WO2008111720A1 - System and method for guiding geographic information - Google Patents

System and method for guiding geographic information Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008111720A1
WO2008111720A1 PCT/KR2007/006399 KR2007006399W WO2008111720A1 WO 2008111720 A1 WO2008111720 A1 WO 2008111720A1 KR 2007006399 W KR2007006399 W KR 2007006399W WO 2008111720 A1 WO2008111720 A1 WO 2008111720A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
zoomed
scenes
access road
route
geographic information
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2007/006399
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Cheol Hee Park
Original Assignee
Thinkware Systems Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thinkware Systems Corporation filed Critical Thinkware Systems Corporation
Publication of WO2008111720A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008111720A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
    • G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
    • G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
    • G01C21/36—Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
    • G01C21/3667—Display of a road map
    • G01C21/367—Details, e.g. road map scale, orientation, zooming, illumination, level of detail, scrolling of road map or positioning of current position marker
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
    • G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
    • G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
    • G01C21/36—Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
    • G01C21/3626—Details of the output of route guidance instructions
    • G01C21/3647—Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
    • G08G1/096805—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route
    • G08G1/096827—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route where the route is computed onboard
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
    • G08G1/096855—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver
    • G08G1/096861—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
    • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
    • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
    • G08G1/096855—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver
    • G08G1/096866—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver where the complete route is shown to the driver

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a navigation system, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing geographic information which provides guidance about a route to a destination desired by a user.
  • a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as 'a user terminal') is a system which provides information for driving of a transportation device, such as a vehicle, using an artificial satellite.
  • the navigation system is automatic.
  • the user terminal receives predetermined data from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite above the Earth using a GPS receiver, and calculates its own location based on the received data.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the user terminal may provide a user with information about a current location of a vehicle based on calculated location information, perform routing to calculate a route to a desired destination, and provide guidance about the route.
  • the user terminal receives a signal including latitude and longitude information from GPS satellites, and calculates and outputs a user location. Also, the user terminal map-matches the user location with geographic information, and thereby may provide guidance about a route to a desired destination from a current location.
  • the geographic information is information about a terrain, road, building, and the like based on latitude and longitude.
  • the user terminal displays a route to a destination on a display unit using a fixed scale map, and provides guidance about a driving direction in an intersection on a road using an image or voice.
  • an intersection for example, an interchange, bridge, and overpass, which includes a number of access roads increases. Accordingly, an incorrectly scaled map and a location estimation error with respect to an intersection including a number of access roads may prevent correct information about an access road from being provided.
  • the present invention provides a method and system for providing geographic information which provides a new method of providing guidance about an intersection for safer driving in the intersection on a route.
  • the present invention also provides a method and system for providing geographic information which sequentially provides geographic information corresponding to a correct driving direction when providing guidance about an intersection on a route, and thereby may enable a driver to be provided with guidance about the intersection and to drive safely.
  • a method of providing geographic information including: providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user; reading a plurality of zoomed-in scenes of a target access road to enter when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads on the route; and continuously providing the read zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to the target access road.
  • a system for providing geographic information including: a user terminal, wherein the user terminal comprises: a storage unit storing a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads; and a control unit, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, continuously providing the plurality of zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to a target access road, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
  • a system for providing geographic information including: a database managing geographic information and a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads, the geographic information including map data about a national map; and a web server, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, providing the user with the plurality of zoomed-in scenes based on the database, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to a target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
  • a method and system for providing geographic information panoramically provides zoomed-in scenes with respect to a target access road to enter, when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads, and thus more accurate information about the intersection may be provided for safer driving.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal of a system for providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGS. 4 through 8 are diagrams illustrating zoomed-in scenes panoramically displayed on the screen of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a route to enter another road in an intersection such as an interchange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 10 through 12 are diagrams illustrating zoomed-in scenes panoramically displayed on the screen of FIG. 9.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal of a system for providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as 'a user terminal') including a Global Positioning
  • GPS Global System
  • the GPS module 10 receives a location signal from at least three satellites, and calculates its own location using the received location signal, as described above.
  • the user terminal includes the GPS module 10, a storage unit 20, a control unit 30, an input unit 40, and a display unit 50.
  • the storage unit 20 includes an intersection guidance program, and stores a control program to control overall operations of the user terminal.
  • the intersection guidance program panoramically provides a plurality of zoomed-in scenes in an intersection including a plurality of access roads to provide guidance about a route to the plurality of access roads.
  • the storage unit 20 includes a map storage unit and an access road storage unit.
  • the map storage unit stores geographic information including map data about a national map to provide guidance about a route to a destination set by a user.
  • the access road storage unit stores the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road to provide guidance about a route to a target access road.
  • the target access road refers to an access road where the user is required to enter.
  • An enterprise providing a variety of services related to the user terminal may collect the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road, and provide the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road as update information of the access road storage unit.
  • the enterprise magnifies and converts a gradually approaching scene of each access road into a three dimensional (3D) or two dimensional (2D) image using geographic information of a corresponding intersection in order to panoramically provide the geographic information of the intersection with respect to a route to each of the access roads from a point where the intersection begins.
  • the 3D or 2D image corresponds to the zoomed-in scene
  • geographic information of the intersection corresponds to a direction to the access road.
  • the zoomed-in scene consists of at least two images with respect to a single access road, and is collected for each access road of all intersections included in a nation map and provided. That is, when the user enters a particular access road in the intersection, zoomed-in scenes corresponding to a driving direction is panoramically displayed, and thus an environment similar to a real scene may be provided.
  • the input unit 40 is used to receive a user command, for example, receiving a destination, to use a route guidance service.
  • the input unit 40 is a key input method and may include a plurality of keys. Also, the input unit 40 may be a touchpad that may recognize a key signal based on a user's touch.
  • the display unit 50 displays information about overall operations of the system for providing geographic information and geographic information for route guidance, that is, a map image.
  • a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), organic Electro Luminescence (EL), and the like may be used as the display unit 50.
  • the touchpad When a touchpad is used as the input unit 40, the touchpad is integrally formed with the display unit 50, and thereby may be provided as a graphical user interface unit.
  • the control unit 30 controls the overall operations of the system for providing geographic information, and provides guidance about the route to the destination. Also, while providing guidance about the route, the control unit 30 panoramically provides the plurality of zoomed-in scenes when approaching the intersection, and thereby provides guidance about a route to the target access road of the intersection.
  • the control unit 30 receives the destination from the user, and provides a route to the destination from a current location.
  • the control unit 30 reads the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the target access road from the storage unit 20, and the display unit 50 panoramically displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes. Accordingly, the route to the target access road of the intersection may be provided.
  • the control unit 30 calculates an expected time to elapse from the intersection to the target access road, and divides the expected time by a number of screens configuring the plurality of zoomed-in scenes. Accordingly, a unit time may be calculated.
  • the unit time refers to a period of time that a single screen of the plurality of zoomed-in scenes is displayed. That is, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road is sequentially provided for each unit time under the control of the control unit 30.
  • the expected time is determined by a current driving speed, and thus the unit time may be determined by the driving speed.
  • a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection may be provided on the Internet.
  • a user terminal which may be wirelessly connected to the Internet, receives the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to the intersection, and thereby may provide guidance about the route to the target access road in the intersection.
  • the plurality of zoomed-in scenes is provided on the Internet.
  • a system for providing geographic information includes a database and a web server. The database manages geographic information and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to the intersection including a plurality of access roads.
  • the geographic information includes map data about a nation map.
  • the web server When providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, the web server provides the user with the plurality of zoomed-in scenes based on the database.
  • the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponds to the target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
  • a user terminal further includes a communication unit to perform the wireless Internet communication, together with the above-described GPS module, storage unit, control unit, input unit, and display unit.
  • the user terminal receives the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road from the web server, panoramically displays the plurality of received zoomed-in scenes, and thereby may provide the route to the target access road in the intersection.
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a desired destination is inputted by a user via an input unit 40 of a user terminal.
  • a route guidance service with respect to the inputted destination is requested, a current location is calculated using a location signal received through a GPS module 10.
  • map data about a route from the calculated current location to the destination is read from a storage unit 20.
  • a map image corresponding to the route to the destination is displayed via a display unit 50.
  • a route guidance operation with respect to the destination is performed.
  • intersections are retrieved at regular intervals.
  • An intersection is retrieved by determining whether the intersection exists within a predetermined distance ahead by referring to geographic information stored in the storage unit 20, that is, the map data.
  • a plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to a target access road is read from the storage unit 20, and the plurality of read zoomed-in scenes is panoramically displayed in operation S60.
  • the target access road is in a direction where the user is required to move from among access roads included in the intersection.
  • the route to the destination and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road may be provided on the Internet.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about an upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a screen of a display unit When approaching the intersection, a screen of a display unit
  • the screen 50 is divided. Specifically, the screen is separated into a route guidance screen 31 and a magnification window 33.
  • the magnification window 33 panoramically and sequentially displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes to display a gradually approaching scene of the upcoming access road when turning left.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a zoomed-in screen before entering the upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection.
  • FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate zoomed-in scenes while gradually approaching the upcoming access road when turning left.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a zoomed-in screen after entering the access road when turning left.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a route to enter another road in an intersection such as an interchange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • a screen of a display unit 50 is divided. Specifically, the screen is separated into a route guidance screen 91 and a magnification window 93.
  • the magnification window 93 panoramically and sequentially displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes to display a gradually approaching scene of the upcoming access road when turning right.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates a zoomed-in screen before entering the upcoming access road when turning right in an intersection.
  • FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate zoomed-in scenes while gradually approaching the upcoming access road when turning right.
  • the magnification windows 33 and 93 are continuously provided until a user is away from the intersection by at least a predetermined distance.
  • the magnification windows 33 and 93 may be provided as a full screen, as well as a divided screen described above.
  • the zoomed-in scenes with respect to the access road are provided, and thus more specific guidance about the access road in the intersection may be provided.
  • the above-described embodiment of the present invention may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer.
  • the media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like.
  • the media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts.
  • Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like.
  • Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter.
  • the described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention.
  • a method and system for providing geographic information panoramically provides zoomed-in scenes displaying a gradually approaching scene of a target access road to enter, when approaching an intersection.
  • a method and system for providing geographic information which provides an environment similar to geographic information to provide guidance about an access road, and thereby may enable a driver to drive in an intersection including a plurality of access roads more safely.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing geographic information which provides guidance about a route to a destination desired by a user. The method of providing geographic information, the method including: providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user; reading a plurality of zoomed-in scenes of a target access road to enter when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads on the route; and continuously providing the read zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to the target access road.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GUIDING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a navigation system, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing geographic information which provides guidance about a route to a destination desired by a user.
Background Art
A navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as 'a user terminal') is a system which provides information for driving of a transportation device, such as a vehicle, using an artificial satellite. The navigation system is automatic.
The user terminal receives predetermined data from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite above the Earth using a GPS receiver, and calculates its own location based on the received data. The user terminal may provide a user with information about a current location of a vehicle based on calculated location information, perform routing to calculate a route to a desired destination, and provide guidance about the route.
That is, the user terminal receives a signal including latitude and longitude information from GPS satellites, and calculates and outputs a user location. Also, the user terminal map-matches the user location with geographic information, and thereby may provide guidance about a route to a desired destination from a current location. The geographic information is information about a terrain, road, building, and the like based on latitude and longitude.
The user terminal displays a route to a destination on a display unit using a fixed scale map, and provides guidance about a driving direction in an intersection on a road using an image or voice.
Currently, more and more roads are extended and built due to the increase in vehicles, and an intersection, for example, an interchange, bridge, and overpass, which includes a number of access roads increases. Accordingly, an incorrectly scaled map and a location estimation error with respect to an intersection including a number of access roads may prevent correct information about an access road from being provided.
Also, when checking geographic information provided by a user terminal in a conventional art while driving, a user may be confused in a complex intersection, and thus a user may get lost or pass by the desired road. Although a user enters a correct access road, the user may get confused due to doubt, which prevents a safe driving.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Goals
The present invention provides a method and system for providing geographic information which provides a new method of providing guidance about an intersection for safer driving in the intersection on a route. The present invention also provides a method and system for providing geographic information which sequentially provides geographic information corresponding to a correct driving direction when providing guidance about an intersection on a route, and thereby may enable a driver to be provided with guidance about the intersection and to drive safely.
Technical solutions
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing geographic information, the method including: providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user; reading a plurality of zoomed-in scenes of a target access road to enter when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads on the route; and continuously providing the read zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to the target access road.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing geographic information, the system including: a user terminal, wherein the user terminal comprises: a storage unit storing a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads; and a control unit, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, continuously providing the plurality of zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to a target access road, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for providing geographic information, the system including: a database managing geographic information and a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads, the geographic information including map data about a national map; and a web server, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, providing the user with the plurality of zoomed-in scenes based on the database, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to a target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for providing geographic information panoramically provides zoomed-in scenes with respect to a target access road to enter, when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads, and thus more accurate information about the intersection may be provided for safer driving.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal of a system for providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 4 through 8 are diagrams illustrating zoomed-in scenes panoramically displayed on the screen of FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a route to enter another road in an intersection such as an interchange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 10 through 12 are diagrams illustrating zoomed-in scenes panoramically displayed on the screen of FIG. 9.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail by referring to the figures. First, a system for providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a user terminal of a system for providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a navigation system (hereinafter, referred to as 'a user terminal') including a Global Positioning
System (GPS) module 10 is used. The GPS module 10 receives a location signal from at least three satellites, and calculates its own location using the received location signal, as described above.
The user terminal includes the GPS module 10, a storage unit 20, a control unit 30, an input unit 40, and a display unit 50.
The storage unit 20 includes an intersection guidance program, and stores a control program to control overall operations of the user terminal. The intersection guidance program panoramically provides a plurality of zoomed-in scenes in an intersection including a plurality of access roads to provide guidance about a route to the plurality of access roads.
Also, the storage unit 20 includes a map storage unit and an access road storage unit. The map storage unit stores geographic information including map data about a national map to provide guidance about a route to a destination set by a user. The access road storage unit stores the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road to provide guidance about a route to a target access road. The target access road refers to an access road where the user is required to enter.
An enterprise providing a variety of services related to the user terminal may collect the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road, and provide the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road as update information of the access road storage unit.
The enterprise magnifies and converts a gradually approaching scene of each access road into a three dimensional (3D) or two dimensional (2D) image using geographic information of a corresponding intersection in order to panoramically provide the geographic information of the intersection with respect to a route to each of the access roads from a point where the intersection begins. The 3D or 2D image corresponds to the zoomed-in scene, and geographic information of the intersection corresponds to a direction to the access road. The zoomed-in scene consists of at least two images with respect to a single access road, and is collected for each access road of all intersections included in a nation map and provided. That is, when the user enters a particular access road in the intersection, zoomed-in scenes corresponding to a driving direction is panoramically displayed, and thus an environment similar to a real scene may be provided.
The input unit 40 is used to receive a user command, for example, receiving a destination, to use a route guidance service. The input unit 40 is a key input method and may include a plurality of keys. Also, the input unit 40 may be a touchpad that may recognize a key signal based on a user's touch.
The display unit 50 displays information about overall operations of the system for providing geographic information and geographic information for route guidance, that is, a map image. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), organic Electro Luminescence (EL), and the like may be used as the display unit 50.
When a touchpad is used as the input unit 40, the touchpad is integrally formed with the display unit 50, and thereby may be provided as a graphical user interface unit. The control unit 30 controls the overall operations of the system for providing geographic information, and provides guidance about the route to the destination. Also, while providing guidance about the route, the control unit 30 panoramically provides the plurality of zoomed-in scenes when approaching the intersection, and thereby provides guidance about a route to the target access road of the intersection.
According to a configuration described above, the control unit 30 receives the destination from the user, and provides a route to the destination from a current location. In this instance, when approaching the intersection, the control unit 30 reads the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the target access road from the storage unit 20, and the display unit 50 panoramically displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes. Accordingly, the route to the target access road of the intersection may be provided. When controlling the displaying of the plurality of zoomed-in scenes, the control unit 30 calculates an expected time to elapse from the intersection to the target access road, and divides the expected time by a number of screens configuring the plurality of zoomed-in scenes. Accordingly, a unit time may be calculated. The unit time refers to a period of time that a single screen of the plurality of zoomed-in scenes is displayed. That is, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road is sequentially provided for each unit time under the control of the control unit 30. The expected time is determined by a current driving speed, and thus the unit time may be determined by the driving speed.
According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection may be provided on the Internet. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a user terminal, which may be wirelessly connected to the Internet, receives the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to the intersection, and thereby may provide guidance about the route to the target access road in the intersection. In this instance, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes is provided on the Internet. According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing geographic information includes a database and a web server. The database manages geographic information and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to the intersection including a plurality of access roads. The geographic information includes map data about a nation map. When providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, the web server provides the user with the plurality of zoomed-in scenes based on the database. The plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponds to the target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
Also, a user terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a communication unit to perform the wireless Internet communication, together with the above-described GPS module, storage unit, control unit, input unit, and display unit.
The user terminal receives the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road from the web server, panoramically displays the plurality of received zoomed-in scenes, and thereby may provide the route to the target access road in the intersection.
A method of providing geographic information is described in detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing geographic information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, in operation SlO, a desired destination is inputted by a user via an input unit 40 of a user terminal. In operation S20, when a route guidance service with respect to the inputted destination is requested, a current location is calculated using a location signal received through a GPS module 10. In operation S30, map data about a route from the calculated current location to the destination is read from a storage unit 20.
In operation S40, a map image corresponding to the route to the destination is displayed via a display unit 50. In this instance, a route guidance operation with respect to the destination is performed.
In operation S50, while providing guidance about the route to the destination, intersections are retrieved at regular intervals. An intersection is retrieved by determining whether the intersection exists within a predetermined distance ahead by referring to geographic information stored in the storage unit 20, that is, the map data.
As a result of the retrieving in operation S50, when it is determined that the intersection exists the predetermined distance ahead of a current location, a plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to a target access road is read from the storage unit 20, and the plurality of read zoomed-in scenes is panoramically displayed in operation S60. In this instance, the target access road is in a direction where the user is required to move from among access roads included in the intersection.
The route to the destination and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road may be provided on the Internet.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about an upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When approaching the intersection, a screen of a display unit
50 is divided. Specifically, the screen is separated into a route guidance screen 31 and a magnification window 33.
When approaching the intersection as illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the upcoming access road when turning left is read, and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes is displayed on the magnification window 33.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 8, the magnification window 33 panoramically and sequentially displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes to display a gradually approaching scene of the upcoming access road when turning left.
FIG. 4 illustrates a zoomed-in screen before entering the upcoming access road when turning left in an intersection. FIGS. 5 through 7 illustrate zoomed-in scenes while gradually approaching the upcoming access road when turning left. FIG. 8 illustrates a zoomed-in screen after entering the access road when turning left.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen providing guidance about a route to enter another road in an intersection such as an interchange according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When approaching the intersection, a screen of a display unit 50 is divided. Specifically, the screen is separated into a route guidance screen 91 and a magnification window 93.
When approaching the intersection as illustrated in FIG. 9, a plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to an upcoming access road when turning right is read, and the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the upcoming access road when turning right are displayed on the magnification window 93.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12, the magnification window 93 panoramically and sequentially displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes to display a gradually approaching scene of the upcoming access road when turning right.
FIG. 10 illustrates a zoomed-in screen before entering the upcoming access road when turning right in an intersection. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate zoomed-in scenes while gradually approaching the upcoming access road when turning right.
The magnification windows 33 and 93 are continuously provided until a user is away from the intersection by at least a predetermined distance.
The magnification windows 33 and 93 may be provided as a full screen, as well as a divided screen described above.
Accordingly, when approaching the intersection, the zoomed-in scenes with respect to the access road are provided, and thus more specific guidance about the access road in the intersection may be provided.
The above-described embodiment of the present invention may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVD; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for providing geographic information panoramically provides zoomed-in scenes displaying a gradually approaching scene of a target access road to enter, when approaching an intersection.
Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for providing geographic information which provides an environment similar to geographic information to provide guidance about an access road, and thereby may enable a driver to drive in an intersection including a plurality of access roads more safely.
Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of providing geographic information, the method comprising: providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user; reading a plurality of zoomed-in scenes of a target access road to enter when approaching an intersection including a plurality of access roads on the route; and continuously providing the read zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to the target access road.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zoomed-in scenes includes a geographic information scene of the intersection, the geographic information scene displaying a gradually approaching scene of the target access road.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing guidance about the route to the target access road panoramically displays the plurality of zoomed-in scenes.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing guidance about the route to the target access road provides the plurality of zoomed-in scenes from where the intersection begins to where the user enters the target access road.
5. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 through 4.
6. A system for providing geographic information, the system comprising: a user terminal, wherein the user terminal comprises: a storage unit storing a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads; and a control unit, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, continuously providing the plurality of zoomed-in scenes and providing guidance about a route to a target access road, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to the target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the user terminal further comprises a display unit panoramically displaying the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road under a control of the control unit.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of zoomed-in scenes provide a geographic information scene of the intersection using three dimensional (3D) or two dimensional (2D) image data, the geographic information screen displaying a gradually approaching scene of the target access road.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the storage unit comprises: a map storage unit storing geographic information including map data about a national map to provide guidance about a route to the destination, and an access road storage unit storing the plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road to provide guidance about a route to the target access road.
10. A system for providing geographic information, the system comprising: a database managing geographic information and a plurality of zoomed-in scenes for each access road with respect to an intersection including a plurality of access roads, the geographic information including map data about a national map; and a web server, when providing guidance about a route to a destination set by a user, providing the user with the plurality of zoomed-in scenes based on the database, the plurality of zoomed-in scenes corresponding to a target access road to enter when approaching the intersection.
11. The system of claim 10, further comprising: a user terminal receiving the plurality of zoomed-in scenes with respect to the target access road from the web server, and panoramically displaying the plurality of received zoomed-in scenes.
PCT/KR2007/006399 2007-03-14 2007-12-10 System and method for guiding geographic information WO2008111720A1 (en)

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