JP5506253B2 - Route guidance system, route guidance device, route guidance method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for searching for a route from a departure place to a destination using map data digitized so as to be usable by a computer and guiding the route to a car or a pedestrian is known. Furthermore, a guidance system that guides facilities such as stores existing around the current position is known (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3850898 Japanese Patent No. 3478674

  However, in the conventional technique, when the user wants to move to a facility outside the searched route, it is necessary to search for the route to the target facility one by one, and the operation is complicated. For this reason, in order to provide a guidance route to facilities on the surface using electronic devices, further improvement in user convenience has been demanded.

  An object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of a user in a technology that provides both route guidance and facility guidance to a user.

The present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples in order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems. One aspect of the present invention is a route guidance system that displays a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination.
A facility information storage unit that stores facility location information for each facility on the ground surface and facility attribute information indicating an attribute for each facility ;
An area information storage unit for storing area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information representing characteristics for each of the predetermined areas;
A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the moving mobile body;
Of the plurality of predetermined areas, a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position indicated by the current position information is selected, and the selected predetermined area is set as the attention area A setting section;
A plurality based on said facility location information, located in front SL region of interest, ranging from the middle of the recommended route to each of the plurality of the facility with the facility attribute information corresponding to the region characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest A detour route determination unit for determining the detour route of
A detour route display unit that displays each detour route determined by the detour route determination unit superimposed on a map image in which the recommended route is represented, and
The detour route display section
It said region feature information corresponding to the region of interest, and the facility attribute information for the facility corresponding to the respective detour path determined by the detour path determination unit superimposes the together the detour route on the map image A route guidance system that is configured to display. In addition, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 In a route guidance system that displays a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination, a facility information storage unit that stores at least facility location information for each facility on the ground surface, and a moving mobile body A current position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating the current position of the current position; an attention area setting unit that sets a predetermined range determined based on the current position indicated by the current position information as the attention area; and the facility position information Based on the detour route determination unit for determining one or more detour routes to reach each of the one or more facilities located in the region of interest from the middle of the recommended route, and the detour route determination unit And a detour route display unit that displays each detour route superimposed on the map image.

  According to the route guidance system according to Application Example 1, one or a plurality of detour routes to a facility located in a region of interest determined based on the current position are superimposed on a map image representing a recommended route from the departure point to the destination. Can be displayed. For this reason, since the user can list the recommended route and the detour route to each facility on one screen, the user can easily know the route from the current position to each facility. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

[Application Example 2] In the route guidance system according to Application Example 1, the facility information storage unit includes facility attribute information indicating an attribute of each facility, and the detour route display unit includes: The route guidance system which is the structure which displays the said facility attribute information about the said facility corresponding to each said detour route determined by the said detour route determination part with each said detour route. According to this configuration, since the user can easily know the attributes of each facility as well as the detour route to each facility, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

Application Example 3 In the route guidance system according to Application Example 1 or 2, area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information indicating characteristics for each of the predetermined areas. An area information storage unit for storing, wherein the attention area setting unit selects a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position from the plurality of predetermined areas, and the selected area A route guidance system having a configuration in which a predetermined area is set as the attention area, and the detour display section includes an area feature display section that superimposes and displays the area feature information corresponding to the attention area on the map image. According to this configuration, the user can easily know the detour route to the facility located in the attention area including at least one part in the predetermined range including the current position, and further, the feature of the attention area can be determined. It is easy to know.

Application Example 4 The route guidance system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, wherein the route guidance system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 is acquired by the current position information acquisition unit. When the current position indicated by the current position information exists in any of the detour paths determined by the detour path determination unit, the recommended route from the facility corresponding to the detour path where the current position exists A route guidance system comprising: a return route determination unit that determines a return route to return to; and a return route display unit that displays the return route determined by the return route determination unit superimposed on the map image. According to this configuration, the user can instruct which of the displayed detour routes is to be selected (adopted) without performing a special operation only by moving, The display of the return route from the selected detour route can be received. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved.

Application Example 5 In the route guidance system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, the detour route determination unit is configured to prioritize each facility located in the attention area based on a predetermined rule. And a route guidance system that includes a route route limit unit that restricts the route to a predetermined number or less based on the priority. According to this configuration, a simple display is possible even in an area where facilities are densely packed.

Application Example 6 In the route guidance system according to Application Example 5, the predetermined rule is a search between the current position indicated by the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit and the facility. According to the rule, the shorter the distance is, the higher the priority is, and the detour route determination unit is re-established with the movement of the current position indicated by the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit. A route guidance system comprising a detour route update unit that, when executed, updates the detour route. According to this configuration, a simple display is possible even in an area where facilities are densely packed.

Application Example 7 In the route guidance system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, the route guidance system according to any one of the application examples includes a facility type specifying unit that receives a command from a user and specifies a type of facility that the user likes, The route determination unit selects a facility belonging to the facility type designated by the facility type designation unit from the plurality of facilities located in the region of interest, and determines the detour route determination target to the selected facility A route guidance system provided with a facility restriction unit that restricts facilities. According to this configuration, since the user can receive guidance for only the type of facility that the user prefers, the convenience of the user can be further improved.

Application Example 8 In a route guidance device that provides a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination to an information display terminal, a facility information storage unit that stores at least facility location information for each facility on the ground surface; A current position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information indicating a current position of a moving mobile body, and an attention area setting unit that sets a predetermined range determined based on the current position indicated by the current position information as an attention area A detour route determination unit that determines one or more detour routes to reach each of the one or more facilities located in the region of interest from the middle of the recommended route based on the facility position information; and the detour route A route guidance device comprising: a detour route transmission unit that transmits detour route information representing each detour route determined by the determination unit to an information display terminal.

  According to the route guidance device according to the application example 8, one or a plurality of detour routes to the facility located in the region of interest determined based on the current position are superimposed on the map image representing the recommended route from the departure point to the destination. It can provide to an information display terminal with the form obtained. For this reason, the provided user can list the recommended route and the detour route to each facility on one screen, so that the user can easily know the route from the current position to each facility. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

Application Example 9 In a route guidance method for providing a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination, at least facility location information for each facility on the ground surface is prepared and the current position of a moving mobile object is indicated. The current position information is acquired, a predetermined range determined based on the current position indicated by the current position information is set as the attention area, and based on the facility position information, the position in the attention area is selected from the middle of the recommended route. In such a form that one or a plurality of detour routes to each of the one or a plurality of facilities to be determined is determined, and detour route information representing each detour route determined by the detour route determination unit can be superimposed on the map image. Route guidance method to provide.

Application Example 10 A computer program for providing a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination, a facility information storage function for storing at least facility location information for each facility on the ground surface, and movement A current position information acquisition function for acquiring current position information indicating a current position of the moving body, a attention area setting function for setting a predetermined range determined based on the current position indicated by the current position information as the attention area, A detour route determination function for determining one or more detour routes to reach each of the one or more facilities located in the region of interest from the middle of the recommended route based on facility position information, and the detour route determination function Providing a detour route information that provides the detour route information representing each detour route determined in accordance with a form that can be superimposed on the map image Computer program for realizing the ability to computer.

  The route guidance method according to the application example 9 and the computer program according to the application example 10 can improve the convenience of the user as in the route guidance device according to the application example 8. Further, the route guidance method according to the application example 9 and the computer program according to the application example 10 can be realized in various aspects in the same manner as the route guidance device according to the application example 8, respectively.

  Furthermore, the present invention can be realized in the form of a recording medium that records the computer program according to Application Example 10, a data signal that includes the computer program and is embodied in a carrier wave, and the like.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the route guidance system 10 as one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the contents of the database stored in the server system. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the recommendation path | route RT. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of screen WD1 displayed on a display panel at the time of route guidance execution. It is a flowchart which shows the first half part of the flow of a facility guidance process. It is a flowchart which shows the second half part of the flow of a facility guidance process. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the input screen IW. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of display screen WD2 of the display panel after execution of step S140. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of display screen WD3 of the display panel after execution of step S192. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example in a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example in a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example in a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the predetermined area | region set on the ground surface.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings.

A. Example:
・ Configuration of route guidance system:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a route guidance system 10 as an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the route guidance system 10 includes an information providing server 100, a map server 150, a base station BS, and a mobile terminal 200. The information providing server 100, the map server 150, and the base station BS are communicably connected via the Internet INT. The portable terminal 200 can wirelessly communicate with the base station BS. As a result, the portable terminal 200 can communicate with the information providing server 100 and the map server 150 via the base station BS.

  The mobile terminal 200 of the present embodiment can function as a map display terminal. The mobile terminal 200 includes a GPS receiver 201, and has a function of performing route guidance using this and the map display function. The mobile terminal 200 includes a GPS receiver 201, a display panel 202, an audio output unit 204, a key input unit 205, a wireless communication circuit 206, a call control unit 207, an external storage device 208, and a main control unit 210. And.

  The GPS receiver 201 is a device that receives radio waves transmitted from artificial satellites that constitute a GPS (Global Positioning System / Global Positioning System). The display panel 202 includes a liquid crystal display and a drive circuit that drives the liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display has a resolution of, for example, 480 pixels and 640 pixels (VGA). The display panel 202 is not limited to a liquid crystal display, and various display devices such as an organic EL display can be employed. The voice output unit 204 includes a speaker for outputting voice during route guidance, a circuit for driving the speaker, and the like. The key input unit 205 includes a group of keys such as a direction input key 205a and other operation keys 205b. The user of the portable terminal 200 can perform various operations by using these keys.

  The wireless communication circuit 206 is a circuit for performing data communication or voice communication with the base station BS. The wireless communication circuit 206 can access the information providing server 100 and the map server 150 via the base station BS. The call control unit 207 is a circuit that performs incoming calls and calls for voice calls, conversion of voice signals and electric signals, and the like. By providing the call control unit 207 and the wireless communication circuit 206, the mobile terminal 200 can operate as a mobile phone. The external storage device 208 can be configured with a hard disk, a flash memory, a memory card, and the like. The external storage device 208 is used for storing various software and data.

  The main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 is a controller for controlling the above-described units 201 to 208 of the mobile terminal 200. The main control unit 210 includes a central processing circuit (CPU) (not shown) and an internal storage device such as a ROM or a RAM. When the portable terminal 200 functions as a map display terminal, the internal storage device of the main control unit 210 stores a program for displaying a map. For example, this program may be distributed via the Internet INT and the base station BS by a business operator who operates the map server 150 and the information providing server 100. This program is stored in the external storage device 208 when not used, read out from the external storage device 208 and stored in the internal storage device of the main control unit 210 when used. The main control unit 210 implements various processes / functions to be described later by executing this program.

  The information providing server 100 includes a communication unit 102, a control unit 104, and a storage unit 105. The control unit 104 is a controller for controlling the communication unit 102 and the storage unit 105 of the information providing server 100 described above. The communication unit 102 can communicate with the map server 150 via the Internet INT and with the mobile terminal 200 via the Internet INT and the base station BS. The storage unit 105 stores a route database (DB) 106, a facility database 107, and an area database 108. Each database 106-108 is mentioned later.

  The map server 150 includes a communication unit 152, a control unit 154, and a storage unit 155. The storage unit 155 stores a map database 156. The control unit 154 is a controller for controlling the communication unit 152 and the storage unit 155 described above of the map server 150. The communication unit 152 can communicate with the information providing server 100 via the Internet INT and with the mobile terminal 200 via the Internet INT and the base station BS. The map database 156 will be described later.

  The control unit 104 of the information providing server 100 and the control unit 154 of the map server 150 each include a CPU (not shown) and an internal storage device such as a ROM or a RAM. The internal storage devices of the control unit 104 and the control unit 154 store a program that communicates with the mobile terminal 200 and supports the function of the mobile terminal 200 as a map display terminal. The control unit 104 and the control unit 154 implement various processes / functions described later by executing these programs.

  In this embodiment, the map server 150 and the information providing server 100 are connected via the Internet, but may be connected via a LAN (local area network). Further, the information providing server 100 and the map server 150 can be configured by one server computer.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the database stored in the server system 1000. FIG. 2 conceptually shows the map database 156, the route database 106, the facility database 107, and the area database 108 described above.

  The map database 156 stores data (map image data) representing a map image transmitted to the mobile terminal 200 in a vector data format. The map image data may be stored in a raster data format such as a bitmap format or a JPEG data format instead of the vector data format. The map image data includes data representing the shape of topography, buildings, roads, and the like.

  The route database 106 stores network information representing a traffic route existing in an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data, and route attribute information Z1. The network information includes node data representing element points (nodes) ND in the traffic route and link data representing line segments (links) LK connecting the nodes. The node ND represents, for example, an intersection, a branch point, a station, or the like. The link LK represents a traffic route such as a road or a railway line. The route attribute information Z1 is associated with the node ND or the link LK.

  The route attribute information Z1 includes link attribute data that identifies the associated link LK and node attribute data that identifies the associated node ND. The link attribute data is, for example, the name of the road represented by the associated link LK. The node attribute data is, for example, the name of an intersection represented by the associated node ND.

  The facility database 107 includes a facility point BP as facility position information indicating the position of each facility existing in the area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data, facility attribute information Z2 associated with each facility point BP, and a description later. Corresponding area specifying information RY. Here, the facility is provided on the ground surface for a certain purpose, and corresponds to a feature in a store or a sightseeing spot. The facility attribute information Z2 includes, for example, the name of the facility that exists at the position represented by the associated facility point BP. Further, the sub-facility attribute information Z21 may be associated with the facility attribute information Z2. The sub facility attribute information Z21 describes, for example, the classification information, type, and characteristics of the corresponding facility. “Category information” is a broad classification of facilities, for example, “gourmet”, “amusement”, “tourism”, and the like. “Type information” is used for sub-categorizing facilities, for example, “Italian”, “Japanese food”, “Chinese”, and the like. Features include, for example, “pizza”, “pasta”, “tempura” and the like.

  The area database 108 includes area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas (setting areas) set on an area corresponding to the map image represented by the map image data, and area attribute information Z3 associated with each of the plurality of setting areas. And are stored. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, a square rectangular area MS obtained by dividing the map image area into a mesh shape is set as the setting area. In this embodiment, the area specifying information is coordinate information (latitude and longitude) that specifies the setting area by position.

  The area attribute information Z3 is area feature information representing the characteristics of the set area. The area attribute information Z3 includes, for example, information indicating the degree of congestion of a specific type of facility in the associated setting area, presence / absence of the specific type of facility, objective evaluation of the setting area, and evaluation by word of mouth. Specifically, the number of restaurants, the number of gas stations, the number of public toilets, the presence / absence of parking lots, sightseeing, walking, and driving courses. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the area attribute information Z3 and the sub-area attribute information Z31 to Z33 are respectively “there are many Italian restaurants”, “delicious” “ Area feature information of “pizza” and “pasta” is associated. Note that the area attribute information Z3 and the sub-area attribute information Z31 to Z33 are not necessarily associated with all the setting areas, and the setting areas that have no particular feature may not have the association. it can.

  The corresponding area specifying information RY included in the facility database 107 is information for specifying a setting area where each facility is located, and corresponds to, for example, a number assigned to each setting area. For example, the location information (latitude information, longitude information) on the map of each facility can be converted into a number assigned to each region including the facility so that the region including the location information can be specified. Thereby, it is possible to easily determine in which setting area each facility is located (corresponding). In the present embodiment, the facility database 107 is configured to include the corresponding area specifying information RY. Alternatively, the facility database 107 may be configured not to include the corresponding area specifying information RY. In this case, a configuration may be employed in which each setting area is determined by calculating from the area specifying information and the facility point BP.

・ Operation of route guidance system:
The route guidance system 10 provides a route guidance service to the user of the mobile terminal 200. A user of the route guidance service operates the mobile terminal 200 to set a departure place and a destination. The user may further set a waypoint that passes along the way from the departure point to the destination. The departure point may be the current position measured by the GPS receiver 201.

  The mobile terminal 200 transmits to the information providing server 100 coordinate information (latitude and longitude) that specifies the departure point, the destination, and if necessary, the waypoint. Based on the received coordinate information, the information providing server 100 collates and searches the route database 106 and, if necessary, the map database 156 of the map server 150, determines a recommended route, and generates recommended route information representing the recommended route. To do.

  The recommended route is a route from the departure point extracted from the traffic route registered in the route database 106 to the destination, and the recommended route information recommends coordinate information of a plurality of nodes ND that specify the recommended route. This information describes the order on the route so that it can be specified. That is, a line connecting a plurality of nodes ND with line segments in order represents a recommended route. Here, the recommended route information includes coordinate information of all nodes ND on the recommended route.

  The information providing server 100 transmits the generated recommended route information to the mobile terminal 200. The mobile terminal 200 requests and obtains map image data in a necessary range from the map server 150 based on recommended route information (here, in particular, coordinate information of the node ND included in the recommended route information), and obtains map image data and recommended Route guidance is executed using the route information.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a recommended route. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a recommended route RT from the vicinity of the lower left end to the vicinity of the upper right end is set. The recommended route RT shown in FIG. 3 passes through the hatched regions in the rectangular database MS set in the region database 108 in the order of the numbers attached together with the hatching.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a screen WD1 displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile terminal 200 when performing route guidance. In this embodiment, a map image around the current position of the user is displayed on the display panel 202 when the route guidance is executed. In the map image, the recommended route RT is displayed in a color different from other roads, for example, in such a manner that it can be distinguished from other routes (roads and the like). In the map image, the current position display PP representing the current position of the user is superimposed and displayed based on current position information measured at predetermined intervals using the GPS receiver 201. The display on the display panel 202 provides a route guidance service that informs the recommended route RT and the current position. The illustration shows an example in which a range in the vicinity of the rectangular area MS to which the number “13” is assigned in the recommended route RT illustrated in FIG. 3 is displayed. A broken line in the figure indicates the rectangular area MS, but is not actually displayed on the display panel 202. It is shown on the map image for explanation to be described later.

・ Facility information processing:
In the present embodiment, facility guidance is provided in addition to the route guidance service. In parallel with the execution of the route guidance, the route guidance system 10 executes facility guidance processing for providing facility guidance according to the progress of the guidance route.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of the facility guidance process. When the facility guidance process is started, as shown in FIG. 5, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 acquires current position information representing the current position using the GPS receiver 201 (step S110). Here, the acquired current position information may be shared with the route guidance processing performed in parallel. When the current position information is acquired, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 transmits the current position information to the information providing server 100 of the server system 1000 (step S120).

  In the server system 1000, when the information providing server 100 receives the current position information (step S210), the control unit 104 of the information providing server 100 uses a plurality of rectangles set in the area database 108 based on the current position information. One of the regions MS is selected as a region of interest (step S220). Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the rectangular area MS including the current position is selected as the attention area MS * (see FIG. 4).

  Next, the control unit 104 acquires the region attribute information Z3 and the sub region attribute information associated with the attention region MS * selected in Step S220 from the region database 108 (Step S230). The acquired area attribute information Z3 and sub area attribute information are the area feature information of the attention area MS * selected in step S220. For example, region feature information “many Italian restaurants” is obtained.

  Subsequently, the control unit 104 selects a facility located in the attention area MS * selected in step S220 from the facility database 107 (step S240). This selection is performed using the corresponding area specifying information RY included in the facility database 107. Subsequently, a facility that presents route guidance (hereinafter referred to as “route guidance facility”) is determined from the facilities selected in step S240 (step S250). Here, the facility having the sub facility attribute information corresponding to the region feature information of the attention region MS * determined from the region attribute information Z3 and the sub region attribute information acquired in step S230 is determined as the route guidance facility. For example, when the region feature information of the attention region MS * is “many Italian restaurants”, the facility registered as the type information of the sub facility attribute information “Italian” is determined as the route guidance facility.

  The route guidance facility determination in step S250 need not be limited to the above configuration, but instead of the above configuration, priorities are determined for each facility based on a predetermined rule, and the route is determined based on the priority. It is good also as a structure which determines whether it should be a guidance facility. As the predetermined rule, for example, one or a plurality of the following rules (i) to (v) may be used.

(I) The shorter the route length from the recommended route to each facility, the higher the priority.
(Ii) The shorter the route length from the current position to each facility, the higher the priority.
(Iii) The popularity of each facility is obtained, and the higher the popularity, the higher the priority. Here, past user interface operation histories of many users connected to the information providing server 100 are accumulated, and the popularity of each facility is obtained from the accumulated results.
(Iv) A user's preference is registered in advance, and the higher the priority is, the higher the priority is.
(V) The user's (self) past user interface operation history is accumulated, the user's preference is obtained from the accumulated result, and the higher the priority is, the higher the preference is.

  In the case of (iv), favorite registration is performed using, for example, the following input screen. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the input screen IW. As shown in the figure, the input screen IW displays options such as [Gourmet-Italian-Pasta], [Gourmet-Italian-Pizza], [Gourmet-Japanese Food-Tempura], [Gourmet-Japanese Food-Unagi], and the like. . Each option can be selected in response to an operation of the key input unit 205 of the mobile terminal 200 by the user. The option matches the content that can be taken by the sub facility attribute information Z21 stored in the facility database 107. In step S250, the route guidance facility is determined as the facility having the sub facility attribute information that matches the option selected from the input screen IW has a high priority.

  As a result of the processing in step S250, one or a plurality of route guidance facilities are determined from a large number of facilities. In addition, it can replace with this structure and can also be set as the structure except the process of step S250. That is, all the facilities located in the attention area MS * may be set as route guidance facilities without narrowing down the facilities.

  After execution of step S250, the control unit 104 acquires facility attribute information Z2 and sub-facility attribute information Z21 for each route guidance facility determined in step S250 from the facility database 107 (step S260). Subsequently, the control unit 104 performs a process of searching for a route from the middle of the recommended route RT to each route guidance facility (step S270). Specifically, based on the recommended route information and the facility point BP for each route guidance facility, the route database 106 and, if necessary, the map database 156 of the map server 150 are collated and searched, and each point from the middle of the recommended route RT. A route to the route guidance facility (hereinafter referred to as a “detour route”) is determined, and detour route information representing the detour route is generated. The detour route information is in a form that can be used by being superimposed on a map image including a recommended route provided by route guidance processing.

  Thereafter, the control unit 104 acquires the area feature information (area attribute information Z3 and sub area attribute information) for the attention area MS * acquired in step S230, and the facility attribute information (facility attribute information Z2 and sub area attribute information) for each route guidance facility. The facility attribute information Z21) and the detour route information obtained by the search process in step S270 are transmitted to the portable terminal 200 (step S280).

  When the mobile terminal 200 receives the region feature information, each facility attribute information, and each detour route information from the information providing server 100 (step S130), the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 describes the region feature information. The region feature information graphic, the character string describing each facility attribute information, and the detour route diagram indicating each detour route information are displayed (step S140). These displays are performed by being superimposed on a map image displayed on the display panel 202 in which the recommended route RT is described.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display screen WD2 of the display panel 202 after the execution of step S140. In FIG. 8, the description of the map image is omitted for the sake of brevity, but in reality, the same map image as in FIG. 4 is displayed. As shown in the drawing, in the map image, the detour route diagrams YT1, YT2, and YT3 branching from the middle of the recommended route RT are displayed together with the recommended route RT. The tip of each detour route diagram YT1 to YT3 represents the position of each route guidance facility. A character string CT describing facility attribute information is displayed at the tip of the detour route diagrams YT1 to YT3. As the character string, for example, the name of the facility “AAA”, which is the facility attribute information Z2, and the classification information of the facility, “Pasta”, which is the sub facility attribute information Z21, for example. Each of the detour route diagrams YT1 to YT3 is displayed in a different color from the recommended route RT in the map image, for example.

  Further, the attention area MS * is displayed on the map image in a manner that can be distinguished from the map, for example, in a color different from the road on the map. Each detour route diagram (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “detour route”) YT1 to YT3 is located inside the attention area MS *. Further, an area feature information graphic CD is displayed around the attention area MS * (upper part in the illustrated example). The area feature information graphic CD is, for example, a balloon graphic. Inside the balloon graphic, for example, a character string “area with many Italian restaurants” including area characteristic information “many Italian restaurants” is described. ing. The region feature information graphic CD may not be displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 5, after executing step S <b> 140, the process proceeds to FIG. 6, and the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 acquires current position information indicating the current position using the GPS receiver 201 (step S <b> 150). . When the current position information is acquired, the main control unit 210 determines whether the current position has shifted to any of the detour routes YT1 to YT3 based on the current position information, and the current position is outside the attention area MS *. It is determined whether or not the migration has been performed (steps S160 and S170).

  When negative determination is made in both steps S160 and S170, the process returns to step S150, and the processes of steps S150 to S170 are repeatedly executed. That is, by repeatedly executing the processing of steps S150 to S170, the user carrying the portable terminal 200 moves and moves to any one of the detour routes YT1 to YT3 or moves outside the attention area MS *. Wait to do. When it is determined in step S170 that the region has shifted to the outside of the attention area MS *, the main control unit 210 advances the processing to “return” and once ends the facility guidance processing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S160 that the current position has shifted to any of the detour routes YT1 to YT3, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 sends the current position information to the information providing server 100 of the server system 1000. Transmit (step S180).

  In the server system 1000, when the information providing server 100 receives the current position information (step S290), the control unit 104 of the information providing server 100 specifies a detour route where the current position exists based on the current position information, A process of searching for a route from the route guidance facility (hereinafter referred to as “target facility”) corresponding to the specified detour route to the recommended route RT is performed (step S292). Specifically, based on the recommended route information and the facility point BP for the specified route guidance facility, the route database 106 and, if necessary, the map database 156 of the map server 150 are collated and searched, and recommended from the target facility. A route to the route RT (hereinafter referred to as “return route”) is determined, and return route information representing the return route is generated. Thereafter, the control unit 104 transmits the return path information obtained by the search process in step S300 to the mobile terminal 200 (step S294).

  The user does not necessarily need to use the return route. For example, the user can return to a detour route that is a guide route.

  When the mobile terminal 200 receives the return route information from the information providing server 100 (step S190), the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 displays a return route diagram indicating the return route information (step S192). . This display is performed by superimposing the map on the map image describing the recommended route RT, the detour route YT1, and the like displayed on the display panel 202.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the display screen WD3 of the display panel 202 after the execution of step S192. In FIG. 9, the description of the map image is omitted for the sake of brevity, but actually, the same map image as in FIG. 4 is displayed. As shown in the figure, a return route diagram RR is displayed in the map image, together with the recommended route RT, connected to the detour route YT1 where the current position exists. The return route diagram RR is the shortest route for returning from the detour route YT1 where the current position exists to the recommended route RT. The return route diagram RR is displayed in a different color, for example, in a manner that can be distinguished from the recommended route RT in the map image. In this embodiment, the detour routes YT2 and YT3 other than the detour route YT1 where the current position exists are erased from the display on the display panel 202, assuming that the routes have not been selected by the user. Note that it is not always necessary to delete, and the detour routes YT2 and YT3 that are not selected may be displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after executing step S192, the main control unit 210 of the mobile terminal 200 uses the GPS receiver 201 to acquire current position information indicating the current position (step S194). When the current position information is acquired, the main control unit 210 determines whether or not the current position has returned to the recommended route RT based on the current position information (step S196), and is determined not to have returned. Sometimes, the process returns to step S194 to wait for the return to the recommended route RT. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S196 that the current position has returned to the recommended route RT, the process returns to “RETURN” and the facility guidance process is temporarily terminated.

  According to the embodiment described above, the detour routes YT1 to YT3 reaching the route guidance facility located in the attention area MS * including the current position are superimposed on the map image representing the recommended route RT from the departure point to the destination. Can be displayed. For this reason, since the user can list the recommended route RT and the detour routes YT1 to YT3 to each route guidance facility on one screen, the user can easily know the route from the current position to each route guidance facility. be able to. Therefore, user convenience can be improved. Furthermore, the user can easily know the facility attribute information (for example, “pasta”) for each facility and the region feature information of the attention region MS * (for example, “many Italian restaurants”).

  Further, according to the embodiment, the user can carry the detour routes YT1 to YT3 displayed on the display panel 202 of the mobile terminal 200 without moving the mobile terminal 200 and performing a special operation. Which one of them has been selected (adopted) can be instructed to the route guidance system 10, and further, a display of a return route returning from the selected detour route YT1 can be received. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved. Further, according to the route guidance system 10 of the present embodiment, when the route guidance facility is presented (step S140, FIG. 8), only the forward route to each route guidance facility is displayed, and the return route is not displayed. A concise display is possible even in areas where facilities are dense.

B. Variations:
・ First modification:
In the above embodiment, the rectangular area MS including the current position is selected as the attention area MS *. Instead, the attention area described in (a) to (d) below may be used. it can.

(A) A configuration in which a rectangular area including a point that has advanced a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) from the current position on the recommended route is selected as the attention area.
(B) As shown in FIG. 10, a configuration in which rectangular regions MS1 and MS2 including at least one portion in a band-shaped range AR1 including the current position centered on the recommended route RT are selected as the attention regions. The band-shaped area AR1 is an area having a lateral width W that is a predetermined distance away from the recommended route RT and a length S from the current position to a point that is advanced by a predetermined distance S on the recommended route RT.

(C) As shown in FIG. 11, a configuration in which rectangular regions MS3, MS4, and MS5 that include at least one part in an elliptical range AR2 including the current position are selected as regions of interest. The elliptical range AR2 is a range in which the traveling direction from the current position matches the major axis of the ellipse, and the minor axis of the ellipse is positioned in the traveling direction as viewed from the current position. According to this configuration, the rectangular area MS5 located at a position returning from the current position on the recommended route RT can also be set as the attention area. This is because if the facility is close to the current position, the user may return and the user may be able to return.

(D) As shown in FIG. 12, a configuration in which rectangular areas MS6 and MS7 including at least one part in a sector-shaped range AR3 including the current position are selected as attention areas. The oval range AR3 is a range where the fan opens in the traveling direction from the current position. This is because if the facility is far from the current position, it can be easily reached even if it is away from the recommended route RT.

  Further, various configurations such as a configuration that selects a region that is not included in the recommended route or the predetermined range including the current position but is adjacent to the rectangular region selected in the above (a) to (d) as the attention region. It can also be.

・ Second modification:
In the above-described embodiment, the square rectangular area MS divided in a mesh shape is set on the ground surface as the predetermined area that can be selected as the attention area, but is set in the coordinate space (latitude and longitude) on the ground surface. The setting mode and shape of the predetermined area are not limited to this. An example of another shape will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the predetermined area set on the ground surface. Predetermined areas MS11 and MS12 in FIG. 13 have a belt-like shape set with a predetermined width along a traffic route such as a road. If the predetermined area is set in such a shape, it is possible to provide the user with area feature information that is meaningful to the user who is moving on the traffic route in which the predetermined area is set.

  Predetermined areas MS13 to MS15 in FIG. 13 are set in an arbitrary shape. Such a predetermined area of arbitrary shape is recorded as closed polygon data which is a polygon formed by a line segment connecting a large number of element points. Further, such a predetermined area does not need to cover the entire ground surface corresponding to the map image, and there may be a portion where the predetermined area is not set. For such a region where the predetermined region is not set, region feature information is not obtained. In addition, the predetermined region having an arbitrary shape may include a portion where a plurality of predetermined regions overlap as shown by cross hatching in FIG. A plurality of region feature information is obtained for the region where the predetermined regions overlap.

  Further, the rectangular area does not need to be a square, and may be a rectangle like the predetermined areas MS16 and MS17 in FIG.

・ Third modification:
In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of detour paths YT1 to YT3 located in the attention area MS * are displayed at the same time. Instead, one of the nearest detour paths YT1 to YT3 is displayed as the current position moves. It is good also as a structure which displays one by one. In other words, the detour route with the shortest route length from the recommended route to each facility may have the highest priority, and only the detour route with the highest priority may be sequentially displayed as the current position moves. According to this configuration, a more concise display is possible.

-Fourth modification:
In the above-described embodiment, the area attribute information Z3 determined for one setting area is described as being one, but a plurality of area attribute information may be provided instead. Accordingly, for example, both “many Italian restaurants” and “many Spanish restaurants” can be defined as region characteristic information in one setting region.

・ Other variations:
In addition, in the said Example, although the user's present position was calculated | required using GPS, it replaced with this and other satellite positioning systems (Satellite Navigation System) other than GPS, such as GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and Galileo. ), In other words, the current position may be obtained by a global navigation satellite system (GNSS: Global Navigation System).

  The embodiment is the portable route guidance system 10 in which the server system 1000 and the portable terminal 200 are separated, but the present invention has a configuration that the server system 1000 has such as the route database 106, the facility database 107, and the area database 108. Further, the present invention can be applied to a route guidance system in which the configuration of the mobile terminal 200 such as the display panel 202 and the key input unit 205 is integrated, for example, an in-vehicle navigation device. In addition, the mobile terminal 200 as a mobile body does not necessarily have a function as a mobile phone, and may be configured by an information display terminal such as a notebook personal computer or a PDA.

  In the embodiment and each modification, 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 with hardware. May be.

  It should be noted that elements other than those described in the independent claims among the constituent elements in the above-described embodiments and modifications are additional elements and can be omitted as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to these examples and modifications, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map display system 100 ... Information provision server 102 ... Communication part 104 ... Control part 105 ... Memory | storage part 106 ... Path | route database 107 ... Facility database 108 ... Area | region database 150 ... Map server 152 ... Communication part 154 ... Control part 155 ... Memory | storage part 156 ... Map database 200 ... Mobile terminal 201 ... GPS receiver 202 ... Display panel 204 ... Audio output unit 205 ... Key input unit 205a ... Direction input key 205b ... Operation key 206 ... Wireless communication circuit 207 ... Call control unit 208 ... External storage Apparatus 210 ... Main control unit 1000 ... Server system

Claims (5)

In the route guidance system that displays a map image showing the recommended route from the starting point to the destination,
A facility information storage unit that stores facility location information for each facility on the ground surface and facility attribute information indicating an attribute for each facility ;
An area information storage unit for storing area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information representing characteristics for each of the predetermined areas;
A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the moving mobile body;
Of the plurality of predetermined areas, a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position indicated by the current position information is selected, and the selected predetermined area is set as the attention area A setting section;
A plurality based on said facility location information, located in front SL region of interest, ranging from the middle of the recommended route to each of the plurality of the facility with the facility attribute information corresponding to the region characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest A detour route determination unit for determining the detour route of
A detour route display unit that displays each detour route determined by the detour route determination unit superimposed on a map image in which the recommended route is represented, and
The detour route display section
It said region feature information corresponding to the region of interest, and the facility attribute information for the facility corresponding to the respective detour route determined by said detour path determination unit superimposes the together the detour route on the map image A route guidance system that is configured to display. The route guidance system according to claim 1,
The detour route in which the current position exists when the current position indicated by the current position information acquired by the current position information acquisition unit exists in any of the detour routes determined by the detour route determination unit A return route determination unit for determining a return route to return to the recommended route from the facility corresponding to
A route guidance system comprising: a return route display unit that displays the return route determined by the return route determination unit so as to be superimposed on the map image. In a route guidance device that provides a map image representing a recommended route from a departure place to a destination to an information display terminal,
A facility information storage unit that stores facility location information for each facility on the ground surface and facility attribute information indicating an attribute for each facility ;
An area information storage unit for storing area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information representing characteristics for each of the predetermined areas;
A current position information acquisition unit for acquiring current position information indicating the current position of the moving mobile body;
Of the plurality of predetermined areas, a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position indicated by the current position information is selected, and the selected predetermined area is set as the attention area A setting section;
A plurality based on said facility location information, located in front SL region of interest, ranging from the middle of the recommended route to each of the plurality of the facility with the facility attribute information corresponding to the region characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest A detour route determination unit for determining the detour route of
A detour route transmitting unit that transmits detour route information representing each detour route determined by the detour route determination unit to the information display terminal in a form that can be superimposed on a map image representing the recommended route, and
The detour route transmitter is
Superimposing said area characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest, and the facility attribute information for the facility corresponding to the respective detour path determined by the detour path determination unit, the said map image together with the detour route information A route guidance device configured to transmit to the information display terminal in a form that can be performed. In the route guidance method that provides a map image showing the recommended route from the starting point to the destination,
Prepare facility location information for each facility on the ground surface and facility attribute information indicating attributes for each facility ,
Preparing area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information representing characteristics for each of the predetermined areas;
Obtain current position information indicating the current position of the moving object
From the plurality of predetermined areas, select a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position indicated by the current position information , and set the selected predetermined area as a target area ;
A plurality based on said facility location information, located in front SL region of interest, ranging from the middle of the recommended route to each of the plurality of the facility with the facility attribute information corresponding to the region characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest Determine the detour route for
The detour route information representing the respective detour routes are pre Kike' constant, as well as provided in a form that can be superimposed on the map image the recommended route is expressed,
The provision of detour route information, and the region feature information corresponding to the region of interest, and the facility attribute information for the facility corresponding to the detour route the determined, the map image together with the respective detour path information A route guidance method which is a configuration provided in a form that can be superimposed on the route. A computer program for providing a map image representing a recommended route from a starting point to a destination,
A facility information storage function for storing facility location information for each facility on the ground surface and facility attribute information indicating an attribute for each facility ;
An area information storage function for storing area specifying information for specifying a plurality of predetermined areas on the ground surface, and a plurality of area feature information representing characteristics for each of the predetermined areas;
A current position information acquisition function for acquiring current position information indicating a current position of a moving moving body;
Of the plurality of predetermined areas, a predetermined area including at least one part in a predetermined range including the current position indicated by the current position information is selected, and the selected predetermined area is set as the attention area Setting function,
A plurality based on said facility location information, located in front SL region of interest, ranging from the middle of the recommended route to each of the plurality of the facility with the facility attribute information corresponding to the region characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest A detour route determination function to determine the detour route of
A computer is provided with a detour route providing function that provides detour route information representing each detour route determined by the detour route determination function in a form that can be superimposed on a map image in which the recommended route is represented, and
The detour route providing function is
Superimposing said area characteristic information corresponding to the region of interest, and the facility attribute information for the facility corresponding to the respective detour path determined by the detour path determination unit, the said map image together with the detour route information A computer program which is a configuration provided in a form that can be performed.

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