JP5721643B2 - Information search device and navigation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information search device and a navigation device including the information search device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various navigation devices that include an information search device and guide to a desired destination using information searched by the information search device have been proposed. For example, the navigation device disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes a storage unit that stores past map data, and searches the storage unit for past map data of the age specified by the user. Then, the navigation device is configured to search for a route to travel from its current position to a past location of a desired facility using the retrieved past map data.

JP 2000-111351 A

  In the navigation apparatus as described above, in order for the user to set the past position as the destination, it is necessary to store the age when the facility position has changed to some extent accurately. However, the user's memory is often uncertain, and it may be difficult for the user to use it, such as having to repeatedly specify an appropriate age until the desired map data is obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of easily acquiring the past position of a search object (for example, a facility). .

In addition to map data and search data for searching for a search object associated with the map data, the information search device according to the present invention includes a past position of the search object whose position has changed in the past, And the memory | storage part which memorize | stores the past search object data which are the positional change information containing the past presence period in which the said search object existed in the said past position is provided. Then, the information search device is based on the map data and a search unit that searches the past search object data for the past position of the search object corresponding to the existence period by specifying the existence period. A display unit configured to display the past position and the current position of the search object searched by the search unit on a map; The display unit displays a predetermined button, and can switch and display one of the past positions to another one of the past positions having a different existence period according to an operation on the button. It is.

  According to the present invention, by specifying the existence period, the past position of the search object corresponding to the existence period is searched. Therefore, even if the user's memory is uncertain regarding the past of the search object, the user can easily acquire the past position of the search object.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the navigation device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs. It is a figure which shows the display which the navigation apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 performs.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information search device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and a navigation device including the information search device. In the following, the navigation device will be described assuming a car navigation device mounted on a vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the navigation device according to the present embodiment includes an information search device 1, a position detection unit 2, and a route search unit 3. The information search device 1 includes an input unit 11, a storage unit 12, a destination search unit 13 that is a search unit, a display unit 14, and a control unit 15 that comprehensively controls each component of the navigation device, It has. In FIG. 1, the destination search unit 13 is illustrated as a separate block from the control unit 15, but may be incorporated in the function of the control unit 15.

  The information search device 1 searches for a destination or the like based on an input operation from a user. The position detection unit 2 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver, a yaw rate sensor, an acceleration sensor, and the like, and detects its current position (for example, longitude and latitude). The route search unit 3 stores map data stored in the storage unit 12 for a suitable route between the current position detected by the position detection unit 2 and the destination searched (set) by the information search device 1. Search using 12aa.

  Next, each component of the information search device 1 will be described.

  An operation from the user is input to the input unit 11. As the input unit 11, for example, an operation button, a touch panel, or a voice input device to which voice information related to a predetermined operation is input is used.

  The storage unit 12 stores a map database 12a including map data 12aa, search data 12ab, and past search object data 12ac. The map data 12aa is data used for map display and the like. The search data 12ab is data for searching for a desired search object from search objects such as cities, roads, facilities, addresses, telephone numbers, intersections and the like associated with positions on the map data 12aa. Although not shown, it is assumed that the search data 12ab includes the current position information of each search object. The past search object data 12ac is position change information of a search object whose position has changed in the past. The map database 12a briefly described here will be described in detail later.

  The destination search unit 13 searches for a desired search object using the search data 12ab in the storage unit 12, or searches for the current position of the desired search object. In addition, the destination search unit 13 searches the past position of a desired search object using the search data 12ab and the past search object data 12ac in the storage unit 12.

  The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information such as a map indicated by the map data in the storage unit 12, a search result of the destination search unit 13, and a route search result of the route search unit 3.

<About the map database 12a>
Next, the map database 12a stored in the storage unit 12 will be described. As described above, the map database 12a includes past search object data 12ac in addition to the map data 12aa and the search data 12ab.

  The map data 12aa is data used for map display, route search, route guidance, and the like. In this embodiment, the map data 12aa includes a road network, various road attributes, road network data representing road shapes, areas such as seas and rivers, line shapes such as rivers and railways, and facility symbols (for example, points). ), Background data indicating names of roads, administrative boundaries, rivers, seas, railways, facilities, and the like, and route guidance data including information for performing route guidance at intersections and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing search data 12ab and past search object data 12ac according to the present embodiment. Next, the search data 12ab and the past search object data 12ac will be described with reference to FIG.

  The search data 12ab is data for searching for a desired search object. In the present embodiment, the search data 12ab is made up of search objects having a tree structure. In other words, the search object of the upper hierarchy and the search object of the lower hierarchy are linked to each other, and the search object of the upper hierarchy shows the attributes (for example, initials and administrative boundaries) common to the search object of the lower hierarchy. It has become.

  When the city name is selected by the user by using the search data 12ab, the information search device 1 uses the names of the administrative boundaries below the city as shown in FIG. It is possible to search. Further, by using the search data 12ab, the information search device 1 can search for a city name having the initial character in the hiragana reading when the hiragana character is selected by the user. ing.

  In the present embodiment, each search object in the search data 12ab stores a presence / absence flag (FIG. 2) indicating whether or not a search object in a lower hierarchy exists, and a search object in the lower hierarchy. An offset value (not shown) indicating the current position (position of the lower layer search data) is set as appropriate. For example, the offset value is set to indicate the first address among the addresses on the storage unit 12 assigned to the search object in the lower hierarchy.

  According to such a configuration, the destination search unit 13 can determine whether there is a search object in a lower hierarchy by referring to the presence / absence of the presence / absence flag setting. If there is a search object in a lower hierarchy, the destination search unit 13 refers to the offset value to search for a search object in a certain hierarchy (“XX town” in FIG. 2). A search object in a lower hierarchy (“◎◎ chome”, “☆☆ chome”, etc. in FIG. 2) can be acquired from the storage unit 12.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a unique ID is assigned to each search object in the search data 12ab. The use of this ID will be described later in detail.

  The map data 12aa and the search data 12ab that indicate the current information of the search object have been described above. Next, past search object data 12ac indicating past position information and the like of a search object whose position has changed in the past will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the past search object data 12ac according to the present embodiment includes an identification ID, an existing period number, a search object name, latitude information, longitude information, start information, and end information.

  The identification ID indicates the ID of the search object to which the past search object data 12ac to which it is assigned should be linked. The destination search unit 13 described above can know which past search object data 12ac is associated with the search object of interest by referring to the identification ID and the ID of the search object. .

  The existence period number is a number for identifying one set from a plurality of sets of start information and end information when the same identification ID exists. That is, a large number of existing period numbers assigned to the same identification ID means that the number of times the corresponding search object has changed its position in the past is large.

  The search object name indicates the name of the search object associated with the past search object data 12ac by the above-described ID and identification ID.

  The longitude information and the latitude information indicate the past position (longitude and latitude) of the search object whose position has changed in the past. As shown in FIG. 2, the past search object data 12ac according to the present embodiment includes one past existence period (one set of start information and end information) and one past position (one set of longitude information and one set of longitude information). Latitude information). As will be described later, the past position described here is used for display and selection of a destination.

  The start information and the end information indicate a past existence period in which the search object has existed at a past position. That is, the past search object data 12ac according to the present embodiment includes a past existence period in which the search object has existed at a past position.

  As described above, an ID is assigned to the search object, and an identification ID is assigned to the past search object data 12ac. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the search object “XX town” is assigned the ID “a000”, and the past search object data 12ac having the search object name “XX town” An identification ID “a000” is assigned. In this case, the destination search unit 13 uses the same identification ID (“a000”) as the ID (“a000”) of the search object as the past search object data 12ac linked to the search object “XX town”. ) Can be searched (acquired).

<Operation of navigation device>
Next, the operation of the navigation device when performing a route search assuming that the desired search object is a city (address) will be described. 3-5 is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the navigation apparatus in that case.

  First, when a predetermined operation is input to the input unit 11 in step S1 shown in FIG. 3, the destination search unit 13 reads the search data 12ab from the storage unit 12, and searches using the search data 12ab. Search for an object. Then, the destination search unit 13 displays a screen composed of search objects obtained by the search on the display unit 14.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen (search object selection screen) displayed on the display unit 14 in step S1. In FIG. 6, the search object of the city / hierarchy level is selected from the search data 12ab composed of the address search objects hierarchized in the order of prefecture, city / city, large / small, etc. A screen is shown.

  Here, the operation until the search object selection screen is displayed will be described. The nine hiragana buttons displayed at the top of FIG. 6 are character buttons 20 for searching for an address based on the first character that appears when the address is read in hiragana. For example, when the display unit 14 displays the screen shown in FIG. 6, when an operation for selecting the “sa” character button 20 is input to the input unit 11, the destination search unit 13 selects the hiragana character. A search object having an address (in this case, a town name) in which “sa” appears in the first character when read is searched using the search data 12ab. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the destination search unit 13 displays the search object obtained by the search as a search object button 21 on the display unit 14 as a list.

  In step S2, the destination search unit 13 acquires the IDs of all search objects displayed in a list. Then, the destination search unit 13 determines, for each search object, whether there is past search object data 12ac having an identification ID that matches the ID. That is, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not there is past search object data 12ac associated with each search object displayed in the list. If it is determined that there is the past search object data 12ac, the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that there is no past search object data 12ac, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S3, the destination search unit 13 displays a past button 22 shown in FIG. 6 next to the search object button 21 of the search object determined to have the past search object data 12ac. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the destination search unit 13 determines that there is past search object data 12ac for the search objects “XX town” and “□□ town”, and “XX town” and “△” The search object “Δ town” means that it is determined that there is no past search object data 12ac. After displaying the past button 22 and the like as described above, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the destination search unit 13 determines whether an operation for selecting a selection button including the search object button 21 and the past button 22 illustrated in FIG. 6 has been input to the input unit 11. If it is determined that it has been input, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that it has not been input, step S4 is repeated until it is determined that it has been input.

  In step S5, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S4 is a selection operation of the search object button 21 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the operation is to select the search object button 21, the process proceeds to step S6. If it is determined that the operation is to select other buttons, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S6, the destination search unit 13 determines whether the presence flag for the search object 21 selected and operated in step S4 is set in the search data 12ab.

  If it is determined in step S6 that the presence / absence flag is set in step S6, that is, if there is a search object in a lower hierarchy, the process returns to step S1. However, in the returned step S1, the destination search unit 13 searches for search objects (here, a street address) in the lower hierarchy using the search data 12ab and displays them on the display unit 14 as a list.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the presence / absence flag is not set, that is, there is no lower-level search object, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, the destination search unit 13 acquires the current position of the search object selected and operated in step S4 from the search data 12ab. Then, the destination search unit 13 searches the storage unit 12 for the map data 12aa near the acquired current position, and displays the current map screen indicated by the map data 12aa on the display unit 14. Then, the destination search unit 13 displays the current position of the search object on the map screen displayed on the display unit 14. That is, in step S7, the display unit 14 displays the current position of the search object selected and operated in step S4 on the map screen based on the map data 12aa. After the display of the current position and the like as described above, when a selection operation for determining the current position as the destination is performed, the process proceeds to step S27. Step S27 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S8, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S4 is a selection operation of the past button 22 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the past button 22 is selected, the destination search unit 13 acquires the past search object data 12ac associated with the search object 21 beside the past button 22 from the storage unit 11, and thereafter Proceed to step S9. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection operation is a button other than the past button 22, the process returns to step S4.

  In step S9, the destination search unit 13 acquires the past existence period indicated by the start information and the end information from the past search object data 12ac acquired in step S8, and displays the past existence period as an existence period button. Displayed on the unit 14.

  7 is displayed on the display unit 14 in step S9 when a selection operation is performed on the past button 22 beside the search object button 21 “XX town” on the screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen (selection screen of an existing period). In the past search object data 12ac shown in FIG. 2, “20XXMMDD” to “20 □□ MMDD” and “20 □□ MMDD” are existing periods associated with the search object “XX town”. ”To“ 20ΔΔMMDD ”are associated with each other. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the existence period buttons 23 (23 a and 23 b) corresponding to these are displayed on the display unit 14.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the destination search unit 13 performs an operation for requesting the past for the search object searched using the search data 12ab (the past button 22 positioned next to the search object). When a selection operation) is input to the input unit 11, the past existence period of the search object is searched from the past search object data 12ac.

  The destination search unit 13 according to the present embodiment not only includes the existence period button 23 but also a current comparison button 24 (24a, 24a, 24) instructing that the past position and the current position are displayed on the screen in a comparable manner. 24b) is also displayed on the display unit 14.

  As will be described later, for example, when the current comparison button 24 a displayed next to the existence period button 23 a “XX year to □□ year” is designated on the screen shown in FIG. The past position where the search object was located in the year to □□ year and the current position where the current search object is located are displayed on the display unit 14. On the other hand, in the screen shown in FIG. 7, when the current comparison button 24b displayed next to the existence period button 23b of "□□ year to △△ year" is designated, it is changed from □□ year to △△ year. The past position where the search object was located and the current position where the current search object is located are displayed on the display unit 14.

  After step S9, in step S10, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not an operation for selecting a selection button including the existence period button 23 and the current comparison button 24 shown in FIG. Determine. If it is determined that it has been input, the process proceeds to step S11. If it is determined that it has not been input, step S10 is repeated until it is determined that it has been input.

  In step S11, the destination search unit 13 determines whether the selection operation determined in step S10 is a selection operation of the existence period button 23 illustrated in FIG. When it is determined that the operation is the selection operation of the existence period button 23, the destination search unit 13 acquires the past position (longitude information and latitude information) of the search object from the past search object data 12ac having the existence period. Then, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if it is determined that the selection operation is a button other than the existence period button 23, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S12, the destination search unit 13 searches the storage unit 12 for map data 12aa near the past position acquired in step S11, and displays the current map screen indicated by the map data 12aa on the display unit 14. . And the destination search part 13 displays the past position of the search object acquired by step S11 on the map screen currently displayed on the display part 14. FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 14 in step S12 when a selection operation is performed on the existence period button 23a on the screen shown in FIG. In the past search object data 12ac shown in FIG. 2, as longitude information and latitude information associated with the search object “XX town” and corresponding to the existence period “XX year to □□ year”, “ X1 "and" Y1 "are set. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the past position 41 defined by “X1” and “Y1” on the map screen is displayed on the display unit 14.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the destination search unit 13 searches the past search object data 12ac for the past position 41 corresponding to the existence period by designating the existence period. And the display part 14 displays the past position 41 of the search object searched in the destination search part 13 on the map screen based on map data 12aa.

  In addition, when displaying the past position 41 of a search object with a large area on a map screen like a town, a default position (for example, the center of a city hall or an area) is displayed as the past position 41.

  After the display of the past position 41 and the like as described above, when the selection operation of the destination determination button 25 shown in FIG. 8 for determining the past position 41 as the destination is performed, the step is performed. Proceed to S29. Step S29 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S13, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S10 is a selection operation of the current comparison button 24 shown in FIG. If it is determined that the operation is a selection operation for the current comparison button 24, the process proceeds to step S14, and if it is determined that the operation is a selection operation for other buttons, the process returns to step S10.

  In step S14 shown in FIG. 4, the destination search unit 13 displays a screen for selecting the number of display screens on the display unit 14.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen (a screen for selecting the number of map display screens) displayed on the display unit 14 in step S14. Here, a one-screen display button 26 for displaying the past position and the current position on one map screen, and 2 for dividing the past position and the current position and displaying them on two map screens. A screen display button 27 is displayed on the display unit 14. After displaying the one-screen display button 26 and the two-screen display button 27 as described above, the process proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not an operation for selecting a selection button including the one-screen display button 26 and the two-screen display button 27 shown in FIG. . If it is determined that it has been input, the process proceeds to step S16. If it is determined that it has not been input, step S15 is repeated until it is determined that it has been input.

  In step S <b> 16, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S <b> 15 is a selection operation of the single screen display button 26 illustrated in FIG. 9. If it is determined in step S16 that the operation is to select a button other than the one-screen display button 26, the process proceeds to step S18.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that the operation is a selection operation of the single screen display button 26, the destination search unit 13 determines the existence period (see FIG. The past position (longitude information and latitude information) of the search object is acquired from the past search object data 12ac having 7). At the same time, the destination search unit 13 acquires the current position of the search object from the search data 12ab. Then, the destination search unit 13 searches the storage unit 12 for map data 12aa of one map screen that can display the acquired past and current positions at the same time, and then proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the destination search unit 13 displays one current map screen on the display unit 14 based on the one map data 12aa searched in step S16. And the destination search part 13 displays the past position and the present position of the search object acquired by step S16 on one map screen currently displayed on the display part 14. FIG.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the selection operation is performed on the one-screen display button 26 illustrated in FIG. 9 after the selection operation is performed on the current comparison button 24a illustrated in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 14. Here, the past position 41 where “XX town” existed in the period of “XX year to □□ year” is displayed at the mark of “○” below the character described as “Past”. The current position 42 where “XX town” is present is displayed at the mark “◯” below the character “present”. The display format of the past position 41 and the current position 42 is not limited to this, and other display formats may be used as long as the past position 41 and the current position 42 can be identified.

  As described above, the destination search unit 13 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the existence period when the existence period is designated (when the selection operation of the current comparison button 24 beside the existence period is performed). The past position is searched from the past search object data 12ac. In this case, the display unit 14 simultaneously displays the past position 41 and the current position 42 on one map screen.

  In addition, in step S17, the destination search unit 13 according to the present embodiment not only includes the past position 41 and the current position 42, but also the past position switching button 28, the relative information button 29, the past button 30, and The current button 31 is also displayed on the display unit 14.

  The past position switching button 28 is a switching button for switching and displaying one past position 41 with respect to the same search object to another past position 41 having a different existence period. The relative information button 29 is a button for transitioning to a screen that displays relative information indicating the relative positional relationship between the past position and the current position.

  The past button 30 is a button for setting a past position 41 displayed on the display unit 14 as a destination. The current button 31 is a button for setting the current position 42 displayed on the display unit 14 as a destination. That is, in the navigation device according to the present embodiment, any of the past position 41 and the current position 42 displayed on the display unit 14 can be selected as the destination. In step S17, the past position 41 and the current position 42 as described above are displayed, and then the process proceeds to step S20. Step S20 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S18, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S15 is a selection operation of the two-screen display button 27 shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S18 that the operation is to select a button other than the two-screen display button 27, the process returns to step S15.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S18 that the operation is a selection operation of the two-screen display button 27, the destination searching unit 13 determines the existence period (see FIG. The past position (longitude information and latitude information) of the search object is acquired from the past search object data 12ac having 7). At the same time, the destination search unit 13 acquires the current position of the search object from the search data 12ab. Then, the destination search unit 13 searches the storage unit 12 for the acquired map data 12aa near the past position and the acquired map data 12aa near the current position, and then proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the destination search unit 13 displays two current map screens on the display unit 14 based on the two map data 12aa searched in step S18. Then, the destination search unit 13 displays the past position and the current position of the search object acquired in step S18 on the two map screens displayed on the display unit 14, respectively.

  FIG. 11 shows a step S19 when the selection operation is performed on the two-screen display button 27 shown in FIG. 9 after the selection operation is performed on the current comparison button 24a shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display unit 14. Here, among the two split screens arranged on the left and right, which is divided by a central line extending up and down, “XX town” is “XX year to □□ year” on the left screen. The past position 41 that existed during the period is displayed, and the current position 42 where “XX town” exists is displayed on the screen on the right side. The display format of the past position 41 and the current position 42 is not limited to this. For example, one screen is divided into two divided screens arranged vertically by dividing the screen by a central line extending left and right. The past position 41 and the current position 42 may be respectively displayed.

  As described above, the destination search unit 13 according to the present embodiment corresponds to the existence period when the existence period is designated (when the selection operation of the current comparison button 24 beside the existence period is performed). The past position is searched from the past search object data 12ac. In this case, the display unit 14 displays the past position 41 and the current position 42 on a plurality of divided screens obtained by dividing one map screen.

  It should be noted that the destination search unit 13 according to the present embodiment, in step S19, not only the past position 41 and the current position 42 but also the past position switching button 28, the relative information button 29, The past button 30 and the current button 31 are also displayed on the display unit 14. After displaying the past position 41 and the current position 42 as described above, the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20 shown in FIG. 5, the destination search unit 13 selects a selection button including the past position switching button 28, the relative information button 29, the past button 30, and the current button 31 shown in FIGS. It is determined whether or not an operation to be performed is input to the input unit 11. If it is determined that it has been input, the process proceeds to step S21. If it is determined that it has not been input, step S20 is repeated until it is determined that it has been input.

  In step S21, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S20 is a selection operation of the past position switching button 28 shown in FIGS. If it is determined that the operation is a selection operation of the past position switching button 28, the process proceeds to step S22. If it is determined that the operation is a selection operation of other buttons, the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S22, the destination search unit 13 switches the past position 41 to another past position 41 having a different existence period from that of the past position 41 so that the past position 41 can be displayed. For example, the past position 41 is displayed as the past position 41 whose existence period is around. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the past position 41 indicated by the latitude information X1 and longitude information Y1 from XX to □□ is the past position indicated by the latitude information X2 and longitude information Y2 from □□ to △△. 41 is displayed. Also, for example, among the past position switching buttons 28, when an upward convex triangle button is pressed, the existence period goes from the present to the past in order, while when a downward convex triangle button is pressed The past position 41 may be switched and displayed so that the existence period goes in order from the past to the present. After performing the switching display of the past position 41 as described above, the process returns to step S20.

  In step S23, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S20 is a selection operation of the relative information button 29 shown in FIGS. When it is determined that the operation is the selection operation of the relative information button 29, the destination search unit 13 is based on the latitude information and longitude information indicating the past position 41, and the latitude information and longitude information indicating the current position 42. Then, the relative information (the relative distance and the relative latitude / longitude in this case) indicating the relative positional relationship is calculated, and then the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if it is determined that the other button is selected, the process proceeds to step S26.

  In step S24, the destination search unit 13 displays the above-described relative information calculated in step S23 on the display unit 14.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen (relative information screen) displayed on the display unit 14 in step S24. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the relative distance between the past position 41 and the current position 42 and the relative latitude / longitude are displayed as the relative information. After displaying such relative information, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the destination search unit 13 determines whether an operation for selecting the return button 32 shown in FIG. 12 displayed together with the relative information is input to the input unit 11. If it is determined that the selection operation of the return button 32 has been input, the process returns to step S20. If not, step S25 is repeated while the display of the relative information on the display unit 14 is maintained.

  In step S26, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S20 is a selection operation of the current button 31 shown in FIGS. If it is determined that the current operation is the selection operation of the button 31, the process proceeds to step S27, and if it is determined that the operation is a selection operation for other buttons, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S27, the destination search unit 13 sets the current position 42 of the search object as the destination. After this setting, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S28, the destination search unit 13 determines whether or not the selection operation determined in step S20 is a selection operation of the past button 30 shown in FIGS. If it is determined that the operation is a selection operation of the past button 30, the process proceeds to step S29, and if it is determined that the operation is a selection operation of other buttons, the process returns to step S20.

  In step S29, the destination search unit 13 sets the past position 41 of the search object as the destination. After this setting, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the route search unit 3 detects the current position most recently detected by the position detection unit 2 and the destination set by the destination search unit 13 in steps S27 and S29 (searched by the information search device 1). A suitable route between the destination and the destination is searched.

  According to the information search apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment as described above, the past position 41 corresponding to the existence period is searched by specifying the existence period. Therefore, even if the user's memory is uncertain regarding the past of the search object, the user can easily obtain the past position 41 of the search object.

  Further, according to the information search apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when an operation requesting the past is input to the search object searched using the search data 12ab, the input unit 11 is used for designation. An existing period for presentation is searched from the past search object data 12ac. Therefore, it is possible to easily specify the existence period of the search object.

  Further, according to the information search device 1 according to the present embodiment, the past position 41 and the current position 42 of the search object are displayed simultaneously. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the past position 41 and the current position 42, and can easily determine which should be the destination.

  Further, according to the information search device 1 according to the present embodiment, the past position 41 and the current position 42 of the search object are displayed on a plurality of divided screens, respectively. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the past position 41 and the current position 42, and can easily determine which should be the destination. Further, even if the past position 41 and the current position 42 are far away from each other, the map screen near these positions can be enlarged and displayed in an appropriate size.

  Further, according to the information search device 1 according to the present embodiment, when the selection operation of the past position switching button 28 is input to the input unit 11, the past position 41 is changed to another one whose existence period is different from that. The display can be switched to the past position 41 and displayed. Therefore, the past position 41 in another existence period can be confirmed without returning to the selection screen (for example, the selection screen shown in FIG. 7). Therefore, it is possible to realize a convenient information retrieval apparatus 1.

  Further, according to the information search device 1 according to the present embodiment, the relative information indicating the relative positional relationship between the past position 41 and the current position 42 is displayed. Therefore, the user can specifically recognize the position change of the search object.

  In addition, according to the navigation device of the present embodiment, one of the past position 41 and the current position 42 displayed on the display unit 14 can be selected as the destination. Therefore, the destination can be easily set.

  In the above description, the navigation device is described assuming a car navigation device. However, the navigation device is not limited to this and may be any device for guiding a person to a destination. For example, the navigation device may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a portable navigation device such as a PND (Portable Navigation Device), or a personal computer.

  Also, in the above, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, when the determinations in steps S8, 13, 18, and 28 are NO, the process returns to steps S4, 10, 15, and 20, respectively, but other selection buttons are selected. If it has been done, a screen corresponding to the selection button may be displayed. In addition, the determinations in steps S4, S5, S8, the determinations in steps S10, S11, S13, the determinations in steps S15, S16, S18, and the determinations in steps S20, S21, S23, S26, S28 are performed at the same time. There may be.

  The past position of the past search object data 12ac may include altitude information in addition to the longitude information and latitude information described above. In this case, the relative information described above may include a height difference that is a difference between the altitude at the past position 41 and the altitude at the current position 42.

  In the present invention, the embodiments can be appropriately modified and omitted within the scope of the invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information retrieval apparatus, 11 Input part, 12 Storage part, 12aa Map data, 12ab Search data, 12ac Past search object data, 13 Destination search part, 14 Display part.

Claims (6)

In addition to the map data and the search data for searching the search object associated with the map data, the past position of the search object whose position has changed in the past, and the search object is the past data A storage unit that stores past search object data that is position change information including a past existence period that existed at a position;
A search unit that searches the past search object data for the past position of the search object corresponding to the presence period by specifying the presence period ;
A display unit for displaying the past position and the current position of the search object searched by the search unit on a map based on the map data ;
The display unit
And displays a predetermined button, in response to operation on the button, one of the past position, therewith the existing period Ru displayable der switch to different another of the past position information Search device. In addition to the map data and the search data for searching the search object associated with the map data, the past position of the search object whose position has changed in the past, and the search object is the past data A storage unit that stores past search object data that is position change information including a past existence period that existed at a position;
A search unit that searches the past search object data for the past position of the search object corresponding to the presence period by designating the existence period;
With
The search unit
For the search object searched using the search data, when an operation requesting the past is input to the input unit, the existence period for presenting for the designation is searched from the past search object data. An information retrieval device. In addition to the map data and the search data for searching the search object associated with the map data, the past position of the search object whose position has changed in the past, and the search object is the past data A storage unit that stores past search object data that is position change information including a past existence period that existed at a position;
A search unit that searches the past search object data for the past position of the search object corresponding to the presence period by specifying the presence period;
A display unit for displaying relative information indicating a relative positional relationship between the past position and the current position of the search object searched by the search unit ;
An information retrieval apparatus comprising: The information search device according to claim 1 ,
The display unit
An information search device that displays the past position and the current position on a plurality of divided screens obtained by dividing one screen. A navigation device comprising the information retrieval apparatus,
In addition to the map data and the search data for searching the search object associated with the map data, the past position of the search object whose position has changed in the past, and the search object is the past data A storage unit that stores past search object data that is position change information including a past existence period that existed at a position;
A search unit that searches the past search object data for the past position of the search object corresponding to the presence period by specifying the presence period;
A display unit for displaying the past position and the current position of the search object searched by the search unit on a map based on the map data;
With
A navigation device capable of selecting any of the past position and the current position displayed on the display unit as a destination . The navigation device according to claim 5 ,
The display unit
A navigation device that displays the past position and the current position on a plurality of divided screens obtained by dividing one screen .

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