WO2002018876A1

WO2002018876A1 - Method for map information providing service

Info

Publication number: WO2002018876A1
Application number: PCT/JP2000/006578
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hiroaki Kubota; Satohide Tanigawa
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Priority date: 2000-08-30
Filing date: 2000-09-25
Publication date: 2002-03-07
Also published as: KR100658180B1; KR20020043452A; JP2002073621A

Abstract

A method for map information providing service, comprising the steps (S701, S702, S703) of receiving area information requested by a client and dividing the area into a plurality of sub-areas, a step (S704) of generating a plurality of subsections of map information involving the divided plurality of sub-areas, and a step (S705) of transmitting the plurality of subsections of map information in a preset order and a time-divided manner. The plurality of subsections of map information transmitted to a client in a preset order and a time-divided manner allows client-requested map information to be provided on a screen size-limited portable phone or portable terminal for easy viewing by a client.

Description

Specification

Method of map information service

The present invention provides a map information presentation server that provides map content to a client, particularly a mobile phone or a mobile terminal having a limited screen size, from a server via the Internet. About the method of screw. Background art

Conventionally, as a method of presenting map content to a client, there is a wide area map (whole map) that has been prepared in advance. Cut out a map of a relatively narrow area according to the request, reduce and enlarge the cut-out map as needed, and zoom in and out of the map To provide it to the customer.

However, mobile phones and mobile terminals, which have become increasingly popular in recent years, have very narrow screen sizes (dot matrices) and are cut to fit the narrow size. If you shrink the map, the important information will be lost, making it very difficult to see.

In order to solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which the cut map is processed into simple figures according to the screen size of the terminal and then provided. When processed into a map, there was a problem that the information on the facility on the map was too small, and the map was difficult to see. In order to deal with such problems, it has been required to devise ways of using them on the client side. For example, if the client wants an area that is too large and the map shrinks too high, the client will be able to capture the required information in the map provided. Until now, the area has been narrowed and a request for map provision has been made again. However, it is necessary to get used to narrowing down the area to the extent that necessary information can be acquired.For example, the geography up to the destination or the geography around the destination is also required. The map had to be recalled and re-displayed many times before grasping, which required a lot of time and labor, and the burden on the client was great.

An object of the present invention is to provide a map information providing service method for providing map information requested by a client to a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, or the like having a limited screen size. The purpose is to provide the necessary information to the client in a way that is easy for the client to see, while reducing the burden and burden on the client. Disclosure of the invention

The method of the map information providing service according to the present invention includes the steps of: receiving area information requested by a client; and dividing the area into a plurality of partial areas. Generating a plurality of pieces of partial map information related to the plurality of divided areas; and transmitting the plurality of pieces of partial map information to the client in a predetermined order in a time-division manner. . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a map information providing service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the server in Fig. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first area dividing method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second area dividing method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third area division method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example in which an area division method is different between an outbound route and a return route in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first flow from generation of map information to distribution in the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a second flow from generation of map information to distribution in the present embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of the map information generation process in Figs.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a divided map image in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of the entire route in the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another display example of the entire route in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a first operation explanatory diagram between a client and a server in the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a second operation between the client and the server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows the relationship between the client and the server in this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a third operation explanatory diagram of FIG. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a map information providing service method according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the gist of the present invention is that the screen size of a mobile phone, a mobile terminal, or the like is relatively narrow and limited, and for a client, a departure point for route guidance is provided. It provides map information from the destination to the destination as a plurality of pieces of partial map information divided according to the screen size. More specifically, (1) ) If the purpose of the map is within the plan, the map information from the departure point to the destination is divided into sizes that can be displayed on a mobile terminal, and the order of the route is followed. (2) In a map providing service such as a mobile phone, after sending the first page of a plurality of divided maps, it is easy and constant for the user. Use the button to move to the next map page, and use the “Back” operation to display the previous map page (3) Increase the understanding between the divided maps by overlapping each map page, (4) The whole area from the starting point to the destination (5) It is possible to display the entire map including the departure place and the destination, and to display the progress of the map page currently displayed. You. With these various ideas, the client is able to obtain relatively detailed map information even on the narrow screen with a light operation burden. As a conventional method of providing, the current map information is displayed on a mobile terminal with a small screen size. If you try to display it at the end, you have to replace it with memory many times to get the map information to the destination, and then display it again.

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a map information providing service method according to the first embodiment. On a computer 1 for presenting a map, a map image is generated and map data is distributed to a client (cellular phone, portable terminal, etc.) 5. . The storage device 2 stores relatively wide area map information corresponding to service provision areas such as Japan or the Kanto area. The area requested by the client 5 from the storage device 2 is extracted from the stored map information of the wide area (area). ), A new map information is generated in the server computer 1 from the cut map information, and the generated map information is generated by using the route information and the text. Along with additional information such as guidance information, it is formatted into a format that can be handled by client 5 such as a mobile phone, and then it is connected to a network such as the Internet, which serves as a distribution route. Via a network 3 for sending to a client 5 such as a mobile phone or a mobile terminal. It is sent to computer 4. The map data is sent from the Sano console 4 to a client 5 such as a mobile phone, and the map data is displayed on the client 5 screen.

Also, the generation and distribution of the map performed by the server 1 and the computer 1 are performed by instructions from the client 5 such as a mobile phone. Once sent to the server computer 4, via the network 3, it is sent to the server “computer 1”. Then, a map image is generated and map data is presented according to the sent instruction.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server computer 1 for realizing the map information providing service method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the map information providing service method according to the present embodiment includes a presentation area designation unit 6, a screen size designation unit 7, a presentation area division unit 8, a map image generation unit 9 And a map information display unit 10 and a map information database 11.

The presentation area designating section 6 presents an area for presenting map information based on, for example, a departure place and a destination sent from the client 5 (the whole area, the whole area). The map in (a) is referred to as the whole map). As a method, a presentation area is determined based on the location information of the departure place and the destination, and a search is made from a departure location candidate list such as a station nearest to the location of the destination. A screen size that can be used to determine the presentation area based on the location information, or to present a 100-meter area around a certain destination, etc. The client designation unit 7 is a unit for determining the screen size of the terminal of the client 5. The screen size to be created is determined based on the terminal information sent from the client 5 or the information specified by the client 5 user. You can do it.

The presentation area dividing section 8 divides the presentation area determined by the presentation area designation section 6 into a plurality of areas (partial area, partial area map, partial map). ). Concrete The basic method will be described later.

The map image generation unit 9 is a unit that generates partial map information displayed in the divided area as an image. The map information presentation unit 10 is a unit that sequentially sends the partial map images generated for the divided areas to the terminal side. The map information database 11 is map information necessary for partial map image generation or area division, and is stored in the storage device 2.

FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 are explanatory diagrams showing an area dividing method performed by the area dividing unit 8. FIG. Any of these three types of area division methods may be adopted as appropriate, or all three types of area division methods can be implemented in a system. Alternatively, the server 1 may be selectively used according to the operation state of the server 1 and the function of the client 5.

If the map presentation area is larger than the screen size of client 5, the map presentation area is not forcibly reduced and the presentation area is divided into a plurality of partial areas by an appropriate method. Divide into rears. The easiest way to divide the map is to divide the map vertically and horizontally in a matrix. However, this method is not appropriate as a method for browsing a map, and therefore, the present embodiment employs the following method.

For example, as shown in Fig. 3, there is a method of dividing the area into a plurality of partial areas along a route from the departure point to the destination. This will be described specifically with reference to FIG. The presentation area (whole area) 21 is cut out to include the departure point 22 and the destination point 23. Next, a route 24 indicating a route from the departure point 22 to the destination 23 is searched. Subdivision into partial areas, starting point 2 Along the path 24 searched from 2 to the destination 23, the whole area is cut out in order from the area. First, a partial area 25 including the destination 23 is cut out. Next, a partial area 26 is cut out, centering on the point at which the path 24 deviates outside the partial area 25.

Similarly, a partial area 27 is cut out, centering on a point where the path 24 deviates outside the partial area 25. This is repeated, and cutting is continuously performed until the destination 23 finally enters the partial area, and finally the partial area where the destination 23 is located is located. A. 28 S is cut out. In this manner, four partial areas 25 to 28 are cut out.

In this method, the map images are presented in such a manner that the map image of the partial area 25 is sent first, and then the partial areas 26, 27, 28 in that order. As a result, the divided map images are displayed in the order of the routes, and the route to the destination can be grasped by switching the image a small number of times. In addition, since the adjacent map images are partially overlapped, the position of the newly displayed map on the map is not obscure. I think that better guidance can be provided.

In addition, as another implementation method for dividing the presentation area into images, as shown in Fig. 4, the departure point 22 in the presentation area 21 and the destination point are different from each other. A target (a characteristic building effective for route guidance: Landmark) existing along the route 24 up to 23 is extracted, and this target is mapped to each partial map. Are sequentially divided into partial areas so that they appear in Explain specific steps using Fig. 4 I do. When the route 24 is extracted by the route search, a target which is an effective landmark for the route guidance along the route 24 is extracted. These targets are the bent parts of the path, and specifically, the targets represented by points 31 to 35 are extracted. Using the extracted targets 31 to 36, a partial area containing important targets is cut out from the departure point 22 in order. First, a partial area 37 containing the departure point 22 and the first landmark 31 is cut out. Next, a partial area 38 including the target 31 and simultaneously including the next appearing target 32 is cut out. In this partial area 38, the next target 33, the next target 34, 35, and the power containing it are cut out. The partial area includes the last landmark 35 included in the previous area, and cuts out a partial area including the next landmark. Therefore, the partial area 39 is cut out to include the target 36. Since the partial area 39 sufficiently includes the destination 23, the extraction processing of the partial area ends here.

As described above, by including the target object in each partial area, it is possible to avoid obscuring the position of the newly displayed map on the map. It is thought that better guidance is possible, and the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-149424 may be adopted. For example, a method that cuts out and displays only the intersections of the map data output by Kanabi is implemented, as shown in FIG. If it is regarded as a turning angle, a partial method is used in a similar way at each branch point or turning angle of the route. It is also possible to cut out the rear. That is, first, from the departure point, cut out the area including the first intersection or corner along the route, and then go to the next point. A similar method can be used to sequentially create a map up to an intersection or corner and cut out an area containing the nth intersection or corner and the destination. The extraction of these partial areas not only requires the use of distances, landmarks, intersections, etc. alone, but also, for example, the next item appropriate for the display size. If you can't find the target, you can see the intersection at the intersection, and if you can't find it, cut it out according to distance. It is also possible to do this.

In some cases, if the departure point is not specified, the route cannot be searched. In such a case, as shown in Fig. 5, the peripheral area according to the display size centered on the destination 41 is first defined as a partial area 42. After that, cut out the area, and then follow the area around the area in the same way as the display size, and appropriately change the partial area in the order of 43 to 47. Cut it out so that it looks like it. As a result, in the presentation of the map image, for example, a certain button is repeatedly pressed against the first displayed partial area 42, for example, by repeatedly pressing a button. By repeating the operation, it is possible to display surrounding maps one after another.

Also, the return route from the destination to the departure point, which is the reverse route for the route from the departure point to the destination, does not coincide with the outbound route at all. There is. In that case, as shown in Fig. 6, In the return trip, the way of cutting out the partial area may be different. Next, the processing performed by the map image generation unit 9 in the map information presentation method according to the present embodiment will be described. There are two methods for generating the map image depending on the overall flow. Either of these two approaches may be used, or the two approaches may be used as appropriate.

The first method is to generate an image of the entire presentation area and set a partial area, as shown in the flowchart in Fig. 7, and then set the partial area. This is a method of cutting out a map (partial map) at the same time. In FIG. 7, first, in step S701, a presentation area is determined based on positional information of a departure place and a destination obtained by an instruction from a user. Next, in step S702, an entire map for the presentation area is drawn and generated. Here, if a map image of a certain area is drawn in advance and stored in a database or the like, this step can be omitted. . Next, in step S703, the presentation area is divided into a plurality of partial areas according to the display size on the terminal. For each of the divided partial areas, in step S704, a partial map image is cut out from the whole map, and the cut out partial map image is set in step S704. At 0 5, it is distributed to client 5.

First, as shown in the flowchart in Fig. 8, after dividing the entire presentation area into multiple partial areas, a partial map is created for each partial area. It is a method of generating. In FIG. 8, first, in step S801, the user power and the client 5 The presentation area is determined based on the location information of the departure point and the destination point instructed via. Next, in step S802, the presentation area is divided into a plurality of partial areas according to the screen size to the terminal. In step S803 for each of the divided partial areas, partial map information for each partial area is extracted to generate a partial map image. Next, the generated partial map image is delivered to the user in step S804.

In the map image generation step S702 in FIG. 7 and the map image generation step S803 in FIG. 8, the map is displayed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Generate. First, in step S901, information necessary for generating a map is first generated for the presentation area based on the presentation area designated by the presentation area designation unit 6. Read from the map information database. Next, in step S 902, a route from the departure point to the destination is searched for from the map information read out in step S 901. The route search is performed by solving the shortest route problem using Dijkstra's algorithm, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HI 1-26541. I can. Next, in step S903, partial map information that can be drawn on a map image is selected based on the searched route. Next, in step S904, the selected partial map information is corrected, deformed, and edited as necessary to generate a partial map image.

Next, a method of presenting a partial map will be described. The partial map images are presented in the same order as the partial map images are generated, and in principle, in the case of the map information of the presentation area including the departure place and the destination, first, First, a map around the departure point is displayed first. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, a partial map image of a partial area cut out around the departure point according to the screen size of the terminal is delivered, and the client Displayed in 5. At this time, the current page (partial area) is displayed on the screen as a page of the total number of pages (total number of partial areas). A) or information on how many pages are in the whole is displayed. This allows us to grasp the progress of the entire journey. In addition, the menus [Previous] and [Next] are prepared on the screen, and the user can switch the partial map image at the user's discretion. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, if the next page is assigned to button "5", simply pressing button "5" repeatedly will cause the eye to move from the departure point along the route. The partial map images drawn at an appropriate scale to the destination are switched and displayed one after another, so that the operation of the user is simple and the burden on the operation can be reduced. it can.

Furthermore, a simplified figure is created by superimposing the frame of the partial map including the current point on the route that represents the entire journey from the departure point to the destination as shown in Fig. 11 This will give you an idea of your current progress on the entire journey. In addition, instead of the figure in Fig. 11, the cut-out map including the departure place and the destination is reduced as shown in Fig. 12, and the departure point is displayed on this reduced map. It is also possible to generate and present a simplified map that superimposes the route from the location to the destination and the frame of the partial map that includes the current location. In addition, by measuring the current position (current location) of client 5 using GPS, PHS, etc., switching of the partial map can be performed according to the user's travel distance. Can be done. For example, the first partial map image is distributed to the user at the departure place and displayed on the client 5. If the user moves with client 5 and moves out of the area of the currently displayed partial area, it is displayed on the nth or partial map When moving to an area, the display is switched to the partial map of the corresponding partial area.

It is also possible to switch the map using the elapsed time of the user's movement. First, distribute the first partial map including the departure point, and display it on client 5. The time since the user started moving is measured, and the moving distance is estimated from the predicted moving speed and elapsed time. Compare with the route distance displayed on the partial map to determine whether it is outside the display area. When it is determined that the area is outside the display area or within the next partial map area, the display is switched to the next partial map. The measurement of the elapsed time can be started, for example, by the user pressing a start button provided on the terminal. Alternatively, measurement may be started by detecting movement from position information such as GPS. The moving speed can be set, for example, by the user setting in advance or by storing a standard speed in advance and using the value. In addition, by measuring the time when moving from a certain place to a certain place, the moving speed is calculated and memorized from the moving distance and time, and the correction is made. You can do it. The moving speed can also be calculated from the change in the position information from GPS and the elapsed time.

Next, a specific operation procedure between the client 5 and the server 1 will be described.

Figure 13 illustrates the first step. First, the first request is sent from client 5 to server 1. The request includes current location (departure location) information and destination information. Upon receiving this request, the server 1 first searches for a route from the current location to the destination. Then, the entire area (presentation area) is determined within the range including the current location, the destination, and the route. Next, the client (mobile phone)

According to the screen size of 5, the whole area is divided into a plurality of partial areas. Among them, partial map data including the current location is generated, and the generated partial map data is transmitted from the server 1 to the client 5. In client 5, the transmitted partial map data is displayed on the screen.

Then, the second requester, the client 5, and the user send it to Sano Kui manually or automatically based on the elapsed time or the current location information. Is done. This second request contains the updated current location information after the move and the same location information as the first request. Following this second request, the route from the updated current location to the destination is searched, as for the first request. Then, the entire area is determined within the range including the updated current location, destination, and route, and according to the screen size of client 5, the entire area is determined. plural Divided into partial areas. In this process, partial map data including the updated current location is generated, and the generated partial map data is transmitted from the server 1 to the client 5. In client 5, the transmitted partial map data is displayed on the screen.

Similar requests are sent repeatedly to client 1 from client 5 and each time, route search, overall area determination, partial area split, partial area split A series of processes for generating map data is repeated. In this way, in the first procedure, the requests are sent with continuity when viewed from the client 5 power, but each of the Sano 1 powers is a single request. It is characterized as always being treated as new as a quest, and its construction and operation are simple, both in terms of hardware and software. It is characterized by the fact that

Figure 14 illustrates the second step. First, the first request is sent from the client 5 to the server 1. This request includes current location (departure location) information, destination information, and client ID information for identifying client 5. include. Upon receiving this request, the server 1 first searches for a route from the current location to the destination, as in the first procedure, and determines the current location, the destination, and the route. The entire area is determined within the range including the area, and the entire area is divided into a plurality of partial areas according to the screen size of the client (mobile phone, portable terminal) 5. Is Then, partial map data is generated for each of the plurality of partial areas, and a plurality of partial map data are generated. The partial map data is held (stored) in the server 1 関連付け in association with the client ID, and the first partial map data including the departure place is stored in the client. Sent to 5. .

Then, in the second and subsequent requests, only the client ID information is transmitted, unlike the first request. Then, in the second and subsequent times, partial map data corresponding to the request number is read from a plurality of partial map data associated with the client ID. And sent to client 5.

Thus, in the second step, all the partial map data is generated and retained first, and then they are sent in response to the request and in order according to the route order. It is to be sent to client 5.

Figure 15 illustrates the third step. First, the first request is sent from client 5 to server 1/1. The request includes the current location (departure location) information and the destination information. When this request is received, the server 1 first searches for a route from the current location to the destination, as in the second procedure, and searches for the current location, the destination, The whole area is determined within the range including the route and the route, and according to the screen size of client 5, the whole area is divided into a plurality of partial areas, and Similar to the second procedure, partial map data is generated for each of a plurality of partial areas.

Then, all of the plurality of partial map data are transmitted collectively to the client 5. In client 5, these partial map data are stored in a large-capacity internal memory, and the client 5 stores the partial map data. Switching display on line 5 side

In this way, in the third step, all partial map data is transmitted from client 1 to client 5 at once, and these are stored in client 5. However, the display switching is performed on the client 5 side, and the burden on the server 1 side can be reduced.

(Modified example)

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications in an implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiment includes various steps, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Industrial applicability

As described above, according to the present invention, a map content is provided from a server to a client, particularly a mobile phone or a mobile terminal having a limited screen size, via the Internet. Suitable for providing content

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. Receiving area information requested by a client, and dividing the area into a plurality of partial areas (S701, S702, S7). 0 3) and,

Generating a plurality of pieces of partial map information relating to the plurality of divided areas (S704);

Transmitting the plurality of pieces of partial map information to the client in a predetermined order in a time-division manner (S705). -

2. receiving current location information and area information from the client;

Cutting out the map information of the area from the whole map information, and cutting out the partial map information from the cut out map information based on the current location information;

Transmitting the cut-out partial map information to a client.

3. receiving the area information requested by the client; generating map information about the area;

A map information providing service comprising: dividing the whole map into a plurality of partial map information; and transmitting the plurality of partial map information to the client in a predetermined order in a time-division manner. the method of.

4. Receiving area information requested by the client, dividing the area into a plurality of areas, Generating map information for at least one of the plurality of divided areas;

And a step of transmitting the generated map information to the client.

5. a stage for receiving the current location information and the destination information from the client;

Cutting out partial map information from the map information, the partial map information including the current location and a part of a route from the current location to the destination location;

Transmitting the cut-out partial map information to the client.

6. A stage for receiving the departure place information and the destination information from the client,

Extracting map information including a route from the departure point to the destination from the overall map information;

Dividing the extracted map information into a plurality of partial map information;

Transmitting the plurality of divided partial map information to the client in a predetermined order in a time-divisional manner, the map information providing service method.

7. The stage of receiving the departure place information and the destination information from the client,

Searching for a plurality of landmarks on the route; and extracting the plurality of landmarks based on the searched plurality of landmarks. Dividing the divided map information into a plurality of pieces of partial map information, and transmitting the divided plurality of pieces of partial map information to the client in a time-division manner in an order according to the route. A method of providing map information service.

8. The map information providing service according to claim 6, wherein the areas covered by each of the plurality of partial map information partially overlap each other. Method.

9. The step of transmitting to the client an index indicating the degree of progress from the departure point to a point corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of partial map information for the entire journey from the destination to the destination. The method for providing a map information providing service according to claim 6, wherein the method is further provided.

10. The index is characterized in that each of the plurality of partial map information is information indicating the number of the partial map information counted from the partial map information including the departure place. The method of the map information providing service described in claim 9.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the index is simplified graphic information in which a frame of the partial map information is superimposed on a simplified diagram of a route from the departure point to the destination. Method of the map information providing service described in Section 9 of the scope.

12. The index according to claim 9, wherein the index is information obtained by reducing the cut-out map information, wherein the frame of the partial map information is superimposed on the reduced map information. The method of providing the map information described.

1 3. The method of dividing into the plurality of partial map information 7. The map information providing service method according to claim 6, wherein an outgoing route and a return route between the destination and the destination are different.

14. The method of the map information providing service according to claim 6, wherein the following partial map information is transmitted based on the current location information received from the client.

15. The map information providing service method according to claim 6, wherein the following partial map information is transmitted based on an elapsed time from the time of departure from the departure place.

16. In response to a request from the client, map information including a route from the departure point to the destination is reduced and transmitted to the client. A map information providing service method according to claim 1, characterized in that:

17. The map information providing service method according to claim 16, wherein a frame of the partial map information is superimposed on the reduced map information.