1. Modification 1:
In the above embodiment, when a plurality of types of guidance information exist in a mesh, the mesh is determined on the display panel 202 of the mobile phone 200 based on the number of pieces of guidance information for each type of guidance information. Although a plurality of blocks having a height are displayed so as to overlap each other in the height direction, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the plurality of blocks may be displayed side by side in the horizontal direction. Further, by displaying, for example, a plurality of spheres such as balloons having a size corresponding to the number of the objects at a predetermined position in the displayed mesh (for example, a central point in the mesh), the mesh There may be a plurality of types of objects in the inside, and some of the objects may be represented.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic map display screen SCR displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile phone 200 based on display image data as a modification. In this modification, the electronic map displayed on the display screen SCR is a bird's-eye view of a two-dimensional map, as in the above embodiment (see FIG. 7).

  In this electronic map, balloons Ba1, Ba2 and balloon Bb1 are three-dimensionally drawn at the central point of the mesh Ma and the central point of the mesh Mb, respectively, indicated by reference numerals. This indicates that there are objects that can be enjoyed by the user of the mobile phone 200 in the mesh Ma and the mesh Mb. In the mesh Ma, a balloon Ba1 and a balloon Ba2 are stacked and displayed. Balloon Ba1, like mesh Ma in the above embodiment, indicates that there is a restaurant that provides Japanese food in mesh Ma. Moreover, balloon Ba2 represents that the restaurant which provides Italian food exists in mesh Ma similarly to mesh Ma in the said Example. Moreover, balloon Bb1 represents that the restaurant which provides French cuisine exists in mesh Mb similarly to mesh Mb in the said Example.

  The size (diameter) of each of the balloons Ba1, Ba2, and Bb1 drawn three-dimensionally represents the approximate number of restaurants of each genre. That is, the larger the size of the balloon drawn three-dimensionally, the greater the number of restaurants present in the mesh. The size of each of the balloons Ba1, Ba2, and Bb1 is determined for each mesh acquired from the guidance information server 180 when the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 generates the display image data of this modification. It is determined according to the number of guide information. Further, in the mesh Ma, a balloon Ba2 indicating that there is a restaurant that provides Italian cuisine is drawn above a balloon Ba1 that indicates that there is a restaurant that provides Japanese food. This is because, in the priority storage unit 124a in the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100, the priority for displaying the presence of restaurants that provide Italian cuisine is the display of the presence of restaurants that provide Japanese cuisine. This is because the priority is set higher than the priority. Moreover, in the electronic map of this modification, the display colors of the balloons Ba1, Ba2, Bb1 are different from each other. FIG. 11 shows that the display colors are different by changing the types of hatching applied to the balloons Ba1, Ba2 and Bb1, respectively. Also by such an aspect, the same effect as the said Example can be acquired.

H2. Modification 2:
In the above embodiment, the mesh displayed three-dimensionally on the display screen SCR based on the priority stored in the priority storage unit 124a of the information providing navigation server 100 is displayed for each type of the object. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be able to select the object to be used for the three-dimensional display of the mesh from a plurality of types of the object. According to such an aspect, only the number of objects of the type selected by the user is used, in other words, the number of objects of the type not selected by the user is not used, and the mesh 3 A dimensional display can be performed. Therefore, the processing time required for the three-dimensional display of the mesh can be shortened. Moreover, since the mesh in which the said target object judged that the user is unnecessary exists is not displayed three-dimensionally, the visibility about the said target object by a user can be improved.

  Further, using only the guidance information regarding the object existing in the mesh including the route obtained by the route search by the route search unit 122, in other words, regarding the object existing in the mesh not including the route. Display image data may be generated without using the guide information. By doing so, the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 can reduce the number of guidance information to be referred to when generating the display image data, so that the processing time required for generating the display image data can be further increased. It can be shortened.

H3. Modification 3:
In the above embodiment, when the display image data generation unit 124 of the information providing navigation server 100 generates the display image data described above, the information providing navigation server 100, the map server 150, and the guidance information server 180 perform distributed processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information providing navigation server 100 may have at least one function of the map server 150 and the guidance information server 180.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although the information provision navigation server 100 shall generate display image data, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the information providing navigation server 100 includes route network data for route guidance from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination, and guidance information acquired from the guidance information server 180 (for example, the number of guidance information corresponding to each mesh). And may be transmitted to the mobile phone 200 in association with each other. In this case, at the time of route guidance, the mobile phone 200 acquires necessary map image data from the map server 150, generates display image data, and displays the electronic map shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on the display screen SCR. What is necessary is just to display. Such display image data is generated when the CPU of the main control unit 210 of the mobile phone 200 executes navigation software. This is an aspect in which the mobile phone 200 includes a part of the functions of the information providing navigation server 100 of the above embodiment. In this case, the mobile phone 200 generates display image data by using route network data for route guidance and map image data without using the guidance information acquired from the information providing navigation server 100. May be. This corresponds to the second display image generation mode in the information providing navigation server 100 described above.

  Further, instead of the cellular phone 200, a GPS unit, a display panel, a portable information terminal including a control unit that executes application software for navigation, a so-called car navigation device mounted on a vehicle, a PND (Personal Navigation Device, Portable Navigation Device) may be used. Further, for example, the personal computer may have the functions of the information providing navigation server 100, the map server 150, and the guidance information server 180 and the function related to the display of the electronic map of the mobile phone 200.

H4. Modification 4:
In the above embodiment, the route search unit 122 of the information providing navigation server 100 performs a route search from the current location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination, but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead of the current location of the mobile phone 200, a departure location specified by the user of the mobile phone 200 may be applied to perform a route search from the departure location to the destination. Further, when the route search unit 122 of the information providing navigation server 100 performs a route search from the current location or the departure location of the mobile phone 200 to the destination, a route point may be further provided. In addition, this via point may be one place and may be two or more places.

H5. Modification 5:
In the information providing navigation system 1000 of the above embodiment, for example, when an electronic map of a predetermined area including a part of the route RT from the current location PP to the destination GP of the mobile phone 200 shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display screen SCR. Alternatively, a simulation in which the user of the mobile phone 200 moves along the route may be performed. By doing so, the user of the mobile phone 200 can know in advance what kind of genre and category spot exists in which area (mesh) in the vicinity of the moving route to the destination.

H6. Modification 6:
In the above embodiment, the mobile phone 200 detects the current location using GPS, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), satellite positioning systems other than GPS, such as Galileo (Satelite Navigation System), in other words, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is used. Good.

H7. Modification 7:
In the above embodiment, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced with software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. For example, the control circuit can execute a part of the function of the application software included in the mobile phone 200.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000 ... Information provision navigation system 100 ... Information provision navigation server 110 ... Communication part 120 ... Control part 122 ... Path | route search part 124 ... Display image data generation part 124a ... Priority storage part 124b ... Generation mode storage part 126 ... Guidance information search part 128 ... Search history storage unit 130 ... Route network data storage unit 150 ... Map server 152 ... Communication unit 154 ... Control unit 156 ... Map image data storage unit 180 ... Guidance information server 182 ... Communication unit 184 ... Control unit 184a ... Guidance information collection Unit 184b ... registration unit 186 ... guidance information storage unit 200 ... mobile phone 201 ... current location detection unit 202 ... display panel 203 ... audio output unit 204 ... vibration mechanism 205 ... communication unit 206 ... command input unit 206a ... numeric keypad 206b ... cursor key 209 ... clock part 210 ... Main control unit 220 ... Call control unit INT ... Internet SCR ... Display screen Ma, Mb ... Mesh PP ... Current location GP ... Destination RT ... Route CUR ... Cursor BLa1, BLa2, BLb1 ... Block Ba1, Ba2, Bb1 ... Balloon GUI1 , GUI2 ... Graphical user interface BT1 ... "OK" button BT2 ... "Back" button BT3 ... "Go here" button

Claims (8)

A map image display device,
A map image composed of a plurality of unit areas, and a display unit for displaying at least a part of a route from the departure place to the destination;
A control unit for controlling the display unit,
The controller is
Using attributes of objects that can be enjoyed in a plurality of unit areas included in a predetermined area on the map including the route,
On the map image, for each of the plurality of predetermined areas, the unit areas are three-dimensionally displayed based on the attributes of the objects, and objects included in the attributes of the objects are displayed. The larger the volume, the larger the volume of at least a part of the unit area ,
When there are a plurality of types of objects in the unit area, the unit area is displayed on the map image by superimposing a plurality of blocks for each type of the object in the height direction,
When stacking the plurality of blocks in the height direction, according to the priority order for the type of the object determined based on the user's preference, the higher priority block is positioned higher. Stacking the plurality of blocks in the height direction;
Map image display device. The map image display device according to claim 1,
The map image display device, wherein the attribute is the number of the objects. The map image display device according to claim 2,
The control unit displays the height of the unit area higher as the number of the objects increases when the unit area is three-dimensionally displayed on the map image.
Map image display device. The map image display device according to claim 3,
The plurality of blocks each have a height determined based on the number of the objects for each type of the object.
Map image display device. The map image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit further displays a unit region adjacent to the unit region that displays at least a part of the volume at a larger saturation than other unit regions.
Map image display device. A map image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A current location detection unit for detecting a current location of the image display device;
The control unit switches the plurality of unit areas to be displayed on the map image according to the progress from the current location to the destination, with the detected current location as the starting location.
Map image display device. A map image display method for displaying a map image composed of a plurality of unit areas on a display unit and at least a part of a route from a departure place to a destination,
Preparing an attribute of an object that can be enjoyed in a plurality of unit areas included in a predetermined area on a map including the route; and
On the map image, for each of the plurality of predetermined areas, the unit areas are three-dimensionally displayed based on the attributes of the objects, and objects included in the attributes of the objects are displayed. The larger the volume, the larger the volume of the unit area is displayed , and when there are a plurality of types of the object in the unit area, the unit area is defined as a plurality of blocks for each type of the object. Displaying the map image on the map image ,
Equipped with a,
In the step of displaying, when the plurality of blocks are overlapped in the height direction, the higher priority block is higher according to the priority order of the object type determined based on the user's preference. The plurality of blocks are stacked in the height direction so as to be located in
Map image display method. A computer program that is executed by a computer and displays a map image composed of a plurality of unit areas on a display unit, and at least a part of a route from a departure place to a destination,
A function of preparing attributes of an object that can be enjoyed in a plurality of unit areas included in a predetermined area on a map including the route;
On the map image, for each of the plurality of predetermined areas, the unit areas are three-dimensionally displayed based on the attributes of the objects, and objects included in the attributes of the objects are displayed. The larger the volume, the larger the volume of the unit area is displayed , and when there are a plurality of types of the object in the unit area, the unit area is defined as a plurality of blocks for each type of the object. A function to display the map image on the map image ,
Is realized on a computer ,
In the display function, when the plurality of blocks are stacked in the height direction, the higher priority block is higher according to the priority order of the object type determined based on the user's preference. The plurality of blocks are stacked in the height direction so as to be located in
Computer program.

Images