JP2009175056A - Map display system and map distribution server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently change a display process for coordinating an overlap of icons displayed in a map display apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A map display system 10 comprises: a map information database 36 for accumulating map information; a POI information database 38 for accumulating POI information including existence location information for indicating an actual existence location of each POI, and display location information for indicating a location when the icon is displayed on a map; and a display means 24 for displaying and overlapping the icon corresponding to the POI with the map at the POI location on the map. When the icon is displayed on the map, the display means 24 overlaps for display the corresponding icon with the map based on the display location information accumulated in the POI information database 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication-type map display system including a map display device and a map distribution server, and in particular, displays an icon indicating information on a place of interest (hereinafter simply referred to as POI) on a map. A map display system, a map display method, a map distribution server, and a map distribution server configured to efficiently change display processing for adjusting duplication of icons at the same location (for example, different floors of the same building), and The present invention relates to a map display device.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile terminals such as mobile phones are equipped with browsers and can access the Internet to receive desired information. In such a system, the user operates a mobile terminal, finds a desired site using a search engine provided in the server, downloads the content of the site, and browses the content with a browser. ing. The content includes information belonging to various categories, and includes information on stores and events, provision of railway timetables, and train transfer guidance.

  In providing information on stores and events, when a user operates a mobile terminal to input a store or event category and a search area and requests a search, the category falls under the category specified on the server and Stores and events existing in the area are searched, and the information is distributed to the mobile terminal. In providing the timetable, when the user operates the mobile terminal to designate a route, the timetable of the route is presented on the screen of the display device of the mobile terminal. Further, in the transfer guidance, a recommended candidate route is presented by the user specifying a departure place and a destination.

  The map distribution server is also rich in functions, not just providing timetables and transfer guidance for railway lines and bus lines as described above, but also communication functions that provide the functions of conventional in-vehicle navigation systems to mobile terminals such as mobile phones A navigation system has also been realized. According to such a system, it is possible to provide a navigation service not only for the driver of the automobile but also for the pedestrian.

  A user of a mobile phone can obtain various desired information by using the service as described above. For example, it is possible to obtain information such as a map regarding POI that the user is interested in, business contents, price, business hours, and the like. The POI can be any store or facility such as a restaurant, convenience store, or gas station.

  Various techniques for presenting an icon representing this POI to a user on a map in a navigation device have been proposed.

  A technique for displaying one representative logo mark (representative logo mark) when a plurality of logo marks to be displayed are included in the same section is provided in the display screen. 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-69561) is disclosed as a “car navigation device”. In this Patent Document 1, a plurality of representative logo marks are switched and displayed one by one at a predetermined time. When there are few representative logo marks to be displayed, these representative logo marks are displayed side by side. It is disclosed that a plurality of representative logo marks can be confirmed smoothly by displaying the representative logo marks partially overlapping.

  Further, a technique for detecting an overlap of facility displays and changing one facility display is disclosed as, for example, “vehicle mounted map display device” in the following Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-337895). . This patent document 2 discloses an in-vehicle map display device that, when an overlap of facility displays is detected, deletes one of the overlapped facility displays or displays it in a blank area on a map where no overlap occurs. ing.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of facility icons that overlap each other, a technique that displays the icon with the highest priority and does not display the icon with the lowest priority is disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-144721). Gazette) as a “route guidance device”. In Patent Document 3, the priority of facility icons is determined based on the frequency of searching facility icons in the past and the number of times the facility has actually visited the facility in the past, and it is determined that the icons displayed on the screen overlap. In such a case, there is disclosed a route guidance device that performs control so as not to display an icon having a low priority among icons that are overlapped.

JP 2004-69561 A (FIG. 8, paragraphs [0062] to [0067]) JP 2000-337895 (FIG. 6, paragraph [0016]) JP 2004-144721 A (FIG. 2, paragraphs [0013] to [0021])

  However, when installing and using map display software suitable for each terminal device such as a mobile phone, when changing the display processing for adjusting the duplication of icons, it is appropriate for each terminal device. There was a problem that each development cost was high because it was necessary to develop each software.

  The inventor of the present application has conducted various studies in order to solve the above-described problems. As a result, the location information including the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location relative to the POI, and the predetermined latitude from the location information. When a POI is displayed together with map data, a database storing a display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on a map whose longitude has been changed is provided, and the POI is displayed on the display means based on the display position information. The present invention has been completed with the idea that the above problem can be solved by performing a route search based on the location information when the POI is output and specified in the route search request.

  That is, the present invention has an object to solve the above-described problems, and location information including latitude and longitude indicating an actual position for route search with respect to the POI, and a predetermined latitude from the position information. An object of the present invention is to provide a map display system, a map distribution method, a map distribution server, and a map display device provided with a database that stores display position information indicating positions for map display in which longitude is changed. It is.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is
A map display system for displaying POI-related icons on a map,
A map information database for storing map information;
A POI information database for storing POI information including location information indicating an actual location and display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on a map for each POI;
Display means for displaying an icon corresponding to the POI superimposed on the map at the position of the POI on the map;
The display means, when displaying an icon on a map, displays the corresponding icon superimposed on the map based on display position information stored in the POI information database.

The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1, comprising route search means for searching for an optimum route based on a route search request,
When the POI is specified in the route search request, the route search means performs a route search based on the location information stored in the POI information database.

The invention according to claim 3 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
If a POI having the same location information has already been registered, for the newly registered POI, the location information changed from the actual location to a predetermined location is given as display location information.
The POI information including the given display position information is registered.

The invention according to claim 4 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When a POI having the same location information is already registered, the POI to be newly registered is centered on the POI to which the same display location information as the already registered same location information is given. Position information changed from the actual location position to a predetermined position so that it is arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle together with other POIs to which display position information different from the already registered same location position information is given. It is given as display position information,
The POI information including the given display position information is registered.

The invention according to claim 5 of the present application is the map display system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When POIs having the same location information have already been registered, the positions of the registered POI and the newly registered POI are changed from the actual location to a predetermined location according to the display order. Information as display position information,
POI information including display position information assigned thereto is registered.

The invention according to claim 6 of the present application is
In a map display method in a map display system, comprising: a map display device comprising a display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map; and a map distribution server connected to the map display device via a network.
The map display system includes a map information database for storing map information, location information indicating an actual location for each POI, display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on the map, And a POI information database for storing POI information including
A first step of searching for and distributing POI information including display position information stored in the POI information database when displaying an icon on a map in the display means;
A second step of superimposing and displaying a corresponding icon on the map based on the display position information distributed in the first step;
It is characterized by having.

Furthermore, the invention according to claim 7 of the present application is
In a map distribution server connected via a network to a map display device having display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map,
A map information database for storing map information;
A POI information database for storing POI information including location information indicating an actual location and display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on a map, for each POI;
When displaying an icon on a map in the display means, POI information including display position information stored in the POI information database is searched and distributed.

The invention according to claim 8 of the present application is the map distribution server according to claim 7, comprising route search means for searching for an optimum route based on a route search request,
When the POI is specified in the route search request, the route search means performs a route search based on the location information stored in the POI information database.

The invention according to claim 9 of the present application is the map distribution server according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
If a POI having the same location information has already been registered, for the newly registered POI, the location information changed from the actual location to a predetermined location is given as display location information.
The POI information including the given display position information is registered.

The invention according to claim 10 of the present application is the map distribution server according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When a POI having the same location information is already registered, the POI to be newly registered is centered on the POI to which the same display location information as the already registered same location information is given. Position information changed from the actual location position to a predetermined position so that it is arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle together with other POIs to which display position information different from the already registered same location position information is given. It is given as display position information,
The POI information including the given display position information is registered.

The invention according to claim 11 of the present application is the map distribution server according to claim 7 or claim 8, further comprising POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When POIs having the same location information have already been registered, the positions of the registered POI and the newly registered POI are changed from the actual location to a predetermined location according to the display order. Information as display position information,
POI information including display position information assigned thereto is registered.

The invention according to claim 12 of the present application is
A map display device comprising display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map and connected to a map distribution server via a network,
The map distribution server includes a map information database for storing map information, location information indicating an actual location for each POI, display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on the map, And a POI information database for storing POI information including
The display means, when displaying an icon on a map, displays the corresponding icon superimposed on the map based on display position information stored in the POI information database.

  In the invention according to claim 1, for the map information database for storing the map information, the location information indicating the actual location for each POI, and the display for indicating the position when the icon is displayed on the map A POI information database for storing POI information including position information; and display means for displaying an icon corresponding to the POI superimposed on the map at the position of the POI on the map, the display means comprising: When an icon is displayed on the map, the corresponding icon is superimposed on the map and displayed based on the display position information stored in the POI information database.

  According to such a configuration, even when POI information having the same latitude and longitude as the actual location information exists in the POI information database 38, the icons are completely overlapped when the icon indicating the POI information is displayed. It is possible to inform the user that there are a plurality of POIs. Further, since the POI icon display position information is stored in the POI information database 38 and is only transmitted to the map display device at the time of map display, the icon is moved on the application side that performs display control. This processing can be made unnecessary. Therefore, application development tailored to each terminal device that performs map display can be avoided.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the map display system according to the first aspect further comprises route search means for searching for an optimum route based on a route search request, wherein the route search means is specified with a POI in the route search request. Then, the route search is performed based on the location information stored in the POI information database.

  According to such a configuration, when the user selects desired POI information during the route search using the POI information, the route search means 33 acquires the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location from the POI information database 38. The route search can be performed as a departure point, a destination, or a waypoint using the acquired latitude and longitude indicating the actual location. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the user from being guided to a place different from the actual position, that is, a place changed for display.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the map display system according to the first or second aspect further comprises POI registration means for registering a POI in the POI information database, wherein the POI registration means stores the POI in the POI information database. When a new POI having the same location information is not already registered, the location information of the POI is assigned as display location information for the newly registered POI. When the POI having the location information is already registered, the location information changed from the actual location to the predetermined location is assigned as the display location information for the newly registered POI, and the assigned display The POI information including the position information is registered.

  According to such a configuration, even when POI information having the same latitude and longitude as the actual location information exists in the POI information database 38, the icons are completely overlapped when the icon indicating the POI information is displayed. It is possible to inform the user that there are a plurality of POIs.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the map display system according to the first or second aspect further comprises POI registration means for registering a POI in the POI information database, wherein the POI registration means stores the POI in the POI information database. When a new POI having the same location information is not already registered, the location information of the POI is assigned as display location information for the newly registered POI. If a POI having location information has already been registered, the POI to be newly registered is already registered, centering on the POI to which the same location information for display as the already registered location information is assigned. Concentric circles together with other POIs that are given the same location information and different display location information The position information changed from the actual location to a predetermined position is given as display position information so that the POI information including the given display position information is registered. .

  According to such a configuration, even when POI information having the same latitude and longitude as the actual location information exists in the POI information database 38, the icons are completely overlapped when the icon indicating the POI information is displayed. It is possible to inform the user that there are a plurality of POIs.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the map display system according to the first or second aspect further comprises POI registration means for registering a POI in the POI information database, wherein the POI registration means stores the POI in the POI information database. When a new POI having the same location information is not already registered, the location information of the POI is assigned as display location information for the newly registered POI. When the POI having the location information is already registered, the location information that is changed from the actual location to the predetermined location according to the display order for the already registered POI and the newly registered POI is displayed. Provided as display position information and configured to register POI information including the given display position information. It was.

  According to such a configuration, the POI stored in the POI information database 38 is given the latitude and longitude indicating the display position in accordance with the display order. Therefore, the POI stored on the POI information database 38 is displayed on the application side (map display device side). It is possible to display an icon indicating POI in a desired display order without controlling the order.

  Moreover, in the invention concerning Claim 6, the map display method for implement | achieving the map display system concerning Claim 1 can be provided, In the invention concerning Claim 7 thru | or Claim 11, The map distribution server which comprises the map display system concerning 1 thru | or Claim 5 can be provided, In the invention concerning Claim 12, the map display apparatus which comprises the map display system concerning Claim 1 is provided. Will be able to.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples and drawings. However, in the embodiments shown below, a map display system, a map display method, a map distribution server, and a map display device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention are illustrated. The map display system, the map display method, the map distribution server, and the map display device are not intended to be specified as a map display method, a map distribution server, and a map display device, and are included in the scope of the claims. Is equally applicable.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a map display system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention distributes a map of a portable map display device 20 connected via a network 12 and a POI (location of interest) location. A map distribution server 30 having a navigation service function as well as a distribution service function is provided. The map display device 20 is a user terminal, and a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone can be used.

  The map distribution server 30 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map database 36 and a route search network database 37, and when a route search request is received from the map display device 20, the route search is performed with reference to the route search network database 37. And it has the general navigation function which transmits the guidance route (candidate route) obtained as a result of the route search to the map display device 20. The map distribution server 30 also includes a POI information database 38 that stores POI information such as the POI location, telephone number, address, and business hours.

  When there is a request for acquiring map data by designating a desired point or POI from the map display device 20, the map distribution server 30 refers to the map database 36, reads out the corresponding map data, and distributes it to the map display device 20. . Further, when the map display device 20 requests a route search from the map distribution server 30 and receives a route guidance service, the map display device 20 sets a desired departure point and destination, and sends a route to the map distribution server 30. Send a search request. If there is a stopover point between the departure point and the destination point, the stopover point is also set.

  To set these points, display the route search condition input screen, enter the name, address (location), and phone number of the point, display the map on the display screen, and select the desired point on the map. A method such as selecting the cursor and setting it is used. Generally, the location of a specific facility or the location of interest (POI) is set as the starting point, waypoint, or destination, but the route search is performed for the location of the link or node on the road closest to the facility or POI. It may be used as the above facility or POI location.

  The map display system 10 also includes a POI information providing server 50 that provides detailed information such as the location, service content, and advertisements of POIs belonging to various categories, map data, traffic route data, operation timetable data, music, and various images. And various information providing servers 51 that provide other information.

  The map distribution server 30 can acquire necessary data from the POI information providing server 50 or another information providing server 51 via the network 12 and add it to its own database. Similarly, a search request can be transmitted to the POI information providing server 50 or another information providing server 51 to obtain a desired search result.

  The map display system 10 according to the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the map distribution server 30 may be a server that does not have a navigation service function. In this case, the map display device 20 is also a navigation service. The device may not be compatible. The map display device 20 may be a mobile phone, a portable device such as a PDA, a music player, or a portable game machine, or a personal computer (PC).

  Hereinafter, a map display system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on specific examples, but before that, a detailed configuration of the map display system 10 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the map display system 10 of FIG. The map distribution server 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a route search unit 33, a POI search unit 34, a distribution data editing unit 35, a map database 36, a route search network database 37, a POI information database 38, and a POI registration unit 39. And so on.

  In the map distribution server 30, the control means 31 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 32 is an interface for communicating with the map display device 20, the POI information providing server 50, and other information providing servers 51 via the network 12.

  The route search means 33 refers to the route search network database 37 based on the route search conditions such as the departure point and destination and the current position information transmitted from the map display device 20, and from the departure point to the destination. Route search is performed. As such a route search method, a method called label determination method or Dijkstra method is used. Such a configuration is the same as that of a general navigation system.

  The POI search means 34 is requested to display a map in accordance with map data including a guide route obtained by the route search means 33 searching the route according to the conditions designated by the user transmitted from the map display device 20, or according to the conditions designated by the user. Based on the map data including the designated area, the POI information database 38 is referred to retrieve POI information.

  The distribution data editing means 35 edits the result obtained by the route search means 33 as a result of the route search and the POI search means 34 as the data to be delivered to the map display device 20. For example, in the route search, with respect to the data of the optimum route or a plurality of candidate routes searched by the route search means 33, the POI information database is added to the map data including the starting point, the destination, and the current position acquired from the map database 36. Editing such as embedding POI information acquired from 38 is performed to create guide route data. The created guide route data is distributed to the map display device 20. The distribution data editing means 35 also edits the map data corresponding to the map display request from the map display device 20 into data to be distributed to the map display device 20.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, as will be described later, when a map is displayed on the map display device 20, it is stored in the POI information database 38 as data (display position information) for displaying an icon on the map. The latitude and longitude indicating the position for displaying the POI icon are acquired and distributed to the map display device 20.

  The map database 36 stores vector map data composed of mesh unit map data divided by a predetermined latitude range and longitude range, and reads out the requested map data from the map display device 20 and requests it. Delivered to the original map display device 20. Generally, map data for nine unit maps corresponding to meshes in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions is distributed around the current position of the map display device 20.

  The same applies when the map display device 20 designates a specific point or POI position and makes a map data distribution request. When the map display device 20 moves and the map data is insufficient, the map distribution server 30 determines the moving direction of the map display device 20 and distributes the insufficient unit map data.

  The route search network database 37 is a database in which road network data for searching for a travel route by foot or car and traffic network data for searching for a travel route using public transport are accumulated. Specifically, road network data includes roads (routes) as nodes and node points as inflection points, links as links between nodes, node data, link data, and cost information (distance) for all links. Or the required time) and is made into a database. The traffic network data is also stored as link cost data, with stations as nodes, links between stations, and timetable data (departure time, arrival time, required time) for each transportation system such as trains. .

  When there is a route search request in which a route search condition such as a departure point and a destination is set from the map display device 20, the map distribution server 30 refers to the route search network database 37 to find an optimum route from the departure point to the destination. Search for candidate routes that contain it. The map distribution server 30 sends an outline of the searched candidate route to the map display device 20, and when there is a route distribution request specifying the candidate route from the map display device 20, detailed data of the designated guide route is displayed on the map display device 20. Deliver to.

  In the guide route data, guide points such as a departure point on the guide route searched by the route search means 33, a bending point of the route, an intersection, and a destination are set, and the position coordinates (latitude / longitude) of these guide points are set. , Guidance information related to each guidance point (guidance information for going straight and turning left and right) is included. The map display device 20 receives the distributed map data and the guidance route data, displays the map and the guidance route, and displays or outputs a predetermined guide by voice when it arrives at the guidance point.

  When the map distribution server 30 distributes the guide route data to the map display device 20, the map distribution server 30 distributes it together with the required unit map data based on the current position of the map display device 20. When the map display device 20 receives the map data and the guide route data, the map display device 20 stores the map data and the guide route data in a predetermined memory area, and displays a map centered on the current position on the display means. At this time, the current position mark and guide route information are displayed superimposed on the map.

  The POI information database 38 stores POI information indicating the position and information of the POI displayed on the map. The POI is various places of interest that the user desires to search, for example, restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, etc. Each POI information includes name, address, location, telephone number, information map, business map, etc. Includes time, business details, icon images, etc.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of POI information stored in the POI information database 38. As shown in FIG. 3, the POI information database 38 includes an ID, a POI name, an address, position information (latitude and longitude) indicating an actual location, and position information (latitude and longitude) indicating a position for displaying a POI icon. ) Etc. are stored in association with each other. However, the POI information stored in the POI information database 38 is not limited to the contents shown in FIG. 3, and can be added or deleted as appropriate.

  The POI information stored in the POI information database 38 shown in FIG. 3 is configured based on information provided by the POI information providing server 50. The map distribution server 30 can collect POI information from various POI information providing servers 50 via the network 12 and register it in the POI information database 38 to enrich the POI information that can be provided to the user.

  The POI registration means 39 is POI information collected from various POI information providing servers 50 via the network 12 by the map distribution server 30 or periodically from the various POI information providing servers 50 via the network 12. The POI information shown in FIG. 3 is registered in the POI information database 38 on the basis of the POI information distributed to. At that time, as described below, POI information obtained by adding POI icon display position information to the newly registered POI based on the contents of the POI information already registered in the POI information database 38 is set as POI. Register in the information database 38.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure for registering POI information in the map distribution server 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation procedure shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the control means 31 of the map distribution server 30 controlling the POI registration means 39 based on the control program stored in the ROM.

  First, in the process of step S401, the POI registration unit 39 accepts POI information provided from various POI information providing servers 50. The received POI information includes position information of latitude and longitude indicating the actual location of the POI, and the POI registration unit 39 newly registers the received POI information in the POI information database 38. In the process of step S402, it is determined whether another POI at the same location as the actual position information of the accepted POI has already been registered in the POI information database 38.

  In the process of step S402, if no other POI is registered at a position overlapping with the actual position information of the newly registered POI, the process proceeds to step S403, and another POI is registered at the overlapping position. Then, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In the process of step S403, the POI registration unit assigns the same position information as the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location as the position information for displaying the POI icon, and the name of the POI provided by the POI information providing server 50, The address and the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location are registered in the POI information database 38, and the process is terminated. The POI information with ID = 0001 shown in FIG. 3 shows an example of the POI information registered by the process of step S403.

  On the other hand, in the processing of step S404, the POI registration means acquires from the POI information database 38 the number of other registered POIs that are in positions overlapping with the actual positions of the newly registered POIs. In the process of step S405, position information for POI icon display is added to the POI newly registered based on the acquired number of POIs.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of giving position information for displaying a POI icon to a POI registered in the POI information database 38.
In FIG. 5, if the actual position of the POI newly registered in the POI information database 38 is the origin (1) of the two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system, another POI is located at a position overlapping the actual position of the newly registered POI. If not registered, the same position as the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location, that is, the position coordinates (origin coordinates) shown in (1) is given as position information for POI icon display.

  On the other hand, if another POI is registered at a position that overlaps the actual position of the newly registered POI, (2) to (2) to (2) sequentially in accordance with the number of POIs acquired in step S404 in FIG. The position coordinates shown in (6) are given as position information for displaying the POI icon. Here, the POI icon display positions (2) to (5) of the POIs whose registration order is the second to fifth among the POIs having the actual location overlapping with the already registered POIs are the origins. For example, in a two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system having (1) as the origin, the position coordinates of (2) are expressed as (Lx, Ly) so as to be arranged at equal intervals on the concentric circle C1 centered on the coordinate (1). Then, the position coordinate of (3) is (Ly, -Lx), the coordinate position of (4) is (-Lx, -Ly), and the coordinate position of (5) is (-Ly, Lx). In particular, assuming that the + Y-axis direction is the north direction, when the positions of (2), (3), (4), and (5) are determined equally in the four directions in the order of northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest, Lx = Ly It turns out that it becomes. That is, the values obtained by calculating predetermined changes in the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location of the POI are the latitude and longitude indicating the POI icon display position.

  For example, when Lx = Ly = 300 msec with respect to the change amount of the coordinate position (2) shown in FIG. 5, when trying to register the POI information of the store D in the POI information database 38 as shown in FIG. At the latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes 47.548 seconds and the longitude 139 degrees 46 minutes 10.038 seconds indicating the actual location of the store D, three POIs of stores A, B and C are already registered as other POIs. If registered, the coordinate position given as position information for POI icon display of the store D is (4) shown in FIG.

  Therefore, since the change amount of (4) is Lx = Ly = −300 msec, the value obtained by adding these change amounts to the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location of the store D, latitude 35 degrees 41 minutes 47.248 seconds and longitude 139 degrees 46 minutes 099.738 seconds are registered in the POI information database 38 as position information for displaying POI icons.

  In this way, in the process of step S405, the POI registration means changes and gives the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location of the POI by a predetermined amount as the POI icon display position information, and provides the POI information providing server. The POI name, address, latitude and longitude indicating the actual location are registered in the POI information database 38 and the process is terminated.

  It should be noted that for POIs whose registration order is the sixth or later having an actual location overlapping with already registered POIs, the position and position change amount after (6) will be the position for displaying the POI icon. May be changed to 2Lx, 3Lx,..., 2Ly, 3Ly,.

  Also, the POI icon display positions of the sixth to ninth POIs are displayed at equidistant positions on the concentric circle C2 centered on the origin coordinate (1). In the same way as the POIs up to the fifth, if the direction is set in the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest directions in order, the POI icons are arranged on the same radiation toward the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest directions. In this case, the number of POIs arranged at equal intervals on the concentric circles (C1 and C2) having different radii is the same (four in this embodiment), but is equal on the concentric circles as the radius increases. The number of POIs arranged at intervals may be increased.

  In the above embodiment, the display order of POI icons is fixed in the order in which POIs are registered in the POI information database 38. However, the display order is set according to the type of icon in the process of step S404 in FIG. Also good. In this case, for POIs having the same latitude and longitude indicating the actual location, including the POI already registered in the POI information database 30 and the POI to be newly registered, the display order of the icons for each POI The position information for displaying the POI icon is added again according to the newly set display order and registered in the POI information database 38.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the map display device 20 includes a control means 21, a communication means 22, a GPS receiving means 23, a display means 24, an operation input means 25, a distribution request editing means 26, a received data storage means 27, and the like. It is prepared for.

  In the map display device 20, the control means 21 is a microprocessor having a RAM, a ROM, and a processor (not shown), and controls the operation of each unit by a control program stored in the ROM. The communication means 22 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving communication data with the map distribution server 30 and the like via the network 12.

  The GPS receiving unit 23 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and acquires a current position (latitude, longitude). The acquired position information is transmitted to the map distribution server 30 and can be used when a departure point or destination is specified as a route search condition, or when a guide route is displayed and a current position is specified.

  The display means 24 is composed of a liquid crystal display unit or the like, and displays a map, a guidance route, etc. distributed (transmitted) from the map distribution server 30. In addition, a menu screen for operating the map display device 20 is displayed on the display means 24, and search conditions and route search conditions can be set by operations such as a pull-down menu. Therefore, the display unit 24 also functions as a part of the operation input unit 25.

  The operation input means 25 is for operation and input consisting of numeric keys, alphabet keys, other function keys, selection keys, scroll keys (up / down / left / right arrow keys), and the like. A desired menu is selected from the displayed menu screen, or various input operations are performed by operating keys.

  When the map is displayed on the display means 24, the user makes a route search request by inputting time information including the departure place and destination desired by the user and the departure time and arrival time, or the desired area or address is entered. Specify and make a map display request.

  The distribution request editing unit 26 edits the distribution request to be transmitted to the map distribution server 30 based on the map display condition and the route search condition set by the operation of the menu screen displayed on the operation input unit 25 and the display unit 27. The data is transmitted to the map distribution server 30 via the communication means 22.

  The received data storage means 27 temporarily stores various data such as map data, guide route data, and POI information data distributed from the map distribution server 30. The data stored in the received data storage unit 27 is read as necessary and displayed on the display unit 24.

  When a map is displayed on the display unit 24, generally, a guide route and a map display device 20 are displayed on a map of a certain scale and a certain range including the current position of the map display device 20 acquired by the GPS receiving unit 23. Are displayed so that the current position mark is at the center of the display screen. Since the acquired position information includes an error, route matching processing is performed to correct the current position on the guide route when the current position is deviated from the guide route.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, when an icon indicating POI information is displayed on the display means 24, the position shown for POI icon display delivered from the map delivery server 30 is shown in FIG. The icon is displayed so that the arrangement position is as follows.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example when a POI icon is displayed on a map in the map display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows a case where one POI icon is displayed. FIG. 6B shows a case where two POI icons at the same location are displayed, and FIG. 6C shows a case where four POI icons at the same location are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the case where a plurality of POIs whose actual location positions overlap are not registered in the POI information database 38, the POI with ID = 0001 is located at the coordinate position of (1) shown in FIG. An icon indicating information (an icon indicating a restaurant) is displayed. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when two POIs whose actual location positions overlap are registered in the POI information database 38, the coordinate positions of (1) and (2) shown in FIG. The icons indicating the POI information of ID = 0001 and ID = 0002 (the icon indicating the restaurant and the icon indicating the post office) are displayed respectively.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when four POIs whose actual location positions overlap are registered in the POI information database 38, the coordinate positions (1) to (4) shown in FIG. Are displayed with icons indicating POI information of ID = 0001 to 0004 (icons indicating restaurants, post offices, convenience stores, and gas stations in order from ID = 0001).

  Thus, even when POI information having the same latitude and longitude as the actual position information exists in the POI information database 38, the icons do not completely overlap when the icon indicating the POI information is displayed. .

  As described above in detail, according to the map display system of the present invention, even if POI information having the same latitude and longitude as the actual location information exists in the POI information database, the icon indicating POI information is displayed. When the icon is displayed, the icons do not completely overlap and it is possible to inform the user that there are a plurality of POIs. In addition, since the POI icon display position information is stored in the POI information database and is only transmitted to the map display device at the time of map display, icon movement on the application side that performs display control, etc. Since processing is not necessary, it is possible to avoid application development tailored to each terminal device that performs map display.

  Further, when the user selects desired POI information during the route search using the POI information, the route search means acquires the latitude and longitude indicating the actual location from the POI information database, and the acquired actual location Since the route is searched as the starting point, destination, or waypoint using the latitude and longitude indicating the route, the user should be routed to a location that is different from the actual location, that is, the location changed for display. Can be avoided.

  In addition, since the POI stored in the POI information database is given the latitude and longitude indicating the display position according to the display order, the display order is not controlled on the application side (map display device side). An icon indicating POI can be displayed in a desired display order.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a map display system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the map display system in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of POI information accumulate | stored in the POI information database concerning the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure for registering POI information in the map delivery server concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to provide the positional information for POI icon display with respect to POI registered into the POI information database concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display at the time of displaying the POI icon on a map in the map display apparatus concerning the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map display system 12 ... Network 20 ... Map display device 21 ... Control means 22 ... Communication means 23 ... GPS reception means 24 ... Display Means 25 ··· operation input means 26 ··· distribution request editing means 27 ··· received data storage means 30 ··· map delivery server 31 ··· control means 32 ··· communication means 33 ··· Route search means 34 ··· POI search means 35 ··· Distribution data editing means 36 ··· Map database 37 ··· Route search network database 38 ··· POI information database 39 .... POI registration means

Claims (12)

A map display system for displaying POI-related icons on a map,
A map information database for storing map information;
A POI information database for storing POI information including location information indicating an actual location and display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on a map for each POI;
Display means for displaying an icon corresponding to the POI superimposed on the map at the position of the POI on the map;
The display means displays a corresponding icon superimposed on the map based on the display position information stored in the POI information database when displaying the icon on the map. system. The map display system includes route search means for searching for an optimum route based on a route search request,
2. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein when a POI is specified in a route search request, the route search means performs a route search based on location information stored in the POI information database. The map display system comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
If a POI having the same location information has already been registered, for the newly registered POI, the location information changed from the actual location to a predetermined location is given as display location information.
3. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein POI information including the given display position information is registered. The map display system comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When a POI having the same location information is already registered, the POI to be newly registered is centered on the POI to which the same display location information as the already registered same location information is given. Position information changed from the actual location position to a predetermined position so that it is arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle together with other POIs to which display position information different from the already registered same location position information is given. It is given as display position information,
3. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein POI information including the given display position information is registered. The map display system comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When POIs having the same location information have already been registered, the positions of the registered POI and the newly registered POI are changed from the actual location to a predetermined location according to the display order. Information as display position information,
3. The map display system according to claim 1, wherein POI information including display position information assigned thereto is registered. In a map display method in a map display system, comprising: a map display device comprising a display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map; and a map distribution server connected to the map display device via a network.
The map display system includes a map information database for storing map information, location information indicating an actual location for each POI, display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on the map, And a POI information database for storing POI information including
A first step of searching for and distributing POI information including display position information stored in the POI information database when displaying an icon on a map in the display means;
A second step of superimposing and displaying a corresponding icon on the map based on the display position information distributed in the first step;
A map display method characterized by comprising: In a map distribution server connected via a network to a map display device having display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map,
A map information database for storing map information;
A POI information database for storing POI information including location information indicating an actual location and display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on a map, for each POI;
A map distribution server for searching and distributing POI information including display position information stored in the POI information database when an icon is displayed on a map in the display means. The map distribution server includes route search means for searching for an optimum route based on a route search request,
8. The map distribution server according to claim 7, wherein when the POI is specified in the route search request, the route search means performs a route search based on the location information stored in the POI information database. The map distribution server comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
If a POI having the same location information has already been registered, for the newly registered POI, the location information changed from the actual location to a predetermined location is given as display location information.
9. The map distribution server according to claim 7, wherein POI information including the given display position information is registered. The map distribution server comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When a POI having the same location information is already registered, the POI to be newly registered is centered on the POI to which the same display location information as the already registered same location information is given. Position information changed from the actual location position to a predetermined position so that it is arranged at equal intervals on a concentric circle together with other POIs to which display position information different from the already registered same location position information is given. It is given as display position information,
9. The map distribution server according to claim 7, wherein POI information including the given display position information is registered. The map distribution server comprises POI registration means for registering POI in the POI information database,
When the POI is newly registered in the POI information database, if the POI having the same location information is not already registered, the POI registration means, for the POI to be newly registered, the location of the POI Information as display position information,
When POIs having the same location information have already been registered, the positions of the registered POI and the newly registered POI are changed from the actual location to a predetermined location according to the display order. Information as display position information,
9. The map distribution server according to claim 7, wherein POI information including display position information assigned thereto is registered. A map display device comprising display means for displaying an icon relating to POI on a map and connected to a map distribution server via a network,
The map distribution server includes a map information database for storing map information, location information indicating an actual location for each POI, display position information indicating a position when an icon is displayed on the map, And a POI information database for storing POI information including
The display means displays a corresponding icon superimposed on the map based on the display position information stored in the POI information database when displaying the icon on the map. apparatus.

Images