JP5248538B2 - Address search system - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to residential plants retrieval systems, techniques for particular quickly find the desired location.

  Conventionally, an address search system that searches for a desired point using an address database is known. The location specified by this address search system displays a map centered on that location, searches for a route from the current location with that location as the destination, and also identifies facilities around that location. Used to search.

  The address database used in such an address search system, for example, associates each area name from a wide area to a narrow area such as a prefecture name, administrative district / city name, administrative district name, town name, street name, etc. with a node, It has a tree structure composed of a plurality of hierarchies with a wide area as an upper hierarchy. Note that regional names in a wider area than prefectures, for example, regional names such as the Tohoku region, Kanto region, and Kinki region may be used as the highest layer.

  In the conventional address search system, using an address database having such a tree structure, while narrowing down sequentially from a wide area name to a narrow area name, in other words, prefecture → administrative district / city → administrative district A desired point is identified by following the nodes of the address database in order, such as town, village, and address.

  More specifically, when an address search is instructed, first, the prefecture names are displayed on the screen in a list format in order to select the prefecture in the highest hierarchy. The user selects a desired prefecture from the prefecture names displayed on this screen. When the desired prefecture is selected, the administrative districts and city names of the second hierarchy belonging to the selected prefecture are then displayed on the screen in a list format. In the same manner, nodes are sequentially traced in an interactive manner, such as a town name and an address (chome), and a desired area or point is specified by reaching the lowest hierarchy.

  For example, if you search for 2 Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo, famous for “Ijinkan”, the address notation is “Hyogo → Kobe → Chuo-ku → Kitano-cho → 2-chome”. Narrow down while sequentially selecting the corresponding areas according to the above.

  In addition, as a technology related to the address search system, even if the user inputs an incorrect search address string that is not registered in the database, an address search that provides the target address or a map of the vicinity of the target address A system is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this address search system, a user inputs an address for which a map is desired to an address search server via an information terminal. A search part searches an address database based on the input search address character string, and searches applicable address data. And the map data matched with the searched address data are read from a map database, and are provided to a user. When there is no address corresponding to the search address character string input by the user, a predetermined amount (for example, one character, address notation unit, predetermined boundary) of the search address character string from the back until one or more addresses are hit Delete) and repeat the search.

  As another related technique, there is known a vehicle navigation device that searches a registered point such as a destination or a passing point by reading a name of a registered point or inputting a character string of a name (for example, a patent) Reference 2). This vehicle navigation apparatus includes information storage means for storing information relating to reading of each registered spot as registered spot information, input means for inputting the reading of the registered spot, and a reading inputted by the input means as a predetermined character string. Conversion means for converting to a search means, search means for searching for registered points of names including the converted character string from registered points stored in the information storage means, and display means for displaying a list of searched registration points Yes. Thereby, the search by 50 sound input becomes easy, and it is excellent in usability.

JP 2003-186880 A Japanese Patent No. 3267202

  However, even if the user tries to search for a target point, the knowledge in the middle of the address notation of the point is often warm or only the town name is stored. Therefore, in the process of selecting an area name interactively in the address search system configured as described above, if there is an unknown or ambiguous area name in any hierarchy, the lowest hierarchy may not be reached or an error may occur. When a region name is selected, it is necessary to go back to the upper level and start again, so it takes a long time to reach a desired point.

For example, when searching for the above-mentioned “Ijinkan”, as a storage pattern of address information,
(1) I know only the name of Kitano Town.
(2) I know the name of Kitano Town and that it exists in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
And so on. In such a case, for example, in the case of the address information storage pattern (1), the first hierarchy “Hyogo Prefecture” cannot be selected, and the search fails. In the case of the address information storage pattern (2), although the first and second hierarchies such as “Hyogo Prefecture” and “Kobe City” can be selected, the ward names in the third hierarchy cannot be selected, and the search fails. .

  Therefore, there is a countermeasure to display the area name included in each hierarchy in a list format, but if you select the wrong area name from the list, all the area names in the next lower hierarchy are checked and applicable. After recognizing that the area name does not exist, it is necessary to return to the upper hierarchy, select another area name again, and repeat the same operation. In the example of the address information storage pattern (2) described above, if the ward name in the third hierarchy is wrong, all the town names in the next fourth hierarchy are checked and the corresponding town name “Kitano Town” does not exist. After recognition, it is necessary to return to the third hierarchy, select another ward name again, and repeat the same operation.

  The storage pattern of the address information is not limited to the above. For example, there are many cases where only a part of address notation such as “Aoyama 1-chome with XX company” or “Marunouchi ○○” is the key to search. However, when the memory of the address notation is ambiguous, there is a problem that the target point cannot be searched or the search takes a long time.

  As a method for solving the problem of the conventional address search system described above, a method called “50-sound search” is also known, in which a search is performed only with a reading pseudonym. In general, a 50-sound search is performed using a facility name as a search key. Because it is used, it may not include address notation. In addition, even if the address notation is included, the number of facilities to be searched is enormous, and the number of characters to be input before the selection or list display from a large number of candidates displayed becomes possible, There is a problem that the input operation becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and an object thereof is to provide a living plant search system that can quickly find the point of interest by a simple operation.

The address search system according to the present invention has a tree structure in which an area name representing an area of each stage from an upper level administrative division to a lower level administrative division constituting an address is associated with a node, and the area name is The region name of the highest parent node among the associated nodes is input from the address database, which is an administrative division below the region name of the child node, the input unit for inputting the region name, and the input unit By searching from the address database for child nodes with the regional name as the parent node, the central processing unit that starts the search from the regional name of the administrative division of the lower layer of the predetermined stage in each stage and the central processing unit And an output unit for outputting the area name corresponding to the child node.

According to the present invention, an area name of the parent node of the top level of each node that is local name associated, which is configured to be a administrative district in the lower layer than the area name of the child node, the lower layer The search can be started from an area name representing the administrative division of the city, for example, a town or village name. As a result, the area name in the middle of the address notation is unknown or warm, or you know only the famous place name and do not know the upper area name (for example, ward name or city name) to which the land belongs Even so, you can search for the point of interest.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the address search process among the operation input processes performed by step ST14 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of an address database used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of an address database used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of an address database used with the address search system which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog used with the address search system which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the address search process among the operation input processes performed by step ST14 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog used with the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the address search system which concerns on Embodiment 5 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a case where the address search system of the present invention is applied to a navigation device mounted on a vehicle will be described as an example.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an address search system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This address retrieval system includes a central processing unit 1, a map information storage device 2, a navigation related information detection device 3, and an input / output device 4.

  The central processing unit 1 controls the entire address search system. The central processing unit 1 includes a CPU 10, a memory 11, a storage device interface 12, an input / output interface 13, an image processor 14, and an audio interface 15.

  The CPU 10 executes various processes by operating according to a control program stored in the memory 11. Details of processing executed by the CPU 10 will be described later. The memory 11 is used as a work area when the CPU 10 executes various processes in addition to storing a control program for operating the CPU 10 as described above.

  The storage device interface 12 controls transmission / reception of data between the CPU 10 and the map information storage device 2. The input / output interface 13 controls transmission / reception of data between the CPU 10 and the navigation-related information detection device 3 and the input / output device 4. The image processor 14 generates image data in response to an instruction from the CPU 10 and sends it to the display device 41 included in the input / output device 4. As a result, an image is displayed on the display device 41.

  The audio interface 15 generates an audio signal based on the audio data sent from the CPU 10 and sends it to the speaker 46 in the input / output device 4. As a result, sound is generated from the speaker 46. The audio interface 15 receives audio data from the microphone 47 included in the input / output device 4 and sends it to the CPU 10.

  The map information storage device 2 includes a storage device 21 such as a hard disk device, a read-only storage medium such as a DVD or a CD, and a drive device thereof. The storage device 21 stores map data. In addition, an address database is constructed in the storage device 21.

  The address database is the same as the conventional address database in that it has a tree structure in which each area name from a wide area to a narrow area such as prefecture name, administrative district / city name, administrative district name, town name, and street address name is associated with a node. However, it is different from the conventional address database in that it is composed of a plurality of hierarchies with a narrow area as an upper hierarchy. A part of the address database is shown in FIG. 4, and the names of the towns and villages representing the area narrower than the administrative district / city name are the nodes in the upper hierarchy of the administrative district / city name. In the address database according to the first embodiment, a character representing the first reading of the area name is provided as a node in the highest hierarchy.

  The navigation related information detection device 3 acquires information generated along with the operation of the vehicle and information provided from the outside. The navigation related information detection device 3 includes a GPS receiver 31, a gyro 32, a vehicle speed sensor 33, a traffic information reception device 34, and a wide area communication device 35.

  The GPS receiver 31 detects the vehicle position, traveling direction, speed, and the like using information transmitted from a GPS satellite (not shown). Information obtained by detection by the GPS receiver 31 is sent to the central processing unit 1. The gyro 32 detects angle-related information such as a turning angle and a turning angular velocity accompanying the movement of the vehicle. The angle related information detected by the gyro 32 is sent to the central processing unit 1. The vehicle speed sensor 33 detects the moving speed and moving distance of the vehicle. The moving speed and moving distance detected by the vehicle speed sensor 33 are sent to the central processing unit 1 as vehicle speed information.

  The traffic information receiving device 34 receives traffic jam information and construction information transmitted from a center (not shown). Information received by the traffic information receiver 34 is sent to the central processing unit 1. The wide area communication device 35 exchanges various types of information with the ground station using wireless communication such as a public wireless telephone network or a wireless LAN. The wide area communication device 35 sends the information received from the ground station to the central processing device 1 and transmits the information received from the central processing device 1 to the ground station.

  The input / output device 4 accepts user operations and provides information to the users. The input / output device 4 includes a display device 41, a touch panel 42, a switch panel (SW panel) 43, a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote control”) light receiving unit 44, a remote controller 45, a speaker 46 and a microphone 47. Yes. The touch panel 42, the switch panel 43, the remote control light receiving unit 44, and the remote control 45 correspond to the input / output unit of the present invention, and the display device 41 corresponds to the output unit of the present invention.

  The display device 41 is composed of, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel or a small cathode ray tube, and displays map information, an address search dialog, and the like based on image data sent from the image processor 14 of the central processing unit 1. .

  The touch panel 42 is installed on the display surface of the display device 41 and sends information representing the touch position to the central processing device 1. The user can specify or select the operation button by touching the operation button displayed on the display device 41 from above the touch panel 42.

  The switch panel 43 includes a plurality of buttons, a joystick, and the like disposed on the front surface of a frame that is held so as to surround the display device 41 and the touch panel 42. The switch panel 43 sends information corresponding to the user's operation to the central processing unit 1.

  The remote control light receiving unit 44 receives a radio signal such as infrared rays transmitted from the remote control 45 and sends it to the central processing unit 1. The remote controller 45 generates a radio signal such as an infrared ray corresponding to the operation of the button and transmits it to the remote control light receiving unit 44. These remote control light receiving unit 44 and remote control 45 allow the user to operate the address search system from a remote location.

  The speaker 46 converts an electrical signal sent as an audio signal from the central processing unit 1 into an acoustic signal, and generates audio. The microphone 47 converts an acoustic signal, which is a voice uttered by the driver, into an electric signal, and sends it to the central processing unit 1 as a voice signal.

  Next, the operation of the address search system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the address search system is powered on, an initialization process is first executed (step ST10). In this initialization process, initial values are set for the components of the central processing unit 1, an initial screen is displayed on the display device 41, and the like.

  Next, current location detection is performed (step ST11). That is, the CPU 10 detects the current position of the host vehicle based on information obtained from the GPS receiver 31 via the input / output interface 13. Next, the display is updated (step ST12). That is, the CPU 10 acquires a predetermined range of map data centered on the current position detected in step ST11 from the storage device 21 via the storage device interface 12, and sends it to the image processor 14. Further, the CPU 10 acquires angle-related information from the gyro 32 via the input / output interface 13, acquires vehicle speed information from the vehicle speed sensor 33 via the input / output interface 13, and sends it to the image processor 14.

  The image processor 14 generates image data for drawing a map based on the map data received from the CPU 10, and the own vehicle generated based on the angle-related information and the vehicle speed information received from the CPU 10 on the image data. The image data for drawing the mark is superimposed and sent to the display device 41. As a result, the map around the vehicle and the vehicle mark are displayed on the screen of the display device 41.

  Next, it is checked whether or not there is an operation input (step ST13). That is, the CPU 10 checks whether operation information indicating that an operation has been performed is acquired from the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43, or the remote control light receiving unit 44 via the input / output interface 13. If it is determined that there is an operation input, an operation input process is performed (step ST14). In this operation input process, a destination and passing point setting process is executed according to the operation of the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43 or the remote controller 45, and an address search process directly related to the present invention is executed. Details of this address search processing will be described later.

  If it is determined in step ST13 that there is no operation input, or if the process in step ST14 is completed, it is then checked whether a destination or passing point has been set (step ST15). . Here, if it is determined that the destination or passing point is not set, the sequence returns to step ST11 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST15 that the destination or passing point is set, then route guidance is performed (step ST16). In other words, the CPU 10 sends route data representing the route to the destination or passing point to the image processor 14. The image processor 14 generates image data for displaying a route based on the route data and sends the image data to the display device 41. Thereby, the route to the destination or the passing point is displayed on the map displayed on the screen of the display device 41.

  Next, route guidance is performed (step ST17). That is, the CPU 10 acquires a guidance message stored in the storage device 21 in association with the map data via the storage device interface 12, and sends it to the voice interface 15 as voice data. The audio interface 15 converts the received audio data into an audio signal and sends it to the speaker 46. Thereby, a guidance voice is generated from the speaker 46.

  Next, it is checked whether or not the destination has been reached (step ST18). That is, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the current position of the vehicle indicated by the information acquired from the GPS receiver 31 via the input / output interface 13 matches the destination position set in step ST14. If it is determined that the destination has not been reached, the sequence returns to step ST11 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST18 that the vehicle has arrived at the destination, the process ends.

  Next, details of the address search process in the operation input process executed in step ST14 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, this operation input processing is performed when the touch panel 42 detects that the operation button displayed on the screen of the display device 41 is pressed, when the switch on the switch panel 43 is pressed, or when the button on the remote controller 45 is pressed. It is executed when pressed.

  When the shift to the search mode is instructed by operating the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43 or the remote controller 45, first, a menu is displayed (step ST20). That is, when the operation information from the input / output device 4 indicates the shift to the search mode, the CPU 10 sends the image data of the menu screen to the image processor 14. Thereby, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display device 41. On this menu screen, operation buttons such as address search, facility search, postal code search, 50-sound search, and telephone number search are formed, and the user can select a desired search.

  Next, it is checked whether address search in the menu screen is selected (step ST21). That is, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an address search operation button has been pressed based on information representing a touch position sent from the touch panel 42 via the input / output interface 13. When it is determined that address selection is not selected, other processing is performed (step ST22). In step ST22, a facility search process, a postal code search process, a 50-sound search process, and a telephone number search process are executed, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step ST21 that address selection has been selected, an address search dialog is then displayed (step ST23). In the address search dialog displayed in this step ST23, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), the first reading of the area name of the destination point can be selected from line A, line,. It has become.

  When the first reading of the area name is selected in the address search dialog, an address database search process is then executed (step ST24). That is, the CPU 10 searches the address database constructed in the storage device 21 and obtains the area names of all the child nodes having the selected reading as the parent node, that is, the names of the towns and villages of the second hierarchy from the storage device 21. Read through the storage device interface 12. FIG. 4 shows that “Kaibara”,..., “Aikawa”,... “Kitano” This shows how the names of towns and villages are searched.

  Next, candidate list display is performed (step ST25). That is, the CPU 10 sends data representing the town and village name read in step ST24 to the image processor 14. The image processor 14 generates an image signal based on the received data and sends it to the display device 41. As a result, a town / village selection dialog including a list of town / village names having a line reading as shown in FIG.

  In addition to the list of town names, this town / village selection dialog includes buttons for sorting by vowels in a row and up / down arrow buttons for scrolling. If the number of town names displayed in the list is small, the display of a button for performing classification based on vowels is omitted, and the display of up and down arrows is also omitted if all town names can be displayed in the town selection dialog.

  The user uses the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43, or the remote controller 45 of the input / output device 4 to select a desired town / village name on the town / village selection dialog. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “Kitanocho” in the town / village selection dialog in order to search for 2 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City.

  Next, it is checked whether the lowest hierarchy has been reached or a display request has been made (step ST26). If it is determined in step ST26 that the lowest hierarchy has not been reached and no display request has been made, the sequence returns to step ST24 and the above-described processing is repeated.

  The contents of this repetitive processing are as follows. That is, in the second address database search process (step ST24), the CPU 10 searches the address database constructed in the storage device 21, and the areas of all child nodes having the selected “Kitanocho” as the parent node. The name, that is, the administrative district / city name of the third hierarchy is read from the storage device 21 via the storage device interface 12. Figure 4 shows that the user selects “Kitanocho” in order to search for 2 Kitanomachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, so that administrative districts such as “Sapporo City”, “Towada City”,. It shows how the city name is searched.

  In the second candidate list display process (step ST25), the CPU 10 sends data representing the administrative district / city name read in step ST24 to the image processor 14. The image processor 14 generates an image signal based on the received data and sends it to the display device 41. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), an administrative district / city selection dialog including a list of administrative districts / city names where the town name “Kitano-cho” exists is displayed on the display device 41. This administrative district / city selection dialog has up and down arrow buttons for scrolling. Note that the administrative district / city selection dialog can also be configured with a button for performing classification based on vowels, as in FIG. The order of display of administrative districts and city names can be in the order of Japanese syllabary or geographical conditions (for example, from north to south).

  On the administrative district / city selection dialog, the user selects a desired administrative district / city name using the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43 or the remote controller 45 of the input / output device 4. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “Chuo-ku Chuo-ku” in the administrative district / city selection dialog in order to search for Kitano-cho 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Kobe City. In this case, for example, the user usually knows the approximate geographical condition even if the memory of the intermediate part of the address notation of the desired point is warm. Choosing Sapporo or Tokorozawa is difficult if you want. Therefore, the probability that a desired administrative district / city can be selected increases. At the time of selecting the desired administrative district / city name, the sequence has returned to step ST24 since the lowest hierarchy has not been reached and no display request has been made.

  In the third address database search process (step ST24), the CPU 10 searches the address database built in the storage device 21, and the areas of all child nodes having the selected “Chuo-ku, Kobe City” as the parent node. The name, that is, the name of the chome of the fourth hierarchy is read from the storage device 21 via the storage device interface 12. FIG. 4 shows that the user selects “Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi” to search for 2-chome, Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, so that “1-chome”, “2-chome”,. It shows how the chome name is searched.

  In the third candidate list display process (step ST25), the CPU 10 sends data representing the chome name read in step ST24 to the image processor 14. The image processor 14 generates an image signal based on the received data and sends it to the display device 41. Thereby, a chome selection dialog including a list of chome names existing in “Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture” as shown in FIG. This chome selection dialog is provided with a Map button for requesting map display.

  The user uses the touch panel 42, the switch panel 43, or the remote controller 45 of the input / output device 4 on the chome selection dialog to select a desired couch and presses the Map button. Here, it is assumed that the user selects “2 chome” in the chome selection dialog in order to search for 2 chome Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City. As a result, it is determined in step ST26 that the lowest hierarchy has been reached, and map search and map display are performed (step ST27). That is, the CPU 10 acquires map data corresponding to the second chome selected in the chome selection dialog from the storage device 21 via the storage device interface 12 and sends it to the image processor 14. The image processor 14 generates a display signal for drawing a map based on the map data, and sends the display signal to the display device 41. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5 (f), a map centering on 2-chome Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo is displayed on the display device 41.

  If the user presses the Map button during the selection of the series of area names, in step ST27, a process of displaying a map of the area specified at that time on the display device 41 is performed. In addition to displaying a map centered on 2-chome Kitano-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, as specified by the series of regional names above, the specified address should be set as the destination or waypoint. It can also be configured.

  As described above, according to the address search system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, even if a part of the address notation of the desired point is unknown or ambiguous, the map display of the desired point is possible. This is possible, and the destination and waypoints can be set, so the convenience for the user is improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The address search system according to the second embodiment of the present invention displays the attribute information added to the chome selection dialog shown in FIG. 5 (e) used in the address search system according to the first embodiment. It is what I did.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a chome selection dialog used in the address search system according to the second embodiment. In this chome selection dialog, each selectable chome is displayed with attribute information including facility and area information representing the chome.

  The chome selection dialog used in the address search system according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 (e) can display the neighborhood of the desired area regardless of which chome is selected, thus improving convenience compared to the prior art. However, if the user does not memorize up to the chome, the possibility of erroneous selection remains. On the other hand, according to the address search system according to the second embodiment, since the facility and area information representing each chome is added and displayed, the possibility of erroneous selection is reduced and the selection operation is further facilitated. become.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
The address search system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the address search system according to the first embodiment, wherein the prefecture representing a wider area than the administrative district / city is between the town name / village name hierarchy and the administrative district / city hierarchy. Is added.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of an address database used in the address search system according to the third embodiment. In an address search system that operates using this address database, a prefecture selection dialog as shown in FIG. 8D is displayed after a town name is selected. By selecting one prefecture name in this prefecture selection dialog, the administrative district / city selection dialog shown in FIG. 8 (e) is displayed as in the first embodiment. Other operations are the same as those of the address search system according to the first embodiment.

  The address search system according to the third embodiment of the present invention functions effectively when a large number of “Kitano-cho” representing a target point exists over a wide area. In this case, as in the first embodiment, if the user has a certain amount of geographical knowledge, it is difficult to select a completely different prefecture, so the name of the prefecture displayed in the prefecture selection dialog is appropriate. Then, it is possible to arrive at a desired point by sequentially following the dialogs shown in FIGS. 8 (e) and 8 (f).

  Note that the address search system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention can be modified to directly select up to chome when there are very few administrative districts and cities where the desired town and village names exist. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the address database used in this case, and shows an example in which a desired town / village name exists only in a single administrative district / city.

  In such a case, it is not necessary to select administrative districts and cities for narrowing down, so as shown in FIG. 10D, a chome selection dialog in which the entire address notation is displayed is used. According to this configuration, the number of hierarchies to be selected is reduced, and a desired point can be selected using a dialog displaying the entire address notation, so that the selection operation is facilitated.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the address search system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, a travel history is taken into account when specifying a desired point.

  The configuration of the address search system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the address search system according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the address search system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIG.

  In this address search system, a travel history collection process (step ST30) is added between step ST11 and step ST12 of the flowchart shown in FIG. This travel history collection process corresponds to the travel history collection means of the present invention. In the travel history collection process, the CPU 10 accumulates and stores the number of travels in the administrative district / city in the memory 11 for each administrative district / city as the travel history based on the information representing the current position of the vehicle acquired in step ST11. From this travel history, it is possible to determine the region where the user travels favorably. The travel history stored in the memory 11 is referred to in the operation input process (step ST14).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing details of the address search process in the operation input process executed in step ST14 of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this address search process, a search result sorting process (step ST40) is added between step ST24 and step ST25 of the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In this search result sorting process, a process of sorting a plurality of administrative districts / city names searched in step ST24 according to the travel history is performed. When displaying a plurality of administrative districts / city names in the administrative district / city selection dialog in the next step ST24, the sorted administrative districts / city names are displayed. Therefore, in the administrative district / city selection dialog, the administrative district / city that the user likes to travel is displayed with priority.

  FIG. 13 (d) shows an example of the administrative district / city selection dialog when the travel history is concentrated in Hyogo Prefecture. The administrative district / city name under the Hyogo prefecture where the desired town / village name exists is displayed with priority. Yes. In the administrative district / city selection dialog, a region switching button is prepared in case another region is desired. FIG. 13E shows an example in which a prefecture selection dialog that is a wider area is displayed when an area switching button is selected, as in the address search system according to the third embodiment. .

  As described above, according to the address search system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the search operation can be performed with priority given to the range of action of the driver of the vehicle, so that the remote area names are mixed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the troublesomeness of selecting one from the above, and the convenience is improved.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
In the address search system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the destination history is taken into account when specifying a desired point.

  The configuration of the address search system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention is the same as the configuration of the address search system according to Embodiment 1 shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the address search system according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in FIG.

  In this address search system, destination history collection processing (step ST50) is added after step ST14 of the flowchart shown in FIG. This destination history collection process corresponds to the destination history collection means of the present invention. In the destination history collection process, the CPU 10 accumulates and stores the number of times set as the destination using the navigation function in the memory 11 for each administrative district / city as the destination history. From this destination history, it is possible to determine an area frequently set as a destination by the user. The destination history stored in the memory 11 is referred to in the operation input process (step ST14).

  The operation input process is the same as that according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 12 except for the following points. That is, in the search result sorting process (step ST40), a process of sorting a plurality of administrative districts / city names searched in step ST24 according to the destination history is performed. When displaying a plurality of administrative districts / city names in the administrative district / city selection dialog in the next step ST24, the sorted administrative districts / city names are displayed. Therefore, in the administrative district / city selection dialog, administrative districts / city frequently set as destinations are displayed with priority.

  As described above, according to the address search system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially select an area that is frequently set as a destination. Therefore, unnecessary information such as a distant area that is rarely used or a known area in the vicinity of the home where the user travels is excluded, and a search that matches the user's preference is possible.

  In the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment described above, the usage time zone history and the usage day history (accumulation of the day information on which the search was executed are stored, the weekday usage and the holiday or entertainment usage, the priority display area The order in which the area names are displayed in the dialog can be changed in combination.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Central processing unit, 2 Map information storage device, 3 Navigation related information detection device, 4 Input / output device, 10 CPU, 11 Memory, 12 Storage device interface, 13 Input / output interface, 14 Image processor, 15 Voice interface, 21 Storage device , 31 GPS receiver, 32 gyro, 33 vehicle speed sensor, 34 traffic information receiving device, 35 wide area communication device, 41 display device, 42 touch panel, 43 switch panel, 44 remote control light receiving unit, 45 remote control, 46 speaker, 47 microphone.

Claims (6)

It has a tree structure in which the area name representing the area of each stage from the upper level administrative division to the lower level administrative division constituting the address is associated with the node, and is the highest of the nodes associated with the area name. The area name of the upper parent node is an address database that is an administrative division below the area name of the child node,
An input section for inputting the region name;
Central processing for starting a search from an area name of a lower-level administrative division in a predetermined stage among the stages by searching a child node having the area name input from the input unit as a parent node from the address database Equipment,
An address search system comprising: an output unit that outputs an area name corresponding to a child node searched by the central processing unit. The address database further includes characters representing the first reading of the area name as a node of the highest hierarchy,
The input part inputs characters representing the first reading of the area name of the target point,
The central processing unit
Select a region name having a character reading input from the input unit from the highest hierarchy of the address database, and output to the output unit,
The address search system according to claim 1, wherein a child node having one region name selected by the input unit as a parent node from the output region names is searched from the address database. The address database has a tree structure in which an area name representing an area of each stage from an upper-level administrative division to a lower-layer administrative division constituting an address is associated with a node, and each of the area names is associated with the area name The regional name of the top parent node among the nodes is an administrative division lower than the regional name of the child node, and the regional name of the child node having the child node as the parent node is from the regional name of the parent node. 2. The address search system according to claim 1, wherein the address search system is an administrative division of a lower layer .   2. The address search system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit adds the attribute information of the area name to the area name corresponding to the child node searched by the central processing unit and outputs the area name. A travel history collecting means for collecting and accumulating the travel frequency of the area where the vehicle has traveled;
2. The address according to claim 1, wherein the output unit sequentially outputs the area names corresponding to the child nodes searched by the central processing unit, starting from the area with the high traveling frequency accumulated in the traveling history collection means. Search system. A destination history collecting means for collecting and accumulating the set number of times of the area set as the destination;
2. The output unit according to claim 1, wherein the output unit sequentially outputs the region names corresponding to the child nodes searched by the central processing unit, starting from the region having a high set number of times accumulated in the destination history collection unit. Address search system.

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